fading facades: love beyond the deal

Standing beside the window I peeped out of it and look at both of them standing at the corner and having fun chatting. As usual, there's a broad smile on his face while being with her. It never used to bother me. However, today it's burning my heart. I want him to smile at me with the affection he has right now for her. I was never like this before but while being with him and knowing him. I didn't realise when the situation slipped out from my fist through the gap of my fingers. My heart doesn't belong to me, it chants only his name, Theodore! I love you, Theodore! Only if the situation was something different then probably I could've confessed my heart's true feelings to him.

Helma found herself torn between debt and betrayal as her life takes an unexpected turn on her 23rd birthday. She watched her boyfriend walk out of her life. Fustrated, she seeks a new job to pay up her debts. But when her one night stand offers her a deal to earn twice her salary,his younger sister chooses to be a torn on her flesh. Will she accept the opportunity to repay her debt and a build a new life for herself?

He's a Mafia Boss's son. He's handsome and courageous. She's a Billionaire's daughter. She's finely educated, beautiful, and innocent. They fall in love in close proximity inside the Bratva cage as prisoners. They were tortured physically and emotionally. But, love prevails between them in another place and at another time.

Most people often see marriage as a reincarnation for women. So, countless foolish women jump into one without a second thought. Many people see my husband as the perfect husband. He cared for me and loved me in every way. Yet, he still cheated on me right under my nose. Faced with the hypocrisy and ugliness behind his facade as a perfect husband, I've decided to serve him karma on a silver platter!

Two hearts united as one; fusion. "Do you Audrey Dexter, take Ace Zimmer to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to hold, in wealth and in penury, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?” “I do." She responded amidst smiles. "Do you Ace Zimmer, take Audrey Dexter to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to hold, in wealth and in penury, in sickness and in health, till...” “I do.” He rudely interrupted the priest before flashing an apologetic, unapologetic smile. He was not-so-subtly trying to skip to the end as soon as possible. “I pronounce you man and wife.” The priest smiled, mirroring Audrey’s. “You may...” “We’d rather not do that.” He cut him short once more as he whispered. Audrey’s smile faltered for a split second at his comment. It was then it began to dawn on her that she’d carelessly hopped into a dangerous marriage with the billionaire boss.

Luna Scaloni's life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes involved with a mysterious but notorious millionaire, James Bexell, CEO and single father. As Luna tries to resist him, she can't help but get caught up in the whirlwind of trouble he brings. His past and present will intertwine in a romance full of conflicts from the past that will lead them to unearth the darkest and hidden side of him.

He pulled me close, his eyes blazing with desire. “You drive me crazy, Faye,” he whispered, his lips inches from mine. “I can't resist you,” And with that, he claimed my mouth in a kiss that left me breathless and wanting more. Love is the secret ingredient in this sizzling romance! ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** When a feisty chef and a ruthless CEO engage in a fake engagement, the heat is on! Faye and Sterling’s whirlwind adventure is filled with fiery passion, family drama, and secrets that threaten to tear them apart. Can they journey through the culinary world and their own hearts to discover the true recipe for love? Get ready for a deliciously steamy romance that will leave you hungry for more!

Edselyn Moore's world comes crashing down when, after five years together, her boyfriend elopes with her best friend just two days before their wedding, leaving only a letter to inform her of their departure. Unable to bear the humiliation in her small town and the disappointed looks from her aunt, she packs up and leaves her old life behind. Finding herself pregnant and alone in a new country, she tackles her new life as a single mother with efficiency and determination, taking on as many jobs as she can to support herself and her kids. Sinjin Santillan is a man who seemingly has it all: looks, wealth, and the best girlfriend in the world. However, everything changes when a tragic accident leaves him paralyzed, and his loving girlfriend becomes a stranger to him. Devastated by her betrayal and rejection of his marriage proposal, Sinjin surprises her by walking out on her. This unfortunate incident leads him to cross paths with Edselyn, a poor single mother of two. Wishing to avoid being pushed into going on blind dates, he makes a proposal to Edselyn that she cannot refuse after saving her kids from some bad people. However, a blast from the past and familial obstacles threaten to ruin her newfound happiness.

"You think I am a fool?" he whispered in my ear, coming closer. He was pissing me off. "Why the hell do you want to marry me?" I gritted my teeth. He touched my cheeks, and something flashed in his eyes. "No," I said, stepping back, keeping space between us. He was about to speak, but I cut him off. "I will not marry you." ********************** Gurans lives a very depressing life with her parents, who don't have any love for her. With the continuous hatred from her parents and frustration from her own life, she tries to end it. Her suicide attempt turns into another failure in her life as she finds herself in a stranger's house. She tries to leave the house but as the stranger doesn't let her go she starts to believe that she was kidnapped.  Tired of her questions, the stranger puts out a deal for her. Although the details of the deal have not been fully revealed, for her freedom, she accepts it. Finally, she gets free from his hold, but it's not long before he comes to claim her back. Once they start to live together the truth of the deal is slowly revealed turning her life upside down. Cover credit - ** Art Created by ImperialSkyGod using Midjourney **

An Epic Fantasy tale of action, adventure, heroism, horror and sorcery… Beyond Night is a Dark Fantasy Horror novel that pulls back the veil of nearly two thousand years of jaded history. Come tread in the bloody footprints left by monsters, soldiers and wizards and behold what lies hidden Beyond Night itself. It’s Bigfoot War mixed with Lovecraftian horror on the edge of the Roman Empire. How could Rome lose a Legion? What could’ve happened to blot out the existence of over five thousand men not only from history but the Earth itself? As the Legion moves north to engage the forces of Pictdom, a dark horror emerges from the bowels of the Earth. Thought to be random attacks by hulking monsters, Decurion August soon learns a dire truth, that these bloody events are directed by opposing the wizards of the Picts. While one side assembles all tribes in a confederated army to battle the Legion, the other pulls these Greyman beasts from the depths of the Earth. August fights not only these creatures and workers of magicks, but internal passions in the Legion itself. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing