In the heart of a bustling city,there live a man named Ethan Hale. A man of quiet strength and unwavering loyalty. Ethan has solved his family problems one by one. However,The family he has devoted his life to has grown blind to his sacrifices.
Ethan Hale stood at the window of his modest office, gazing out at the sprawling city below. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden hue over the skyline, but he felt none of its warmth. Instead, a chill settled in his bones, a familiar sensation that had accompanied him for years. He was the silent architect of his family's success, yet he felt more like a ghost haunting the halls of their opulent home.
Behind him, the soft hum of his computer filled the room, a stark contrast to the chaos of his thoughts. He had just finalized a deal that would secure the family business for another decade, a feat that would go unnoticed by those who mattered most. His wife, Claire, and his sisters, Lily and Sarah, were too busy planning their next social event, their laughter echoing through the walls, oblivious to the sacrifices he made to keep their lives running smoothly.
Ethan turned away from the window, his heart heavy. He had always been the one to pick up the pieces, to solve problems before they even arose. When Claire's first love, Jason, had returned to town, Ethan had quietly ensured that the man's influence would not disrupt their lives. When Lily's reckless spending threatened to drown her in debt, Ethan had swooped in, saving her from financial ruin. And when Sarah's latest venture had floundered, he had provided the capital to keep her dreams alive.
Yet, despite his unwavering support, he felt like a mere footnote in their lives. They adored their first loves and the adopted sons they had welcomed into the family, showering them with affection and praise. Ethan was just the man who kept the lights on, the one who made sure the bills were paid and the family name remained untarnished. He was the invisible hand, the silent contributor, and it stung more than he cared to admit.
As he sat down at his desk, the weight of his thoughts pressed down on him. He had spent years building an empire for them, but now he felt like a prisoner in his own life. The family he had devoted himself to had grown complacent, and he was beginning to wonder if they even recognized the sacrifices he had made.
The phone rang, jolting him from his reverie. It was Claire. "Ethan! We're having a small gathering tonight. You'll be there, right?" Her voice was bright, filled with excitement, but he could hear the underlying impatience. She wanted him to be the perfect husband, the supportive partner, but he felt like a shadow lurking in the background.
"Of course, I'll be there," he replied, forcing a smile into his voice. "What time should I arrive?"
"Seven sharp! And make sure to wear that new suit I bought you. You know how important first impressions are."
He nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "I'll be ready."
As he hung up the phone, a sense of dread washed over him. The gathering would be filled with their friends, the same people who had no idea of the sacrifices he made for the family. They would toast to their successes, oblivious to the man who had quietly ensured their prosperity.
Ethan took a deep breath, steeling himself for the evening ahead. He would put on a mask, play the role of the devoted husband, and smile through the pain. But deep down, he knew that something had to change. He could no longer be the silent architect of their success, the man who faded into the background while they basked in the glow of their achievements.
As the sun set and the city lights flickered to life, Ethan made a decision. He would eliminate the last of their enemies, the ones who threatened their empire, and then he would leave. He would walk away from the family that had taken him for granted, and they would soon realize the true cost of their indifference.
The night of the gathering arrived, and Ethan donned the suit Claire had insisted he wear. He looked in the mirror, adjusting his tie, and for a moment, he barely recognized the man staring back at him. The tailored fabric hugged his frame perfectly, but the reflection revealed a man burdened by unspoken words and unacknowledged sacrifices.
As he entered the lavishly decorated living room, laughter and chatter filled the air. The scent of gourmet food wafted through the space, mingling with the clinking of glasses. Claire was the center of attention, her radiant smile captivating everyone around her. Ethan felt a pang of longing as he watched her, wishing she could see him for who he truly was.
"Ethan! There you are!" Claire exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she spotted him. She rushed over to him, her excitement palpable. "You look amazing! Everyone's been asking about you. Come on, let me introduce you to some of our guests."
He forced a smile, nodding as she took his hand and led him through the throng of people. Each face was a blur, a collection of acquaintances and friends who had no idea of the turmoil brewing beneath his composed exterior. They greeted him with polite smiles and small talk, but he felt like an outsider in his own home.
"Ethan, this is Mark and Jenna," Claire said, gesturing to a couple standing nearby. "Mark just landed a huge deal with that tech startup, and Jenna is working on her second novel. You two should talk!"
"Congratulations," Ethan said, his voice steady despite the knot tightening in his stomach. He could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on him, the unspoken question hanging in the air: Why aren't you more like them?
As the evening wore on, Ethan found himself drifting from group to group, nodding and smiling, but feeling increasingly invisible. Claire was swept up in conversations, her laughter ringing out like music, while he stood on the periphery, a silent observer. He caught snippets of conversations about vacations, promotions, and the latest social events, but none of it felt real to him. It was a world he had built for them, yet he was not a part of it.
"Ethan!" Claire called out, pulling him back to the present. "Come here! I want you to meet someone."
He approached her, forcing himself to engage. "Who is it?"
"This is Jason," she said, her voice laced with enthusiasm. "You remember him, right? My first love?"
Ethan's heart sank. He had done everything in his power to keep Jason at bay, to ensure that the past remained buried. But here he was, standing before him, a reminder of everything Ethan had sacrificed.
"Of course," Ethan replied, his tone neutral. "Nice to see you again, Jason."
Jason flashed a charming smile, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Ethan, it's great to see you. Claire has told me so much about you. You're the man behind the curtain, right? The one who keeps everything running smoothly?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "Something like that."
"Don't be modest," Jason said, leaning in slightly. "You're the unsung hero of this family. I admire that."
Ethan felt a surge of anger. Admiration? Was that all he was to them? A hero in the shadows? He forced himself to maintain his composure, but the words burned in his throat. "Thank you," he managed, his voice clipped.
In the heart of Eldoria, a city steeped in ancient traditions and unyielding laws. The air was thick with the scent of rain-soaked earth and the distant hum of the marketplace winding down for the evening. It was a city where the past and present collided, where the echoes of history shaped the lives of its inhabitants.
As the seasons changed in Eldergrove, Amina's connection to the Whispering Woods deepened. The villagers, once skeptical, now sought her guidance in matters both mundane and magical. A lady known as Lila came as a betrayal, in other for her to take over Amina position. Check what happens next in the story.
A group receives a map from an old explorer who claims to have seen a treasure. They prepare for the journey, gathering supplies and researching the jungle.
The sun was setting over the horizon as the captain black beak,the most feared pirate on the seven seas stood on the deck of his ship, the "Black swan""
A king who was betrayed by his own blood brother just because of a throne
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?
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."
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?