Jessica Summers is a simple and a beautiful young lady who has recently lost her parents and has moved to stay with her aunt. Within a few weeks, her aunt's true colors get revealed and she is no more that sweet, caring and loving aunt as Jessica had anticipated! What happens when she runs away from her aunt, unable to bear the mad woman and ends up in New York. Scared and lonely, will she survive in the "Empire City" or will she give up? Dean Walker, the young and popular billionaire is the CEO of Walker&Co. Known as 'the womanizer' before he became the perfect workaholic and now what everyone calls 'a stone hearted person'. Also, he is a tough person when it comes to love. He's built a good amount of walls around his heart after being broken by what he thought his first love. What happens when both their worlds collide? Will they be able to fight their attraction or will they let their walls down and feel a beautiful feeling called love?
Jessica Summers
Work wasn't tiring today like every other day. I have been working in this cafe almost for a month as a waitress now. Before, I used to work from morning till evening, but not from today. Mrs. Goldman; the owner of the cafe, found another waitress. She will be working the morning shift, while I'll be working the afternoon shift.
I really liked this job though I knew I was capable of something more.
As I came out of the cafe, the cool breeze which was replaced by the heat of the day hit my face, a small smile spread across my lips. I saw the sun sink lower in the sky, draining the light of the day as I walked the way back to home. It was a beautiful evening.
My parents' unexpected death put me into a difficult phase which affected me a whole lot and also my studies in college.
After I got my diploma and graduated, aunt Lisa; my Dad's sister, offered me to stay with her until I found a job and a small house. I agreed to it. Not that I wanted to but since I didn't have much money to rent a house and nor a job, I had no choice left.
I never liked being dependent on anybody. My parents always let me be myself and enjoy my freedom.
I missed them.
Coming back to the present, my aunt was nice. I was not too close to her as I never met her after her husband and son's death which was ten years ago. She never came to meet us. Living with her now had not got me any closer to her but she was pretty good with me.
By the time I reached home it was almost dark. Opening the door, I heard my aunt speaking to someone, I guess her friend.
These days she was very busy with her friends. Either they were here at her house or aunt Lisa was at theirs. I met some of them when they were here, they were not bad. They all loved to get together and party.
As I made my way to the living room I was surprised to see a guy sitting on the couch.
"Oh! Jessica is here. Jessica, come meet Mark, one of my friends and Mark this is Jessica, my niece." my Aunt introduced.
Friend? The guy looked around twenty five and my Aunt was in her mid forties. He looked more like a son than a friend.
Mark stood up and held his hand out at me while his eyes checked me out from top to bottom. I immediately disliked him. Such a pervert.
"Hi, nice to meet you. Your Aunt speaks a lot about you." his tone immediately brought an unwell feeling inside me. He was not a good person.
I faked a smile at him, shaking his hand with mine before instantly pulling back my hand from his firm grip.
What was this type of guy doing here?
"Hi, Aunt Lisa never really told me about her male friends. It's nice to meet you too. Excuse me I have to go and freshen up, enjoy your time." with that said I came to my room.
From when did Aunt Lisa make such friends? I had never seen him before. May be he was one of her friend's son. Looking at him, something didn't seem right. What could it be?
Or may be my brain was over thinking.
Clearing my mind, I took a towel with my undergarments and went to the attached bathroom.
After a warm, not too long shower I wore my undergarments and wrapped the towel around me and walked out of the bathroom and to the small cupboard, to take my clothes.
"Hello, beautiful." I jumped when I heard a voice behind me. I whirled around on my heels and saw Mark lying on my bed, his head resting on the wall with his hands supporting his head.
"Mark, what are you doing here?" I asked trying not to show the fear that was building up inside me. I clutched the towel tightly around my body when he got up from the bed. What was he doing here in my bedroom?
Laughing loudly he came closer to me and put his hands on my shoulder. I tried to shake his hands away but his hold on my shoulder grew tight.
