Elise, a woman haunted by the disappearance of her old love Thomas who had perished during a boat trip, embarks on a quest for truth that upsets everything she thought she knew. What she discovers far exceeds her suspicions: a sprawling criminal network involved in abominable traffic, led by individuals in whom she thought she could trust. Helped by Samuel, a man who felt guilty of the death of Thomas and whose loyalty turns into a sincere love, and Clara, a perceptive and determined ally, Élise faces lies, manipulations and betrayals to destroy this empire of corruption. In this fierce struggle for justice, Élise not only finds the truth, but also a new strength, a hope, and the love she no longer expected. This story is an exploration of resilience, the quest for self and renewal in the face of darkness
Rivemarine, a small southern coastal town swept by salted winds, always seemed to be asleep in twilight. The cobbled streets and the white facades of the houses alleviated with a golden shade, a reflection of the setting sun which died slowly on the horizon. For Élise Sunshine, this apparent serenity was only a veil covering painful memories.
It has been a year now that his world had collapsed. A year that Thomas Jordans, his fiancé, had disappeared at sea during this fateful night, when the boat on which he worked had sunk for unexplained reasons. At each sunrise, Élise hoped that she would find an answer or, at least, a appeasement. But neither had ever come.
That evening, Élise stood on the old wooden pier, her hands deeply sunk in the pockets of her light coat. The chilly wind agitated her brown hair, and her eyes, staring at the horizon, seemed to look for a silhouette that would never come back.
She released a pendant from her pocket, a small silver star that she hugged so hard in her hand that her joints whiten. Thomas had given him this pendant the day before his disappearance. He had said, with a mischievous smile: "No matter where I am, Élise, as long as you wear this star, I will stay with you. »»
"Lies," she whispered, her voice swept away by the sound of the waves. A tear rolled along her cheek, which she wiped quickly, as if she wanted to keep her pain for herself.
She was immersed in her thoughts when steps of steps pulled her from her torpor. A man was approaching. Élise looked up and saw an unknown, large and thin, dressed in a worn black coat, which was walking nonchalantly towards the edge. He seemed lost in his own reflections, and yet, when he met his gaze, a fugitive moment of recognition seemed to cross his eyes.
The next morning, Élise tried to break the monotony by going to her favorite cafe, the blue sailor. It was a modest place, with light wooden walls and tables covered with checkered tablecloths. The owner, an old man named Victor, sent her a warm smile when she entered.
- Your usual jasmine tea? he asked, wiping his hands on his apron.
-Yes, thank you, she replied, smiling weakly.
She moved to her usual table, near the window on the port. She liked to observe the boats enter and go out, even if it always reminded her Thomas. But that day, something else drew his attention.
A notebook was placed on the neighboring chair. Its leather cover was worn out, as if it had been handled hundreds of times. Intrigued, Élise took it and opened it on a random page. What she discovered there left her speechless.
Detailed drawings, handwritten notes, and a coarsely drawn map occupied the pages. But what struck it the most was a precise sketch of the boat on which Thomas had disappeared. At the bottom of the page, a sentence caught his gaze: "The boat never sank by accident. »»
Her heart got carried away. Who had written this? Was it a coincidence or a sign?
As she turned the pages, Élise discovered other enigmatic details. Series of figures, annotations on the sidelines, and cryptic sentences like "They knew everything. "Or" don't trust anyone. »»
A waitress approached her tea and noticed Elise's troubled expression.
- All is well, Élise? she asked, putting the cup.
- This notebook ... was he left here? Elise asked, unable to hide her agitation.
The waitress shrugged. - I guess yes. A client may have forgotten it this morning.
Élise thanked the young woman and closed the notebook, her boiling spirit. Should she try to find out more or return it to its owner? What if this notebook really contained answers on the accident? She had never believed in the official version - a simple storm that would have surprised the boat.
As she left coffee, the notebook tight against her, a familiar silhouette entered her field of vision. The man of the pier. His heart missed a beat. Was it a simple coincidence or the fate that gathered them again?
She rushed to him without thinking. - You are waiting! she called.
The man turned, surprised, and frowned by recognizing her.
-You're still there, he said. What do you want?
"This notebook," she said, brandishing it. It's yours, right?
He stayed silent for a moment, his eyes staring at the notebook as if he contained a secret that he wanted to protect at all costs.
-Where did you find it? He finally asked, his voice tinged with a certain nervousness.
"It doesn't matter," said Élise with challenge. What I want to know is what these notes mean. This sketch, this sentence ... Why does this notebook talk about Thomas' boat?
The man turns slightly. "You should forget what you saw," he said, reaching out to recover the notebook.
But Élise feles, the notebook always firmly in her hand. - Not before you explain to me what you know. If you are involved in what happened to Thomas, you tell me, whether you want it or not.
The man sighed, visibly annoyed, but also resigned. -Very well, he said finally. Let's meet tonight, here. I will tell you what I can. But be aware that certain truths are dangerous. Élise nodded, determined. She was ready to face any truth, as dark as it was, if that meant understanding what had really happened to Thomas.
While Elise went back to his return to her apartment, the notebook always tightened against her, blurred images of Thomas invaded her mind. She still remembered the night when everything had changed. It was raining that evening, a fine rain that burst in the windows. Thomas had entered, his dipped jacket, but his radiant smile illuminated the whole room.
"I accepted a final mission, Élise. I'm going tomorrow, but it will be fast. I will come back before you realize it. »»
She hadn't liked this news, but she knew Thomas' passion for the sea and travel. "The sea is my domain," he said often, as a secret promise made to the waves.
