"I Love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul" There is no greater atrocity than falling in love with your younger sister's husband. When Nayan agrees to move in with her younger sister, Naomi, to assist during the final month of her pregnancy, she devotes herself to caring for her soon-to-be-born niece. However, after the baby is born, Naomi begins to act irresponsibly, frequently going out and returning late at night, leaving her newborn at home for Nayan to care for. Despite initially being unprepared for this role, Nayan steps up to take responsibility for her niece and, in the process, inadvertently falls in love with Naomi's husband.
"Nayan, love, you're up in thirty!" My best friend, Lilian Parker, shouted from behind me. She prefers to go by Lil Parks though, so that's what we all call her.
I turned to her with a forced smile, my irritation barely hidden. "Yeah, I know." I said with a sigh, "Another night of letting old men and horny perverts stare at my ass."
She steps closer, her expression softening. "I know it sucks, babe, but we've just got to get on with it. Think of the money; it's not like you're relishing all this dreadful attention." I chuckle, "You're doing this for a reason, remember?"
I forced a smile, she was right though. The money I earned from stripping was for a much bigger purpose. Lilian was the only one who knew what the money was intended for and how important this job was to me. "Yeah, I know. But, sometimes it's...it's just hard to remember that when I'm up there, you know." I smile bitterly "Like I said, I don't particularly enjoy everyone staring at my body like a piece of meat."
She hugs me "You've got this, Nayan. You always do."
"Thanks, Lil," I muttered, taking a deep breath. "Guess I had better get ready."
"Good idea. You don't want Matt looking for an excuse to dock your pay." Matthew Steep, our boss, was a grumpy old narcissist who took pride in owning this miserable strip club. Matthew's narcissistic behavior wasn't just evident in his grumpy attitude; it was in the way he manipulated everyone in this club. He'll cozy up some of the women here, promising them pay raises, but only after they've spent a night with him.
I got a first-hand taste of his true colors. Rejecting his advances only led to him slashing my pay. When I tried to speak up, he threatened not to pay me at all. But that didn't stop him from flirting with me occasionally. I've contemplated quitting countless times. But then reality hits. Jobs that don't require qualifications are scarce for people like me. While my friends were off chasing their dreams in college, I was forced to let go of mine so my little sister, Naomi could attend school.
I turned to face the mirror in the cramped dressing room, staring at my reflection. My eyes are tired, my lips are painted a bright red that feels like a mask. This job, dancing at the club, isn't what I had planned for my life, but here I am. I have my reasons, but those reasons feel distant when I'm up on that stage.
I start by brushing through my long, dark hair, making sure it's free of tangles and falls in soft waves over my shoulders. Next, I reached for my makeup bag, touched my eyeliner, and added a bit more glitter to my eyelids. The lights on that stage are unforgiving, and every detail counts.
"Lil, hand me that lipstick, will you?" I asked, pointing to the bright red tube on the counter.
She tosses it to me with a practiced flick of her wrist. "Here you go, glam queen."
I laughed despite myself. "Glam queen, huh? More like an exhausted peasant."
"Hey, don't sell yourself short. You look amazing with your long legs and that ass...and you know it."
"Stop it." I blushed, making her roll her eyes. "Don't be so modest now, Nay, you have great tits and ass. Why do you think..." She lowers her voice "Matthew keeps crawling back to you."
I chuckled, "Because he's a dog?"
"Exactly!" She says and we laugh.
With a final swipe of lipstick, I turned my attention to my outfit. I slip into my T-strap heels, the shiny black leather hugging my feet perfectly. They add an extra few inches to my height, making my legs look even longer. Those dogs aren't going to know what hit them. I smirk inwardly.
Though I detest dancing at a strip club, I still cherish the act of dancing. It was a skill I inherited from my dad, back when dancing was everyone's passion. Even my mom. But now, after it claimed his life, she couldn't bear the thought of one of her children doing something that claimed her husband's life. So, when my career path veered towards dancing, she was furious. However, unable to change my mind, she relented, with the condition that, since I wouldn't pursue schooling like my peers, I had to sacrifice the money meant for my education for Naomi's chance to attend Princeton.
I shake the memory away from my head as I hike up my already short skirt, pulling it higher to reveal more of my thighs. The material barely covers me, but that's the point. I tug at the neckline of my top, pushing up my breasts to create more cleavage. The effect is exactly what I need-sexy, confident, irresistible and powerful.
"Ready to knock 'em dead?" Lil chirps, mischief glinting in her eyes.
"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied, shooting her a playful wink. Just then, my phone buzzes with an incoming call from my mother. Ignoring it, I focus on getting ready. But it persists, demanding attention once more.
"Who's that?" Lil cranes her neck to peek at my phone.
"Mother," I sigh.
"Why's she calling?" Lil inquires. "Don't tell me..."
"I don't think I want to find out this time," I admitted. It's been a recurring theme for the past two months. Mom's incessant calls, demanding a portion of my earnings from the strip club, claiming it's her entitlement as my mother to share in what her daughter earns.
Ever since Dad's death, Mother has thrown herself into drinking. Her daily routine involved lounging at home, guzzling expensive wine until she was drunk and wasted, and then demanding more money from me after the money Naomi and her billionaire husband gave to her. It's a cycle that has become all too familiar.