"Why are you so afraid? I'm here to spend this night with you babe." he smirked evilly.
What did he mean by that? Spend this night with me? Why?
Oh my God! He was going to rape me! My eyes grew big and my jaw dropped open at the realization. I gasped lowly.
"I've paid your aunt money to spend this night with you, beautiful." he said and put his index finger under my chin to close my mouth.
"No, you asshole, you're lying!" I pushed him away. He paid my Aunt to rape me? No, he was lying. She wouldn't do this to me.
"Aunt Lisa! Aunt Lisa!" I screamed but there was no response."Aunt Lisa! Where are you?...Please!" tears started flowing down my cheeks.
"Why are you wasting your energy in that babe? Come, I'll teach you how and in what to utilize your energy." he said holding my elbow and dragging me to the bed.
"Leave me!" I couldn't let him rape me. I needed to do something.
And then something flashed my mind, I bit his hand hard. Too hard. He hissed in pain and let go my hand.
The next thing, I kneed him in his groin.
"Fuck!" he screamed as he fell on the floor holding it.
I spun around to run towards the door but was pulled down by my ankle to the floor by his rough hand. I fell down with a thud.
"You bitch, you did a wrong thing. Let me teach you a lesson."
I started moving back until my back hit the wall. It was all dark. I moved my hands around to find something that would become my weapon so I could hit him. Luckily, I found a vase on the night stand. Taking it I waited for him to come near me.
I saw his shadow walk towards me. As he bent down to fist his hand into my hair and pull it, I hit him with the vase. He fell down caught off by my action.
I heard someone open the door and switch the light on. It was my aunt. She was now here. Thank God!
I was waiting for her to come to me but to my surprise she ran to Mark and shook him. "Mark, are you okay?" did she forget I was also in the room?
Mark got up holding his head in his hands and nodded his head but winced as he did so.
"You bloody piece of shit, what did you do?" she turned to me.
I was shocked to see this side of my so called aunt. She looked furious as if she wanted to strangle me for hurting Mark.
I couldn't believe she did this to me. How could she do this to me? I thought she loved me. I thought she cared for me. I was so wrong.
"He tried to rape me. What kind of woman are you? I'm like your daughter, how can you do this to me?" my voice raised with too much of hatred for her. I continued.
"You literally sold me to him for a night. Why?" I screamed. I felt a hard sting on my left cheek. I was sure to have the finger marks there.
"How can I not? You are a bloody piece of trash." she caught hold my hair, "And he isn't doing it for free. He has paid me." standing up she shared a knowing smile with Mark. "Mark, why don't you go home and rest. You can always come back tomorrow." with that he left the room but not before glaring at me.
She turned to me and kicked me in my gut. I screamed in pain. "I hate you and your those dead parents." she hissed pulling at my hair again. "Did you listen? I hate your family!" the hatred was clearly written all over her face making her face and ears red with anger.
Turning around she walked to my cupboard. What was she trying to do? I didn't get enough time to think because she came back and started hitting me with the belt. That hurt. I felt many painful stings on my back. As I tried to move back, the hitting grew more and hard. I could do nothing
I tried to stop her which lead her to hit me more. I don't know when the hitting stopped, I slept on the floor crying. What was happening here was wrong.
I wished my parents weren't dead, I missed them.
When I woke up the next day, last night things felt surreal, everything felt like a nightmare only until the wounds started stinging on my back.
I realized I was in nothing but my undergarments. My stomach was hurting painfully. I tried to get up but the pain in my gut didn't let me. After few more attempts I went to the bathroom limping.
As I looked in the mirror I couldn't recognize myself. My cheek had red marks, my brown hair was sticking out in every direction and my eyes were red and swollen. I looked down at my stomach, a part of it was completely blackish purple. I turned around, looking over my shoulder the belt marks were swollen with dried blood. I didn't realized I was crying hard until my chest ached.
