Novel & Cerita Where The Crawdads Sing Setting

One night destroyed everything Celine believed in. A single sip of wine at her mother-in-law’s party dragged her from laughter into nightmare. The next moment, she woke up in another man’s room. In his bed. When Adam, her supposed husband, walked in, his voice cut sharper than a blade: “What is this?” “Adam, I don’t know how I got here. I swear—” Her mother-in-law had set her up, ready to destroy whatever that connected her and her son. Before Celine could say another word, two police officers stepped in. “Mrs. Celine Brooks, you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit fraud and embezzlement.” After her release, divorced and sent away, her now ex mother-in-law discovered she was pregnant. She sent a thug after Celine. She was beaten till she lost the baby. Three years later, Celine returns to afflict ten times the pains they caused her. This is a story of love, betrayal and revenge, best served COLD.

I sell handmade fortune cookies in the park. Each one costs $10,000, yet every day, people fight to buy them. That’s because what I sell are fertility fortune cookies. Eat one, and you can get pregnant instantly. You can even choose what kind of child you want. Slip in a double-yolk charm, and you’ll have twins. Seal in a perfect test paper, and your child will be a genius. A spayed female dog ate one and ended up pregnant with six puppies. Someone buried a fortune cookie beneath a withered tree, and by the next day, it had burst into full bloom. I sell fortune cookies to both women and men—anyone who wants to get pregnant. I turn no one away. Even animals, if they so much as make a sound, I’ll feed them. Until one day, a young woman, Mara Kessler, who had been standing in line from dawn until dusk, finally stepped forward and timidly said she wanted to buy a fortune cookie. I only took one look at her, then staggered back in terror. "I can’t sell to you. Leave. Now."

Lena’s voice trembled, barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you away. I...I made a mistake.” Grayson’s cold laughter cut through the air. He stepped closer, his towering presence suffocating. “A mistake?” His tone was sharp, dangerous. “Dropping a glass is a mistake. What you did?” He leaned in, his breath brushing her ear. “That was a choice.” Lena flinched, her chest tightening. “I didn’t know...” “You knew exactly what you were doing.” He grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his icy gaze. “And now you’re here, begging for something. Redemption? Love?” His lips curled into a cruel smirk. “Don’t insult me.” “I don’t want anything from you,” she shot back, her voice faltering. Grayson’s soft, mocking laugh made her stomach twist. “You always want something, Lena. What is it now? A second chance to ruin me?” Her heart pounded. The man before her was no longer the one she thought she’d left behind...he was powerful, ruthless, and untouchable. And she feared she’d lost him forever. *** Lena married Grayson for his potential, believing she could manipulate him to secure her family’s fortune. Once the deal was done, she discarded him without remorse. But time has changed everything. Grayson has returned, no longer desperate, but a powerful man who has made it clear he wants nothing to do with her. Regret weighs heavy on Lena, but her reasons for seeking him now remain unclear. Is it guilt? Love? Or something far more dangerous? Grayson’s world is ruthless, offering no room for second chances. Yet, beneath his hardened exterior, a question lingers: Can he forgive her, or will he ensure she pays the ultimate price?

They say the Volkov Bratva doesn't forgive. And don't forget. Or let go. I didn't believe them. Not until I woke up in a stranger's bed with his teeth marks on my neck and a sticky note that read "Tell anyone, and I'll find you." The stranger turned out to be my ex-husband's uncle. The uncle turned out to be the most dangerous mafia don in Europe. And the one-night stand I thought would save me? It was a trap he'd been setting for two years. Now I'm locked in his compound, wearing his ring, carrying a baby that might be his — or might be the one thing he can never forgive. My ex-husband wants me destroyed. My sister wants my life. My husband's enemies want me dead. And Dimitri Volkov? He wants me on my knees. He says he'll protect me. He says he'll kill for me. He says he'll burn the world down and smile while it burns. But he never said he loved me. And I'm starting to realize that's the most dangerous thing of all. Because when a man like Dimitri Volkov doesn't say he loves you... It's because he's already decided you belong to him forever. And forever, in his world, is a very long time to be wanted.

