Otis and Mei had known each other since college but broke up before graduating. Both of them ran off to places thousands of miles apart, thinking they would never cross paths again. Yet, fate had other plans, and they ended up becoming roommates. The moment Otis pushed the door open and saw Mei sitting on the sofa, he froze. "You look like my ex-girlfriend." Mei immediately jumped up, stomping her foot in frustration. "I am your ex-girlfriend!!!"
"I want you to kiss me..."
A delicate, oval face swayed before his eyes, its fair skin glowing. Her bright, captivating eyes brimmed with affection, stirring Otis's heart.
But a sharp, detached voice cut through his daydream.
"Sign here. Rent is one month upfront, plus three months' deposit. That's a total of forty-eight hundred."
The landlady's plump fingers, adorned with gold rings, pointed to two thin sheets of paper on the mahogany table.
She spoke while eyeing the young man sitting across from her. His handsome face, clear, innocent eyes, and tall frame painted the picture of someone freshly stepping into adulthood. His toned arms, visible beneath the short sleeves of a white t-shirt, hinted at a regular exercise routine.
If only I were twenty years younger...
Otis Prescott glanced at the papers, then looked up to ask, "What about the other tenant?"
The landlady gestured toward the open front door. This was the ground floor, facing the street. At the far end of the lane, a figure in denim shorts and a light blue sun jacket with shoulder-length hair could be seen.
The distance was too great, and without his glasses, Otis couldn't make out the details. All he could register was a sense of familiarity. That figure... it resembled his ex-girlfriend.
He immediately dismissed the thought as absurd. How could it be? This place was miles away from their college. There was no way he'd run into his ex here.
It must be that he was still caught in the shadow of their breakup, which made him think of her at a moment like this.
His ex had a beautiful name: Mei Hawthorne.
In Otis's memories, Mei was about a head and a half shorter than him, with silky, jet-black hair cascading to her waist. In summer, she would wear a pristine white dress, her long hair swaying in the breeze, captivating anyone who saw her.
They would stroll hand-in-hand beneath the shaded paths on campus, whispering and teasing each other, stealing kisses in the warm summer wind.
On those sweltering summer days, her lips were like a cool spring, refreshing and intoxicating.
On weekends, they'd spend the day at a cat café or sit silently together in a quiet coffee shop. As night fell, they'd walk along brightly lit sidewalks before slipping into the shadows, embracing in secluded corners.
In the dark, she'd blush, wrap her arms around him, and softly call his name. He loved that about her...
No, he didn't love it!
They'd broken up. Stop thinking about it!
Otis gripped the pen tightly. Damn it, why was he thinking about her now?
I don't miss her at all!
The landlady noticed Otis's face shifting through a range of emotions and assumed he was reconsidering. She interjected, "The other tenant is a young woman. You've seen the place; it's spacious, and you won't interfere with each other. The location is excellent, close to the subway. You won't find another place this good."
Otis indeed found the location ideal, just a twenty-minute walk from his workplace and close to public transport.
Having just graduated, he had only six thousand yuan to his name. During college, he'd worked part-time to save some money, but most of it had gone toward dates with Mei.
This apartment was the cheapest he could find. Even if the other tenant turned out to be a three-headed, six-armed monster with eight tentacles, he'd still rent it.
After reviewing the lease to ensure there were no issues, Otis signed without hesitation and handed over the forty-eight hundred.
The landlady beamed, her wrinkles smoothing as she smiled. She pulled out a jangling bunch of keys and, after a brief search, handed one to Otis.
"Here you go. Do you need me to show you up?"
Otis shook his head. "No, thanks. I remember the way."
The landlady nodded, offered a few last words of advice, and watched as Otis dragged his suitcase away.
The wheels of his suitcase clicked against the pavement as he glanced toward the end of the street. The figure in the sun jacket had disappeared.
Once again, Otis found himself wondering about his new roommate.
She seemed to be about the same height as his ex.
His ex again. His ex again. Stop bringing her up!
I'm just looking for a reference point!
Otis's thoughts were a mess. Shaking his head, he hoped she'd at least be someone who didn't leave trash everywhere.
He'd read many horror stories online about cohabiting with strangers. Far from romantic encounters, it often involved clogged drains, scattered belongings, and endless headaches.
Please, let her be normal.
Otis pulled his suitcase into the apartment building, pressed the elevator button, and rode it up to the twenty-first floor.
Apartment 2102-his new home.
As he stood before the door, Otis plastered a determined smile on his face.
Let's go, Otis. Welcome to your new life.
No more dwelling on the pain of your breakup. No more thinking about Mei.
At that moment, Otis recalled something Mei had once told him.
After graduation, she wanted to work at Émerveillement Corporation. Otis had joked, "What a coincidence. I want to work there too. We're meant to be."
But then they'd broken up, and Otis had packed up and moved to Snow City, thousands of miles away from Jinghai.
By now, Mei was probably happily snapping selfies on Émerveillement's bustling streets.
Hmph. Goodbye, Mei. We'll never meet again.
He slid the key into the heavy door and pushed it open.
The living room came into view, fully furnished with a dining table, coffee table, and sofa. No television, though.
Sunlight poured through the windows, illuminating the tiled floor.
On the sofa sat a young woman with short hair covering one side of her face. She seemed engrossed in her phone but slowly turned her head when she heard the door open.
