Title of the novel: Shadows Play Summary: In a city plagued by corruption, organized crime, and political ambitions, Fabrice, a discreet young man, finds himself caught in a dangerous web woven by Vital, a shadowy figure in the service of power... but mostly of himself. The latter entrusts Fabrice with a strange mission: to kidnap a young woman, Nina, without harming her. Fabrice agrees, unaware that she is the daughter of a high-ranking political advisor, Nathan N'Dongo, and that her disappearance will put the city on high alert. Torn between his loyalty, his criminal past, and his promise to his mother to remain honest, Fabrice will gradually understand that what he believed to be a simple "contract" conceals a vast conspiracy involving trafficking, betrayals, and personal ambitions. In the midst of this chaos, Fabrice must choose: to become an accomplice... or to break the chain of silence. Amid tensions, manipulations, and revelations, Shadows Play is a gripping thriller where heroes are rarely who we think they are.
Fabrice was thirty years old, but his heart still seemed to be searching for its path. He lived in a small dilapidated house, tucked away at the end of a dusty alley in the city. The walls, worn by time, bore the marks of a difficult past. The roof sometimes leaked, and the furniture creaked under the weight of the years, but it was their home. He lived there with his mother, Jeanne, and his little sister, Diane, a fifteen-year-old, studious and dreamy.
Their family bond was deep, woven with shared sufferings and silences. Jeanne, the mother, was a dignified woman despite the wear of time. She had always worked as a cook in a small primary school. Every evening, she returned home exhausted, but her smile returned as soon as she laid eyes on her children.
Fabrice, on the other hand, lived in the shadows. Since he was sixteen, he had chosen a risky path: pickpocketing, burglaries, clandestine deals. He was not violent, not by nature, but he had understood very early that the street offered no second chances. He had learned to survive. To sniff out opportunities. And to flee from the police.
Yet, despite his nighttime activities, he always returned home. Even on the most dangerous nights, he found his way back to the hearth.
That evening, Fabrice returned late, his face slightly scratched. He held a plastic bag filled with groceries.
Jeanne (opening the door, worried):
- You're bleeding, Fabrice! More trouble?
Fabrice (forcing a smile):
- It's nothing serious, Mom. Just a scuffle... I slipped. But look, I brought back bread, milk... and eggs. We can make pancakes for Diane tomorrow morning.
She sighed, placing a trembling hand on his arm.
Jeanne:
- One day, you won't come back. And on that day, my heart will stop.
Fabrice (softly):
- I will always come back, Mom. Always.
In their small room, Diane was studying her lessons by the light of a flickering bedside lamp. Hearing her brother's voice, she quickly got up.
Diane (happy):
- Big brother! You're here! Look, I got 18/20 in math today!
Fabrice (smiling sincerely):
- That's great, little sister! At this rate, you're going to become the Minister of Economy.
He took a small silver bracelet out of his pocket.
Fabrice:
- Here. This is for you.
Diane (in awe):
- It's so beautiful! Where did you get it?
Fabrice hesitated, then lied gently.
Fabrice:
- A friend gave it to me. He said you would like it.
She hugged him without asking more questions. To her, her brother was a hero. Even if he walked in the shadows, he illuminated her world.
Later, Fabrice sat on the edge of his bed, looking at the cracked ceiling. He thought about his life. He wanted more. He wanted to offer better to his mother. To Diane. But he also knew that every step he took moved him further away from the light. Yet, for them... he was ready for anything.
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
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."
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
Iris grew from an orphaned child to the adopted daughter of the Stewart family at age ten, finding warmth in her nominal uncle Vincent's kindness. Seven years later, she became his secret lover. When Vincent's engagement was announced, gossip spread about the notorious playboy CEO finally settling down. But only Iris knew the extent of his cold, two-faced nature. Iris fell for Vincent and, through tears, begged, "Marry me," only to be met with his frosty refusal. Defeated, she accepted a lawyer's proposal, sparking public excitement. Then, on her wedding day, Vincent pleaded desperately, "Don't marry him…"
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."