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Quinlan, a restless and determined individual, finds himself at odds with his mother's constant lectures on being a role model. Faced with the impending arrival of his mom, he swiftly takes action, locking his bedroom door in an attempt to buy himself some time. As his mother's voice echoes outside, Quinlan contemplates the possibility of moving out and becoming roommates with his best friend, Teagan. Despite Teagan's persistent rejections, Quinlan remains confident in his ability to sway her. Just as he contemplates his next move, his mom's voice cuts through the barrier, mentioning a conversation about his younger brother, Jersey. Though Quinlan feels the weight of responsibility to set an example for his brother, frustration tinges his response, emphasizing his preoccupation with more immediate concerns such as homework.
I hear the footsteps echo in the distance, signaling the impending arrival of my mom. Quickly, I leap off my bed and hastily lock my bedroom door before she has a chance to get too close.
"Quinlan! Where are you?" her voice calls out.
Don't get me wrong, I adore my mom more than anything, but enduring yet another lecture on proper role-modeling is pushing me to my breaking point. If I have to sit through another one, I might just pack up my things and move out. Seriously, I mean it this time. Especially now that my best friend Teagan has her own apartment, the possibility is there. Although she consistently declines my offers to become roommates, I know I can wear her down eventually. No one can resist my unwavering determination, after all.
"Quinlan?" I hear my mom's voice through the door, her hand checking the barrier between us. "I know you're in there. Listen, I need to talk to you about Jersey."
Ah, my little brother. The sole sibling I'm supposed to set an example for. Thankfully, he's the only one who still bothers to stick around. The twins, on the other hand, are far too consumed by their social lives to spare much time for family matters.
"I'm busy, Mom!" I shout back, frustration seeping into my voice. "Homework!"
"You're out of school and not taking summer courses. Open up," my mom insists.
Little does she know, I'm actually in the midst of a significant project. However, I choose to keep this information to myself, fully aware of how she would react if she discovered the truth.
Reluctantly, I rise from my seat and crack the door open, meeting my mom's inquisitive gaze. "Mom, seriously. I'm working on some financials right now, and I really need to focus," I explain.
"Financials? For what?" she asks, her brow furrowing.
"Just a project one of my... uh... professors assigned me towards the end of the semester. It's extra credit stuff," I hastily respond, hoping she'd buy my explanation.
She frowns, skepticism evident on her face. "How do you expect to get extra credit for a class that has already ended?"
I roll my eyes and huff out a frustrated sigh, as if she's the one being unreasonable. "Mom, can you please give me a break? It's not like I'm doing something terrible here. I'm simply working."
"Jersey just devoured another chapstick," I chuckle. "Jersey definitely has an eclectic taste. I guess we should appreciate his adventurous nature."
She places her hands on her hips, her frustration evident. "One of these days, Jersey is going to get sick from your carelessness. I need you to start acting more responsibly when it comes to him."
"Mom, I'm twenty-two. I'm an adult," I retort.
"Adults don't leave hazardous things lying around for babies to put in their mouths," she reprimands.
"Mom, seriously? Jersey is already twelve years old and as bright as a broken lightbulb. It's time to stop blaming me for his lack of common sense," I reply before slamming the door in her face and locking it again. A victorious dance ensues as I revel in the satisfaction of knowing my choice of words will provoke her. She knows it's all in good humor and that I would do anything to protect my little brother, but that doesn't mean I won't stir the pot whenever I can. Pushing her buttons is quite thrilling.
"Quinlan, open this door!" she demands.
"I will if you stop breathing down my neck," I bargain.
"Open it."
"I'll tell Dad."
A pause ensues as she contemplates her next move. We both understand what will happen if I involve him. He's not fooling himself that my little brother will become the next brain surgeon. We all accept the reality that the kid will barely graduate sixth grade, except for my mom. And my dad isn't a fan of her habit of blaming others for Jersey's nonsense, so she tends to save it for when he's not around.
"You better be earning extra credit on your project," she finally remarks.