Why was she doing this to me? Why did she say she hates my parents? I needed to speak to her. I had to clear it out with her. With that decided, I cleaned up as soon as possible.
I got dressed for my work and covered the marks on my cheek with the make up before going out to speak to aunt Lisa. When I didn't find her anywhere I decided to speak with her in the evening after coming back from the cafe.
After I returned home in the evening, aunt Lisa still wasn't there. I changed my clothes and sat on the couch waiting for her.
She had lately been coming late and had been consuming lot of alcohol.
As I heard the door open, aunt Lisa walked in and made her way to kitchen. I followed her.
"Aunt Lisa, we need to spea-" I tried to speak but she cut me off.
"There is nothing to speak. You better stop talking and get dressed, Mark will be here in some time." she said. "And you better satisfy him, or you know otherwise." she threatened me.
No way in the hell was I going to do what she was asking. It was better to get hit than to get raped.
"I'm not your puppet to listen and do as you say." I replied back angrily.
"You are my puppet and you will do as I say." she said with equal anger as mine.
"No! I will not." my voice raised.
Before I could even think, she took a knife from the counter and pointed it to my middle. "You better listen to me."
Panicking, I tried to push her hand sideways but suddenly felt a sharp pain. I knew what was it. Unfortunately the knife had torn my top and cut the side of my stomach where it was wounded already.
I gasped and looked down. It started bleeding.
My aunt covered her shocked expression and pushed me to the room. "Go clean up and get ready." she ordered before storming off to her room.
I went to the room and sat down sobbing. Why was this all happening to me? Why was aunt Lisa doing this to me? Was I not her niece? I thought she would take good care of me till I stayed with her. But she wasn't any good, I was wrong about her.
I touched the cut on my stomach, it hadn't stopped bleeding, I had to make it stop. Going to the bathroom I cleaned the wound and put a bandage on it. Making sure I had locked the door, I went to sleep. I didn't care if Mark came back tonight.
• • •
Three days had passed since all the torture started. Every day Mark tried to force me but I either locked myself in my room or came home late. But the hitting and hurting after Mark went hadn't stopped. The bruises on my back and my stomach were now turning into scars.
I wanted to run away from here, the only thing that stopped me was lack of money. I didn't have enough money to buy a ticket to my town. I was just waiting for my monthly pay at the cafe so I could buy a ticket to my town and never come back here.
Going to the police to report my aunt and Mark did come to my mind. Honesty, I was afraid to climb the police station steps. Also, I'd heard Mark telling Lisa that he knew a friend who worked as a cop here so I knew I would get caught if I went to report.
Currently, it was Sunday night. I was happy because I would be getting my monthly pay tomorrow. I just wanted to run away from here. I'd had enough of their torture. I wanted forget about them and this place.
While I sat on the bed, I suddenly heard loud voices, it was aunt Lisa and Mark speaking. I soon ran to the door and locked it. As I sat down, I tried to listen to them.
I was completely and utterly shocked when I heard about what they were speaking.
Aunt Lisa was selling me to Mark for money which meant he would take me with him to God knows where and do God knows what.
I heard them talk about the money and make the deal. Why was she doing this to me? What have I done to her? I couldn't let them do this to me. I knew then I had to do something and somehow get away from here. As soon as possible.
The sound of footsteps coming closer to my room set me in panic state. Some one knocked on the door, I knew it was Mark. Soon the knocking turned into banging. I sat there praying to God to help me. Sitting there, I fell asleep.
I woke to the sound of my phone ringing. I got up and walked to the bed. Bringing the phone close to my face, I saw the caller ID. It was an unknown number and it wasn't from this town, the code didn't belong to this town though I felt it familiar. I picked the call.
"Hello? Am I speaking to Jessica Summers?" a female spoke.
"Yes, you are." I said after clearing my throat.
