Precious Rossi has known nothing but pain. Trapped in a loveless marriage filled with abuse, betrayal, and heartbreak, she has lost all hope of ever finding happiness. One fateful night, seeking an escape from her misery, she ends up in the arms of a mysterious stranger-a man who sees through her pain and offers her a moment of solace. That man is Micheal Timothy-a ruthless mafia billionaire with a dark past and a heart colder than ice. Their one-night stand was meant to be nothing more than a fleeting encounter, but fate has other plans. When Precious's world crumbles even further, she finds herself drawn into Micheal's dangerous orbit. As their lives intertwine, secrets unravel, enemies emerge, and a burning passion ignites. But can Precious truly escape her past? And will Micheal be the reason she finally learns to smile again, or will he become another nightmare she must survive? A tale of love, betrayal, and redemption set against the backdrop of New York's bustling cityscape and the breathtaking beauty of Italy. He Is the Reason Why I Smile Again is an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you breathless.
I sobbed deeply as I frantically dialed Brielle's number, my hands trembling so violently that the phone almost slipped from my grasp. My entire body ached from the relentless beating Liam had given me just moments ago. Bruises painted my skin, and the taste of blood lingered on my tongue.
"Pick up, Brielle, please..." I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. But the call went unanswered, and the overwhelming sense of loneliness settled deep in my bones.
The walls of our penthouse apartment, which once felt like a dream, had become my prison. Every piece of expensive furniture, every luxurious decor, meant nothing when the man who owned them treated me like trash.
I pressed a shaking hand against the bedroom mirror, staring at my own reflection. A stranger stared back at me-a woman with hollow eyes, bruised skin, and lips swollen from Liam's latest rage. This wasn't me. This wasn't the life I had imagined.
A sudden wave of nausea rolled over me, and I stumbled to the bathroom, gripping the sink for support. I took deep breaths, trying to steady myself, but my mind was a storm of fear and anguish. I couldn't stay here tonight. I wouldn't survive another beating.
With a newfound determination, I grabbed my coat and rushed out into the cold, rainy streets of New York. The downpour soaked through my thin blouse in seconds, but I didn't care. My heels clicked against the pavement as I moved without direction, the city's lights blurring through my tear-filled eyes.
I needed an escape.
And then I saw it-a dimly lit bar at the corner of the street. It looked like the perfect place to drown my sorrow, even if only for a few hours.
Pushing open the heavy door, I stepped inside. The warmth of the room was a stark contrast to the chill outside. The scent of alcohol and cigars filled the air, and faint jazz music played in the background. It was an intimate space, with rich mahogany furniture and dim golden lights that cast soft shadows across the walls.
I made my way to the bar, slipping onto a stool as the bartender approached. "What can I get you?" he asked, his voice gruff but not unkind.
"Whiskey. Neat." The words left my lips before I could second-guess them. I wasn't a drinker, but tonight, I needed something strong to numb the pain.
As I waited for my drink, my gaze drifted across the room, landing on a figure sitting alone in the VIP section. He exuded an aura of danger, his sharp jawline and piercing eyes sending a shiver down my spine.
Micheal Timothy.
I didn't know his name then, but something about him called to me. Maybe it was the way his gaze lingered on me, as if he could see straight through the mask I wore. Or maybe it was the fact that, for the first time in years, I felt something other than pain.
His presence was commanding, his tailored black suit hinting at wealth and power. He held a glass of bourbon in his hand, swirling the liquid idly as if lost in thought. When our eyes met, a flicker of curiosity sparked in his dark gaze.
I swallowed hard and turned back to my drink, but I could still feel his gaze on me. It was unnerving and intoxicating all at once.
"Rough night?" a smooth voice asked.
I looked up to find him standing beside me, his presence even more overwhelming up close. My breath caught in my throat. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and carried himself with effortless confidence.
"You could say that," I murmured, fingers tightening around my glass.
He studied me for a long moment before sliding into the seat next to mine. "I don't usually offer company to strangers," he said. "But you look like you need it."
A bitter smile tugged at my lips. "And what do you get out of it?"
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a murmur. "Maybe I just like saving drowning women."
I let out a soft, humorless laugh. "I don't need saving."
His gaze darkened. "That's the biggest lie I've heard all night."
Silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken words. Part of me wanted to push him away, to retreat back into the shadows where Liam's ghost couldn't find me. But another part-one I had long ignored-was drawn to him, to the promise of something different. Something dangerous.
I took a deep breath and made my decision.
Tonight, I wasn't Precious Rossi, the battered wife. Tonight, I was just a woman seeking an escape.
And he was the perfect distraction.
Selene thought she was just an ordinary girl, hiding in the shadows of a powerful werewolf pack. But everything changes when her pack is betrayed, and her family is slaughtered before her eyes. Left alone and broken, she finds herself imprisoned by the very wolves she once called family. Sold into captivity and labeled as weak, Selene is thrust into a world where her life means nothing - until she uncovers a hidden truth about her bloodline. A secret that could change everything. With every step, Selene discovers her true strength and the power she never knew she had. As she navigates betrayal, heartache, and the ruthless world of werewolves, she must rise above her past and fight for the future she was always meant to have. Will she be able to harness the power within her and embrace her true destiny, or will she be consumed by the darkness around her? In a world where survival is everything, Selene must learn that sometimes the greatest power lies in embracing the wolf within.