"Oh, trust me. I am," I reply with confidence. This summer, I'm determined to help my best friend reclaim her rightful inheritance no matter what.
"I need you to take Jersey to his doctor's appointment later."
"What time?"
"Two o'clock. I have to meet with his therapist and devise a new plan for him. The current one isn't yielding great results."
"Fine, I'll handle it. Now please leave me alone so I can focus."
"Quinlan?"
Her voice carries a tinge of sadness, and I can't help but open the door. "Yes, dear mommy?" I grin, trying to lighten the mood from our previous conversation.
"I would appreciate it if you could please be more cautious about leaving tempting things within reach of your brother," I calmly and rationally express. I playfully lean out of the doorway, hoping for a kiss. When my mom complies and kisses me, I flash a smile. "Don't worry, Mom. When I am rich and famous, I'll pay to have him taken care of in a nice home," I reply, quickly retreating into my room and locking the door before she can catch me.
"Quinlan! That's not funny!" she calls out.
"Yes, it is," I respond, returning to my bed. Deep down, we both know I would never take such action, even if it could make everyone's lives easier. My brother Jersey, although energetic, lacks the same level of intelligence as other boys his age due to a birth canal accident. He can be quite a handful, but we adore him nonetheless. It's likely that he will become my roommate when our parents are no longer able to handle him. And when that time comes, I might just let him indulge in all the chapstick he desires. After all, it smells good and it hasn't harmed any of us when we've tried it before.
"I'll send him up," my mom's voice fades as she walks away down the hall.
"Mom, no!" I shout, stumbling towards the door. I swing it open just in time to see her disappearing around the corner. "Mom! I have work to do!"
"You're an adult. Adults often work and take care of kids," she says.
"But he's not my child!"
"Figure it out, Quinlan."
"Stop calling me Quinlan!" I slam the door shut, allowing frustration to release through steam coming out of my ears. Damn. Foiled again. Now, how in the world am I going to complete this report in time for Teagan's attorney appointment?
Deep within the majestic surroundings of the Grand Canyon, nestled amidst untamed beauty, resides a wealthy and reclusive billionaire. Jeffrey Benson, a man of unparalleled riches and power, finds solace in his luxurious retreat. With a multi-billion-dollar empire instantly at his command and mistresses whisked away at his beck and call, he commands an air of dominance and authority. No one crosses the formidable Jeffrey, as he has become disillusioned by the deceptive and perilous nature of women he's encountered in the past. Enter Bethany Sinclair, a young and innocent soul, reminiscent of a delicate English rose. Driven by the desperate need to save her fledgling business, she ventures into Jeffrey's grand lair, seeking his support. However, Bethany's fate hangs by a thread, with a mere ten minutes to convince the ruthless billionaire to extend his aid. Within these fleeting moments, Bethany must navigate a life-altering decision, one that could shape her destiny indelibly. She can choose to depart, succumbing to defeat and allowing her debts to consume her ambitions. Alternatively, she can embrace the audacious gamble, brave enough to step into Jeffrey's opulent world and settle her debts in the depths of his embrace. The stage is set for a captivating dance of power, desire, and unforeseen consequences. As Bethany and Jeffrey collide in a perilous game, the undeniable pull of their mutual attraction becomes irresistible. Yet, can they navigate the treacherous paths of their own pasts and find solace in each other's arms? Will their arrangement be a fleeting respite or ignite an unquenchable flame?
In "Wynne's Wish," Wynne Sommers finds herself at a crossroads in life with no job, no money, and no place to live. Desperate for a solution, she comes across an advertisement for the Cinderella Ball, a chance for her to find a husband by the end of the month. Against her friend Laura's protests, Wynne decides to take a leap of faith and marry a complete stranger. With determination and a belief in the power of fairy tales, Wynne sets out on a journey to find her knight in shining armor. But will this unconventional approach lead her to true love or bring a whole new set of challenges into her life? Find out in this heartwarming and enchanting romantic tale.
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?