The Distance Between Us follows Zoe, a shy high schooler who falls for Patrick, her best friend's twin brother and former bully. Their romance blossoms, but Patrick's parents push him toward Elizabeth, a family ally's daughter obsessed with him. Elizabeth's jealousy leads to a brutal assault on Zoe, leaving her traumatized and driving the couple apart. Though they move on, their love lingers. Unbeknownst to Patrick, Zoe carries a life-altering secret; she's pregnant with his child. Years later, fate brings the truth to light.
Zoe stood out in the bustling hallway, her eyes darting back and forth as she clutched a stack of books to her chest. A tight ponytail confined her hair along with glasses that sat near her nose tip, which made her appear bookish. She looked really nervous and her brow furrowed as she walked toward the janitor who was busy sweeping the floor.
''Excuse me,'' she said with a slight shake in her voice to catch the janitor's attention. ''I need to find the principal's office. Could you point me in the right direction?''
The janitor, a harried looking man with a full beard wearing an old denim jacket, glanced up from his task and offered a quick but apologetic smile.
''Sorry kiddo,'' he replied in a rough yet polite tone. ''I've got too much work right now. Maybe ask your fellow student for help? They'd be happy to show you the way.'' A look of letdown crossed her face plus her eyes filled with worry as she looked at the hallway. She had hoped the janitor would give her the directions but he was already turning back to his work, focused on the floor.
She hesitated for a while as she held her books close to her chest before she gave a nod and left. She appeared lost in the hallway and searched for someone to ask directions from. Her shoulders were hunched and her head was lowered, which made her look defensive as if she needed shelter from her surroundings. The passing students along with their hushed talks and laughs felt like sharp needles to her. She was sure she was the center of attention and that everyone was laughing at her.
Uncertainties paralyzed her as she stood still. ''Who am I going to ask for directions? These 'rich classy kids' seem untouchable.'' Her self-doubt intensified and her confidence dwindled.
Suddenly, a gentle tap on her shoulder made her gasp and her heart skipped a beat. As Zoe turned around, her eyes met Victoria's, and a jolt of surprise coursed through her veins. Victoria's gentle smile and warm gaze put her at ease, and she slowly returned the handshake. Their palms touched, igniting a spark of connection.
The gentle handshake, firm yet gentle, conveyed kindness. ''Hey, I'm Victoria James,'' she said, her voice melodious. ''Are you new here?'' Zoe nodded, still taken aback. ''Yeah, I'm uh, Zoe...Zoe Kim.'' she stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Victoria's refined features and polished appearance captivated Zoe. Tall and poised, her statuesque frame commanded attention, and radiant skin glowed with a subtle sheen, as if kissed by the sun. Her long, dark brown hair cascaded down her back, sleek and lustrous, framing her face beautifully.
As Zoe stood before Victoria, she slowly raised her head, her eyes scanning the surrounding area. She was relieved as she realized no one was paying attention to her. Everyone was engrossed in their own activities, oblivious to her presence. Zoe's anxiety faded, replaced by amusement at her own foolishness. She had been so wrapped up in her own fears that her imagination had taken over. No one was judging her, they were all too lost in their own business.
Victoria's warm smile gave her the encouragement to keep going. ''I'm lost. I need to find the principal's office,'' Zoe said, her cheeks turning red.
Victoria nodded. ''Well, I can walk with you. I'm headed that way too.'' When Victoria said, ''Follow me,'' it felt like a lifeline, helping Zoe navigate through unfamiliar territory.
As they walked, Zoe began to feel a comfort she hadn't felt before. Victoria's natural charm and warmth made her feel at ease.
''Where are you from?'' Victoria asked, her tone friendly and curious. Zoe hesitated, unsure of how much to share. ''I'm from... um, the neighborhood,'' she replied, feeling a twinge of discomfort. She didn't want to disclose her family's difficulties.
Victoria nodded, her eyes shining with interest. ''That's cool! I love discovering new spots in the neighborhood. There's always something interesting to find.''
Zoe smiled, trying to mask her unease. As she walked beside Victoria, her thoughts drifted back to the challenges her mum had faced. Just a few months prior, they had been on the brink of eviction, struggling to get by. But then, Zoe received the scholarship to Excel Academy, a prestigious high school known for its academic excellence.
