Vanishing Acts

On the very first day Jason and I made our relationship official, he insisted on handing over his salary for me to manage. He said marriage was only a matter of time and that he trusted his future wife to keep the money safe. On the day of our engagement, Jason demanded that I hand over the $960,000 in salary I had “kept” for him over the past four years. “Each month, I gave you $20,000. In four years, that’s $960,000. After expenses, there should be at least $800,000 left, right? I can’t bear to make my parents empty their savings for my marriage. We will use my savings for the wedding, $600,000 as the down payment for the new apartment, and the remaining $200,000 will be my wedding gift to you.” I froze. “But there isn’t a single dollar left!” Jason exploded. “You wasteful woman! You spent all the money?!” His mother also erupted. “So much money, and you squandered it all! What shameful acts have you been up to?! This marriage is off!” Jason demanded to see the accounts. I immediately pulled out the records in front of everyone. Seeing this, Jason’s mother panicked.

On the fifth anniversary of Rebecca Perry's marriage to Vance Bradford, his first love returned to the country. That night, she caught him in the bathroom, murmuring Catherine's name as he pleasured himself. That was why, for five years, he had never touched her. "Catherine is back; she's all alone. I'm just helping her as a friend." "I understand." "I promised her I'd accompany her to the island for her birthday. I'm just fulfilling it." "Okay." "This banquet requires a capable companion, and Catherine is more suitable than you." "Okay, go ahead." When she stopped getting angry, stopped shedding tears, and stopped making a fuss, he grew puzzled. "Rebecca, why aren't you angry?" Of course, she wasn't angry anymore—because she was preparing to leave. Weary of this stagnant marriage, she had secretly learned a foreign language, taken the proficiency exam, and applied to study abroad. The day her visa was approved, she presented him with the divorce agreement. Vance froze. "No joke. How are you gonna survive without me?" Rebecca turned away, bought a plane ticket, and flew to the European continent, vanishing without a trace. The next time he saw news of her was in a viral video. Dressed in a flowing red gown, she danced against a foreign sky, igniting the internet with her performance. He gritted his teeth. "Rebecca, no matter where you hide, I will find you and bring you back!"

During the holiday, a hashtag related to honeymoon trips goes viral on social media. The topic is, "How are you planning to spend your honeymoon?" One of the threads that has the most replies reads, "I have to bring my mistress along, of course." "Wow! That's crazy. Can you teach us how to pull that off?" I frown as I scroll down the thread and find the reply. "There are a lot of poor, female backpackers these days. As long as the mistress acts pitiful enough, you can pull the wool over your wife's eyes. And just like that, a couple's haven will become a world of three. "My wife and I will be going on our honeymoon trip tomorrow. I'll give everyone live updates in this thread." Feeling disgusted, I close the thread. … The next day, my husband, Sean Clifford, and I meet a poor, female backpacker on the road. She has no car, money, or any suitcases with her. Sprawling herself across the windshield, she begs, "Can you give me a ride, sir? I have blisters all over my feet. I can't walk anymore."

Deep in the heart of the Amazon, where ancient magic still pulses through the veins of the rainforest, two worlds collide in a primal dance of passion and peril. Isabel, a dedicated researcher, ventures into the jungle's emerald depths, unaware that her quest to preserve vanishing tribes will lead her into the arms of a predator unlike any she's ever encountered. Kai, the magnetic and fiercely protective leader of a secret jaguar shifter society, has guarded his people's existence for centuries. But when Isabel stumbles upon their hidden realm, she ignites a fire within him that threatens to consume everything he's sworn to protect. As greedy outsiders close in, seeking to strip the jungle of its riches, Isabel and Kai form an unlikely alliance. Their mission to save the rainforest becomes a crucible, forging a bond as untamed as the wilderness itself. Yet, even as they fight external threats, the greatest battle rages within their hearts. Isabel, drawn to Kai's raw power, must confront her own desires and the terrifying reality of a world beyond her wildest imagination. Kai, accustomed to unquestioned dominance, finds his resolve tested by a woman who challenges him in ways no enemy ever has. In the shadowy realm between man and beast, civilization and nature, Isabel and Kai must trust in a love powerful enough to bridge two worlds—or risk losing everything to the encroaching darkness that threatens to devour them all. "Jaguar's Shadow" is a searing tale of forbidden love, primal instincts, and the fight to preserve a magical world on the brink of extinction. Prepare to be transported to a realm where passion roars as loud as the jungle's fiercest predators, and love may be the only force wild enough to save us all.

What could possibly go wrong when Maria is assigned as the personal doctor to the heir of a billionaire clan who just woke up from thirteen months in a coma? Probably unintended sparks and complicated intimacies. The saying that 'opposites attract' can't be more true between these two contradicting beings. *** He frowned down at her, moving towards the bed again, and sealed her lips with a palm. "Stop smiling like that," he said, in a deep rumble, brown eyes darkening with a different emotion she couldn't put into words. Her brows creased slightly before pulling his hand away and then chuckled lightly at his strange set of words. "Why? Is it not funny?" She asked with amusement, looking back at him with her grin getting wider. A groan softly broke through his lips, and his frame lowering towards her brought her chortle to an abrupt end, making her freeze in place when his face was a mere inch from hers. Her breath hitched for a second as she gazed into those dark eyes that could melt her in just one look, the softest of whispers breaking free from him, his fingers gently tracing over her jaw. "Because if you continue..." he paused, taking his time to finish his thought as his thumb ran up along her cheek. "... I am going to kiss you." Her eyelids stretched open at his words, gasping silently, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. "Mr. Stanley..." And before she could complete words she wasn't even sure of saying next, he captured her mouth with a passionate kiss that stole her breath away, all sound from her vanishing in that instant. ***

