Utter Synonym

In 1989 an 8.2 earthquake almost flattened America, killing over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. In the midst of utter devastation and chaos, a father left his wife safely at home and rushed to the school where his son was supposed to be, only to discover that the building was as flat as a pancake. After the unforgettably initial shock, he remembered the promise he had made to his son: "No matter what, I’ll always be there for you!" And tears began to fill his eyes. As he looked at the pile of ruins that once was the school, it looked hopeless, but he kept remembering his commitment to his son. He began to direct his attention towards where he walked his son to class at school each morning. Remembering his son s classroom would be in the back right corner of the building; he rushed there and started digging through the ruins. As he was digging, other helpless parents arrived, clutching their hearts, saying: "My son!" "My daughter!" Other well meaning parents tried to pull him off what was left of the school, saying: "It s too late! They’re all dead! You can’t help! Go home! Come on, face reality, there s nothing you can do!" To each parent he responded with one line: "Are you going to help me now?" And then he continued to dig for his son, stone by stone. The fire chief showed up and tried to pull him off the school s ruins saying, "Fires are breaking out, explosions are happening everywhere. You’re in danger. We’ll take care of it. Go home."

I could smell his tempting cologne as he walked closer, his presence making my heart skip a beat. He placed his hands on the wall, caging me in with his strong arms. My breath hitched. He leaned in, his honey-colored eyes boring into mine like he was trying to solve a puzzle. Meanwhile, I was melting—like ice cream on a summer sidewalk. "You look familiar," he murmured, biting his lip as if deep in thought. "Have we met before?" Of course, Jack Harrison—the most popular lacrosse player at Wilford High—wouldn’t know who I am. Why would he? I’m the invisible girl. The one who hides behind books and avoids eye contact. The one no one remembers. And yet… I’ve always noticed him. Jack Harrison. The boy every girl wants. The boy I’ve secretly dreamed about since sophomore year. And then—just when I thought I’d spend another year in his shadow—I found out a new family was moving in next door. To my utter disbelief, it turned out to be him. Jack Harrison, the boy I've always wanted.

The first time in a long while Adira decides to enjoy herself, it ends in utter chaos—a nightclub drenched in mayhem and blood, and her perched awkwardly on the lap of a dangerously handsome stranger who radiates trouble. Their rude encounter sets the stage for something far more sinister. Now, thrust into a twisted partnership with the enigmatic Andronikos Karas, she must navigate a web of crime, power plays, and the unbearable tension that crackles between them. Will Adira surrender to the magnetic pull of her heart, or will she hold firm and reject the temptation threatening to consume her? It wasn’t supposed to go this way. Andronikos had a plan: steal the girl, use her to destroy her father, take Abara Inc., and finally settle the score for the pain her family inflicted on his years ago. Revenge, cold and calculated, was all he ever wanted. Holding her was meant to be nothing more than a step in his elaborate game. But as days turned to weeks, and his connection to Adira deepened, the fire inside him began to smolder. It was subtle at first, a flicker of something he couldn’t name. Over time, it grew—a primal yearning that both thrilled and terrified him. Andronikos has always been relentless in pursuing what he wants, and now, more than revenge, it’s Adira he craves. But vengeance and desire make for a dangerous combination, and as the lines blur, one thing becomes clear: he’ll stop at nothing to claim both his justice and the woman who’s become the center of his world.

