Winchester The House That Ghosts Built

In the coastal quiet of Baler, a studio is born—not of architecture, but of intention.* Founded by Yam, a poet whose words cradle pain gently, and Franc, an artist who paints tenderness into walls, the studio becomes a refuge for those learning to stay—with grief, love, longing, and themselves. As visitors arrive, they leave behind more than footprints: a sigh recorded in bamboo, a poem tucked into the “Found Letters” shelf, a mural painted in crooked lines. Through zines, tea, silence, and sketchbooks, the studio teaches softness as revolution. Ren creates the *Window of Soft Returns*, an installation of anonymous voice recordings—each whisper forming a community of echoes. Drew builds the *Staircase With No Wrong Turns*, inviting people to walk through emotions without shame. Franc offers brushstrokes as brave work, and Yam curates writing circles that map healing in half sentences. Together, they host festivals that feel like hugs, and they begin traveling their archive, letting softness cross oceans. Even those who once left—like Miguel—return, discovering that some doors never truly close. Others, like Tala, capture the studio’s sound and turn it into a podcast of breath and becoming. Over seventy chapters, the studio transforms into something larger than itself: a mural of memory, a sanctuary for second chances, a place where return is sacred and voice is proof of survival. In the final bloom, the studio stands not as a monument—but as a reminder: > *“Staying isn’t easy. > But chosen together, > it becomes home.”*

"He was born into power, but all he ever wanted was love." Evan Chraystler Al Monleon, son of the most feared Mafia king, was raised in a world soaked in blood and shadows. From a young age, he knew the language of violence and command, but not the warmth of a mother’s love. As a surrogate child, he could have anything he wanted, except the one thing he longed for most: his mother’s acceptance. "Mom, I'm still your child. I came from you; why can't you accept me as your own?" His cries for love were buried beneath the weight of silence and rejection. Then came Andrea Maureen Salvegas, a former heiress turned servant, forced to pay her family’s debts with a lifetime of submission to the Al Monleons. She never expected to be caught in the web of danger and longing that surrounded Evan. And she certainly didn’t expect to tame the most feared among the Mafia King’s sons. But love doesn't always bloom in safe places. Sometimes, it grows in the darkest corners... where even the coldest hearts can learn to feel.

She's still ten years old when a tragedy comes to her life. Hindi alam ni Sheiha kung ano ang gagawin. She was with her cousin that time when that scene happen. Nanginginig sa takot ang batang katawan, kumakalabog ang pusong hindi magkamayaw sa pagtibok dahil sa nasaksihan. After ten years of preparing herself to make a revenge, she accidentally met a person who will make her belief upside down. She wanted revenge but he... he open the door so Sheiha can see the light of that dark room she's in. Should she chase the light to be with the man she love? Or stay in that dark room to continue her revenge even if it cause her life? "Don't stay on that dark past, please chase the light I've give you. Chase it and you'll find peace." "What if... what if I don't? Paano kung hindi ko magawang maging kampante, maging payapa hanggat hindi ko nagagawa ang bagay na matagal ko ng gustong makamit? Would you stay in that dark room with me? Serves as my light to see the path I'm taking?"

I used to live my life believing that there was something corrupted within me. I had never felt comfortable walking in the searing, bright daylight. It felt as if I didn't belong there. Is that why I felt this sudden attraction to a man who seemed to be the embodiment of darkness? Ashtar Malachious resembled the sum of my sexual fantasies. The shades surrounding him were like a captivating essence. Others called him the predator, the fallen, or the death. I knew that, but my eyes saw him differently. He saved my life in more than a literal way. He seduced me, slowly enticing all my senses. He showed me what a touch could feel like. He let me taste the pleasure I had never thought existed. The one thing he wanted from me was my blood. I knew that if I gave it to him, it would be along with my body, heart, and soul. His irresistible aura blinded me to the dangers that surrounded me. Like a moth to the flame, I stepped closer until the hellfire licked my flesh. Then the wicked flames revealed the cruelest truth—this love kills. In the end, one of us will die.

