Tone Indicators

On the day we were supposed to register our marriage, my boyfriend said he was busy and bailed on me again. When I got home, however, I found his marriage certificate with his assistant on my desk—the registration date was today. I smiled, placed the certificate on my desk, and decisively ended things with him. The next moment, his call came through. His tone was impatient as he grumbled, "Penny, what's with the drama? You're an adult; stop playing these games." Just as I was about to respond, I heard his assistant sobbing on the other end. "Eric, did Penny misunderstand us? You should go home; I'll be fine by myself." "Don't worry about her," he said soothingly. "She's always pulling this nonsense—it's exhausting. Right now, you're what matters most." Hearing his reassuring words to her, I hung up and completely gave up on him.

On the day of the company's annual gala, my CEO husband suddenly assigned me an unexpected business trip. The plane had barely touched down when I received a call from his young assistant. Before I could utter a word, her voice came through, "Matty, did you send Daphne on that business trip just so we could spend more time together?" And then, as if to hammer the nail deeper into my heart, I heard his unmistakable tone—light, indulgent, full of affection, "What do you think, silly girl?" Her laughter rang out before she teased, "Then tonight, let's try something new. I promise you'll be satisfied..." The call ended amidst a swirl of suggestive murmurs. Staring at my phone, I waged a silent war with the pain gripping my chest. Again and again, I dialed his number, each attempt met with either silence or the cruel finality of his phone being switched off. Finally, I let out a bitter laugh, tucking the phone away as if to bury the wound it carried. From that moment on, I resolved—no more questions, no more efforts to understand this man who had once been my whole world. But fate has its own irony. Later, it was he who came back, pleading, begging me to love him again.

BLURB: “What are you doing, Adrian?!” I ask in an alarmed tone, the intense look in his eyes scaring the shit out of me. “I can fucking smell him on you!” Adrian growls at me as he covers the distance between us. “Let go, Adrian. You are scaring me!” I say in a shaky tone as Adrian's hand wraps around my wrist like a hot band. “You better be scared, doll, because when I'm done with you my name will be the only thing etched in your mind and fucking body.” Adrian says through gritted teeth, his words leaving me shaking on the spot. I'm overwhelmed with fear as I begin to wonder if I will even make it out if this room alive. __________________________ For a long time, winning the love of one of the most ruthless billionaires in the city was the only thing on Anya's mind until she is faced with his cruel betrayal and served with divorce papers. Unable to handle all this ontop of the death of her son and only child, Anya drives away from his office without any location in mind only to be met by a ghastly motor accident where she ends up losing her memory – or not. Anya is faced with the truth of what happened all those years ago, and she is determined to get revenge against every single person who has hurt her and her family. But what happens when she is faced with a new side of Adrian she has never seen before? A side that tucks her in at night and refuses to let her out of his sight? Will she be able to see past his betrayal or will she forever be stuck in a position where her revenge means more to her than anything else?

Bridget's lips curled slightly into a satisfied smirk. “We’ll see. Start the car and drive me to the city.” “Yes, ma’am,” Hans said as he opened the passenger door for her. As the car pulled out of the mansion’s long driveway, Bridget couldn’t help but notice Hans's composure. His movements were precise, his demeanor calm. “You drive well,” she remarked. “Thank you, ma’am,” Hans replied without breaking his focus on the road. Bridget tilted her head, studying him. “Why become a driver?” she asked suddenly. Hans hesitated for a moment. “Personal reasons, ma’am.” “Hmm. You’re full of secrets, aren’t you?” Bridget teased, though her tone carried genuine curiosity. Somehow, she wanted to know the deepest of the deepest of his driver. That's how it works for her. Maybe. Before Hans could reply, she noticed a black SUV trailing close behind them. Her instincts, sharp as ever, kicked in. “Hans, speed up,” she commanded. “We’re being followed.” “Yes, ma’am,” Hans said, immediately accelerating, maintaining his composed demeanor, and his expertise in driving. The black SUV matched their pace, confirming Bridget's suspicion. “Lose them,” she ordered, gripping her seatbelt. Hans’s hands moved deftly across the wheel, taking sharp turns and expertly navigating the highway. Bridget watched in amazement, realizing he was no ordinary driver. “Who are you, really?” she asked, her voice low and filled with intrigue. “Just your driver, ma’am,” Hans replied with a faint smile.

Ivy never planned to fall, literally, into Liam’s arms. But the day she bumped into him in the hallway, everything changed. His girlfriend noticed. The school noticed. At first, it was side eyes and some attitude. Then came the rumors. Just as the drama became unbearable, her world crashed, her parents died on the same day.  She had to move in with an aunt who she barely knew.  She stopped going to school, because the pain became unbearable. When she finally returned to school, the tone changed. There were new whispers, but only about her. To the girls like Claire and her group, Ivy was a pity seeker. She was beautiful, quiet, soft, so obviously, they thought she was faking it. Especially when the boys, including Liam, started being nice to her. Even her best friend, Sophia, changed after a new girl, Maya, showed up. Soon, Sophia turned against her, started acting mean. Another betrayal. Ivy was losing people faster than she could have ever imagined. And when her aunt suggested going to therapy, Ivy finally cracked. Ivy didn’t ask to be strong, she was shoved into it. She wasn’t eased into being strong, wasn’t given the time to learn, or grow into it. She learned to talk back. She learned to slap back, literally. When Sophia humiliated her in public, Ivy hit back without apology. But that didn’t mean Ivy was suddenly strong on the inside. She still cried when she was alone. Still felt broken. This isn’t some perfect girl story. Ivy’s not a superhero. She’s just trying to make it through each day without falling apart. She’s just trying to breathe without breaking. And maybe, somewhere in all that mess, she’ll find her own kind of peace.

"Strip," Dante ordered, his voice cold and commanding. Nora stood frozen in horror, disbelief washing over her. He leaned closer, eyes darkening. "And if you don't, I'll do it myself," his tone unwavering. She knew he meant it, her heart racing, unable to utter a word as the dangerous man before her mistook her for someone else entirely. When innocent Nora takes the fall for her cruel sister, Aria, to save their father, she becomes trapped in the dangerous world of mafia leader Dante, who believes she is Aria. As Dante prepares to make her life a living hell, will Nora find a way to survive the torment meant for someone else? Content Warning: This story contains mature themes that may not be suitable for readers under 18.

"Tell me," I stutteringly said, my voice breaking like glass. "Do you only want to have sex with me?" With a furrowed brow and a tone that suggested frustration. He began, "Mabel, I... I don't-” "Steve, I can't handle inconsistency now! I simply cannot. I cut him off, yelling as I shook my head angrily. "What is going on between us?" My gaze pierced his, requesting an open response and a clear route through the emotional ruins. His jaw tensed as he averted his gaze, then returned to me with a look of deep confusion on his face. He said, "I don't know either, Mabel," in a voice that was hardly more than a whisper and was filled with a sense of helplessness that was similar to mine. "Everything is moving so quickly.” I averted my eyes and frantically wiped at the unrelenting stream of tears that were tracing icy paths down my hot cheeks. "I think you need to leave," I whispered, barely able to breathe. I felt like my voice was about to break. ****** Mabel Jordan, scarred by past betrayal, seeks solace in the bustling city of Dax city. Sharing an apartment with the vibrant Hazel Harrison, she's thrust into a world of wealth and secrets. When she encounters Hazel's cousin, Steve Harrison, passion flares between them. Drawn to his dark allure, Mabel agrees to his terms: a no-strings-attached affair. But as their connection deepens, she battles with her own desires and fears and questions the limits of their arrangement. Can she tame the wild heart of a man who has sworn off love? Or will she cling to the safety of a loveless arrangement?

"If staying in prison is too harsh, warming my bed should be better, right?" He whispered into my ears, his eyes burning and his tone husky. With a push, I landed on his bed, my body shaking violently under his burning gaze, "For a filthy whore, fucking you gently isn't a punishment so I've prepared some things for you," Xavier bent over, revealing his perfect set of abs and his strong abdominal muscles. He grabbed my chin and forced my head up, showing me sets of sex toys he had prepared for me. "Shout for me, slut!" "Scream, Whore," Slowly but steadily, I became Xavier's bed warmer and sex toy... But what could be more achy than forbidden love? I got pregnant for my brother! However, Liam entered and gave me a new chance. "I will love you, fight for you, and make him pay," This was his vow to me~

She was light; they were darkness. She is innocent; they were cunning. She was optimistic; they were pessimistic. She was not what they wanted as their mate and yet they craved her. They hated her for what she was and yet they wanted all of her for themselves. They tormented her to break her and yet they felt like dying when they saw her in pain. They were trapped with her in a twisted game of fate. Will they be able to win this game, or will the cruelty of the world pull them apart? This was not just about winning the game. This was about their fate entangled with her. Fate was always cruel to her and yet she faced every hurdle with a new determination and smile. Will she be able to smile with the same determination when the secrets of their lives start revealing themselves to her? ----------------------------------------------------------- "Don't be afraid. It will be over soon. I am here with you..... always," he whispered comforting words in her ear while holding her wounded body tightly in his embrace. "You are an illusion, Gabriel. You will be gone once I open my eyes." She murmured weakly, her eyelids heavy. "No, my love.. I am not an illusion, and I will prove that to you," he replied in a determined tone before pulling her body up into his embrace and running towards his car, determined to save her and show her that this world is not just all about hate and bitterness. This world is also filled with love. He regretted coming late to save her. She did nothing wrong. Yet she is the only one who paid the price for others' faults. Life was never fair to her, but Gabriel was now determined to make everything right for her.

Fvck me,” I demanded, staring up with determination. “Make love to me right now.”  He pulled me up, his eyes wrapping my soul.“Hannah…what's wrong?” “Fvck me.” I repeated, without mincing words.   Without another word, he wrapped his hands around me, pulled me close and kissed me hungrily. Like his life depended on it.  "You are so beautiful and you fuvking drive me crazy, Hannah.” Hearing his deep breathy tone and I wanted to just have him fụ́vk me already. “Shhh. I know.” Moments later, he slid into me, thrụ́sting slowly and then lunging faster. My fingers latched onto his skin as he took me to a world filled with nothing but bliss and passion.  ******************** Hannah imagined her life would become better if she just broke up with her perfect boyfriend, Nathan, and married her mate, Liam, who happens to be Nathan's brother. But she soon realizes that life never goes as planned most times. Liam hits her and is unhealthily obsessed with her. Hannah cannot easily end things with him because of her family history of strong mate bond and the consequences of a rejected mate bond that isn't honoured. She is afraid of what people will say and her daughter’s future. Three years later, Nathan returns and so is Hannah's feelings for him. In a fight of desire and loyalty, of what is wrong and what is right, Hannah must learn to tame her feelings or give in to the forbidden passion that she knew would only lead to darker obsession.