"When We Were Us" is a heartwarming and emotional tale of two childhood friends who reconnect after years apart, only to discover that their bond is deeper than they ever imagined. Joan and Nathan shared a special connection when they were young, but life and circumstances tore them apart. Now, years later, fate brings them back together-this time with the possibility of something more than friendship. But as they navigate their feelings, the arrival of a familiar face-Nathan's best friend-complicates everything. Will Joan and Nathan be able to confront the past, overcome their fears, and build a future together? Or will the shadows of old relationships keep them from finding the love they've always deserved?
Ten years ago, Nathan Carter vanished from Joan Ellis's world like morning fog burned off by slow, silent, inevitable sunlight. One minute, he was her partner in all things chaotic and imaginative: treehouse kingdoms, chalkboard secrets, endless summer dares. The next, he was just... gone.
No phone call. No goodbye. Just the aching hollow of absence.
Joan used to believe she could trace her life back to that moment, like a tree root split at the base. The years since then had been a blur of change, new cities, new schools, failed romances, but part of her always lingered in Windmere, in those warm, golden hours when everything still made sense.
And now she's back.
Back in Windmere. Back in her grandmother's rusted old Volvo, parked in front of the only bookstore in town.
She hadn't meant to stop here. It was supposed to be a quick drive through memory lane, just long enough to clear her head after a soul-sucking breakup and a creative rut that had her questioning everything.
But the lights inside the shop called to her. Familiar. Soft. Warm.
She steps in, and the scent hits her first: vanilla, aged paper, cinnamon. Time folds in on itself. Her boots creak on the wooden floor as she takes a few hesitant steps in, her eyes adjusting to the golden glow of amber bulbs overhead.
Then she sees him.
Nathan.
Older, broader, quieter. He's bent over a box of paperbacks, sleeves rolled up, ink snaking up his forearm. He's still got that same thoughtful tilt to his head, like he's listening to something the rest of the world can't hear.
She opens her mouth, and before she can stop herself, the name slips out. "Nathan?"
He straightens, startled. His eyes-those deep, familiar eyes-widen as they land on her. For a moment, it's like time breathes in reverse.
"Joan?" he says softly, almost in disbelief.
Her throat tightens. "Hey."
They stand there, surrounded by the hush of old stories and old memories, the air charged with something unsaid.
Nathan steps forward, uncertainty flickering in his gaze. "I thought you moved away for good."
"I did," she says. "Life had other plans."
He nods, and it's like watching someone hold back a storm. "So... you're back."
"For now," she replies, not trusting herself to say more.
Nathan studies her for a second longer, then gestures toward the old reading nook in the back. "You want some tea? Still like chamomile?"
Her heart stutters. He remembered.
She nods, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah. That'd be nice."
And just like that, the bookstore holds two ghosts in its walls-one pouring tea, the other wondering what happens next when the past walks in through the door.
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. .
She was the notorious Alana Wilson, a shameful daughter of the Wilson family. Her reputation went downhill after she broke her engagement with her fiance, Albert Harris. They pointed finger at her, calling her a cheater. However, in truth, who was the cheater here? Alana would do anything she could to have her engagement with Albert broken, even if it meant sacrificing her own reputation. Ten years of abuse she endured in her last life was enough. She made sure that in this life, she would never marry that cheating bastard again. As her previous crush, as well as her brother's best friend, Lorenzo Miller is now back to the country, what would happen to her already messed up life? Especially when her ex-fiance also didn't want to leave her alone. Sequel is out now! Rebirth of the Billionaire's Vengeful Actress Wife
My marriage to Mathias was supposed to make me the happiest woman in the world. Although I knew he didn't love me, I thought he would fall for me once I showered him with all the love I had to give. Five years passed and Mathias still didn't give a damn about me. Instead, he met his true love and cut all ties with me because of her. He showed her off; something he never did for me. His abandonment pushed me into depression. I was broken in every sense of the word. Even on my deathbed, my so-called husband didn't come to say goodbye to me. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself reborn. I was still Mathias's wife and it was two months before he met his true love. In this life, I refused to be hurt by him again. After talking some sense into my head, I asked him for a divorce in other to escape being heartbroken like I was previously. Mathias tore up the divorce papers time and time again while also shutting me down. "Rylie, stop all this nonsense! Playing hard to get doesn't work anymore!" To show him that I was dead serious, I went ahead to file for divorce. Only then did he panic. He abandoned the "woman of his dreams" and came to my side. "Please give me a second chance, Rylie. I promise to do right by you. You'll be the only woman in my heart from now on. Don't leave me, okay?" A war broke out in my mind after this apology. On one hand, I didn't want to be hurt again. And on the other, I didn't want to let go of the man I loved so dearly. What should I do?!
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
Blinded in a crash, Cary was rejected by every socialite—except Evelina, who married him without hesitation. Three years later, he regained his sight and ended their marriage. "We’ve already lost so many years. I won’t let her waste another one on me." Evelina signed the divorce papers without a word. Everyone mocked her fall—until they discovered that the miracle doctor, jewelry mogul, stock genius, top hacker, and the President's true daughter… were all her. When Cary came crawling back, a ruthless tycoon had him kicked out. "She's my wife now. Get lost."