childhoodsweethearts

Detective Leo has seen death before—but never like this. Each victim is left with a single toy ball marked by a smiling face. No clues. No motive. Just the echo of laughter that chills him to the bone. With his reserved yet steadfast partner Alex by his side, Leo races against time to unmask the killer haunting their city. But the deeper they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes—and the more Leo realizes how fragile trust can be. Because in a game built on lies and smiles, even the people standing beside you might be hiding something.

I let out a bitter laugh. “It’s ironic, isn’t it? You spent years making my life a living hell, and now you look at me like I’m the very air you breathe.” Lennox’s face fell. “Olivia, it wasn’t supposed to be like this—” I cut him off, my eyes blazing with anger. “Oh, but it was. You wanted me broken. You wanted me to suffer. And I did.” I paused, my voice trembling. “But not anymore.” Louis, who had been silent, spoke softly. “Olivia, we—” I shook my head and took a step back, putting distance between us. “No. Whatever you think you feel, it doesn’t matter. It’s too late. You had a choice. And every single time, you chose her. Over and over again, you chose Anita.” Levi shook his head. “We were wrong.” I met their gazes. “Yes, you were. And now, you’ll have to live with it.” With that, I turned away, refusing to let them see the tears burning in my eyes. •••••••• Olivia Parker was once the cherished daughter of a respected Gamma—until betrayal shattered her world. Branded the daughter of a traitor, she was stripped of her title, her dignity, and the life she had known, forced to serve as an Omega among those who once respected her. But fate wasn’t done with her yet. On the night of the mating ceremony, Olivia discovered the cruelest twist of all—she wasn’t fated to just one mate, but three. And not just any three. Alpha Lennox, Alpha Louis, and Alpha Levi—the ruthless triplet Alphas who had spent years tormenting her. Bound to a marriage they never wanted, the triplets made her life a waking nightmare. They paraded their lover, Anita, before her, ensuring she never forgot her place, never forgot that they would never want her. But fate has a way of playing its own game. As secrets unravel and buried truths come to light, the triplets begin to see Olivia for who she truly is—not just a Luna in title, but the woman they never realized they needed. Only now, she’s done waiting.

The interview begins: "Boss Gu, what is your view on pursuing women?" "The most important thing is loyalty and protection." The man turned his head to look at the petite woman beside him, his deep-set eyes glowing with utmost affection. "He's obviously cunning and shameless, relentlessly dealing with both friends and in-laws, without any limits..." Shang Xixia's smile was brilliant, but her slightly twitching lips betrayed her silent complaints. "Boss Gu, why did you choose to inherit and manage the Gu Group?" "There are many ways to live life, I want to..." Gu Jingchen's lips curved slightly, exuding a calm elegance. "If I couldn't be at home all the time, Continuing her inner complaints, Shang Xixia glanced with great grievance at the man beside her. ... The most beautiful love is when, after growing up, you are still my beloved childhood sweetheart.

A fluffy and laid-back everyday reincarnation story. PLEASE READ TAGS! . . . . . Fran, a 6-year-old villainous noble, remembers his past life while laughing maniacally. To escape the painful future that awaits him, he leaves the mansion and does his best by talking to various people. A fluffy and laid-back everyday reincarnation story. He's growing bit by bit.

Emma has spent her life trying to stay invisible — the eldest of five in a house ruled by her mother’s temper and the empty bottles that litter the floor. Her father worked all the hours to make ends meet.Tommy has never known chaos. The eldest of three brothers, his life is a carefully scripted future: law school, partnership in his grandfather’s firm, and, one day, a political career. With a prominent lawyer for a father and a perfectionist for a mother, he’s been raised to live under the spotlight.Their worlds couldn’t be further apart — until one golden summer afternoon, when they collide. In that moment, the rules, the expectations, the pain… none of it matters.But when the summer fades, will they? Or will they fight for something neither of them dared to dream could last?

Hana never expected her life to flip overnight. One moment, she’s quietly enduring heartbreak, the next, she’s bound in a marriage contract with Kai Seok—the cold, untouchable man who once stole her heart. What begins as a temporary arrangement spirals into something neither of them can control. Between whispered secrets, family tests, and a wedding date she never chose, Hana must navigate a world of wealth, elegance, and unspoken longing. But Kai is a storm she can’t resist. And the closer she gets, the more dangerous it feels—because love was never supposed to be part of the deal. Will their contract remain just paper, or will old wounds, hidden truths, and undeniable chemistry turn it into something real?

