I almost fell in love with you After the club last night And you told me don't spend too much Girl, take your own advice Girl, don't act like you changed When we both know you can't And I know you love me 'Cause I think you're lovely

She's 25. He's 18. What could they possibly have in common? According to Ms. Lawson-absolutely nothing. But Mr. Amani Knight? He begs to differ. The moment he laid eyes on his new substitute teacher, he made up his mind: he had to have her. For the next three months, Ms. Lawson will be his sub-but not in the way she expects. Can Amani change her mind and break through her defenses before time runs out? Or will she stick to the rules and keep things strictly professional? Dive into this steamy, slow-burn romance and see who really ends up in control.

Five years changed everything. Kalliope "Kali" Lawson is thirty, thriving, and finally in control of her life. What once felt overwhelming-juggling single motherhood and building her career-became the very thing that shaped her into the woman she is today. With her village behind her, Kali didn't just survive... she elevated. Now she's respected, focused, and unshakable. Amani "Mani" Xavier Knight is twenty-three and living a life most people only dream about. Drafted into the NFL during his second semester at Redwood State University, he went from college athlete to full-blown brand overnight. Money, fame, women-he learned fast how to navigate it all. His past? Including the scandal that once tied him to Ms. Lawson? Long forgotten... or so he thought. Because one unexpected run-in changes everything. Five years later, Mani finds out Kali has been raising a child he knew nothing about. Now, his world is flipped upside down. Kali isn't the same woman he left behind-she's colder, guarded, and not interested in reopening old wounds. Mani isn't the same boy either-he's grown, successful, and not used to being shut out. But beneath the anger, the tension, and the pride... There's still something there. Now add: A girlfriend who refuses to let go. A coach who's a little too interested in Kali. And a past that refuses to stay buried. Two people. A secret that changes everything. And a love story neither of them ever truly let go of. Tune in to see what happens when the past catches up... and refuses to be ignored.

I knew my best friend since childhood loved me. I knew it. And when I got back from my business trip, I was going to tell him how I felt, especially when he told me he had something exciting to tell me. But it wasn't that he loved me. He'd gotten married while I was on an overseas business trip to my worst enemy.

𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦.

Jamani Raelynn Carr has always preferred life behind the scenes-quiet, focused, and in control. But when she lands her dream internship as a sideline reporter for the Detroit Pistons, she finds herself thrust into the spotlight, balancing ambition, family expectations, and her own need for authenticity. Navigating the male-dominated world of sports journalism isn't easy, especially when every day feels like a high-stakes audition. Jalen Montez Duren, the Pistons' charismatic young star, is used to the pressure and scrutiny that comes with fame. But underneath his cool exterior, he's searching for something real-someone who sees the man beyond the jersey. When he meets Jamani at a chaotic NBA Media Day, a single thoughtful question sparks a connection neither of them expects. As Jamani and Jalen's paths continue to cross-on the court, at press conferences, and in the city that raised them-friendship slowly deepens into something more. But their growing bond is tested by public scrutiny, career setbacks, past heartbreaks, and the ever-present tension between personal dreams and professional duty. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Detroit, this slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance explores what it means to fight for love, identity, and your rightful place in the world. For Jamani and Jalen, the real victory might be learning to trust themselves-and each other-when the spotlight fades.

Ella has loved Aiden for as long as she can remember. He's been her anchor, her dream, her forever-yet beneath his polished exterior lies a darkness he's always kept hidden. She's been his light, the only thing holding his shadows at bay... until the unthinkable happens. When Ella discovers that Aiden has been having a secret, years-long affair with her younger sister Alissa, her world shatters. The man she built her life around is addicted to the rush of the forbidden. The sister she trusted will do anything to take him away. And the marriage Ella believed in begins to look like a beautiful lie. Now, torn between heartbreak and fury, Ella faces an impossible choice: forgive the man who broke her, or walk away forever-and finally claim the life and love she deserves. *WARNING: This story contains scenes that are graphic and sexual in nature. Please read ahead only if you are comfortable with spicy content.

"Don't contact me if you're dying." When Keith Ingram utters those cruel words to his new wife, he doesn't know how much he'll come to regret them. For years, Ella Bryce has loved Keith from afar. When a contract marriage gives her one chance at happiness, she vows to make him see her-even though the scars of her past make her efforts fraught with pain. But just as her devotion begins breaking through his guarded heart, devastating lies shatter their fragile bond. Broken and discarded, Ella rebuilds her life from the ashes, determined to live on her own terms. She is no longer the unseen girl he left behind. Years later, Keith storms back into her life-colder, harder, and more ruthless than ever. He thinks he knows the truth about their past. He is wrong. Now, Keith must face the reality of what he destroyed. Fate has given him a second chance to see the woman he was blind to, but the road to redemption is paved with secrets. Will he make the same mistake twice... or can he win back the wife he so carelessly threw away? ----------------------------------------- THE MENDED HEARTS SERIES Book 1: The Unseen Bride (Keith & Ella) ← You are here Book 2: The Debts We Don't See (Marcus & Celeste) Each book is a complete standalone with guaranteed HEA. Read in any order, but connect for the full family saga. Trigger warning: This story contains emotional abuse, gaslighting, and family abuse.