Jbaby001

"In a world where women are bound by societal expectations, Stella dares to defy the norms. Born into poverty and conditioned to believe her only worth lies in marriage and childbirth, Stella yearns for something more. She craves a life of her own design, free from the shackles of patriarchal oppression.

That's when Adrian enters the picture – the enigmatic and ruthless billionaire who embodies the very system Stella rebels against. His wealth and influence make him a master of his universe, but his chauvinistic views render him tone-deaf to the changing tides.

As their paths converge, Stella finds herself inexplicably drawn to the very man who represents everything she despises. Will she remain true to her convictions, or will Adrian's magnetic presence shatter her defenses? Can she penetrate the armor of his ego and uncover the secrets hidden beneath his possessive façade?

In this gripping tale of power, desire, and self-discovery, Stella must confront the darkness within herself and the world around her. Will she emerge victorious, or will the forces of oppression silence her forever?...."

Beneath Possession

I gazed across the table at my dad, his eyes narrowed in an attempt to intimidate me. A low grin spread across my face, and I could sense his frustration. He cleared his throat, his voice firm.

"Why did you decide not to participate in the competition?" he asked, though we both knew he was aware of my reasons.

I crossed my legs, adopting a calm demeanor. "Which competition are you referring to?" I replied, feigning ignorance.

My dad's face reddened, his anger simmering just below the surface. "Don't play dumb, Adrian! You know exactly what I'm talking about."

I held up my hands, a placating gesture. "No need to get worked up, Dad. I've assigned capable people to handle things. Nothing will go wrong."

Deep down, I knew he was hoping to see my mom, his runaway wife. But she was a topic I refused to discuss. As far as I was concerned, she was no longer a part of our family.

My dad's voice rose, his emotions barely in check. "You know how much this means to me, and yet you're taking it lightly. I want you to be present, and that's final."

I stood firm, my tone resolute. "Even if you host a thousand competitions, she won't come back. I don't understand why everything with you is about her. She's in the past, and that's where she'll stay."

My dad's face contorted in anger, and he stormed out of the room. I felt a surge of anger, but I took a deep breath and headed to my room to calm down.

I heard the sound of footsteps and quickly helped my mom hide the boxes. We rushed out of the room, trying not to draw attention to ourselves. I spotted Fiona in the living room, and my heart sank. She was the reason I'd been avoiding the house.

Fiona caught my eye, dressed in her usual edgy style – a black skirt, leggings, crop top, and leather jacket. She looked like she owned the place.

"Hey, Fiona!" I called out, trying to sound casual.

Fiona turned, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Pretty girl, you thought you could keep all the cookies to yourself?" She held up the bowl, and my heart ached.

"I haven't even had one yet!" I protested.

Fiona chuckled. "Aww, pretty girl, tell your mom to get you another batch. Big sis has got this one covered." She winked and took off, leaving me feeling frustrated.

My mom intervened, suggesting we share the cookies. I reluctantly agreed, but I was determined to get my fair share.

After we finished the cookies and chatted about our day, Fiona and I headed out. I hopped on the back of her bike, and we sped off into the wind. As we rode, I noticed a car following us. I tapped Fiona's shoulder, and she glanced back.

"Shit," she muttered, before accelerating the bike.

I held on tight, my heart racing as we sped through the streets...

Fractured ties