when we believed in mermaids

Trapped in a gilded cage, a defiant artist becomes entangled with a ruthless mafia Don. Valentina, a talented artist and stripper struggling to survive in the city's underbelly, witnesses a brutal act that plunges her into a world of danger. Captured by Dante Russo, the enigmatic head of the Russo famiglia, she finds herself a prisoner in his opulent mansion. Haunted by a violent past, Dante is a man shrouded in secrets, ruling with an iron fist and a hidden vulnerability. As tensions rise between rival factions vying for control of the city, an unlikely bond sparks between Valentina and Dante. She uses her art to capture the brutality and fleeting moments of tenderness within his world. But their connection is a dangerous dance. Can they navigate a web of deceit and betrayal, or will the city's dark secrets consume them both?

After the tragic death of my best friend, I took her younger brother in and treated him like my own. Everyone knew how much Zach Lawson meant to me, so much so that I vowed not to marry because I could not bear leaving him. The day he turned eighteen, he got on one knee and asked me to marry him. With tears of joy streaming down my face, I took the bouquet from him, only to realize they were made of writhing snakes. Everyone laughed at my misfortune. It was an artfully crafted joke, at my expense. Thalia Lewis laced her arm through Zach's and grinned. "Sorry about that, Sydney. It was just an innocent prank. Zach is willing to do anything to make me smile!" Zach gave me a look of utter disgust. "Is this what you think of me? You're my sister! How can you even think of marrying me? This is vile! Is this the reason you took me in? Have you been secretly pining for me since the start?" My whole life had come crashing down around me. I was overcome with shock, misery, and despair, until Connor Grey showed up and asked for my hand in marriage.

For matured readers only (TAGLISH) "Akala ko sapat na ang salitang I love you para umabot tayo hanggang dulo..." Galing sa sawing pag-ibig si Marion. Kinse palang siya nang unang umibig. Naging masalimuot ang buhay niya sa murang edad dahil sa kapusukan at katigasan ng ulo. Nagresulta para matakot siyang magmahal dahil naging sugatan ang puso niya. Pero makalipas ang ilang taon heto at nagbabalik ang sumugat sa puso niya. Si Shin Dela Vega. "Oo nagkamali ako, nasaktan kita. Hindi rin kita naipaglaban noon, pero gusto kong malaman mo na ikaw pa rin ang mahal ko hanggang ngayon at gusto kong itama ang lahat, all I need is a second chance Marion..." pakiusap ni Shin. Pero may isang humihingi ng pagkakataon na lingunin niya. "Wala akong pakialam sa sasabihin ng iba. Manhid ka ba? Hindi mo ba nakikita na palagi akong nasa tabi mo kahit noon pa. Hindi kita iniiwan at kaya kitang ipaglaban kanino man. Hinihintay ko lang na bigyan mo ako ng pagkakataon na mahalin ka para maramdaman mong karapat-dapat din ako sa puso mo," pag-amin ni Grant Tyler sa kanya. Nalilito ang puso niya. Sino ang dapat niyang piliin? Magbibigay ba siya ng ikalawang pagkakataon para kay Shin, ang taong minahal niya o susubukan niyang muling buksan ang puso para kay Grant Tyler?

My flight was suddenly canceled, so I dragged my suitcase back home. As soon as I stepped inside, I saw torn black stockings scattered on the floor. This was the eighth time Simon Jones had brought a different woman home. The sound of running water and a young woman’s laughter echoed from the bathroom. I didn’t cry or make a scene. Instead, I sat quietly on the couch, waiting for them to finish. Everyone assumed I would continue being Simon’s devoted fool like before. But no one knew that the man I truly loved had returned. After tonight, Simon, the stand-in, would be discarded.

Up and Down. "We're different." Right and Left. "Go, run and hide." Love and Hate. "This is unfair." Kill and Spare. "I cannot do it anymore." Totally opposite, is there a chance to make it together?

Lucas and Jackie finally had their happy ending after a series of heartbreaks from a love-struck enemy. Now, they are about to start their life with their baby, focusing on building their future and career. Their love for one another is stronger than ever and each day, Lucas learns what love feels like for a man who never believed in love. But when a bad boy falls, expect many outcomes. A new enemy has come, and it will take Lucas and Jackie's love and trust for one another to stand against them. Family drama and romance with chaos becomes the order of the day.

“Landon is here?” Mabel asked, turning to look behind her, a frown forming on her face. “Are you stalking me? Huh?” She asked drunkenly and made to climb down from the stool, but she missed her footing and fell toward Landon who instinctively caught her in his arms. Upon realizing what he had done, Landon suddenly pushed her away from his body like he had touched a bag of filth, making her fall to the ground on her butt. “Ouch!” She winced as her butt came in contact with the hard floor. Landon felt a pang of pity for her but quickly masked it. Such a shameless woman isn't worth his sympathy. She was married, yet she was drunk at a bar, flirting with a random guy. ******* What happens if your wedding was never about love but about settling an old score? Mabel never wanted an arranged marriage, but honoring her father’s dying wish left her no choice. On her wedding day, her groom, Landon Ferguson, didn’t bother to show up only sending someone in his place. Humiliated and furious, she swore never to forgive him. As the truth behind their arranged marriage comes to light, Mabel realizes too late some debts demand more than just a name on a marriage certificate. Some demand a sacrifice.

"At a time when I needed you most, you ended our relationship. You claimed that I wasn't the one you loved, called me a whore, and said that I wasn't your type from the start. So what do you expect me to do?" "Beg!" Michael responded immediately. "I anticipate that you will plead for mercy." "You don't deserve my plea, Michael. You're not worth my tears..." She was about to say more when Michael forcefully kissed her, making it difficult for her to breathe. "Is that why you sold yourself to Kelvin?" He inquired after releasing her lips. Nora wiped her lips with her knotted hands. She looked at him fearlessly and replied, "Who I sell myself to is none of your concern. As the whore you called me, you shouldn't be keeping track of how many men I sleep with." Her response enraged Michael, and he pushed her and raped her, only to discover that she was still a virgin. If he begs for a second chance, will Nora ever forgive him?

Caleb Lawson's childhood sweetheart, Yvette Grant, is pregnant. No one knows who the father is. Caleb decides to claim the child as his for the sake of her reputation. Meanwhile, my child turns into a bastard whose father is unknown. "Yvie has always been obedient—getting pregnant out of wedlock is too cruel a fate for her. She won't be able to accept the criticism and mockery." His simple explanation turns our five-year relationship into a joke. Later, my family bring me to the hospital for an abortion. Caleb stays by Yvette's side, caring for her like she's a precious treasure. By the time he gets home, I've already aborted the baby and left him.

When The Counselor Falling In Love To Mr. Wrong... Zillion Malloy the CEO frustrated at being abandoned by his wife comes to see a beautiful counselor for advice on his tumultuous household. Caroline had never been so furious to a client who was so skeptical and cynical about the advice she could give him for the good of his household. But over time the relationship between the client and the counselor turns into a forbidden love affair which is very exciting for both of them. Caroline, who has been living alone with her adopted daughter, feels Zillion is a different man from her former husbands. Even Zillion slowly started to forget his wife and turned to the beautiful counselor, Ms. Caroline Chauffer