James got to his feet and slowly advanced towards Lucien. His eyes suddenly predatory. “How much did my parents offer you to spy on me?” He repeated. Lucien froze in utter shock and fear, his soul instantly abandoning his body. How… the fuck did James know? He wondered in absolute horror. Did he slip up somewhere? It can't be! He's always careful! James placed his hand on Lucien's neck and leaned forward. “Cat got your tongue?” James inquired, his mint breath fanning Lucien's face. “Why don't you answer me, Lucien? How much did my parents offer you to risk your life like this?” Lucien couldn't speak. He was too scared to. At this moment, his body, mind and soul instantly froze. He could literally see his life flashing before his eyes. Was he going to die? He had seen how James countlessly murdered people in cold blood… would he do the same to him? “I'm willing to forgive for your betrayal, Lucien, because…” James leaned in and pressed his lips on Lucien's neck. Lucien flinched. “... I have a thing for you. Well, that's if and only if… you're willing to become my… perfect toy.” James leaned backward and glared into Lucien's eyes, his thumb slowly grazing his trembling lips. James smirked, “So cute. Make a choice now, Lucien! Die right here in the middle of this room… or be my toy!” *** Money was the only reason Lucien agreed to spy on his billionaire boss, who was secretly an underground Mafia leader. But sadly, money couldn't save him when he discovered that his boss had always known he was hired to spy on him from the get-go He had two choices, die brutally for his sick betrayal… or become a perfect toy for the most ruthless and dangerous man in existence!

“I'll marry you,” Andrea Thompson said in utter desperation. Marrying Colton Hudson, a man she had never met until that day, was something she never imagined doing. But when her boyfriend Anthony cheated with her step sister Evelyn, Andrea didn’t care. This was her only chance to regain her mother's company which was taken away from her by the people she loved most. Colton Hudson lost his mother in a hit-and-run accident, leaving him motherless at the age of ten. Sent abroad to study, Colton returned to Hillsdale twenty years later to take over his grandfather's company. The only woman he ever loved and trusted was his girlfriend, Evelyn—his savior. He cherished her with his whole heart, but to his dismay, she never showed up for their court wedding. That’s when he met Andrea Thompson. How will Andrea cope with the aftermath of her impulsive decision? What happens when Colton demands intimacy as payment for helping her regain her mother's company? If their one-year marriage works out, what will happen when dark pasts begin to surface?

Vinca's life had turned into a nightmare. She was in utter pain, not remembering where she was or what had happened to her as her mind was blank and shrouded in darkness. Instincts told her that she needed to fight for her life. To survive and remember was her immediate goal. With time, she came to the realization that somebody wanted her dead and forgotten. Frost, also known as the Ice King, is as cold and aloof as his name suggests. An unrelenting man in his 30s, his life changes completely when he rescues a damsel in distress who slowly thaws his heart, turning him into a possessive lover on the road to seek revenge for his Sweet Pink. Love, mistrust and bittersweet revenge are intertwined in this romantic story of two broken hearts that are destined to stand the test of time as they wrap themselves in a healing process, but will they have their happily ever after?

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.

After the tragic death of my best friend, I took her younger brother in and treated him like my own. Everyone knew how much Zach Lawson meant to me, so much so that I vowed not to marry because I could not bear leaving him. The day he turned eighteen, he got on one knee and asked me to marry him. With tears of joy streaming down my face, I took the bouquet from him, only to realize they were made of writhing snakes. Everyone laughed at my misfortune. It was an artfully crafted joke, at my expense. Thalia Lewis laced her arm through Zach's and grinned. "Sorry about that, Sydney. It was just an innocent prank. Zach is willing to do anything to make me smile!" Zach gave me a look of utter disgust. "Is this what you think of me? You're my sister! How can you even think of marrying me? This is vile! Is this the reason you took me in? Have you been secretly pining for me since the start?" My whole life had come crashing down around me. I was overcome with shock, misery, and despair, until Connor Grey showed up and asked for my hand in marriage.

“ I'll marry you” Lauren Greene said the words in utter desperation. Getting married to a crippled man whom she had never seen until that day was not something she had ever imagined she would do but when her mother had a cardiac arrest and needed an emergency surgery, she didn't care. This was her only choice. Alexander Magnus lost his parents in a hit and run accident which left him crippled at the age of ten. He went abroad to study afterwards, returning after twenty years to take over his father's company. The only person he ever talked to was his childhood friend and savior, Melissa McCarthy. He cherished and loved her with his whole heart but much to his dismay, she never showed up for their court wedding. There he met Lauren Greene. How will Lauren cope with the aftermath of her impulsive decision? What happens when Alexander demands for an heir as payment for her mother's surgery? If their marriage supposedly worked out, what happens when dark pasts begin to surface?

"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.