Nate, a man burdened by the legacy of his family's immense wealth and the pressures of upholding a corporate empire. He finds himself utterly exhausted and disillusioned by a life spent chasing a definition of success that leaves him feeling profoundly empty. His impulsive escape to the quaint Colorado town of Harmony Creek marks a pivotal point in his journey. Harmony Creek, with its close-knit community, its emphasis on faith and its slower pace of life, is a stark contrast to Nate's high-pressure existence. It is here, in this haven of warmth and kindness, that he encounters Jessie, a woman who embodies the town's gentle spirit. Their connection is a slow burn, a gradual unfolding of affection built on mutual respect, shared experiences, and a growing understanding of each other's souls.
The mahogany desk, usually a symbol of power and success, felt like a prison. Nate stared at the meticulously organized files, each representing a deal, a negotiation, a mountain of responsibility that threatened to bury him alive. The air hung heavy with the scent of old paper and stale coffee, a familiar aroma that now only served to amplify his exhaustion. Two years ago, his father had passed away, leaving Nate not only grieving but also thrust into the unforgiving role of CEO of Sterling Industries, a multi-billion dollar empire built on ambition and ruthlessness.
He'd inherited not only a legacy but a suffocating weight of expectation.
The pressure was relentless. Board meetings stretched late into the night, each decision carrying the weight of thousands of employees' livelihoods. His days bled into one another, a blur of spreadsheets, conference calls, and strained smiles forced onto his face. Sleep was a luxury he barely afforded himself, his dreams haunted by the relentless demands of the company. Even the quiet moments, usually a refuge, were filled with a gnawing unease, a constant reminder of his father's absence and the impossible task set before him. His brother, Stephen, ever the ambitious one, hovered on the periphery, his eyes sharp, assessing, calculating.
The weight of his father's legacy was unbearable. He had been molded to follow in his father's footsteps, trained from a young age in the art of deal-making, instilled with a fierce competitiveness that had now turned against him. He'd excelled, surpassing even his father's expectations, but at what cost? He had sacrificed his personal life, his relationships, even his own sense of self, all in service of the Sterling empire. Now, standing at the precipice of his own potential burnout, he felt hollow, an empty shell driving himself relentlessly towards a goal he no longer desired.
One evening, amidst the chaotic symphony of ringing phones and urgent emails, Nate found himself staring out of his office window, lost in the glittering expanse of the city. The city lights, usually a beacon of success and opportunity, felt cold and isolating. He felt a deep, profound loneliness he hadn't anticipated. It wasn't simply the death of his father, but the realization that he had lost himself in the process of building this empire, that the cost of success was far too high.
He thought of the Christmas cards piled on his desk, unopened, their festive cheer mocking his emotional desolation. The thought of spending Christmas alone in the sterile confines of his city apartment, surrounded by the symbols of his success and the ghosts of his past, was unbearable. A sudden, impulsive thought took root in his mind – escape. A complete, utter escape from the relentless demands of his life.
With a decision as swift and unexpected as a mountain avalanche, he grabbed his keys, his phone, and a small bag. He didn't even bother to inform anyone. He simply walked out of the towering skyscraper, leaving behind the gilded cage he'd built for himself.
The drive was a blur, a cathartic release of pent-up frustration and grief. He drove west, away from the city's suffocating embrace, guided only by the faint whisper of a yearning for something more, something real. He didn't have a destination in mind; the only plan was to disappear, to find a place where the relentless pressure would cease to exist.
In the heart of a devastating fire, amidst chaos and destruction, Brianna finds not only survival but also an unexpected love story. Rescued from the inferno by the captivating fireman, Casey, she begins a journey of healing and rediscovery, both emotional and romantic. Casey, a man accustomed to the emotional distance required by his profession, finds himself captivated by Brianna's quiet strength and unwavering spirit. Their connection blossoms against the backdrop of her emotional trauma, forming a bond built on mutual support, understanding, and a shared vulnerability.
Amber and Rick were childhood sweethearts. Rick was from a wealthy family and his life was planned out for him. Amber wanted Rick, but she also wanted more. Rick went off to college and Amber left town. 5 years later Amber returns to town with a secret that could change everything.
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
"The bloodline is confirmed. The Universal God Token is activated. All the gods will obey..." ........................................... Everyone believed Ye Liuyun was trash, even himself. No money, no talent, and no one he could rely on. Bully, scorn and laughter, that's what he deserved. But Ye Liuyun never gave up working hard. One day things had changed. Ye Liuyun's inner power was suddenly awakened. He could cultivate a divine level spirit and became a supreme hero. Slaying demons and exterminating devils, his adventures just started... Money, beauty and power, he would grasp everything in his hands...
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."
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
"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.]
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"