"I'm Amanda. I apologize for calling you at this hour, but there is something I need to tell you." Amanda said. I pulled the phone down to check the time, it read 10:48 pm.
"It's fine. What is it that you need to tell me?" I asked as my stomach twisted in knots not knowing if it was a good news or a bad news.
"Your parents, they have saved money for you. I have always had that money with me. After your parents death, I thought it's now time to give it you. After searching for a long time, I got your number. Could you come to collect the money?"
My parents saved money for me? All the money they earned, they saved it for me. They never told me anything about saving money.
"How much it is?"
"$8700." that was such a huge amount. Oh my God!
"Can I come and collect it tomorrow?" I asked her immediately as a plan struck in my head.
"Yes, of course." she gave me her address and hung the call.
That call was God sent, literally. I needed to escape from here. I couldn't let them play with my life. I had to get out of this hell.
I quickly packed all my clothes and my belongings which fit in just one duffle bag. After packing I went to bed to get some sleep. I had a lot to do tomorrow.
• • •
Early in the morning I took bath and got dressed. I checked if aunt Lisa was anywhere in the sight. When I didn't find her anywhere in the kitchen or the living room I peeked into her bedroom which was also empty. May be she didn't return home last night. Good for me. I could get out of this hell easily.
I slowly but quickly sneaked out of the house. Walking further, I looked over my shoulder and glanced at the house-the house which I was never going to come back. I nearly cried in joy. I felt as if I got my freedom.
Without wasting much of time, I went to the cafe and asked Mrs. Goldman to give me my monthly pay, I was anyway getting it today in the evening. After apologizing and telling her about me leaving this town suddenly, she paid me without asking much questions.
But she was upset a little for losing a good waitress. She was really a kind and humble person and I did feel like telling her the reason behind me leaving the town but I didn't want her to know the truth. I didn't want anyone to know. I only wanted to vanish from here.
One last time, thanking her I went to the bus station and got a ticket to my town.
Step one of my plan was completed. Two more steps and my plan would be successful. I hoped everything would go fine.
After three hours of journey, I went to Amanda's house and collected the money. Thanking her a dozen of times I came back to the bus station.
I already knew where I was going. Without any second thoughts, I bought my ticket. Climbing the bus, I took the seat near the window.
Step two completed.
One last step, finding a job and getting a roof above my head which was not easy. One thing I was sure was I would make my life there in the big city, let how much ever hard it be.
Sophia is shocked when she finds out she's engaged to New York's youngest billionaire, Dante's, to save her father's failing company. It's only two days after catching her boyfriend cheating with her best friend. Dante's is cold, arrogant, and has no interest in love. He just needs a wife to make his parents happy. Sophia decides to use the situation to save her family and make her ex jealous. She suggests a contract marriage, but Dante's is the one setting the rules. Two strangers, one deal, and no promises-what could go wrong?
Rayleen Banks, a 24-year-old editor at an oil company in New York City, constantly faces criticism from her demanding boss, Ms. Newmort. Her only source of comfort is her supportive best friend, Amy, who helps her move on from a troubled past. When Rayleen becomes the personal assistant to Elliot Carter, a successful yet mysterious businessman, her life takes a new turn. Elliot, who leads a dominant lifestyle at night, introduces Rayleen, still a virgin, to a world of submission. She begins exploring her sexual side, becoming his part-time submissive. After a disturbing encounter with another dominant, Rayleen opens up about the dark secrets she's been carrying for most of her life. As she navigates the complex emotions of love within the BDSM world, Rayleen finds herself close to breaking, but Elliot is there by her side throughout the journey. Her life spirals as it becomes filled with tragedy-rape, murder, arson, breakups, and more-leaving Rayleen struggling to love both herself and Elliot. She begins to question the true identities of those closest to her, including Elliot and Amy. In just a few months, long-hidden truths are revealed, and Rayleen must face the ultimate challenge of forgiveness and letting go, as she discovers what true possession really means.
