《The Secrets She Kept》Chapter 28
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I only glanced at the first two photos, yet I could still feel the pain. I could feel it again. The pain, and worry over Leah. I remember the burning sensation when I would breathe, and how I could barely open my mouth wide enough for water. I thought I was blind, because I couldn't open my left eye. Most of all I remember how physically exhausted I was that night. That week even. I didn't want to move, not just because of the pain but because of the energy it took to move. This is why I couldn't trust Antonio. Despite the physical pain he put me through, the mental aftermath of the abuse was much worse. Once you've been abused this way, you can't help but look over your shoulder all the time. It's why I never found anyone new. I couldn't trust men anymore. I continued flipping through photos, until one caught my attention. The real Milana Bradley, broken, and empty. The truth is, Antonio never really broke me. I mean, how can you break something that was already broken? "What are you doing?" Luca snuck up behind me. "Nothing." I tried to close the box filled with pictures, only Luca grabbed it before I could. His smile quickly fades when he shuffled through the box. "What is this?" He asked. "That's the last five years of my life." I looked away feeling embarrassed. "Is this?" His eyes widened at the sight of Antonio's work. I only nodded in response. His jaw twitched slightly. "I just, I needed a reminder." I mumbled. "Of what?"
"The reason I shouldn't trust him." I shrugged, not wanting to meet his eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"I haven't exactly been honest with you Luca."
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"About what?"
"When Antonio took me with him, he was negotiating an engagement. Luca, Antonio is your half brother. Your father had an affair. Antonio isn't going to stop until he takes over what he believes is rightfully his. He said he'll spare you if I marry him. He tried to convince me by saying you aren't trustworthy. Maybe, maybe I'm the one who isn't trustworthy." I'm not sure why I said it, but it was as if the memories brought on guilt for doubting Luca. I felt the need to be truly honest with him, for the first time in a long time. I was going to let my guard down. I'm going to try and really let myself be happy. "You were considering it?" Luca looked hurt.
"Only for your life. It'd be selfish not to consider it, wouldn't it?"
"I always suspected my father had an affair but this? I honestly can't blame Antonio, but we had no control over our father's choices, and he won't have what's mine, not even you."
"You're not upset with me?" I finally met his eyes.
"How could I? You were honest with me. Lana, I may be cold sometimes unintentionally but you could never understand how deep my love for you is. I think even if you had accepted his proposal I wouldn't be angry. You would've done it, for me."
"So what do we do now?" I said more to myself than to Luca. My mind was racing already trying to find a solution.
"I don't think he'll leave anytime soon since he's made it clear he's in love with you." Luca threw his head back, looking at the ceiling while thinking.
"Then let's play his game, only better." I suggested.
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"What do you mean?"
"I mean, let me accept his proposal."
"What?" Luca's eyes looked like they'd pop out of his skull completely.
"Not really Luca. Let me pretend to accept, I can negotiate for peace for now, and when the time is right, you can hit him when he leasts expects it." Antonio had his fun at playing with my head, it's only right I return the favor.
"Milana Bradley, I love you." Luca chuckled, pulling me close to him.
"I love you too." It was time I started living the kind of life I wanted. I've had enough of living my life at the convenience of everyone else. From now on I'll decide what's best for me. And I chose Luca. I glanced down at my belly and rubbed it softly. I wasn't worried anymore. I knew I could do it. Twice the challenge but I knew now, I'd truly never be alone.
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Letters to Inmate 29901
Lillie's letters are Dimitri's lifeline in prison, but when he gets out and his violent past tries to pull him back in, he might have to let her go. *****Lillie Clarke had everything figured out, until she didn't. Nursing a broken heart, she starts writing to an incarcerated man. It's strictly platonic, but the letters from Dimitri make her feel things she hasn't felt in years: Appreciated. Interesting. Seen. When Dimitri gets out on parole, she agrees to see him, and things don't stay platonic for long. But getting out of prison is only the first step in Dimitri's second chance. His violent past keeps trying to pull him back in, and he'll do anything to keep Lillie safe. Even if that means staying away from her--or trying to.
