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When 18-year-old Elara's long-term boyfriend breaks up with her, she spirals into an identity crisis. He loved her for who she was, but who was she without him? Determined to understand what went wrong, she starts revisiting old journals, texts, and even places they used to go-only to realize she's been molding herself into someone else's idea of love. Now, she must unlearn the version of herself she became for him and figure out who she is on her own.
The train doors slid open with a mechanical hiss, and for a moment, Elara Vance couldn't move. The city stretched out before her-loud, unfamiliar, alive in a way that felt almost hostile. Skyscrapers loomed, headlights flashed against damp pavement, and the cold air carried the scent of rain and gasoline. She gripped the strap of her duffel bag, her pulse hammering.
This is it. A fresh start. A new version of herself.
She stepped onto the platform, letting the crowd swallow her. Her boots scuffed against the tile, her breath sharp in her lungs. She had been waiting for this moment for *months*, but now that it was here, she felt strangely weightless-like a ghost slipping between bodies.
Elara's fingers twitched toward her pocket, where her phone vibrated with a message. Not from anyone important, just an automated update from the leasing office of her new dorm. She had made sure of that-cleared out her inbox, deleted every old thread, blocked every number that could reach through time and drag her back. Especially his. But ghosts had a way of finding cracks to slip through. She exhaled sharply, pushing forward into the neon-lit streets.
---
The City Doesn't Know Me Yet
By the time she reached her dorm, her shoulders ached from carrying her bag, and her hoodie was damp from the misty drizzle coating the streets. The building was old, brick and ivy-covered, with high arched windows that reflected the glow of streetlights. Nothing like home.That was the point.
Elara checked in, grabbed her key, and climbed the narrow staircase to the third floor. The hallway smelled like vanilla candles and paint thinner. Room 317. Inside, her new roommate was already sprawled across the bed, scrolling through her phone. "You're late," the girl said without looking up. Elara blinked. "What?"
"I was waiting to see if I needed to call the authorities," she deadpanned, finally glancing over.
Elara almost smiled. Almost.
The girl sat up, tucking her legs beneath her. Dark curls framed a sharp-featured face, eyes assessing. Mia Harper, she said. Your new partner in crime.
"Elara," she replied, closing the door behind her.
Mia's gaze flicked over her. "You look like someone who just fled a murder scene."
Elara snorted. "Not quite."
"Mm." Mia didn't look convinced.
Elara turned away, setting her bag down. She wasn't sure what people saw when they looked at her anymore. The girl she used to be-Atlas's Elara-was gone. She had made sure of that. She pulled off her hoodie, revealing the black tank top beneath. The mirror across the room caught her reflection, and she barely recognized herself. She had cut her hair short, dyed it a cooler shade, traded pastel dresses for neutral tones and leather jackets. She didn't wear the necklace Atlas had given her. He wouldn't even know me now.
Mia studied her. "You running from something?" Elara hesitated. Then she shrugged. "Aren't we all?" Mia grinned. "Fair enough."
---
The Things We Burn
Later that night, when Mia had gone out to meet someone and the dorm was quiet, Elara pulled an envelope from the bottom of her bag. Atlas's handwriting curled across the front. She shouldn't have brought it. She should have burned it the first time she found it in the shoebox beneath her bed back home. But something about it had stopped her-some stupid, fragile part of her that still clung to old ghosts. Her fingers trembled as she slid the letter free.
Elara,
I don't know if you'll ever read this. I don't even know if you'll let me say goodbye. But if you do-if you ever miss me the way I still miss you-please, just remember this: We were real.
We were everything
I love you. Always.
Atlas
Her stomach twisted. We were real. Maybe that was the worst part. She let out a slow breath, then reached for the lighter she had stolen from Mia's desk. The flame flickered to life, warm against the cold air. She didn't hesitate this time. The paper curled, darkening at the edges, the flames licking higher.
Goodbye, Atlas.
She let the ashes fall into the sink, watching until every last piece was gone. Then she turned off the light and went to bed.
---
A Message From No One
At 3:17 AM, Elara's phone vibrated against the nightstand. She stirred, groggy, before reaching for it. One new message. The sender was unknown
You think you can just erase the past? Elara sat up, her blood running cold. Her heart pounded against her ribs, breath caught in her throat. She had blocked everyone. Hadn't she? Her fingers hovered over the screen. Then, as suddenly as it came, the message disappeared. Deleted.
Her pulse roared in her ears. For a long moment, she just stared at the dark screen. She should go back to sleep. It was probably nothing. Probably. But as she lay back down, pulling the covers over herself, one thought lingered:
Ghosts always find a way back and Atlas Calloway was never one to let go.
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]