Forbidden Cravings - Chapter 9: Here She Comes

Melanie Collins was the perfect wife—caring, strong, and dependable. For the last few years, she had managed her husband’s messy family, and business alone while waiting for her husband to return from studying abroad. But when he finally came back, Melanie’s world fell apart—he wasn’t alone. Along with him was his 'best' friend.Broken and confused about the change in her husband, Melanie didn’t know where to turn. And then she stumbled into another cold reality. Everything she had believed was a lie.Seething with anger and humiliation, as she tried to come to terms with the betrayal, an unexpected person steps into the picture, intent on seducing her and conquering her.The only problem? The man was her ex brother in law...And against her better judgment, she is attracted to this bad boy...But as Melanie tried to make sense of the changes, she discovered there was more going on than she ever imagined. Had both brothers loved really fallen in love with her? Or was she just a pawn in a bigger game?excerptSince he had already been leaning against the table, he simply slid onto it, and with one swift motion, he hooked his boot around the leg of her chair and pulled it—pulled her—closer.The sudden movement made her jolt slightly, and when she looked up or rather when she looked ahead, she found herself staring directly at the zipper of his jeans... She looked up then and met his gaze.He caught her chin,“ Would you like to check if I am only pretending, sweet melon?”Melanie stiffened. And then pushed back her chair suddenly, so that Adam almost lost his balance, as she stood up.Before he could balance himself, she placed her hand on his shoulder, her fingers brushing against his neck. Adam stiffened, his eyes glittering as he waited to see what she would do next. And she, of course surprised him as her other hand, slowly settled on the inside of his thigh. And then, the hand on his shoulder started to move. Her fingers tracing the side of his neck before lifting as she shot a glance to the corner of his mouth. The little piece of metal glinting there. She flicked at it lightly, barely a touch, but Adam could feel the heat all over his body, as she leaned in close, her lips barely a few centimetres away...so that they could both feel each other's breaths…She smiled slowly then. “Careful, Adam,” she murmured, her voice playful, but carrying the unmistakable edge of a challenge. “Keep pushing, and I just might call your bluff.”

Elias “Grim” Kingsley, a nine-year-old orphan with a hardened heart and sharp tongue, dies alone from pneumonia in an overcrowded orphanage. Known for his perpetual scowl and biting remarks, he's labeled a “problem child” by caretakers and “damaged goods” by potential adopters. Years of rejection have built thick armor around his young heart.In death, he encounters the God of Balance who offers him a second chance at life in a different world—this time as Grim Van Ambrose, son of a noble house. Balance explains that every soul deserves to know love and connection, something Elias was cruelly denied in his first life.Promised the family and belonging he never experienced, Grim begins his new life only to suffer an immediate tragedy: his mother dies moments after his birth. This cruel twist of fate reinforces his belief that loss is inevitable, leaving him with a distant father and the mysterious voice of a “Guidance Assistant” in his head.As Grim grows into his new identity, he struggles with his dual nature—the emotional scars of his past life bleeding into his present one. His difficult personality and sharp tongue remain, now paired with noble privilege and expectations. Despite his outward brashness, he carries the deep wounds of his first life and the fresh loss that welcomed him into his second.What begins as one orphan's second chance evolves into an epic journey through a world of ancient beasts, elemental magic, and deadly political intrigue. As Grim uncovers the truth about the Ambrose Clan's fall from grace and the conspiracy that framed them for treason, he faces increasingly dangerous adversaries—both human and monstrous. His quest for revenge against those who destroyed his family's legacy will challenge him to master forbidden techniques, forge unexpected alliances, and ultimately decide whether to rebuild the Ambrose Clan as it was, or transform it into something entirely new.In a realm where power determines survival and ancient secrets lurk beneath noble facades, Grim must learn that sometimes the greatest battles aren't fought with swords, but with the choices that define who we truly are.

A love story that came about due to Fight The Landlord. [1]

As a wife fan of the popular idol Huo Xi, Qiao Qiao’s most hated person is Sheng Qiao, an actress who ties up with Huo Xi for hype.
Besides taking camera to join some activities, her major daily life is to diss this white lotus sincerely.
She doesn’t expect that she becomes Sheng Qiao after her head was hit one day.

During the shooting process of her first cooperated love drama with Huo Xi, the first scene was NG for 27 times.
Huo Xi: Sheng Qiao, can you do it or not? If you can’t , you can be replaced!
Qiao Qiao: Husband, don’t be angry, I can do it!
Huo Xi: ? ? ?

Media: Sheng Qiao Leaks Out a Close Appellation, Huo Xi’s Hidden Marriage Exposure
Fans: You f*cking shit, Sheng Qiao, you lotus bitch, come out quickily and apologize and clarify!
The next day, Sheng Qiao explains in Weibo: Well… Wife fan, get to know?

Fight back in a desperate condition and hold the throne strongly.
[From being sneered at by all netizens to being supported and liked by them, the heroine also falls in love with her idol by the way.]

Popular star Sheng Qiao is recently photographed dating the Film Emperor.
In an interview with the media, Huo Xi is asked to send his wishes to this fan in the entertainment circle.
He looks coldly at the camera: Fake.
Sheng Qiao dispels rumors in Weibo hurriedly: I only like my idol. I’m not double-minded. Thank you.
At that night, idol gnashes his teeth in anger next to her ear: Announce our relationship. Immediately! Right now!

- Description from Novelupdates