Waking Life

"How can you say that about me, Nathan? I never had a kid!" Aaron Fuller protests. My wife, Jenny Green, stands protectively in front of him. "That's enough! You can't slander Aaron just because you're jealous of him. Just you wait, Nathan. I haven't settled the score with you for calling Aaron this afternoon and insulting him!"

At dinner, Tiffany White grabs my fiance's phone and spends 100 thousand dollars on a designer bag. She even sticks her tongue at me. "Come on, Meredith. You're loaded. You won't mind such a small amount, right? Shawn and I share everything. His money is my money," she says. Everyone at the table waits for me to lose my temper or smile and let it slide like a saint. Instead, I calmly take out a voice recorder and my laptop from my bag and adjust my gold-rimmed glasses. "100 thousand meets the threshold for criminal filing. Since you said you two share everything, I have to ask—is this embezzlement or an illegal transfer tied to an improper personal relationship? "Oh, and what you just said about 'his money is my money'? I recorded that. According to the supplemental clauses in our prenup and the company bylaws, I'm officially initiating an asset-freezing order against Shawn Harrison." I turn to Tiffany. "Enjoy your free meals in prison, Ms. White." Shawn is livid. "It was just a joke, Meredith. Is it really necessary to ruin me over this?" I hit the "enter" key. "Sorry. In my book, there are no jokes—only bad debt."

In my previous life, I had married Luca Corleone, the most handsome Underboss in Cisilia. Everyone was envious of me. They all claimed that I became one of the most noble women in the country. My twin sister, Lia Rossi, went mad with jealousy. She pushed me down the stairs afterward. When I was at my weakest point due to a miscarriage, she used a pillow to smother me to death. When I open my eyes again, I've returned to the day the family meeting on the upcoming marriage alliance is held. Upon returning to the lounge, I witness Lia straddling Luca, clearly engaging in physical intimacy with him. Her legs are spread widely as her body rocks with every powerful thrust. "You came far too late, Elvira." Lia pants heavily while shooting me a smug look. "I'm the woman Luca loves now. See, we're even coupling with each other. In this lifetime, I shall be the one marrying him!" Everyone looks at me, waiting for me to back off from this relationship while suffering from a mental breakdown. But I just chuckle in return. Oh, my dear Lia… All she knows is that Luca is young, handsome, and insanely wealthy. But what she doesn't know is that he has a secret room tucked away in his bedroom that's completely filled with toys and tools meant to torture women. At the same time, he also plans to share her with the rest of his subordinates.

In a world where only he-wolves were allowed to be Alphas, Seleste Rivas, the only daughter of the Alpha of the Lighttail Banes Pack, couldn't sit still. She knew she had what it took to be a powerful Alpha and would do anything to achieve her goal, including disguising herself as a he-wolf and sneaking into The Ravenwood Academy, where all the next Alpha-in-lines needed to be trained before settling into their roles. But nothing went according to her plans. On her first day, she caught the scents of her mates, the twin brothers of one of the strongest packs, the Wintercrown Shadows Pack. As Seleste navigated the treacherous world of dominance battles, academic rivalries, and the ever-present danger of exposure, especially when she found out her dorm mate was also her mate, she found herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions. She had come for a task, a goal, one she knew she couldn't deviate from. But their matebonds drew her closer, their touches sent her skin ablaze. Every heartbeat risked betrayal, every glance was a gamble. Every slip of her mask could shatter not only her dream, but also her life and those she held dear. And the worst part? She even had a bigger secret than being a she-wolf in a place full of he-wolves. When she uncovered conspiracies within the Ravenwood Academy, would her mates shun her? Or helped her? Would she show her true power and self to save everyone else? In a world where power was everything, Seleste must choose whether to follow tradition or carve a new path for every other she-wolf, even if it meant tearing down the very walls built to keep her kind out, even if it meant sacrificing herself for it. Coverart by @Rainygraphic

"I don't want to go with you on this business trip," Lucy Landon said at the dinner table. Her voice was calm, so calm that no one could sense anything unusual. Steven Cooper's trip was set for June 1st. It wasn't their wedding anniversary, nor was it anyone's birthday. Just an ordinary Children's Day. Three days ago, she had stumbled upon a voice message on Steven's phone. A child's soft and childish voice had said, "Daddy, for Children's Day, I want to go to Maldove to see the fishes!"

Two years ago, my mother forced me to break up with my boyfriend so I could take my sister's place and marry her blind fiancé. Two years later, my blind husband regains his vision. Then, my mother demands I return him to my sister. My father glares at me. "Don't forget that Ethan was Rosie's fiancé from the start! Do you think you're worthy of being his wife?" I'm about to die, anyway. Rosalie can have the position of being Mrs. Sadler if she wants! I'll wait to see karma after my death!

My show-quality service beastkin doesn't like me. He only wags his tail for my sister. I then bring home a low-grade venting beastkin. But he's now so upset that he's nearly in tears. "Layla Manfred, there can only be one hound, and that's me!"

Rain Stanton thought she was mentally prepared, but she couldn’t stop her trembling hands. She took the envelope and opened it. Sitting quietly in the envelope was a Divorce Agreement. Rain felt as if her heart was cut by a blunt knife and asked, “What have I done wrong, Payton? Please give our marriage a chance.” Her husband, Payton Phillips, looked at her coldly and replied, “I have never loved you, Rain. The gentleness and tenderness I gave you were not meant for you. When I was in bed with you, I had Zara in my mind. You are nothing but a substitute. I give you five days to sign the divorce agreement.” Rain was not aware that Payton had a first love, if life had a rewind button….

In her past life, Kelsey turned Tyler’s marriage proposal down, which was brought on by one of the many manipulations by her cheating man and half-sister. Eventually, Tyler tragically breathed his last while protecting her. Despite his noble act, Kelsey lost her life and her family. Granted a second chance at life, she returned to the time she and Tyler were first intimate. Kelsey decided to tie the knot with Tyler and stand at the height of power to get even with the deceitful couple. The only way forward was to hold onto her dear husband. Alas, the man, who loved and catered to her every whim in her previous life, built walls around his heart. Yet, he was open to intimacy. “I want to share a bed with you tonight, babe,” Kelsey expressed.Tyler grabbed her fidgety hand. “Are you sure?” He would not give her another chance to back out once the decision was made. Tyler would always and forever stand behind her in every life.

When your ex-husband, who broke your heart and shattered your soul six years ago, organizes a gala party, you have no choice but to get yourself involved. After all, you’re now a made woman, a CEO in your own right, of a green food company. So you return to his company, powerful and stunning, and you shock him to his very core with your appearance on his board. But you are shocked too, because you realize you’re still attracted to him. Even more strongly than when you were married to him. And that’s a problem, because he’s engaged to the new shiny lady on the block. They say you can’t eat your cake and have it, but what if you can?