Otis raised his hand in greeting, but the woman stopped mid-turn, staring at him.
Familiar. So familiar that it made her dizzy, as if she were dreaming.
Mei had been enjoying a relaxing moment, scrolling through her phone and reading a novel before starting her new job.
To hell with you, Otis! I'll never see you again in this lifetime!
But now, she was looking at a figure she had longed for... no, recognized.
Otis's hand froze mid-air as he stared at the familiar-yet-different face before him.
Still as beautiful and charming as ever, though her hair was shorter.
Wait a second. Am I dreaming? Is this a dream?
The room fell silent, the dust particles visible in the sunlight.
Both tried to say the other's name.
"Mei?"
"Otis?"
Three seconds of silence. One. Two. Three.
Both of them widened their eyes in shock and exclaimed at the same time.
"What are you doing here?!"
Everyone says that CEO Anderson is a formidable figure in the Kingdom of Alssta, someone not to be trifled with. His name alone inspires fear, and those who see him instinctively bow and lower their heads. Some even claim that CEO Anderson's home is a den of dragons and tigers, filled with corpses and bones. Rumor has it that the young bride, who was married off in her sister's place, has already died... When they meet again, CEO Anderson flashes a menacing smile and takes out...
1. Ophelia always believed she would be with Finnian. At the age of eight, they became step-siblings and faced the hardest times of their lives together. Finnian once promised, "Ophelia, wait for me to succeed, and I will marry you." But on her birthday, he publicly announced his relationship with the famous actress, Eamon. 2. The man she had waited for all these years found someone new, while her family's business teetered on the edge of bankruptcy. Ophelia stood amidst the storm-not only were there those waiting to see her fail, but others with malicious intentions biding their time to strike. But what everyone expected didn't happen. Instead of succumbing to despair, Ophelia stunned everyone by organizing a grand wedding that shook Selista. The Radcliffe family, the most prestigious family in Dolasiats, hosted an extravagant wedding in Selista for their beloved daughter-in-law and sole heir, Logan. In an instant, Selista became the gathering spot for more than half of Dolasiats' elites. No one could figure out which lady from Selista had such incredible fortune. When Ophelia appeared in a pristine, dazzling white wedding gown that captivated every gaze, the entire audience was stunned. Finnian, attending the wedding, dropped the wine glass he was holding. It shattered to pieces on the ground. 3. Ophelia knew full well that this marriage was not stable; it was merely a transaction of benefits and could end with each going their separate ways. But Logan had given her so much. After registering their marriage, she gradually made concessions, fulfilling his every demand. From moving in under the same roof, to sharing the same bedroom, and then... Each night, he was possessive, indulgent. She could no longer endure it. Her eyes turned red, and she trembled as she protested, "Can you restrain yourself a little?" The man leaned down, kissed her damp hair, and in a husky voice coaxed her gently at her ear, "Be good and call me husband*."
At her own engagement party, she was betrayed by her best friend, making her a laughingstock in front of everyone. With no other choice, and being a person with pride, she couldn't just walk away humiliated. So, she impulsively grabbed someone to salvage the situation. Unexpectedly, the man she happened to pull was none other than the cold and fearsome CEO of RS, someone everyone dreads to cross paths with. But she wasn't the innocent, defenseless white lotus people saw on the surface. Just wait and see-who would prove to be stronger!
Once, there was a kind-hearted young girl who saved the life of a little beggar boy. Amid hunger, bitter cold, and the overwhelming sense of despair, the girl drove away a pack of stray dogs that threatened the boy and gave him a box of chocolates she loved dearly. This simple act planted a seed that would blossom sixteen years later. The boy, now grown, returned to find the girl who had once saved him, silently protecting her in the guise of a naive, seemingly useless husband.
Calista Whitaker and Dorian Blackwood were childhood sweethearts, engaged for a long time. But just when the crucial moment approached, an unexpected twist occurred- On the day of the engagement, Dorian's affair was unexpectedly exposed. While the marriage alliance between the two families hung in the balance, a weary yet striking man appeared, his gaze both proud and leisurely, skimming over their clasped hands. Alpha Zephyr introduced him flamboyantly as another son of his. Despite his youth, he had already taken control early on and now held the lifeblood of the Blue Moon pack in his hands. As Dorian scrambled for an opportunity to explain, news of the broken engagement spread across the city, yet no one knew that Eamon Blackwood had secretly arranged a meeting with Calista. The man casually tossed her a tempting proposition: "Miss Whitaker, would you mind if the groom were to change?" -Would you like to turn this half-baked victory into a guaranteed triumph and become my accomplice?
Michael William was praised by everyone as the most powerful Lycan King. However, with his extraordinary appearance and talents, he could not avoid the sympathy and suspicion from others. He was not only adept at ruling but also possessed a cold, ruthless, and cruel nature when necessary. Due to a misunderstanding, he once decided to kidnap Zoey Anderson, a weak and delicate maiden in the palace. Although she always tried to escape from his grasp and endured torture, her life became more tragic than ever under such a cruel ruler. But despite the suffering and abuse, there was something strange-why did her presence touch the heart of anyone, even just a little, causing them pain? While the falling petals had meaning, the compassionate heart of a powerful king was shattered by her. So, could his heart ever be mended after all of this?
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
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!"