The King is dead. The palace chef is accused of murder. And the new King—the son returning to claim the throne—wants the truth. She swears she’s innocent. He swears to uncover her lies. But when suspicion turns into desire, will he crown her guilty… or his Queen? _____________________ Once the palace’s quiet chef, she is suddenly branded the prime suspect in a murder that could topple the throne. The crown now rests on the head of the late King’s son—a man returning from exile with vengeance in his eyes. To uncover the truth, the new King must face betrayal, secrets, and a woman he should never trust. Yet the deeper he digs, the more he finds himself drawn to the very suspect who might have spilled his father’s last cup of wine. Was she the King’s poisoner… or his only ally in a palace drowning in lies? ______________ EXCERPT “You're lying to me, aren't you, Althea? That's not the reason." Alaric pulled her impossibly closer, causing her to stand on her tiptoes. Her face turned up towards his. He dragged his nose across her cheeks. Althea's eyes closed at the contact against her will, and her breath hitched as his lips found her ear. "Tell me what it is. Is it because of whatever rumors you have heard about Morwenna and me?" Althea stiffened instantly, and her eyes shot open. Alaric felt the change and looked into her eyes. He could see the guilt in her eyes, and he smiled. Althea blinked at his reaction. "I don't have any intention of marrying her or getting engaged with her. I have no intentions with her at all. The one I have any intentions with is you and only you, Althea." With that he tilted his head, and his lips met hers in a passionate kiss. The hunger in his kiss left no space for doubt. It was fierce and consuming, as if he'd been starving for her all along. He kissed her like a starved man, each breathless press pulling her deeper into a storm she couldn't resist.

The marriage life Autumn has tried so hard to protect by hiding it behind her idol life on stage is on the verge of being destroyed as her husband Liam Anderson , who is also a world-class celebrity admitted having a relationship with an actress on live television , making her wonder if her love is worth to protect. The secrets , the past - all come crushing down on her , not to mention the struggles of her group members and her family is now making her question everything she has worked for her whole life .....can she keep up with what life has for her ahead ?

Abigail’s only crime in life was being born as the mute daughter of the deceptive maid, who drugged her boss and got pregnant for him… or so she thought. All her life she had to serve her stepsister, Genevieve, attending to her every whim. While Genevieve used every opportunity she got to make Abigail’s life hell, even to the point of seducing Abigail’s boyfriend. On the night she resumes college, Abigail crosses path with Jamal Jonas, a heartbroken elusive billionaire, who leaves behind a stuffed animal that belonged to his first love. Abigail keeps the stuffed animal, which stirs her long lost memories. Five years later, Jamal shows up again, but this time as Genevieve's new live-in driver. Working for Genevieve quickly places him near the supposedly mute and intelligent Abigail who he doesn’t immediately recognize, and soon enough, Jamal finds himself pulled in by Abigail's charms. Jamal quickly realizes there is more to her than meets the eye, and there might be more connecting Abigail to his first love than Genevieve.

Waking up crushed under a man, I nearly screamed—until I saw who it was. Adrian. My cold, obsessive husband. The man I spent a lifetime escaping from. In my past life, I trusted the wrong people. Betrayed the only man who ever protected me and died alone. One life ruined me. This one? I’ll ruin everyone who tries again. Now, the game is mine and I write the rules. I'll act sweet. Stay mysterious. And pit every snake against each other. And as for my dangerously obsessed husband? I will tame—wait... WAIT! I was just being a little gentle, why is this tyrant acting like a delicate princess? 'Hey, hey, stop clinging to me! What? You want cuddles? Head pats? You—You are not a cat, Adrian!' … “He’s deathly allergic to strawberries? But he devoured one from my hand like it’s a miracle elixir.” “He has sleeping disorders? But he hugged me and passed out like a lazy cat!” “He’s sulking… because I didn’t hold his hand?” When he saw me hugging my female best friend? He lost his mind. Yanked me into his arms and growled, “Mine,” like a deranged villain in love. I finally understood: no one else ever stood a chance. I was his only obsession.

