Thirty-three Thousand

Leo Parker, my fiance, shoved me out the door with his own hands. He used me as bait to buy time for himself and my best friend, Jessica Thorne, to escape. I'd never forget him shutting the door. I'd never forget his last words through the narrow crack. "Thank you for your sacrifice, Chloe." When I open my eyes again, I'm back to the day before the zombie outbreak. Leo is gently urging me to hurry up and transfer 150 thousand dollars for the remodeling. It's the money we set aside for the home we plan to live in after we get married. In my past life, he set a trap and drained every cent of my savings. This time, I smile and agree. The only difference is that the 150 thousand dollars is going to build my doomsday bunker. And I'm also planning something special for them. After all, since I get a second chance at life, I should properly thank them for the "kindness" they showed me last time when they shoved me out to get torn apart by zombies.

In the year 2020, the world faced Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, and took several years to slowly recover from its immense effect. Thirty years after, another virus rose and affected the world's population in just a few weeks. The health workers couldn't determine what exactly the virus is, its type, and the way it is being passed from person to person despite the advanced and improved technology. Because of this and the sudden virus outbreak, the World Health Organization assigned Richforte Medical Team for a research mission for the virus and find a cure for it as soon as possible. Would they be able to accomplish this mission if, in the next few hours, the world would have what they called Zombie Apocalypse?

Thirty days into our argument, my girlfriend kissed her first love passionately right in front of me. I quietly asked my boss for a transfer to the Northern City branch, which was thousands of miles away. Her friends clapped and teased me. “Ivan, your girlfriend’s getting a new boyfriend. Aren’t you going to win her back?” I held her hand and sincerely said, “I’m sorry.” She looked down at me with a proud smile. “Okay, I forgive you. Tomorrow, pack your things. We’re going to see my parents.” I smiled and agreed. But she did not know I was leaving for Northern City that night.

“Olivia, are you sure you want to give up everything in the Red River Pack and come back home?” “Yes, I am sure.” My voice was shaky but I was determined. I wipe the tears that should not fall and gently touch the little life in my belly. I will do everything I can to save my baby. “I will pick you up in thirty days, after I come back from the border. You’re the Alpha Princess of the whole country: nobody can hurt you without my permission. “Thank you, brother.” I try to keep my voice steady. When the thirty-day countdown reaches zero, I will forever leave my mate and return home.

Some time ago, I was a delivery boy. One day, I received an order to deliver adult toys. When I went to the hotel room, I found a beautiful woman kneeling on a bed with her back turned to me. She only wore a thong. At that moment, I received a message on the delivery app. "Use the toys to bring her pleasure. If you do well, I will reward you with one hundred thousand dollars."

"You really thought I would marry someone like you?" His voice was as cold as ice while his blue eyes pierced through me without mercy. "You were just a convenient distraction.Victoria was always the woman I truly wanted by my side." In that moment, I felt my heart shatter into a thousand pieces, but I swore to myself that those would be the last tears I would ever shed for Alexander Reed. Sophia Morgan had always been a dedicated woman who built her career from the ground up. An orphan with no family support, she worked tirelessly until she became the Marketing Director of the Reed Group. When the powerful and arrogant CEO Alexander Reed noticed her, she believed she had found not only love but also a place to belong. After three years as his secret lover, Sophia discovers in the worst way possible that she was merely a pastime for Alexander. During a corporate event, he publicly humiliates her by announcing his engagement to Victoria, Sophia's personal assistant, who had secretly conspired to take her place. Devastated and with nowhere to go, Sophia tries to piece her life back together. But fate has other plans when she is forced to continue working at the same company, facing daily the man who destroyed her heart and the woman who stole her dreams. In a world where power and money make the rules, Sophia will need to find the strength to survive alongside the man who betrayed her, while battling the feelings that still persist in her wounded heart.

His sickness grew worst as his health deteriorated. Han Manuel knew he wasn't going to live much longer and after much denial, he decided to accept his horrid fate. But he found love in the weirdest of girls but prettiest of them all. She gave him hope and a thousand and one reasons to live again. A story of two hearts from two different worlds, joined together by love and destiny....

Thirty years ago, a progressive rock band called The Yellow Kings began recording what would become their first and final album. Titled “The Final Reconciliation,” the album was expected to usher in a new renaissance of heavy metal, but it was shelved following a tragic concert that left all but one dead. The sole survivor of that horrific incident was the band’s lead guitarist, Aidan Cross, who’s kept silent about the circumstances leading up to that ill-fated performance—until now. For the first time since the tragedy, Aidan has granted an exclusive interview to finally put rumors to rest and address a question that has haunted the music industry for decades: What happened to The Yellow Kings? The answer will terrify you. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

A reckless kiss that changes everything. Aurora thought kissing someone would be perfect to show her ex she has moved on, unknown to her it’s the beginning of an obsession. Dominic Ricci, a powerful mafia king, no one that touches him leaves him, even her, the moment she placed her lips on his, she became his, he holds secrets that could shatter her. When Dominic gives her an ultimate, stay with him for thirty days and he will ensure her safety or risk the lives of everyone she loves. Trapped in his world of secrets, Aurora realizes he is a ghost from her forgotten past. Who is he? Why is he willing to burn the world for her? How far will he go for her?

Everyone in Asterhaven knew—Maxwell Porter hated Zoey Bradford. Hated how she clung so desperately to their marriage. Hated how she refused to set him free. He asked for a divorce. Ninety-nine times. But the hundredth time, when he thought she'd turn him down like always, her voice cut through the air, cold as ice that had been frozen for a thousand years. "Fine. Let's get divorced."