His smile, his voice, even his sea scent still seemed present in the air. However, all she had today was this notebook and the mysteries he contained.
That night, Élise barely slept. She leafed through the notebook again under the sifted light of her office. She noted every detail that seemed important: vaguely noted coordinates on a corner of the object, drawings of objects that she did not recognize and this famous sentence which returned as a litany: "They knew everything. »»
She wanted to believe that there was a meaning behind it. But another, darker feeling began to be born in it. What if this notebook only added to its torment? What if, instead of answers, he only raised new endless questions?
But basically, she knew she had no choice. If she did not continue this track, she would never forgive herself. The next day, Élise returned to the pier, as agreed with Samuel. The marine breeze played with her scarf as she was waiting for her, the notebook hidden under her coat. She was not sure he would come. Perhaps he had changed his mind.
But Samuel arrived, his heavy steps resonating on the boards. He seemed more tense than during their first meeting.
-You are there, he said simply.
"I couldn't leave without understanding," replied Élise, arms crossed.
Samuel sighed and glanced around him, as if they were alone.
- Listen, this notebook ... You should never have read it. It contains dangerous things, things that you cannot understand.
-So explain to me, retorted Élise, defying her gaze. I lost Thomas, and if this notebook can help me understand why, I'm ready to take the risk.
Samuel hesitated, but he ended up nodding.
- Very well, I'm going to tell you what I know. But know one thing: what you will discover could change everything. They sit on a bench, a little away. Samuel seemed nervous, constantly looking over his shoulder.
-The boat on which Thomas worked, the seawater was not just a simple fishing boat, he began. He was carrying something ... something precious for very powerful people.
- What, exactly? asked Élise, her hands trembling.
- I'm not sure. But this notebook contains clues. My role was to write everything I learned on behalf of ... let's say, interested people. But things went wrong.
Élise was stunned. She had always believed that Thomas was the victim of a simple accident. But now everything seemed to indicate a larger plot.
- And Thomas? What was he doing on this boat? He was not involved, if?
Samuel looked down, as if he hesitated to answer.
"I can't answer you with certainty," he admitted. But it may have seen something that he shouldn't have seen.
Élise felt a mixture of anger, fear and determination boil in her. If Thomas had been the victim of a plot, then she would do everything to discover the truth.
-Very well, she said, getting up. If this notebook can help me understand what happened, then I will continue to search, with or without your help.
Samuel looked at her for a moment, then got up in turn.
"You are more courageous than I thought," he said with a slight smile. But be careful, Élise. Those who seek answers do not always find what they hope.
He walked away, leaving Élise alone on the pier, the notebook always tightened against her. But this time, she didn't feel alone. For the first time in a long time, she had a goal, a direction to follow.
And even if the stars seemed lost, Élise knew that she would one day find their light.
A group of friends, in search of a break far from the daily routine, rents an isolated house on the edge of a mysterious lake for a stay of a few days. At first, the place seems peaceful and perfect for relaxation, but little by little, strange phenomena disturb their tranquility. A evil presence, linked to the dark past of the house and the lake, is gradually revealed, playing with their most buried fears and secrets. Day after day, the atmosphere becomes more oppressive, their personal tensions are intensifying, and friends find themselves trapped in a spiral of terror. While they try to understand what is happening to them and find a way to escape, the truths about the past tragedies and the claim that they share with the house come in the light. Their friendship, put to the test, will be the only hope to survive ... but not all will leave this unharmed place. While the shadow of the lake continues to hover over them, the border between reality and horror becomes more and more vague.
Wounds of the Heart Clara, a brilliant young woman marked by a tumultuous past, returns to her hometown after a ten-year absence to attend the wedding of her childhood best friend, Emma. This return is far from a simple visit: Clara must confront Lucas, her first love and the one who broke her heart. However, Lucas is no longer the same. Consumed by remorse, he has become a more mature man, but still haunted by the mistakes he made. Tensions mount when Clara discovers that Lucas is the brother of Emma's future husband, making any attempt to avoid their confrontation impossible. At the same time, Clara struggles to hide a painful secret: the true reason for her sudden departure ten years earlier, a departure that has never been explained. As events unfold, Clara and Lucas are forced to revisit their shared past. Between tears, conflicts, and memories, their story evolves. As love resurfaces, the wounds of the heart seem to open again. The question is whether they will be able to heal them together or whether they will separate them permanently.
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?
Caught in a web of betrayal, Nicole's life shatters in a single evening when her mother-in-law, Veronica, sets her up in an elaborate scheme. Blindsided, Nicole faces her husband Taylor's cold rage as he casts her out of his life and home, accusing her of infidelity and theft. As she tries to defend herself, her best friend, Sarah, adds another blow by denying their loyalty. "Please, Taylor, you have to believe me!" Nicole pleads, her voice breaking, but his icy response is a dagger to her heart. "I don't hate you, Nicole," he sneers. "I despise you." When Nicole reveals she's pregnant, she hopes for compassion, but it only fuels Veronica's determination to rid the family of her. After signing the divorce papers, a dejected Nicole wanders alone, where a brutal attack leaves her bleeding, helpless, and desperate to protect her unborn child. Six years later, Nicole returns from the ashes to inflict seven times the pains upon those who humiliated her and left her to die. "I'll make them pay so dearly that they'd regret ever been born!" She declares. This is a story of romance and revenge you don't want to miss!
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
"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.]
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”