That opportunity was a lifeline, and Zoe's mother had worked tirelessly to secure a new home in the neighborhood. Despite the hurdles, they felt thankful for the fresh start.
Victoria's friendly chatter pulled Zoe from her thoughts. ''So, Zoe, what made you choose Excel Academy?'' she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Zoe smiled, her mind racing back to the moment she got the scholarship letter. ''I actually applied for the scholarship, and I'm really grateful to have received it,'' she said, her voice filled with appreciation.
Victoria's face brightened. ''That's fantastic! Congratulations!''
Zoe felt her cheeks flush at the compliment. ''Thanks. Excel Academy is truly a dream school for every kid. The academic programs are amazing, and it's a great stepping stone for college.''
Victoria nodded with excitement. ''I know, right? Excel Academy has such a great reputation. Your parents must be so happy.''
Zoe felt a rush of pride thinking about her mother's hard work for a better future. ''It's just my mum and me actually, and yeah, she is. My mom has put in so much effort to give me opportunities, and this scholarship means a lot to us.''
Victoria's expression softened. ''That's really inspiring, Zoe.''
Zoe agreed, still a bit cautious about sharing her family's situation. Her mother, the only one bringing in money, had faced many challenges just to keep a roof over their heads. But as they walked together, she felt grateful to Victoria for being so supportive.
They approached the principal's office, and Victoria opened the door, gesturing for Zoe to go in. ''Principal Smith will help you,'' she said, her tone comforting.
Inside, Principal Smith greeted Zoe with warmth. ''Hello, dear. I believe you're our new 11th-grade scholar?''
''Yes, that's me. I'm Zoe Kim, the new 11th grader.''
Principal Smith smiled broadly. ''Welcome, Zoe! We're thrilled to have you in our Excel Academy community. We're gearing up for the SAT and AP classes, which will be challenging but will help you grow.''
Victoria stayed close, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. Principal Smith turned to her. ''Victoria, I'm glad you're here too. Can you show Zoe around since you're in the same class?''
Victoria nodded eagerly. ''Of course! I'd love to show you around, Zoe. We'll get you settled in no time.''
Principal Smith handed Zoe a folder. ''Here are your class schedules and orientation materials. Don't hesitate to reach out to me or Victoria if you need anything.''
Zoe's eyes widened as she looked over the schedules. ''Thank you, Principal Smith. I really appreciate it.''
With a warm smile, Principal Smith dismissed them.
In a world where swipe-left culture reigns, a disillusioned young woman believes her generation has lost sight of genuine connection. Convinced that true love is unattainable, she adopts a carefree attitude, seeking fleeting encounters instead of meaningful relationships. But as she navigates the shallow waters of casual dating, she unexpectedly stumbles upon a profound connection that challenges her assumptions and rewrites her narrative
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
In the previous life, Maggie Johnson was so cowardly, gullible and stupid that she was coaxed by her fiance and stepsister and then broke her legs and lost everything including her fortune, love and even life. However, she was so lucky that she was reborn in the year before everything happened. Since her life restarted, how could she repeat a previous tragedy? Therefore, in this life, she took the opportunity to improve herself and take revenge on the ones who had ever insulted her. Facing the people who had humiliated her previously, she became smart and experienced to break their frames and tricks that had caused her to hurt in the previous life. Finally, no one could stop her pace to amaze the world any more.
Mia's life is spiraling out of control. Abandoned by her mother, bullied mercilessly at school, and thrown into a household of four dangerously attractive stepbrothers, she's desperate to find her footing. "You look absolutely edible," Sean growled, his eyes devouring her. Mia felt a rush of heat between her thighs "Oh, you think so?" she purred, turning to face him. She reached out and traced her fingers along the ribbon that wrapped around his waist. "Well, I've been waiting for this all day. And I'm starving." Sean's smile grew into a predatory grin. "Then let us feast," he said, and in a flash, the ribbon fell away, exposing his rock-hard length. He stepped closer, and Mia felt the warmth of his breath on her face as he whispered, "You're going to take every inch of us tonight, aren't you?" With Rolex's teasing smirk and Sean's quiet, hot stares, Mia doesn't know where to turn-or who to trust. Every glance, every touch leaves her breathless, confused, and craving more than she should. Will Mia survive their games, or will she lose herself in a dangerous world of secrets, seduction, and forbidden desire? One house. Four brothers. Endless temptation.