Sixteenen years old Hinata Mitsuaki finds water as natural as breathing and only swims for himself with no desire of competing despite his formidable talent. Will circumstances awaken the sleeping beast lying deep within him? Will the water lead him to his love? What happens when he learns a shocking secret in the most painful way? Will he be able to face the coming challenges? Join me on the journey to a life of love,mystery, pain and betrayal

Rated 18+ Marrying my best friend was supposed to be the easy part. No romance. No drama. Just a deal. But Ryan West has a bad habit. He doesn’t play pretend very well. One smirk turns into a stolen kiss. One fake argument ends with his hands on my waist. And one tiny problem; I think I’m falling for the man who promised me this was just for show. When lifelong best friends Ryan and Lila are unexpectedly forced into marriage, neither is prepared for the hilarious disasters, awkward silences, and heart-fluttering moments that follow. I always thought Ryan West was my safe place.My ride-or-die.The one guy I could eat pizza with in pajamas and never have to impress. But thanks to a family deal gone wrong, my best friend is now, my husband. Suddenly, we’re fake-flirting in front of our parents, sharing one very small apartment, and arguing over who gets the last dumpling like it’s a matter of national security. The problem? Somewhere between the kitchen disasters, jealous exes, and late-night heart-to-hearts, Ryan stopped feeling like just my best friend. And if I’m not careful, I might just fall for the one man I swore I’d never love.Because this fake marriage? It’s starting to feel way too real. can friendship survive marriage, or will it blossom into something even deeper? Packed with humor, heartfelt moments, and just the right touch of chaos, this is a comedy love story you won’t forget.

In a time when carriages rattled upon cobbled streets and letters carried the weight of love, Lady Margaret William’s life was forever altered by tragedy. What began as a joyful homecoming to Hampstead ended in heartbreak, as the sudden death of her parents thrust her into grief and the heavy mantle of responsibility over her father’s vast estate. Once promised to her childhood sweetheart, Margaret believed her path was certain. Yet sorrow changed her heart and fate introduced her to a mysterious gentleman, seemingly of modest means, yet bearing secrets far grander than she imagined. Their friendship blossoms into a forbidden closeness, one that stirs both comfort and confusion, as it begins to unravel the bonds she shares with her betrothed. Amid courtly whispers, hidden truths, and the struggles of estate life, Margaret must find the strength to reconcile love with duty. Torn between loyalty to the man who has always held her heart, and the growing affection for the stranger who awakens her spirit, she learns that the enchanted heart within her holds the power to decide her destiny. A tale of love, loss, and resilience, The Enchanted Heart of Lady Margaret transports readers to an age of castles, carriages and timeless romance where every choice bears the weight of honor, and every heartbeat carries the echo of enchantment.

"Hello, I ..um, I'm looking for Miss Amelia" a middle-aged looking man announced from the counter. Everyone had already settled down and spoke in low voices which made the man audible, Amelia staring at her hands on her thighs dazingly paid no attention to him even though she heard him call for her clearly. "Amelia?, she's definitely not available!" John murmured mockingly to the young men sitting around him and turned to ward off the man who announced again after receiving no response "She has a package from an.... Abraham?". A screeching sound from the legs of the chair she sat on rang out as she jumped off it in shock, surprise, and awe. "I'm here" Amelia softly said walking absentmindedly towards him. "Thank you" receiving the bag from him and tried to stabilize her feet and mind as the man turned and left. "Did she receive a gift from the devil?" Cole sprawled on the couch commented seeing her pale face "What on earth is she playing this time around?!" John said. Everything around her turned blurry as her whole attention was on the bag. She loosened it and brought out a small and portable platinum box from it with laboured breathing and pounding heartbeat as she opened it, praying internally for a reply that gave location, time and requirements and bracing herself up for any disappointment. She knew not to hope for much as the sender said Abraham. Not Abrams or Abram but Abraham. "Please" Amelia whispered as she unfolded the letter she removed from the box. "Please" her lips moved inaudibly.

