Shroud Arcanum - Chapter 23 - - Village of Duskdale (2)

We follow Anthony, a man forced to adapt to a world of dark fantasy that imposes itself on him with an unmistakable brutality. A place where shadow and violence reign supreme, where inequality is riven and the laws of nature are distorted. A world where every moment could be the last.What fate does this cruel universe hold for our protagonist? What hidden secrets do the powerful hide behind cold and inaccessible masks? And what alliances, betrayals or rivalries will be woven into this maelstrom of supernatural forces and unfathomable powers?To survive, Anthony will have to fight, evolve and face his own demons. For in this place, no matter the greatness of the beings that populate it, it is tenacity that dictates the law.

Nora is shattered a month before her wedding when she uncovers her fiancé's deceitful affair. As she manages this betrayal, she discovers a deep ploy to hinder her from claiming her rightful inheritance. Devastated but determined, Nora takes a daring step to regain control of her life. Enter Demetri 'The Demon' to those who know him, a formidable man barely known to her, who offers her protection and support in return for a contract marriage to satisfy him. In a twist of fate, Nora marries Demetri to claim her inheritance and fight those who plotted against her. But as she battles her own family and Demetri's many rivals, will she be able to keep from falling for the man known to crush people beneath his booted heel.Excerpt:She had forgotten that the man was intimidating and directly challenged him.Rather than speaking, Demetri rose from his seat and approached her deliberately. Although it was a mere few steps, time seemed to stretch for Nora. When he was almost within touching distance, his hand gently landed on her knee, moving it sideways. His touch moved with a hint of a caress, and he stepped between her open legs. Nora sat there in frozen silence, her eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights.Catching her chin between his fingers, he tilted her face upwards and spoke unhurriedly,“ You are my wife.”She nodded her head slowly in affirmation while his thumb slowly traced her lip. “I have given you time to gather your emotions.”Another nod. Nora's nervousness made her lick her lips, acutely aware of his intense gaze fixed upon them.“Your reason for the marriage was to secure your inheritance and get away from under your mother's thumb.”“Yes...” Nora whispered in confusion. Her confusion was not about his statement but about the bewildering sensations coursing through her. What was happening with her?”It's time for you to fulfil your end of the contract, yes?“ He continued.”Yes,“ Nora whispered breathlessly. Why was she breathless? Had the oxygen level in the house dropped? Was the air suddenly thinning?Abruptly, his hand left her face, and she watched as he drew closer. It was then that Nora comprehended what was unfolding. All those tantalizing, heart-pounding kisses she had read about in novels were about to possibly become her reality.But the anticipated kiss didn't happen. Instead, he paused near her and commanded, ”Kiss me.“

Ding!{You've awakened the Echo System.}Scarlett Jerkins' dream was simple: wealth and the freedom to indulge. But when she let love in, she regretted it as her life was brutally cut short by her husband's family, ending a six-month coma but fate had other plans.Scarlett's eyes flickered open to an unfamiliar world, guided by an enigmatic system that revealed her new reality: an apocalypse world where monsters born from history deceased roamed free.She discovered that she was among the chosen members chosen by the system destined to save humanity. But this newfound purpose felt like a curse. Having escaped death only to face it again was a cruel twist of fate. And to make matters worse, her life was now tied to Garvin Johnson, her former rude, spoilt brat boss, whom she must protect at all costs.As she navigates this treacherous realm, she must confronts twisted creatures born from history's deceased. With the three elements at her command, she must gather resources, slay monsters, and safeguard Garvin.Scarlett's drive for survival becomes a quest for redemption, fueled by her past traumas and newfound purpose. As stakes escalate, Scarlett and Garvin face impossible choices, forging alliances with other chosen members who were handsome men and confronting enemies in a desperate bid to ensure humanity's survival.

He’s the dream guy of women world wide, the CEO of a formidable mega-corporation. But, he’s absolutely powerless against her, resorting to all kinds of methods to force her into a marriage, tying her to his side with a certficiate.

“Remember, from now on, you’re not allowed to enter unclean entertainment venues, not allowed to accept drinks from other men, not allowed to have physical contact with men other than me. If not, bear the consenquences.”

Ling Tianya felt that she was just like a girl undergoing puberty, under strict supervision of her parents, shackling her down with restrictions upon restrictions.

“Your requests are ridiculous, I have meetings and obligations, I… …”

The man held tightly onto her, as though wanting nothing more than to absorb her into himself. “Ling Tianya, this is not a discussion.” Therefore, the CEO had became a complete slave to his wife.

“My love for you is your perogative. Use me to your heart’s wishes, I am more than willing!”

But all he got in exchange was an eye roll, “Keep it for yourself, I don’t need it!”

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