Trapped in a life of endless suffering, Ella Sophia has known nothing but pain, betrayal, and humiliation. In a loveless marriage with a cruel husband who sees her as nothing more than property, she endures beatings, forced submission, and the crushing weight of despair. At work, things are no better-her boss, the ruthless billionaire Alex Anthony, treats her like she's disposable, a pawn in his merciless world. One fateful night changes everything. A drunken mistake, a one-night stand with a stranger, leaves Ella entangled in a web of secrets she never saw coming. The man she spent the night with? None other than Alex Anthony himself. As Ella's life spirals even further, she faces betrayals that push her to the edge. But she refuses to remain a victim forever. From the ashes of her suffering, a new version of her is born-a woman no longer willing to be anyone's slave. With power, vengeance, and a newfound strength, she rises, determined to make those who hurt her pay. But in a world where love and hatred blur, and enemies lurk in the shadows, will Ella's transformation be her salvation or her ultimate downfall? And when Alex realizes she is more than just a pawn in his ruthless game, will he fight to keep her, or will his past destroy them both? One thing is certain-Ella will never be the same again.
In the dazzling yet ruthless world of New York's elite, where power is everything, Sophia Chloe has only known suffering. Trapped in a loveless, abusive marriage, she endures relentless pain-beatings, humiliation, and heartbreak. Her once-bright future has been reduced to nothing but survival. But one fateful night changes everything. A desperate escape leads her into the arms of Anthony Philip, a cold-hearted billionaire with a past as dark as his reputation. What was meant to be a reckless mistake-a one-night stand-soon spirals into a dangerous entanglement she never saw coming. Anthony is no ordinary billionaire. As a powerful figure in the Mafia, he commands fear and respect in equal measure. He doesn't do love, and he certainly doesn't believe in second chances. But something about Sophia's brokenness awakens a part of him he thought was long dead. He offers her power, protection, and a way out-but at a cost she may not be willing to pay. When her past comes back to haunt her, and dangerous enemies lurk in the shadows, Sophia must decide: remain the weak, broken woman she once was, or rise from the ashes and claim the strength that was stolen from her? In a world of betrayal, vengeance, and deadly secrets, one thing is certain-nothing comes without a price. Themes: Weak-to-strong heroine transformation Mafia power struggles and forbidden romance Betrayal, revenge, and redemption One-night stand leading to an unexpected fate A billionaire who doesn't believe in love... until her She was supposed to be his mistake. Instead, she became his obsession.
Aria Moretti never wanted to be a pawn in the dangerous world of the mafia. But one reckless night changed everything. A single mistake-a one-night stand with a man whose name she never thought she'd hear again-becomes the chain that binds her to the most powerful and ruthless mafia boss in New York, Luca Romano. Cold. Calculating. Dangerous. Luca is a man who takes what he wants, and when he discovers Aria is carrying his child, there's only one solution-marriage. But Aria refuses to be controlled, refuses to bow to a man who sees her as nothing more than an obligation. Yet, escaping Luca Romano is impossible. As she fights for her freedom, she finds herself entangled in a web of power, deception, and deadly secrets. The world she's been forced into is filled with betrayal, bloodshed, and enemies lurking in the shadows. And the most dangerous of them all? Luca himself. But what happens when the ruthless mafia king starts to fall for the woman who dares to defy him? And when Aria discovers a secret that could shatter everything, will she run from him... or run straight into his arms? In a game where love is dangerous and trust is a luxury, Aria must make a choice-fight for her freedom, or risk her heart for a man who could either destroy her or love her beyond reason. One mistake. One contract. One stolen affection. And now, there's no turning back.
She's a girl from New York City, living a life of misery and submission. When the wealthy and ruthless mafia boss, Alexander Rossi, crosses her path, everything she thought she knew about love, power, and survival begins to unravel. But in a world where trust is a luxury, can she truly escape the darkness, or will the seduction of the billionaire pull her deeper into a web of deceit and danger? Secrets, betrayal, and passion await. Will she become a pawn, or is there a chance she could take control of her fate? Find out what happens next...
Ella has always been the outcast. In a world where werewolves rise to power by embracing their wolf forms, she remains powerless, rejected by those she once called family. But when an ancient prophecy reveals that Ella is the one destined to lead the pack, everything changes. Thrown into a battle for control, Ella must navigate fierce rivalries, dark betrayals, and the growing threat of a ruthless alpha who will stop at nothing to claim the throne. As the weight of leadership presses down on her, Ella will have to confront her greatest fear-accepting the power she's always denied. Will she rise to claim her place as the Unconventional Alpha, or will she crumble under the pressure of expectations and enemies lurking in the shadows? The fate of her pack-and the future of the werewolf world-rests in her hands. ---
On their wedding night, Rogelio wrapped his fingers around Marian's neck and spat at her, "Congratulations! From now on, you live in hell!" The reason for his wrath was that he believed she was responsible for the death of his elder brother. So, he married her but refused to touch her, determined to make her suffer for the rest of her pitiful life! However, due to an unforeseen accident, Marian was forced to sleep with Rogelio in order to save him, and she ended up getting pregnant. Concealing her pregnancy, Marian lived cautiously under Rogelio's watchful eyes. He hated her and relentlessly humiliated her, yet he would never allow anyone else to lay a finger on her— "Mr. Bailey, your wife got into a fight with someone!" Rogelio secretly took action, eliminating that person completely. "Sir, your wife claimed that all of your family's wealth belongs to her!" Rogelio quietly transferred all the shares to her. Unaware of all this, Marian only wanted to escape, but Rogelio pulled her into his warm embrace, whispering, "Mrs. Bailey, where do you intend to go with our unborn child?"
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
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!"
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!"
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..." But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."