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Trapped between an abusive middle-aged billionaire husband, and a harsh stepson, Lana, a twenty-two years old circus dancer, finds solace in a massive hall in her husband's island mansion. The gramophone and the gentle caress of sweet country music it gave, resuscitated her dancing spirit, and offered her the love of a secret admirer, her stepson, Diego, who own the secret hall. Both young stars are plunged into a steamy romance after discovering each other in the hall, but would they have a long-lasting relationship under the watch of Lana's billionaire husband and Diego's father? Would their romance broom into something really meaningful, with the return of Austin, who had come to pick what she left behind and many fingers waiting to pull the trigger?
I was late. Again.
The dwarfs playing trolls and demons were already in their hideous costumes, their laughter echoing as they poked fun at one another. The three old ladies, who could easily pass for the witches from Sleeping Beauty even without makeup, were assembled on stage, practicing their lines with a grim air.
"Seriously?" I muttered under my breath, tiptoeing toward the backstage door, praying no one noticed me. The dwarfs especially-they loved to jeer at me whenever they could. But as I shoved the heavy velvet curtain aside, my fingers brushed against cold, unforgiving metal.
"Lana."
I flinched at the sound of Rogan's voice. Of course, it was him. Rogan, the so-called prince charming of the show. "You're late. Again."
His tone dripped with condescension, and I quickly pressed a finger to his lips. "Not so fast, Rogan," I whispered with forced confidence, trying to stifle the pounding in my chest.
Rogan stepped back, a look of disgust crossing his perfectly sculpted face. "Your hand smells like... spices!" he spat, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
I blinked, then sniffed my fingers, wincing. Oh no. I'd forgotten to properly wash my hands after serving one of my mom's restaurant customers earlier. The lingering smell of garlic and cumin clung to me like a shadow. It was just one more reminder of where I came from-a world so far removed from Rogan's privileged life.
"Sorry," I mumbled, tucking my hands behind my back. "Is the director here?"
Rogan raised a brow, folding his arms across his chest in that annoyingly superior way of his. He came from money-a world where people paid their way into the circus, not because they needed it, but because they could. And they despised people like me, who begged for roles to make ends meet.
"She's been looking for you," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I warned her about your inconsistency. Guess she'll understand now."
"Good for you," I shot back, walking past him with as much grace as I could muster. "Just don't tell her I was late."
As I made my way through the crowded backstage area, the frantic buzz of preparation surrounded me. The costumiers were rushing to finalize props and outfits, barely acknowledging my presence as I scurried over to the white gown that had been commissioned for tonight's performance. It hung on a nearby rack, pristine and gleaming under the dim backstage lights.
"Where's the costumier?" I called, trying to catch someone's attention.
"Lana, where have you been?" The chief costumier appeared from the other side of the room, hands on her hips. She eyed me like an irritated schoolteacher who'd had enough of her most troublesome student. But her questions, as always, were rhetorical. She didn't expect an answer-just action.
"Let's get to work," she commanded.
Within thirty minutes, I was transformed. The gown wasn't exactly the traditional princess attire I'd imagined. It was more of a ballerina's costume, delicate and graceful, yet with a certain ethereal quality that made it feel special. The soft tulle floated around me, and though I barely glanced at the mirror, I could feel how it changed me. For a brief moment, I was a princess.
With a deep breath, I danced toward the door, excitement bubbling inside me. But before I could even savor the moment, I crashed into someone.
It was the director.
I froze, my heart sinking as I looked up at her stern, no-nonsense expression. She was in her forties, with a face that seemed permanently etched with the weight of responsibility and stress. I could tell by the tight line of her mouth that I was in trouble.
"Rogan told me." She said, her voice cold and sharp. "You're late again."
I had no defense. There was no point in lying Rogan had already made sure she knew the truth. And now I was caught.
"Come with me," she ordered, turning on her heel.
I followed her without a word, trying to ignore the pit of dread forming in my stomach. As we passed by the other performers, I braced myself for the usual jeers and mocking glances from the dwarfs, witches, and anyone else who felt superior. But instead, they just stared-silent, watchful.
Once inside her office, the director motioned for me to sit. Rogan was already there, of course, lounging in the chair next to mine with that same smug expression plastered on his face. He shifted slightly as I sat down, making a show of moving away from me. As if I was beneath him. As if I didn't belong.
"You were supposed to be here at dawn," the director began, sitting behind her desk and fixing me with an unwavering gaze. "Look at the time."
I met her eyes but said nothing. I knew it wouldn't help. The truth was the circus wasn't just a job for me-it was a lifeline. And sometimes, life pulled me in a dozen directions. Serving tables at my mom's restaurant, running errands, dealing with customers. It was never just about this. But none of that mattered to her.
"You know how I feel about lateness," she continued, her voice hard. "It's unprofessional. And I expect more from you."
Rogan leaned forward, ever the opportunist. "Evelyn would've been a better choice for tonight's performance," he said, the smugness thick in his tone. "She's never late."
The director's gaze flicked to him, unamused. "Evelyn isn't a performer," she replied, her voice firm. "Lana is. And tonight, Lana is your princess. Whether you like it or not."