While attending his brother's funeral, Neil Mo noticed the little girl, sitting quietly alone with both hands hugging her knees tightly. The little girl had only lost both her parents. But in a room was full of people, no one seemed to pay attention to her. --- "Grandma, I don't want to live away from my daddy and mommy... I know that I won't get to see them again... What if I miss them?" her words were a bit incoherent as she forced back her sobs. Seeing the little girl, he felt something tugged on his heart. "Hazel," Neil spoke after a while. "If you don't want to live in the countryside with grandma, then would you like to live with me?" --- After losing his younger brother in an accident, the President of the MH group, Neil Mo, decided to look after his five years old niece. Who knew that looking after a child could be difficult than securing a business deal! Noticing that his niece was particularly close to her kindergarten teacher, Neil then offered her a job as a babysitter. "But, President Mo, what do you mean by living together?" --- Cover illustration: Kirinlukis --- Author Note: This story is written to participate in WPC, with 'single parent' as the theme. The story is slow-paced at the beginning, but if you read carefully, there will be hints on what will happen after. The middle part will get a bit fluffier, and there's going to be some action as well. Shared universe with: 1. Loving You Too Much 2. True Love and Other Lies 3. You're My Only Star 4. The Dragon Beside Me 5. Love So Sweet 6. Commander Qi's Runaway Wife 7. The Wedding Planner's Romance 8. The Author Must Die 9. The Idol Prince is the Real Heiress

The first time they met, the little boy had pulled her hair, hoping to get her attention. When they met at the kindergarten again, the boy was glad that the girl had no longer remembered the previous incident. However, getting close to her was not an easy task as the girl was always surrounded by others who admired her. Once the boy finally got the girl’s attention, his family decided to move to another country. Years later, the two of them crossed paths again. This time, the boy pulled the girl’s hand, heading straight to the Civil Affairs Bureau. Holding a newly registered red book and meeting her gaze, the corner of his lips finally turned up as he finally got her absolute attention. --- Entering WPC 265 - Childhood Sweetheart --- Cover Illustration: kirinlukis --- Shared universe with: 1. Loving You Too Much 2. True Love and Other Lies 3. A Lifetime with You 4. You're My Only Star 5. The Dragon Beside Me 6. Commander Qi's Runaway Wife 7. The Wedding Planner's Romance 8. The Author Must Die 9. The Idol Prince is the Real Heiress

She wanted to live a carefree life though she's a princess He wanted to live a social free and noble free life as a scholar This two start a fatal romance as they meet in a local school Find out what will happen when all odds are turned against their love. Will it survive the turbulent waves or drown? Erica and Nent will soon meet

Destiny Ganzon is the epitome of a perfect heiress. She is beautiful, intelligent, and doted by her father, Alejandro, the Real Estate Magnate of the country, until one day, her mother died, and everything changed when his father remarried. Excerpt: A loud smack! "How dare you ruin my reputation, Destiny?" Alejandro asked after he slapped his daughter. That was the first time he used force on his only hier. "Dad, you have to believe me, it wasn't true, you raised me well. Do you think I will do something like that?" She asked back, caressing her beautiful face. "No, this time I had enough of your lies; your stepmother was right; you are only a nuisance and only bring shame to our family!" He angrily responded. "I had warned you. I will disinherit you. You will not receive even a single cent from me, and you must leave this house right now, or else I will ask the guards to drag you out!" He added before he turned his heels and walked away from his study with the loud slamming of the door. One scandal led to another, and what she couldn't accept was her first love and childhood sweetheart, Red Galvez, was part of their betrayal. Destiny's world crumbled, and she couldn't believe her stepmother and stepsister finally succeeded in planning her downfall. With a broken heart and no choice, Destiny left their mansion and lived an ordinary life with her nanny, the only person who never left her side. She pretended to forget her old life and started living and embracing the mundane world. Still, she promised herself that she would do everything to make her enemies, including Red, pay the price of their betrayal. But it was more complicated than she thought since her father was brainwashed with his wife and stepdaughter, and they made her life a living hell. Years later, Destiny met Red again, and he was still the same hot and gorgeous. On top of that, her ex became one of the highest-paid attorneys in the country. All unwanted memories came rushing back to her. Destiny hated him with all her heart, but Red promised to help her win back what was rightfully hers. Can Destiny forgive Red and trust the hottest attorney to claim back her inheritance without breaking her heart?

Stuck between two worlds Divided heart and mind Confusion and Conflict How should I go about it?

In the high stake world of the conglomerate families, love sparks into a beautiful thing. But, is love that simple? After all, things aren't always as they seem. You find your soulmate but do you actually have what it takes to keep them by your side? Are you certain you won't ending up causing them so much pain?