"My hatred is as strong as my love." When Liam- her best friend was admitted to the hospital, Lilliana was devastated. She refused to believe that Liam committed suicide. When Liam shut himself from the world, she went to the school to find the answers. But that didn't helped her in anything. And she knew that it was Liam who could tell her about the truth. So when she knew about the truth, she decided to give justice to Liam and teach a lesson to those who were responsible for Liam's condition. However, Lilliana wasn't expecting to meet a blue-eyed guy and get entangle with him. He was everything that she despised. Rowan Rogerson was the bad boy and the heartthrob of Crescent Heights. The more she tried to distance herself from him, the more he tried to pull her closer to him. Lilliana was slowly opening up to him when a shocking truth changed everything. What if Rowan was involved in Liam's case? What if he was the one to hurt Liam?
"Let me see him, please!" the girl begged the doctor, with her eyes filled with tears. The doctor glanced at the elders and then spoke up firmly.
"You cannot see him at the moment. The patient needs to be kept under observation."
The girl cried even more, tugging at the sleeves of the doctor. The doctor excused himself and took his leave.
The girl's mother came up to her and said solemnly, "Oh my dear, Lily. Stop crying. He is going to be alright." She hugged her daughter tightly, while keeping her tears in control.
"Mama..." she sobbed. Lilliana's chest ached and she felt as if she couldn't breath if she didn't see Liam this second.
Liam's parents ā Freya and Jonathan were upset too. Their only son was in a critical state, fighting between life and death. When they heard about their son's accident that took place in the school, Freya almost had a heart attack.
Lilliana got up from the seat and went to have a look at Liam. She stood outside the room and saw him through the round glass. "Oh Liam.." It was heartbreaking to see her best friend lying there unconsciously with his body almost covered in white. His eyes were closed, there were syringes attached to his skin. The boy who was once a happy child, who always had a smile on his face was no longer smiling.
The more she gazed at him, the more her heart broke. Her fingers trembled as she reached out for him. "Liam...please be okay."
When Lilliana heard the news about his accident, she didn't care about anything and came out from the school in the middle of her calculus lecture. She couldn't believe it when Freya told her that Liam tried to commit suicide. How could he even think of such an extreme thing? Lilliana believed that it wasn't the case. Liam would never do such a thing. He would never choose to take his own life.
"Dear, you are tired too. Liam is going to be okay so go home and rest. We are here with him" Freya said, placing her hand on Lillian's shoulder.
Lilliana wiped the tears from her cheeks and turned around to face her. "Aunt..do you really think Liam tried to take his own life?"
The question made Freya even more upset. "I...I don't know, Lily. We know what the school told us."
"But do you believe them?" she pressed.
Freya sighed. The stress has made the wrinkles on her face visible. "Let's talk about this when Liam wakes up, okay? You should go home and rest."
Lilliana wanted to ask more questions but she resisted herself from doing that. She nodded and saying goodbye to Liam's parents, she left the hospital with her mother.
When they reached home, Lilliana went straight to the bathroom. She locked the door and let out a deep breath. She looked at herself in the mirror. She looked dishevelled. Her brown hair was in a mess, her eyes were puffy and red from all the crying but when her eyes deterred to the locket she wore, all the emotions welled up to the surface again.
The locket was given by Liam on her seventh birthday. Ever since then, she has worn this locket, treating it like her most precious thing. She clutched the small heart and the tears blurred her vision again. She cried, harder than before.
She had given the idea that Liam would not be able to survive and that had scared her to the core. Even the thought of losing Liam gave her shivers. Liam was more than just her best friend, more than just a neighbour and more than just a boy she used to play with in her childhood.
"Lily? Darling, are you okay?" her mother asked from outside. Lilliana tried to soak up her tears and responded to her mother that she was coming out in five minutes. She freshened herself quickly.
Lilliana didn't feel like having dinner. After what happened today, she didn't feel like doing anything except to be sitting beside Liam. "Lily, at least drink milk. I know you are upset but you cannot starve your body, dear" Miranda said with a worried expression.
Lilliana pressed her lips and taking a glass of milk with her, she went to her room. She placed the glass on her night table and sat on her bed. She turned on her laptop and typed on the search bar, 'CRESCENT HEIGHTS.'
It was the school that Liam went to. Crescent Heights is a renowned school in the town and was ranked in the top schools of the country. Crescent Heights is a prestigious private school located in the heart of the city. It is known for its rigorous academic program, which prepares students for success in college and beyond.
The school offers a diverse range of courses, including advanced placement classes, honors courses, and electives in the arts and sciences.
Apart from its academic excellence, Crescent Heights also places a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities, with a wide range of clubs and organisations for students to join. These clubs range from academic teams to athletic teams to cultural organisations, and provide students with opportunities to explore their interests and develop their skills.