Meet Ken Clarke - the ultimate cool girl who's not just above average in looks, but a drumming prodigy and a fashion icon who could give magazine models a run for their money. Unfortunately, Ken's trust in men was shattered long ago by her father, leaving her with a cynical outlook on love. Her world revolves around her best friend, Jennifer, whom she vows to protect at all costs. But when Nicholas Atkins, a devilishly handsome and smooth-talking alpha male, enters the scene, Jennifer is smitten. Ken, on the other hand, is not impressed, and makes it her mission to keep Jennifer away from him. But little does Ken know, Nick has his sights set on HER, and will stop at nothing to win her over. As Jennifer chases after Nick, Ken tries to protect her friend from heartbreak while dealing with her own unexpected feelings for Nick. From International Bestselling Author of Knight in Shining Suit, and Top-grossing interactive story games, All the Wrong Reasons, All the Wrong Places and A Deal With Mr. Right, comes another book with a rollercoaster ride of emotions. In this gripping tale of love and trust, Ken must confront her past and take a leap of faith if she wants to find true happiness. Will she choose love or friendship? Will she take a chance on love and trust again, or will her past continue to haunt her and keep her from the happiness she deserves?

For five years, Celia was nothing more than Alpha king’s secret lover, wearing her disliked dress and perfume, just because he like it on her. —until She overheard the truth: “She’s just a replacement. A gold digger.” "I chose her, just becuase she seems like you. She's your Substitute. Never deserved be a luna." Shattered, she walks away, vowing never to look back. But then—her instincts sharpen, her senses heighten, and Soren’s scent clings to her skin. ...Mate. Impossible. A wolfless girl like her could never be the Alpha King’s fated mate… right? * On the first day she left, he wasn’t worried. “She’ll come back.” “Don’t bother with it. She was just a substitute lover. A worthless gold digger.” But after a week… a month… three months… his panic set in. “Lock down the entire pack—find her at all costs… —Find my Luna!”

Alpha Kieran was her mate; now he’s the man she hates the most. On the night Kieran is supposed to announce Elara as his Luna, he rejects and banishes her, accusing her of having an affair with his greatest enemy. Devastated, Elara finds shelter in another pack, where she gives birth to and raises her twins. Years later, Kieran suddenly returns and kidnaps her back to his pack along with her kids, claiming he regrets his actions and wants her back. She does forgive him, and everything is going well until she finds out the selfish and devilish reason he wanted her back in the first place. Now he’s on his knees again, grovelling for her forgiveness. But once beaten, twice shy. She’s not that girl anymore, and she intends to make him suffer!

During the holiday season, a flood hits. The company's warehouse is submerged up to the third floor. Due to the emergency, I have my assistant tell everyone to come back a day early to help. I promise that the company will provide stipends and extra time off to make up for this. But on that day, a Gen Z employee goes live across the internet to report me. "Oh, my God. It's 2025, yet there are still companies forcing employees to adjust their time off and work overtime! Is this heartless boss so broke that she needs to exploit us like this? Will she die if she doesn't squeeze us out of every drop of usefulness? Company notices override the law. Impressive stuff, this is!" Soon, the company ends up on the trending list due to criticism from the online community. Even the regulators come knocking to hold us accountable. In the end, the company is forced to cancel the notice. A lot of equipment isn't salvaged in time, resulting in significant losses. The employee even posts a victory lap. "Give the boss a tiny lesson—see if she dares to force overtime again!" I'm so angry that I laugh out loud. I tell my assistant to cancel the annual benefit we give all employees—an entire month of paid time off for Christmas and the New Year holidays. If we have to stick strictly to the law, then fine. Have it your way!

A gas explosion kills both me and my wife, Riley Sawyer. When I open my eyes again, we have both returned to our lives before we ever got married. In our previous life, Riley and I grew up together. We were inseparable as kids, and after we married, our relationship only deepened. People envied how well we got along. But in this life, she doesn't choose me. She accepts the romantic pursuit of Benjamin Prescott, the son of the wealthiest man in the city. I quietly erase every trace of her from my life and act as if she never existed. Five years later, the two of them announce their engagement in the grandest way possible and invite all our former classmates. When I show up wearing the same custom suit Benjamin has on, a diamond ring in hand, Riley's face tightens with anger. "Jared, it's been years. Why can't you let me go?"

Keller has turned eighteen and is eager to meet his mate. He is ready to leave his lascivious ways to commit a lifetime love with his destined one but unfortunately, all the tales of meeting-your-mate-is-a-wonderful- thing he has heard from his family shredded his fantasy. His mate denied him for reasons that were unbeknown to him. But he wasn't having it. He refused to be denied and was determined to claim her for himself, no matter what it takes. With his ex-girlfriend breathing down his neck and a psycho human added to the mix, he's in for a chase of a lifetime.