No one deserves to be caught in a tangled love triangle with their arranged spouse and his girlfriend, especially not Kyra Casella, a young woman who has endured years of abuse and depression and craves only love and affection. However, she finds herself in a marriage contract with her intensely attractive husband, Jayden Montero, who is determined to prevent any spark between them. He is focused on keeping their relationship cold to salvage his failing relationship with his girlfriend. But Jayden is facing an unexpected challenge-Kyra's irresistible charm. Her smiles, laughter, tears, and even the lightest touch pull him closer, making him question his resolve. Their connection is unfamiliar to both of them, yet it's intensely desirable and tempting to explore. The million-dollar question is: Will their repressed feelings and undeniable attraction be powerful enough to overcome the challenges standing in their way, or will it end as another heartbreaking love story? Discover this captivating tale filled with romance, drama, and the exploration of uncharted emotions.
It is a one night stand for a 24 years old college girl, Annabelle. With no strings attached. When she sees her baby father on the cover page of a magazine tagged as a billionaire and a Casanova, her mother is set on using him to change their poor status. Aidan is a 26 years old billionaire with a high sexual urge, ever since the night with Anna. He is less interested in keeping a woman and having a baby is totally out of it. When confronted with the news of Anna's pregnancy, he denies it until her mother threatens to tarnish his image. Will Aidan agree to the marriage? Will Anna keep the pregnancy even after the rejection? Will she be able to take his insults and the fact that he finds her unwanted?
"Nevaeh," Aiden softly murmured, "can I lay my head on your shoulder?" I gave a small nod, allowing him to rest his head. He closed his eyes. "Thank you," he exhaled with a sense of peace. "It feels like heaven." "Heaven?" "Your name spelled backward, isn't it?" From the moment I first laid eyes on Aiden Klein, one thought immediately struck me-how flawless he seemed. Aiden, a hardworking man deeply devoted to his family, has captured the attention of many women. Despite his wealth and status as a powerful figure in the business world, what truly stands out is his kind heart. People often wonder, "What would it be like to be loved by him?" But, unfortunately, the answer remains unknown. His heart is cold. He sees no woman. He avoids their touch. Aiden Klein, it appears, cannot love. But I know the truth. Aiden Klein is capable of a love so intense, it could shatter you. I've glimpsed it once, purely by accident. He's the hero who's been broken. And I am the villain of this tale.
Raelynn is smart and beautiful, but she hides behind her huge frames, ponytail, baggy clothes and high school status of being a nerd, because she hates being the center of attention. Bryce is handsome, rich and popular. He has a notorious reputation of being a player. What happens when they set their eyes on each other? Sparks fly and people get burned. All it took was one night of passion for Raelynn to walk away with the secret she carries. How will Bryce react, when he realize that he not only got Raelynn pregnant, but is actually a father who missed the first five years of his kid's life? They say that those who never make mistakes lose a great many chances to learn something. Will they have learned anything and forgive each other? Will this secret make them? OR break them beyond repair? They met for a reason! Either to be a blessing or a lesson! I think I'll let you decide.
Five years ago, he upped and left his wife without informing her. He had always felt unworthy. As a result, he decided to go and become a better man. It took him five whole years of daily hard work. When he was satisfied, he returned as a powerful and honorable man. He intended to start a family with his wife. But he got back to meet the greatest shocker of his life. He actually had a daughter!
