After the sudden death of her estranged father, Claire Thompson returns to her childhood home, an old mansion perched on the cliffs of a small coastal town. As she sifts through his belongings, she discovers clues suggesting her father was involved in a long-forgotten mystery-a disappearance that had never been solved. Claire begins to investigate, only to find that the town holds many secrets, and uncovering them may put her own life at risk.
The air was damp, carrying the scent of salt and earth from the sea below. Claire Thompson stood on the porch of her childhood home, staring at the old mansion that loomed in the distance like a forgotten ghost. The place hadn't changed in the five years since she last visited. The ivy still clung to the stone walls, the windows still held the weight of secrets, and the front door creaked as if protesting her return.
The phone call had come at 3:30 p.m. A woman from the lawyer's office in town had informed her of her father's passing. "We're sorry for your loss," she had said, as if those words would make a difference. Claire had barely known her father, and the few memories she had were clouded by a mixture of disappointment and anger.
Her relationship with Henry Thompson had been strained ever since her teenage years, when she had left home to escape the rigid expectations he had for her. As an acclaimed historian in their small coastal town, he had always been more absorbed in his research and lectures than in being a father. Now, standing at the edge of his domain, Claire felt the weight of unresolved issues press upon her.
The lawyer had asked if Claire wanted to come by the office for the details of the will. But Claire had refused. Instead, she had opted to visit the house first-her inheritance, her obligation. Her only connection to the man who had been little more than a shadow in her life.
Inside, the house smelled of musty books and old furniture, the remnants of a time long past. Claire made her way to the study, her father's sanctuary. The room was as she remembered-lined with shelves of books, papers scattered across the desk, a half-open window letting in the cool breeze from the cliffs. But something was different. A letter sat on the desk, its envelope addressed to her.
Curious, she picked it up. The handwriting was unmistakable-her father's elegant, yet precise script. The letter was short, its message clear: "If you ever return, there is something you must know."
The words echoed in her mind as Claire slowly sat down in the chair that had once belonged to her father. The letter felt heavy in her hands, a beacon drawing her deeper into the mystery of a life she had left behind, a life that now seemed to hold more questions than answers.
Lena Everwood, a young woman, discovers that she has inherited a family legacy full of hidden magic and ancient secrets. She learns that she belongs to a secret order tasked with maintaining the balance of the world. However, dark forces threaten to destroy humanity's future, and Lena must find a way to stop them while learning about her own power, her mysterious family history, and her connection to an ancient prophecy.
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
Trigger warning!!! Intended for mature readers who enjoy morally complex, slow-burn, poseesive, forbidden, dark romance that pushes boundaries. ***EXCERPT*** Blood everywhere. Trembling hands. "No!" My eyes blurred. His lifeless eyes stared back at me, his blood pooling at my feet. The man I loved-dead. Killed by the one person I could never escape - my stepbrother. *** Kasmine's life was never hers to begin with. Kester, her stepbrother, controlled and monitored her every move. At first, it was all sweet and brotherly until it began to turn into an obsession. Kester was the Alpha, and his word was law. No close friends. No boyfriends. No freedom. The only consolation Kasmine had was her twenty-first birthday, which was supposed to change everything. She dreamt of finding her mate, escaping the sickening control of Kester, and finally claiming her own life. But fate had other plans for her. On the night of her birthday, not only was she disappointed that she wasn't mated to the love of her life, but she found out that her mate was none other than him - Her tormentor. Her stepbrother. She'd rather die than be mated to a man whom she had known as her big brother all her life. A man who would do just anything to make sure she was his. But when love turns to obsession, and obsession turns to blood, how far can one girl run before she realizes there is nowhere else to run to?
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
“Drive this woman out!” "Throw this woman into the sea!” When he doesn’t know Debbie Nelson’s true identity, Carlos Hilton cold-shoulders her. “Mr. Hilton, she is your wife,” Carlos’ secretary reminded him. Hearing that, Carlos gives him a cold stare and complained, “why didn’t you tell me earlier?” From then on, Carlos spoils her rotten. Little did everyone expect that they would get a divorce.
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
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?"