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An unethical relationship between teachers and students was the kind of thing that would generate lifelong criticism. However, with so many problems in his life, Michael didn't see himself giving up on what he really wanted for himself. Life didn't offer him many good things, so he became a man full of vices, his heart bruised by loves that took away all the self-love he had left. He lived in lust, happy with his family, but given over to the pleasures of life, famous for his beauty and his ease in seducing his students, at least that's how they saw him, Professor Williams was a respected and intelligent being, with a taste for literature and everything that involved art. Meanwhile, Émie was living in family hell, with drug-addicted parents, she was looking for improvements to her stagnant life. As if she had an empty soul, Émie seemed to be just surviving day by day... with a painful past, she hid her darkest secrets from everyone, but apart from the fact that her mother was just a woman who sheltered her in her womb, that was all, because she was one of the people who took the shine out of her eyes the most. But it's not all darkness, the purity in a baby's smile can be the light that every empty soul needs to feel.
Émie Carter:
"Get up soon, you bitch, or you'll miss the time to go to your hell." At the end of his words, there was a horrible, stomach-churning laugh.
My father wouldn't leave me alone, but my hatred for him only grew by the second, especially when he brought his friends into the house. Leaving me totally exposed, as the house was tiny and unfortunately my monthly income wasn't compatible with rent.
"I'm sorry about that, Émie. I hope that one day you can forgive me." It was always the same sentences, although I knew she wouldn't change anymore, not for the better, I always forgave her. She was my inspiration four years ago, when she was still living her dreams intensely, until she decided to go back to my father again.
"So long..." to say goodbye without looking into her eyes, which were now as empty as a forest without visitors.
As a child I imagined a happy life with my parents, but everything suddenly changed. The house was sold, we moved to another city and finally, I lost my best friend since moving to another city. I lost all will to live from the moment I won a scholarship to Harvard, but I had no chance of going, so I settled for studying literature in the hours when I had the privilege.
In the library where I worked, everything was old, most of the books were donated, although the salary wasn't very good, the place was simply fantastic.
The silence was something that people really appreciated, but deep down, the loneliness was eating me up inside.
"Good morning, I've brought you a cappuccino just the way you like it, with lots of cream." That voice was more than familiar, it was Betsy, my childhood best friend who I hadn't seen for two years.
"My G-O-D!" - were the only words I managed to say before getting up from the chair and hugging her tightly. "How did you manage to find me here? Forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye, I had no choice."
"It's all right, Émie. I ran into your mother the other day, so I asked her where you were living and she just gave me your work address. Why did you disappear without telling anyone? I spent everyday waiting for a message from you, thank God I found you, girl." Betsy hugged me tightly and for a moment I wished she'd always been there with me.
We were like flesh and blood, inseparable, until her parents moved into a mansion when we were 13, two years later my parents started moving out and since then they haven't left, even if one day they intend to, I hope I don't live with them anymore.
"I'm sorry, I really am! I wasn't very well and things only seemed to get worse, so I got rid of my cell phone and stayed away from all the news. I should have at least called from a pay phone, please forgive me." I gave her a weak smile, making her frown and smile out loud.
"I told you, everything's fine. Well... I have to stop disturbing you. Oh, I've rented an apartment nearby and I'll come and pick you up at 8pm, then we'll see what we can do." It's amazing how in two years, Bet hasn't changed at all in her personality, always rushed and without time.
"I missed you!" I shouted before she got into the car and she shouted back. People looked at me with disdain and went back to reading where they had left off, while I felt like a crazy person at that moment.
The bible shop closed at 6pm, but as they needed a person to clean the floor and remove the dust, I dedicated myself to doing an extra three hours every day, so I'd get a bit more on payday.
After doing everything, I felt exhausted. The tables are made of marble and are very heavy, sometimes I have to drag them to clean their feet and that exhausts me. Finally, the clock struck 19:57 when we heard a knock on the door, as it was locked.
"What are you still doing here? I thought they'd already closed." Betsy was ready to go wherever, unlike me.
"I need money, Betsy." She gave a little peck and a negative nod.
"Look, I didn't come all this way to get a no, so I've already got your clothes sorted. I know it's not really your thing, but I bet you'd love it, and you could even go out once in a while."
