It had never always been this way. In fact, it had always been smooth and rosy, but everything changed when a mysterious stranger appeared. ☆ Daniel Jones agrees to go clubbing with his lousy roommate on a Friday night. To him, this is his first and last time in a club. However, the unexpected happens and he gets stuck with clubbing: he meets someone at the club who changes his life forever; someone who exposes him to raw emotions he never knew existed – emotions such as pain, hatred, jealousy and above all, LOVE in its intensity. The cool-headed, nerdy, and bookworm Daniel becomes a hot-tempered and violent man who would do anything to protect the woman he met in just one night – a night he would forever live to remember.
My eyes widened as the cold metal came in contact with my wrist. It took a minute before I could decipher what was happening. I stared in horror at the handcuff on my wrist and gasped when I was shoved a bit by the policeman beside me as he urged me to walk faster. Everything was happening rapidly and it felt like my brain was giving way; I could barely think and I felt my entire body go numb.
"I'm. . .I'm innocent," I managed to say but it seemed there was no rationale in this case and from the looks on the officers' faces, I knew I was pouring water into a basket; they didn't believe me and It didn't even help that the woman who had reported this case was fidgeting like she had seen a ghost; like I was a dreadful thing to behold.
"You have the right to remain silent otherwise, whatever you say will be used against you in the court of law." The officer beside me spoke as he ordered that my son be taken away from me. The little child had held unto my leg, crying at the top of his voice and when I tried to hold him, I was shoved once again as they led me down the stairs. I tried to speak but all I could do was whimper as thoughts of all that had happened some minutes ago filled my memory. I was yet to get over the event yet I was being driven into another trouble - bigger trouble. I still couldn't believe it had happened. I would have dismissed this as a nightmare but the blood on my hands was enough proof that it was reality. I was being arrested.
"You can't do this. Let me at least speak to my father," I tried to win them over but all I said fell on deaf ears as they pushed me into the van and drove off.
My eyes welled up as I shut my eyes. God knew I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I was only trying to save my son. Why couldn't anyone understand that?
★ ★ ★
The creaking of the iron bars irritated me as I laid on the cold prison floor - the nauseating smell of the watery beans the officer had dropped for me not helping issues.
I still wondered who it was that prepared the meals at the prison yard. Perhaps, he or she didn't taste the meal before dishing it out for people to eat.
I sighed as I kicked the stainless steel that had been used to serve me, away from me.
I was alone yet again. Veronica had left me after wailing her eyes out. It didn't even help that I couldn't say a word to comfort her or even make some gestures at least. I had sat aloof like a rock instead and had watched her cry.
Though the locking fetters used to handcuff me when I was with Veronica had been taken off, I still felt the tingling sensation around my wrist; the marks they had left ever clear on my skin.
I peered at my skin through the dark but saw nothing. The small window by the side of the wall did little to brighten up the room.
Being in prison had made me appreciate little things like sunlight and fresh air which I had always taken for granted before.
There was nothing like freedom and no one should be confined to a tiny space like this. I wondered how I would have coped had my dad not been one of the prominent figures in town.
I had once walked past other cells and had seen how countless prisoners were locked up in a stuffy place with no air. At least, I had a room to myself unlike what I had seen back then.
A deep sigh escaped my lips when I heard some noise coming from another cell. It was a cry of agony and shivers went down my spine as I shut my eyes, listening to the cries go and on. I needed no one to explain to me what had happened.
It had always been that way and of recent, prisoners had been dying like fleas. I had only been in prison for two days and within that short duration, six men had collapsed and been buried.
One had happened while we were out for our periodic promenade the previous day. According to what I was told, the commandant had organised a periodic promenade for the prisoners.
Though the prisoners seemed to dread this - I now understood why - it was a moment to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful sunlight - rare gems I had come to appreciate.
While we were lined up before the commandant the previous day - a fierce-looking middle-aged man with an old fashioned helmet covering his bald head - one of the prisoners: a skinny looking old man who stammered a lot, was caught whispering words to his partner while the commandant was speaking.
According to how everyone had reacted, I knew it was a grave sin to speak when the commandant was. I was new here and so was taking note of everything.
I didn't want to get into trouble even when some of the officers that stood watch by my cell were unusually nice to me. One of the guards had promised I would be out soon and I did believe him - the son of a rich man wouldn't rot in jail, would he?
The two offenders that were caught talking were brought before the commandant and were asked to lie flat on the ground. A whip was passed to the grimacing commandant who raised the whip in the air with so much force and began lashing out painful strokes on the skin of the feeble old man who looked like he would pass out by mere shove of hands.
I had shut my eyes while the lashing went on; I couldn't bear to watch - not when the old man was wailing at the top of his voice.
Have you ever been disappointed and embarrassed at yourself? Then Maybe you might understand what Aiden had gone through when he couldn't shift into his wolf at the shapeshifting ceremony. he had failed not only himself but his mother and even the pack who trusted that he would be a strong wolf. For this reason, the great Alpha Lundamous threatened his daughter to reject the useless werewolf who is not worthy of her. But Adelia loves Aiden and rejecting him will be too much to bear. However, Alpha Lundamous is persistent and he swears to kill Aiden if he is not rejected. But what no one knows is that Aiden isn't one to be joked with, but one to be feared.
"You lack manners and I will teach you how to behave." She smirked and Liam had his eyebrow raised in confusion. "Since you will be working for me now, I guess you need to know my rules. Get a sheet of paper and start writing." "What?" Liam gasped. ★ ★ ★ Everything changes for Liam when Mr. Blaise hands over the company to his rude and spoilt daughter, Anastacia Blaise. Anastacia is the nightmare of every staff but Liam is determined to tame her, especially when he needs his job to take care of his old sick mother and younger sister. However, Anastacia is not called the witch for no reason. How long will Liam be able to cope with his new boss' ridiculous rules and demands?
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!"
Julia and Evan were the perfect couple-or so she thought. But everything changed when Evan abruptly ended their relationship, leaving her heartbroken and unable to tell him she was carrying his child. Years later, Julia has built a life for herself and her son, Andy, while Evan has risen to unimaginable wealth and success. Their paths cross again at a chance meeting, but Julia soon discovers Evan has moved on with someone else. Julia is done with the pain. She's fought battles alone, raising a son who deserves the truth about his father, even if Evan doesn't deserve her forgiveness. When Julia told Evan years ago she had something to say, he didn't listen. Now, it's time for him to listen. But is it too late to reclaim what he lost? "We should break up," he'd said, the words cutting through her like glass. The pregnancy test in her pocket stayed hidden, just like the child they would never share. Now, it's Evan's turn to hear the truth-and to face his deepest regret.
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!