The school is also committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive community. The school values diversity and strives to foster an environment where all students feel valued and supported. With a dedicated faculty and staff, state-of-the-art facilities, and a vibrant student body, Crescent Heights is a top choice for families seeking an exceptional education for their children.
The school also provides scholarships to the students who showcase exceptional talent in academics, sports or arts. Scholarships were for those students who couldn't afford to study in Crescent Heights without throwing a large sum of money. Liam was one of them.
Liam was a bright student. He gave the scholarship exam and scored good marks which secured him a spot at Crescent Heights.
The more she read about the school, the more pissed off she got. There wasn't any news about the accident that occured today. She wondered if the school was trying to bury the news just to protect their image.
Lilliana was also told by her mother to attend the school with Liam, however she declined. She knew what their financial condition was and she didn't want to burden her mother with it. On top of that, she has heard how the rich and spoiled brats treat others just because they have money in their pockets.
It then clicked her and she paused. A thought came to her mind and she, for some reason, was adamant that it must be that case.
Liam didn't committed suicide. There must be something darker than the lie she and the others were feeded. And the one the school was trying to hide.
A kiss can change everything. One kiss with your best friend, and it changes the whole dynamic. What will you do when you get to know that your best friend has been in love with you? What will you do when she doesn't want to be friends anymore and wants more instead? * "Everytime I see you with a guy, my skin fucking burns" Millie hisses, pinning me with an intense look that makes my belly flip. I am pinned to the wall with her caging me. "Do you know how hard it is to pretend that you are only my friend, and nothing more? That I love you but cannot have you?" Her words spin inside my head, and the thundering beating of my heart echoes in my ear. How do we come to this situation? I pant as she leans closer, her eyes averting to my parted lips. I am having thoughts of kissing her. Hell, I see her in my dreams so often now that I am not sure what she means to me now. Millie caresses my cheeks and a shiver runs down my spine. "I can't pretend anymore, Grace. It's getting really hard" she whispers in my ear and I squirm. When she meets my eyes, I say something that surprises her. "Then don't." I crash my lips on hers, crossing whatever lines we had.
Amora (Athena) Followhill, the fierce and enigmatic leader of Arcilliaās most powerful mafia clan, has always stood apart. As the first female head in a world dominated by men, she is everything the women in her country are notābold, fiery, intimidating, and unyieldingly brave. But beneath her tough exterior lies a secret, a craving for the forbidden, and a penchant for the wild and kinky. Her number one priority is finding Cario Santiago, the man who betrayed her and ruthlessly killed her grandfather. She has vowed to hunt him down and make him pay with his life. Nothing will stop her from fulfilling this promise. Amora's world takes an unexpected turn when she meets Vincent, a man whose devastating looks and magnetic charm make women lose their minds. For Amora, a night with a stranger is nothing new, just another fleeting thrill. But Vincent is different. He wants more than just a night. When she reveals her true identity, expecting him to back off in fear, Vincent only becomes more determined. He is relentless, his pursuit unwavering, and he makes it clear he will stop at nothing to win her heart. Amora is used to being the one in control, but Vincentās persistence shakes her to the core. As time goes on, Amora finds herself slowly falling for him, an emotion beyond her control. However, what will happen when she discovers that the man to whom she has given her heart holds a secret that could destroy her world? In a game where surrender is not an option, the stakes have never been higher.
When Corynn mustered up the courage to tell Elliot about her pregnancy, she unexpectedly found him gallantly helping another woman from his car. Her heart sank as three years of effort to secure his love crumbled before her eyes, compelling her to leave him behind. Three years later, life had taken Corynn down a new path with someone else, while Elliot was left grappling with regret. Seizing a moment of vulnerability, he pleaded, "Corynn, let's get married." Shaking her head with a faint smile, Corynn gently replied, "Sorry, I'm already engaged."
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." She stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You are not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked in a quivering voice. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She looked at me in the mirror. "You can't even look at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of looking at that face?" Heather Bailey had a surprise from her husband that night: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. But she was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman because that person was closest to her. Shortly after she put her signature on their divorce papers, shock waves caught her up. Her flower shop was severely burnt, beyond repair. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers who came from influential families, she started her action against Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted. But that was just the beginning.
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
In the eyes of the public, Elijah was ever the gentleman, always distant and reserved. But behind closed doors, he was an animal who relentlessly ensnared Ashley in a web of lust. No one knew of their secret relationship, yet at the same time, no one dared to bully her again. Then one day, she was hit with morning sickness right in front of everyone. To everyoneās shock, the aloof and domineering Elijah quickly knelt in front of her and caressed her pregnant belly. āBabe,ā he crooned, āletās go public with our relationship. I will give you my everything.ā