Betsy pulled me into the car without even giving me time to think. Her apartment was simply marvelous and a dream, no envy! Her blood-red dress was beautiful, her outfit was a perfect match for her shoulder-length hair.
"Come on, get changed..." without warning, she hugged me tightly, kissed my cheek and said: "I think the best thing in my life was meeting you. I have so many things to tell you, Émie."
"Without a doubt, the best thing in my life was always having you there. I remember as if it were today, you stealing cupcakes from your afternoon coffee to take to me, I... I can't tell you how much you helped me to keep going without wanting to give up."
"All right! Now get dressed, it's our night. Have you told your parents you're going to sleep over?"
"Yes!" I lied. I hated lying, but it was something I didn't want to talk about at the moment. Betsy was too happy to worry about other people's problems, not even mine.
Although I liked nice things, they were too expensive and I couldn't afford them, but Bet always managed not to make a problem of it. The long lilac dress was perfect, the details were as if it had been made for me. My curves were on show, which made me a little embarrassed that I had nothing to show, after all, I'm not tall, let alone slim. - Oh my God! - I said when I saw the pair of heels that Betsy had put on there, which must have cost at least two houses that I currently live in.
"Betsy, you can't do this. I don't want you to worry about me, I'm fine, and you need to think more about your future." She didn't answer, but kept her eyes fixed on the mirror, trying to make her eyelashes as long as possible.
"You know that Michael is fascinated by heels, don't you? He asked me to give you something nice that you liked, so..."
"Michael!" I said softly, feeling a pang in my chest, as if it were possible to re-live everything I had experienced in the past, when we lived nearby. Until he left on my birthday, we had arranged to run away when I turned 18, but it was all just a joke.
(...)
Betsy, who hadn't stopped talking for a minute, had finally found someone, giving me a chance to go to the bathroom on my own.
Nervousness completely overwhelmed me, having the ability to stop my thoughts and stir up my fears. I was afraid of my parents finding me and embarrassing Bet; I'm afraid of loving someone too much who didn't want me and, among many others, the one that scares me the most is never being able to be truly happy, away from all this. The white powder right in front of me was what kept me going for the rest of the night, which wasn't a bad thing. With a fifty, I made a straw, placed it on the end of the white list and sucked it in with my nose in one go, feeling bitterness in my mouth the next moment.
"Come on, Émie, please!" the knocks on the door became constant, but it was possible to hear voices other than Betsy's, which indicated that she wasn't alone, but had a few people by her side.
"I'm coming out, just a minute." I put everything that could be traces away in my bag, tidied my hair and tried to look as normal as possible.
"Come on, I want you to meet some people." Betsy grabbed me by the hand and pulled me into the crowd, leaning her elbows on the counter as she placed her order with the others.
(...)
I met all of Betsy's friends, drank a lot in the hope of dreaming the night away of a life far away from my parents, and finally realized that my time to leave had come. Betsy knew how to take care of herself, she never drank too much, I made sure she was sober, and she was! I said goodbye and left, lying that I would call a cab when I got out of there.
My head was dizzy, my body staggered sideways with every step forward, as if I was going to fall over at any moment. The street was deserted, with no cars on the pavement, so I thought "this was the perfect time to cross the street. I held my heels firmly in my hands and stepped forward, my body being thrown away the next moment. I felt my body relax and my eyes gradually closed...
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"
"I want a divorce!" Ryan demanded, despite the fact that he had cheated on her with his ex. ~ Serena is no longer the quiet, romantic lady Ryan Winters married and divorced five years ago. Now the CEO of Rocky's Designs, she is bright, unwavering, and unapologetic about her independence-a far cry from the woman Ryan remembers. When fate brings them back into one another's lives, Ryan is forced to confront the truth about their past, their newfound hot chemistry, and a surprising revelation; Serena has a daughter who may be his. But Ryan's girlfriend, Kate, isn't prepared to lose him again. She will do whatever it takes to keep Ryan in her grasp-even if it means destroying Serena's life and the corporate empire she has built. What happens when Serena's now peaceful life is being disrupted? Will Serena lose once again or will she seize this billionaire's heart?
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.