Rogan opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off with a raised hand. "This isn't about what you want, Rogan. It's about what's best for the show."
The tension in the room thickened. Rogan glared at me, his jaw clenched, but I refused to look away. I wasn't going to let him get to me. Not tonight.
"Now, go," the director said, dismissing us both with a wave of her hand. "The show starts soon."
***
The sound of the choir warming up filled the air as we made our way back to the stage. The Ivan Choir from Saint Petersburg had been specially invited for tonight's performance, and their voices blended beautifully as they rehearsed their first piece. The audience, filled with high-profile guests and oligarchs, buzzed with anticipation.
Backstage, the first act was about to begin. A group of young college boys, dressed in crisp military uniforms, prepared to march onto the stage. They were here to showcase the strength of our country-Russia's power and pride on full display.
"Did you see that?" Kirian, one of my favorite dwarfs, asked as he sidled up next to me.
I smiled down at him. Kirian's small, twisted frame barely reached my waist, his bent arms and legs giving him a fragile appearance. But there was nothing fragile about his spirit. "They're showing off our nation's might," I said with a smile.
Kirian nodded solemnly. "It's always been my dream to join the army."
Before I could respond, a voice from behind us cut through the moment like a knife. "Not when you're the size of a grenade."
We turned to see Rogan, fully decked out in his princely armor, smirking down at us.
"By the way," he added, his grin widening, "it's settled. Evelyn's going to be the princess tonight. Not you, Lana."
BLURB Aurelia was weak. Despite being born with a beta bloodline, she didn't manage to awaken her wolf. Living with her stepsister and stepmother was hell especially whenever her dad travelled. One day her sister offered to make dinner, she had been grateful to be helped with the chores for once. Soon her sister brought in her dinner and Aurelia happily took the plate of pasta. But by the third swallow she quickly discovered something was wrong. "Do you feel uncomfortable? I guess the poison has set in. That's what you get for trying to steal my man" her sister Scarlett said smirking. Aurelia's eyes widened in disbelief "I didn't, he was mated to me, besides he already rejected me" Aurelia said gasping for breath with tears in her eyes. "How could..." she tried to say looking at her sister in disbelief. "Shut up!" Scarlett roared and slapped her. "You useless thing that can't even awaken your wolf. Slutty brat, you are a disgrace to this family. You are better off dead" Scarlett said as Aurelia coughed up blood. Scarlett quickly dragged her unconscious body to a river and dumped her in the deep end that flows into the sea. Aurelia opened her eyes weakly and stared as her sister as she was pushed in, her eyes pleading for mercy. She can't swim and she's poisoned too. Her sister has sentenced her to death. The water soon covered her head, and she was carried by the currents toward the sea. She closed her eyes as tears streamed down her face waiting for the inevitable. She was already at the seabed, however just as she was slipping into endless darkness, she felt a strong pair of hands around her. It was the Lycan king!
Rose looked at the reports in her hand and was in shock... The reports said that she was one month pregnant, however, how can she get pregnant when she didn't have any man in her life... "Was it because of that dream? Could I get pregnant because I have sex in my dream?" She thought... She didn't have any mental problems, however, except for this she can't able to think about anything... However, she still didn't get out of her surprise when she met the man in her dream... Kevin Davis looked at the reports in her hand and asked, "Is this child mine?" However, Rose didn't answer but asked... "Was that night not a dream?" Kevin was angry because it was his first time and she thinks it was a dream... Kevin forced her to marry him however, Rose didn't want it... She wanted to abort the child but he didn't let her... In the end... Rose agreed to marry him... She looked at Kevin's blue eyes and said, "I will marry you, however, I had two conditions..." "First, after marriage, you can't control my freedom, I still had the right to do whatever I want. Don't worry I won't harm the child." "Second, if I ever found out that you had cheated behind my back then I will leave with my child and you can't stop me..." Both of them got married... However, after she falls in love with him... She found there are hidden secrets in his past...
Chloe Miler, a naïve young woman, waits shyly to spend Valentine's Day with her boyfriend, but is betrayed on that day when she witnesses him entangled in bed with her own sister. Chloe's heart is broken when her heartfelt love for him is trampled on in an instant. *** Lionel Williams, the mysterious billionaire, the top of the pyramid, is handsome as hell. His eyes are set high, but he is drugged, has a one-night stand with a strange woman, and is humiliated by that unknowing woman with her money! His instincts tell him it's not that simple, and he's going to find her out!
"You were about to cum in me." I said and sat up. That's when I felt a stinging pain across my ear as my hand caressed my face, then the realization hit me- he had slapped me, Lee had just slapped me. #Sex. Lies. Money. Power. *** Jessie, after finding out her fiance had married another woman, decides to have a one-night stand with his uncle, only to find herself married to him. But despite being married to his uncle, she was still attracted to him, so she started secretly seeing him. Well, the uncle wasn't willing to give her up now, not after he vowed to always be by her side; now she had two men fighting for her. And the woman her ex-fiance married wasn't just going to give up on him. Will Jessie realize old flames can never be and live a peaceful life with her new billionaire husband, or will Jade succeed in winning her back?
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!
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."