8 147Wolfsbane and Honeycakes
Her bee stings have wolfsbane poisoning? -A group of out of town werewolves realize Elise's cakes make them stronger and more powerful. It becomes the secret weapon to win their war with the local pack. But why is it that only she can make the cakes that way? And why does a human know the werewolf secret? As the werewolves unravel her mysteries, they will find out she has more to do with the wolf world than they could have imagined. Complete. 102K words. Clean Romance.~~~Nate stared at the harsh line. "What is it?" He slowly began to peel the large bandaid away.My face set in resolve and burn of the newly pulled skin. When the bandaid was off both sets of eyes flew wide to mine. I didn't even try to pull my hand back. It was rock solid where it was. "It's fine!"Adam seriously growled. "You keep saying that. You are still lying!"I rolled my eyes. "No, look. It's okay. I know it looks bad, but it's always what my bee stings look like. Alright?" I glanced down to the irritated bump in the center with the series of violet lines coming from the inner point. The lines shot out in straight angles like a circuit board. "It's just an allergic reaction."Nate's eyes folded me with power. "This is not just an allergic reaction, Elise. It looks like..." he paused looking at Adam and Adam nodded his silent thought, "it looks like wolfsbane poisoning."A strong punch to the gut. I closed my eyes in defeat. That's exactly what it was.
8 171DeLuca's Home for Mentally Disturbed Boys (BxB Fantasy Polyamory)
*Unedited*-"If you have a son who believes he's a unicorn, a dragon, a werewolf, or even a faerie, and you don't know what to do with him...Then you need to send him to DeLuca's Home for Mentally Disturbed Boys. Call the number below if you wish to draw an application form. If you are accepted, your son will be safely in this home within twenty-four hours. - Alexandre DeLucaHeadmaster of the Home (No girls allowed.)" ----When I saw that flyer on my mom's countertop, I realized that she was serious. And I realized I had no way to tell her that I really did have a pair of ears on top of my head, and I really did have a fluffy tail. My mom had never believed me. Never, not even when I was a little kid. It was like only I could see them. I loved my add-ons, even if no one else believed me. Now, fifteen years after my discovery of them at age three, and my inability to be smart enough to get into college or my lack of social acceptance to allow me to have a job, my mom couldn't take it anymore despite the fact that I cook the meals and clean the house for her. She promised to throw me out, so I guess technically she has already done so by tossing my things at me, giving me an address to my new home and just enough money for a cab to take me there, and then slamming the door in my face. At least I won't be living on the streets.-____-Includes major triggers:RapeSexual assaultChild abuseAbuse (in general)Mentions of suicide attemptsFamily love (aka consensual incest)(Most of the darker stuff is because of the characters' pasts. Please pay attention when reading, otherwise you might miss some important keys in the story). ALSO, THIS IS NOT AN INSTITUTION/BOARDING SCHOOL NOVEL! Please don't label it as such. It does not fit in that category. _____The cover has been drawn by me, WingedKelpie. Please don't take it. That's just not cool. 3:
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8 506Adeena Cole and the Curse of the Black Pearl
Adeena Cole knows exactly what she is. She isn't a pirate. She doesn't break the law. She's just a hand in the blacksmith's, working alongside William Turner. But when the Black Pearl attacks Port Royal, and Adeena is swept off her feet into an adventure with the one and only Jack Sparrow, Will, and Elizabeth, she discovers that she has absolutely no idea who she really is...or what she really wants.DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the POTC characters, ideas, locations, etc. This story was created merely for entertainment.
8 96Lovely {Suicide squad}
Joker x OC x Harley QuinnThey were his queens and he their king and god help anyone who disrespects the queens.Credit for the cover goes to @dreamer2529
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