“Do you mean you are a virgin?” “Yes,” “Yes what?” “I.am.a.virgin.” I said holding a tendril of my hair shyly. “One week.” “For?” “I give you one week to come to terms with all these. After one week, I won’t be able to keep my hands off you, dear wife.” *** Trapped in a royal betrothal, Zara hates Zack. Zack loathes Zara. Thus, they won't consummate the marriage or follow any sort of tradition. To punish them, the Queen sends them on a journey to Island Formentera. However, a shipwreck leaves them stranded— stuck with each other. Will they go home and face the enemies of the royal household together? Or be swallowed by each other's pride?

Rebecca was supposed to marry the man she had always loved, but a one-night trap caused her to lose everything. Her family and love vanished. Not only that, the good name she had always protected was destroyed by rumors that were not entirely true. Then one day, Rebecca discovered that the one-night trap connected her to Glenn Romanov-a mysterious man who entered her life. Everything became even more complicated. Two strangers who did not know each other seemed to be played by the fate of life. So, what will happen next in the story of Rebecca and Glenn?

He's an ex military billionaire. She's a happy-go-lucky brat. With just one glance, she fell for those cold eyes and mysterious personality. For better understanding about the story, I suggest you read Making Deals with the Billionaire first. But if you don't want to, it's fine since the events are explained as the story goes on. Completed: September 1, 2018 All Rights Reserved ©? 2018 This story is not proofread and edited, may contain wrong spellings or grammar. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Freya Daniella Howard, 24 years old, first heir of Howard Constructions is in ‎love with her boyfriend ‎Benjamin, but scared to tell that to her parents ‎because she knows Benjamin will not meet with ‎their expectations. When her ‎mother asks who she is dating, she without much thought says her best ‎friend's ‎name - Rafael. ‎ Rafael, 28 years old, sole heir of Eastmond Builders, secretly dating a model ‎because he ‎knows his high and mighty parents have high plans for him. ‎Though he's not much bothered because he only wants to savor his love-life for now and focus on his dream; to be eligible enough to be the CEO of his ‎family's business. ‎ However, Freya's lie which was intended to be unharmed ruins all his plans ‎and he becomes her ‎betrothal out of nowhere. Their families celebrate the ‎moment and tie them into Wedlock -- too swift for ‎them to comprehend what in the world has happened to them.‎ Is it fate or Freya's heedless mistake that confined them into marriage?.....hard ‎to answer. ‎

Father Khatri is a man of God, truly and wholly, he's given his life to loving God and spreading his word until Matthew McPherson walks through the crumbling doors of his old church. Beautiful and achingly pure, Matthew is a temptation Khatri can't banish, no matter how many prayers he chokes out, or how tightly he grips his crucifix. When the boy's family summons him for an exorcism, Khatri goes, armed with holy water and a weak resolve, only to find such temptation even the strongest of minds couldn't resist. What starts as an exorcism unravels into a collision of guilt and lust, as the priest vows crumble in the face of a sin too delicious to resist. In a town that fears the devil, the true possession is the one tying their souls together....and it's a bond no rite can break.

The three-year contractual marriage had fulfilled Ember’s dream.However, everyone knew that the dashing Caleb had his own dream with a woman called Penelope.His love returned, and the contract had ended, but Ember found herself pregnant with Caleb’s child.On the day that they were supposed to complete the divorce, something happened to Ember. Caleb could never find her again. Life seemed to have returned to normal, until one day when Caleb got drunk at a bar. His friends dialed a number saved as “Honey” - only to find it was Ember’s terminated number, not Penelope’s.******Only when Ember returned with her son did Caleb notice he had already fallen for her. He regretted his decision and began his journey to take his wife back. He would sacrifice everything for her.Then one day, when he once again held her hand and pulled her into his embrace, he said with a coarse voice, “Em, I already noticed you the day you gave the speech. When are you coming home? Our house has been so cold…”Ember pushed him away. “Stop acting so lovey-dovey with me. Our son’s watching…”The boy ran away and put his hands over his ears. “Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!”