She was hurt. She was bullied and made fun of. And the only hope that kept her going was finding her mate. She has always been weak. Weak to the world. Why? Because she was a lantern. She didn't have a wolf. That's what everyone thought about her. When she found her mate, he wanted her to be his slut and not a wife. She might be an omega, but it doesn't mean she will take disloyalty and betrayal lightly. So she did something that no one in history ever did. She rejected an Alpha. "I, Alexis Clark, reject Brandon Sterling, the alpha of Black mist pack, and consider myself a free soul until I decide so."; Were her last words before she left that torturous place and became a rogue. A rogue that everyone was fearing and finding. Why? Because she was the rogue that has become one of the biggest problems of almost all the packs in the country. She was Alexis Clark. A rogue that rejected an Alpha, stealth food, kill other rogues, and more than that was living with humans and studying with them. What will happen when her case is given to the world's most dangerous alpha, Sebastian Sinclair, who has taken it upon himself to punish this rogue. The one who hated rogues and omega to a level that was beyond understanding. Why? Because his mate was an omega, who betrayed him with a rogue before dying. How will Alexis tackle this alpha, in whose College she was studying and living under hiding for almost a year? What will Sebastian do when he finds out the new girl he had been talking to is none other than the rogue omega that he had decided to kill? "To love you with all my might was my only wish, but you were the only one who gave me endless suffering. So today, I promise myself to not fall for anyone."; A simple saying that both Alexis and Sebastian had vowed upon. Will they be able to find their love amidst all these problems?
This book contains hot mature scenes and languages. Read at your own risk! "Ahhh...". She threw her head back and gasped at the sudden vibrating sensation from her underwear. "What..what..what was that?" "A little toy and a bigger one playing with each other". Antonio replied and pressed the button again. Angela arched her back at the sweet torment,her fingers digging into the sheets tightly. "Stop..stop..please,this is bad,my head is spinning..i ...can't..take...it". Her mouth moved convulsively. "The setting is still low, you are already so twitchy,your body is just so ready". He replied dry, watching her face closely. "Please....". "Those faces you make...you better stop or I will get hard enough to not hold back". He replied and increased the speed. "Haaa...ahhhh..wait...stop ...please". Angela cried, her eyes bulging,as she fought with herself..her thighs vibrating too. "Seeing you cry to it is actually more interesting,I should use it often on you..,this is pretty fun". He pressed the next button. "Stop please...it keeps grinding on my..clit. so hard.I..think something's coming out...my body...ahhh..I am gonna pee..stop". "If you do that...well you will explain to the doctor and nurses, how you wetted the sheets, you can do better,just hold it in". He smirked. She rubbed her thighs together and bit hard on her lower lip,trying to hold back. "Let's take it to the next level,shall we?" She opened her eyes widely,her tongue out salivating. "No..no..please..no..more...." Suddenly she felt herself shaking convulsively. I am at my limits..this is bad..I can't let this pee out...but it's extremely hard,she thought and burst into tears. "Freckles,I will advise you to save the tears we are just warming up". He breaks into her thoughts. "I.. can't..I can't...ahh nghh!" Her eyes rolled back... Anthonio watched her intently, a cigar clamped in his teeth,a hand in his pocket and the other with the remote. He could feel himself hardened. She had that insane effect on him. "Fuck! I am hard". He cursed under his breath. Suddenly the door opened. "Grandma?" Angela gasped, tears clouded her eyes as she tried to keep her face straight and voice steady. *****ADULT CONTENT HERE* read at your own risk! "No matter the time or place,you will spread your legs for me when I say so,that's my condition,can you do that?" Angela met his eyes and swallowed convulsively. "Yes". Her voice trembled. Angela, a 24 yrs old and breadwinner of her poor class family was left with no other choice other than to say yes to Mr Antonio inorder to save her nieces. Antonio Montero of the famous Montero family! The incredibly handsome, famous idol and young billionaire also known as the sexiest man of his generation. A toxic playboy with many sex scandals. Nevertheless, Angela wasn't a fan of his looks or movie roles as most girls including her very own sister, not even in the least in love with him nor he with her. He got a death wish to grant and she, emotionally blackmailed. Most girls would die to find themselves in this situation but not Angela... One year Angela will have her simple life back. But what will she do if it becomes a life time imprisonment? There are far many secrets about the Monteros that got her entrapped.
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.