**Book 2 to The Moon's Descendant ** ** Mature content 18+ ** Contains graphic sex scenes, violence, death and coarse language ** ‐-------------------------------------------------------- Although Zelena survived the attack on her pack, a lot has changed in the Were world. Secrets are being kept and lies are being told. Someone close has betrayed them. With more Weres seeking out the Triple Goddess, new threats and allies are appearing from all over. Zelena grows more powerful by the day. As her powers manifest, so to do the dangers. As Zelena struggles to find her way, one Were is seeking to use the Triple Goddess to realise his own dreams and desires. Zelena is forced to make a choice, will she lead Were kind to untold heights of power, or will she keep the peace that they have always known. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The sound of a wailing child filled the air, piercing the inner corners of my ears. I couldn't move, it was like my body was concreted to the ground. Everything hurt. The intense pain burned through my veins, paralysing me. I lay helpless on the ground, dying slowly. My eyes gazing, at the retreating legs before me. I watched on powerlessly, until they were gone from my sight, vanishing between the snow-covered trees. Helplessness consumed me and I couldn't fight it any longer. The faint cries slipped away, until only the sound of the wind was left. My heavy eyelids slowly blinked closed and darkness fell over me. ----------------------------------------- Book 1 - The Moon's Descendant - Told by Zelena and Gunner. Book 2 - Mother of the Moon - Told By Zelena and Lunaya. Book 3 - Twin Moon - Told by Zelena and Whiskey.

For the hundredth time, my dad hints at us that he really wants to become a grandfather during New Year Eve's dinner. Lydia Cooper, my wife who has insisted on living a childless life for the past decade, just smiles before placing more food on his plate. After dinner, she ducks out to the balcony and murmurs into her phone, "Be good, now. Mommy will visit you a few days later." I can feel my blood running cold in my veins as I stand in the living room with a glass of water. As I approach Lydia, I do my best to keep my voice light and teasing. "I just heard you say the word 'mommy.' Do you have an illegitimate child out there somewhere?" Lydia rubs her nose, her tone now awkward. "You might be hearing things. It was just my friend's child…" My heart plunges into my stomach pit at her words. I've been in love with Lydia for ten years. It's only natural that I know how she acts whenever she's lying.

Olivia had a life that was almost perfect. Her father was the city mayor, her best friend was a good handsome man who was also the son of the founders of the city’s top hospitals, and her physical appearance was almost perfect too that she could make anyone like her anytime. But the thing was that she hated her father for never giving her love ever since her mother passed away—which resulted to her becoming a rebellious teenager. Dakota, on the other hand, had the opposite kind of life as Olivia. She had to do minor crimes at the age of 15 for survival with his older brother. She used to have a dream to be a nurse—which ended up vanishing ever since her life became miserable. One day, Olivia and Dakota crossed paths as Olivia insisted to enter the criminal life of Dakota for fun. Everything was fine at first as they enjoyed being partners in crime—not until the time came when they had to be separated because of the big difference between their lives and the betrayal that cut the relationship between the two girls. Years later, they met again as the both of them had changed to be more mature and powerful from the past years. Olivia had been holding the same guilt for years as Dakota had been holding the same grudge for years. Their sweet relationship had already ended years ago, but did their feelings ever change through the years that passed? What happens when they cross paths again? Will Dakota get her revenge? Or will their sweet relationship as partners in crime be restored again?

After a monthlong cold war, Liesel Sharp is in the hospital when she receives word of her husband throwing a welcome-back party for his true love. When she returns home, Jacob Ford hands her a divorce agreement. "She's back, so let's divorce." "Alright." The past three years have been nothing but a farce. This time, Liesel is really out of hope for him. After the divorce, Jacob sees articles about Liesel everywhere. She's out and about with a new man; she's also a rising star in the business world. She's everywhere he looks. Finally, Jacob, who has always been arrogant and proud, gives in. "Have you had enough? It's time to come home with me. Please." Liesel acts like she doesn't hear him. Later, he resorts to hanging around outside her home day and night. This changes one day when the door opens, and a man looks at him with a mocking smile. "Lili's tired, Mr. Ford. She doesn't have time to enjoy your pitiful act."

Eleanor Patrik, A young adult (23yrs), raised by the Mafia underboss, Nathan Holland (31) cannot help but fall for his gentle and loving side that makes her feel treasured. Indefatigably, she tries to get his attention romantically but is faced by the whiplash of society's “Wrong Love” concept since he is her guardian. Nathan is a famous playboy. Eleanor wants to stay by his side and gets jealous seeing Nathan with a woman that is not her. She ended up confessing to him. Things become awkward while the competition to become the Boss of the Mafia Organization turns nasty. Eleanor is frustrated with Nathan’s lack of response and acts carelessly only to face Nathan’s undiscovered emotions; ending in a relationship only for her heart to be broken by his indifference. She ends up becoming the enemy organization's target amidst all. Nathan loses it when betrayed by his own group; Eleanor ends up being kidnaped and Nathan wounded. When he finally finds her she is pregnant, shocking him. Will things return to how it was or will Eleanor realize Nathan’s true feelings. Will her teenage love bloom rightly or fade in this dangerous world of Mafia?