What bothers me most is why she can't demand more money from Naomi like she does from me. Life seemed to favor her from the start. After Princeton, she married Archibald Rico Denzel, one of the wealthiest and most influential billionaires in the city. It's not that I'm jealous of her; it's just disheartening to feel like my own misfortune will always stand in the way of my happiness.
The phone rang again, but I didn't even bother checking it. I just made my way to the side of the stage, the familiar thump of the bass vibrating on the floor. The club is dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of cheap cologne and desperation. I can hear the murmur of the crowd, the occasional whistle or shout of anticipation.
Taking one last deep breath, I stepped onto the stage, the bright lights blinding me momentarily. I made a mental note to visit my doctor for a check-up and new contacts. The music swells, and I let it wash over me, guiding my movements. I sway my hips, letting the rhythm take control, my body becoming an extension of the beat.
As I move, I scan the crowd, trying to ignore the leering faces and focus on the performance. I caught sight of Lil, serving drinks at the bar, giving me a thumbs-up. I smirked slightly in her direction. Her support and the goal alone are what keep me going and give me comfort in this sea of strangers and predators.
I twirl, my skirt flaring out, and bend down, giving the front row a tantalizing view. The cheers grow louder, and I feed off their energy, allowing it to fuel my dance. I lose myself in the routine, each step, each turn, each shimmy carefully choreographed to keep their eyes on me. The money keeps flying in my direction. Some in bundles, others in notes as they either hit me or fall at my feet.
My mind drifts as I dance, thinking about a cherished memory of my father teaching me how to dance. I can almost feel his warm hand guiding mine, leading me in graceful steps across the living room floor. At that moment, everything felt perfect, safe, and full of love.
I hold onto that memory tightly as I move to the rhythm, pushing the thoughts aside, and focusing on the present.
'What exactly does mother want this time around?'
Carmen Wade thought she had it all-a perfect job, a loyal best friend, and a husband she adored. Everything was perfect! But her world shatters the night she discovers her husband's ultimate betrayal with her best friend, Millie. Fearing Carmen will expose their affair, the two decide to kill her, forcing her into an oncoming truck. She bleeds to death. But when Carmen opens her eyes, she's no longer in her own world. She's been reborn as Lady Daphne Vasquez-The infamous villainess from her favorite fantasy novel, destined to meet a brutal end in the hands of her fiancé. Determined to change her fate, Carmen (now Daphne) shocks the kingdom by first calling off her engagement with Lord Michael Ruiz, who bears an uncanny resemblance to her treacherous husband, Cody Wade. Her actions draw the attention of King Rafe Crowe, a powerful ruler from a neighboring land who becomes suspicious of Daphne's sudden transformation. As Carmen navigates a world of greedy nobles and magic, she must use her knowledge of the story's end to outsmart those who would see her fall, including her former fiancé and the heroine of the novel-who eerily mirrors Millie. But her greatest challenge may be resisting the charm of King Rafe, whose keen eyes seem to see right through her facade and changing the narrative of the story she once knew it's end. In a world where allies and enemies blend together, Carmen's second chance at life becomes a high-stakes game of survival, vengeance, unexpected romance and avoiding a dark prophecy.
Madison Hartley never expected to inherit her family's struggling business empire at just twenty-four. With debts piling up and no lifeline in sight, she's willing to do whatever it takes to save Hartley Corporation -even if it means marrying Manhattan's most ruthless billionaire. Alexander Grayson is a man who always gets what he wants. Cold, calculating, and irresistibly handsome, he accepts the contract Madison proposes that promises to solve both their problems. For Madison, it's a lifeline; for Alexander, it's the perfect cover for his own hidden motives. But as their fake marriage blurs into something dangerously real, Madison discovers that love may come at a higher cost than she ever imagined. Will she rush her heart to save her legacy, or will the secrets between them destroy everything? In a city where power and passion collide, nothing is what it seems.
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."
Once upon a time, there were two kingdoms once at peace. The kingdom of Salem and the kingdom of Mombana... Until the day, the king of Mombana passed away and a new monarch took over, Prince Cone. Prince Cone, has always been hungry for more power and more and more. After his coronation, he attacked Salem. The attack was so unexpected, Salem never prepared for it. They were caught off guard. The king and Queen was killed, the prince was taken into slavery. The people of Salem that survived the war was enslaved, their land taken from them. Their women were made sex slaves. They lost everything, including their land. Evil befall the land of Salem in form of Prince Cone, and the prince of Salem in his slavery was filled with so much rage. The prince of Salem, Prince Lucien swore revenge. 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 Ten years later, thirty-years old Lucien and his people raided a coup and escaped slavery. They went into hiding and recuperated. They trained day and night under the leadership of the fearless and cold Lucien who was driven with everything in him to get back their land, and take Mombana land too. It took them five years before they ambushed and attacked Mombana. They killed Prince Cone and reclaimed everything. As they screamed out their victory, Lucien's eyes found and pinned the proud princess of Mombana. Princess Danika. The daughter of Prince Cone. As Lucien stared at her with the coldest eyes anyone can ever possess, he felt victory for the first time. He walked to the princess with the slave collar he'd won for ten years rattling in his hand as he walked. He reached close to her and with a swift movement, he collared her neck. Then, he tilted her chin up, staring into the bluest eyes and the most beautiful face ever created, he gave her a cold smile. "You are my acquisition. My slave. My sex slave. My property. I will pay you in spades, everything you and your father ever did to me and my people." He stated curtly. Pure hatred, coldness and victory was the only emotion on his face. .
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
"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!
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"