Second Chance

"FIRST PRIZE FOR BEST BOOK OF SHORT STORIES 2024 ABC" A woman embarks on a journey to explore the limits of pleasure, chasing sensations that promise to free her from routine, memory, and pain. What begins as curiosity soon turns into compulsion, as each encounter pulls her further into a world where desire becomes both escape and prison. The path she follows is anything but straight—marked by obsession, loss, and the quiet erosion of self. She learns that pleasure, when pursued blindly, leaves a trail of consequences: fractured relationships, blurred identities, and wounds that don't always show on the skin. In the end, she is forced to ask herself whether the pursuit was worth what it cost—and if she can ever find her way back.

Dimas returns to the city five years after leaving alone, with a broken heart and a dream he refuses to give up. He’s determined to become the musician he always wanted to be—even if it means defying his family… and facing the only woman he has never been able to forget. Aura thought she had moved on from that goodbye at the airport. But when Dimas comes back demanding answers, the past resurfaces with the same intensity as before. Her writing career is stalled, her famous last name feels heavier than ever, and the wounds they left behind never truly healed. He wants to know why she walked away. She knows that night changed more than one life. Between secrets and words left unsaid, they must decide if first love is enough to start over or if some goodbyes were always meant to be final.

Germany’s most desired single billionaire has returned after ten years. He believes he has everything—or at least that’s what he shows the world and every woman who wants him. But he can’t fool Priscilla Torres. She knows exactly who Brant Heissman really is: arrogant, ruthless, untouchable. She may not be able to stand or compete with him in power, but from her wheelchair inside his company, she refuses to bow. Every time he tries to humiliate her, she fires back. The hatred he claims to feel is only a mask. And the only woman keeping him awake at night might be the one he pretends not to see. Can the beast win his beauty?

For almost fifteen years, I thought I hated her. But the truth was… I just didn’t want to share her with anyone. I won her. Made her mine. And then I let her go — forcing her to hate me. Now, nine years later, she’s back. And she’s the one saving my life. This time, I’ll do whatever it takes to make her see — she didn’t save me for the world. She saved me… for herself. Even if she didn’t come back alone.

Max When a stranger at my best friend’s birthday decided she knew enough about me to judge me, I had no idea what it would lead to. Two years later, fate brings us together again — this time at university. But now our roles have changed. I hate her, and she has no idea why. Anna The first time we met, I called him weak — and that single word set off a chain of events that led us here, to this moment, to our reunion at university. He hates me. And I can’t forget that he wasn’t there when I was on the verge of losing everything. He wants to turn this into a game of hate? Fine. We’ll see who wins. Content Warning - Strong language - Scenes of violence and cruelty - Alcohol and drug use

I fell in love for the first and only time when I was twenty-three. And for twelve damn years, I kept it hidden, torturing myself as I watched her being happy… with my best friend. She was happy — until his life was suddenly cut short. Now his family is my responsibility. But she’s still off-limits. Untouchable. Taboo. But what happens when one day… I can’t fight it anymore? And what if she responds to my weakness? There are only two ways this ends: with everything finally breaking apart — or with a second chance. For both of us. But how do I silence my own conscience… And how does she let me into her heart?

Eight years ago, I was dating a wonderful guy, but our romance didn’t last long, and our paths eventually parted. And now I’ve met him again, and the feelings are coming back, my chest tightening with excitement. After all, we have three wonderful children growing up — children he knows nothing about.

Isabelle Thompson never imagined her new life in London would begin with babysitting. After catching her fiancé with her best friend, starting over is her only option. When she sees a live-in nanny ad, she applies without thinking twice. How hard can it be to look after a seven-year-old? Alexander Blake is a successful architect and single father since Sophie’s mother walked out. His résumé is filled with resignations for “severe emotional distress.” Sophie has perfected making nannies run. When Isabelle shows up with an optimistic smile and flawless references, Alexander hires her. Izzy needs to stay afloat. Alex just wants someone who won’t leave. And Sophie… no one quite knows what she wants. But one thing is certain: they all deserve a second chance.

Solomiya met a girl who looked incredibly similar to her. Due to blackmail, she agreed to switch places with this rich girl, who was preparing for her wedding to a handsome Italian, for almost a week. But could she have imagined the consequences that this seemingly harmless prank would have for many people? The groom turned out to be too good to simply throw him out of her heart and forget him. But... she has no right to love this guy. What will happen when everyone finds out the truth about the switch and more? Is it possible to correct mistakes and build happiness together? Continuation of the story. It is recommended to start with the first part.

How can a simple pencil and a sheet of paper transform a life forever? For Aria, art was more than a mere pastime — it was her refuge, a place where her emotions could flow freely, without judgment. She never imagined, however, that a single drawing could set off a chain of events that would turn her world upside down. It all began on an ordinary afternoon, when a strange urgency compelled her to pick up a pencil. Without much thought, she began to draw the face of a man who, she believed, existed nowhere but in her imagination. But as the lines came to life on the page, something inside her whispered that the face was not entirely unfamiliar. There was something unsettlingly recognizable in those eyes — something that seemed to be speaking to her from the past… or perhaps, from the fut

When you're hiding your gift and trying to make sense of your past, there are a few things you really shouldn’t do: help the first stranger you meet with a strange curse, get involved in yet another unnecessary relationship, and… cross paths with dark mages. I broke all the rules. I accepted a classmate’s invitation to a date, responded to the call of life, and… ran into Kirai again. You’d think—what’s the big deal? He doesn’t even remember me. But I remember everything. So how am I supposed to deal with my own feelings now?

Rocío Smith is forced to attend her half-sister’s engagement… to the man who broke her heart years ago. There, in the middle of a reunion that stirs up everything inside her, Thiago Russo appears: her ex’s enigmatic brother. Cold, calculating, and dangerous, Thiago quickly sets his sights on her. And he has no intention of letting her go. Because even if the world sees him as the black sheep of the Russo family, Thiago is willing to play dirty… and prove to his brother that he knows how to win where others only lose.

She decided she'd had enough. That's it! She wouldn't let any man get too close to her again. And continuing the family line... Well, that didn't work out. Suddenly, Lina sees the suitor she rejected standing at her doorstep. He's not empty-handed. Is it worth taking a risk and trying to open her heart again? But this time, two handsome men are vying for her heart. One is tall and handsome, and the other is still very small and tearful. But both are so cute... A warm, tender love story.

I fell in love with her essence. She gave me back my life and my happiness. But I made the worst mistake: I pushed her away when she needed me most. I let my family’s manipulations cloud my judgment, and I hurt her. Now, the only thing she gives me is indifference. She returns emptiness in every glance, disdain in every word. She does not deny me our children, but she denies me a second chance. Even so, I love her more than ever, and though her heart is closed, I refuse to give up on trying to heal what I broke.

He didn’t want anything to distract him from his passion. He was clear about that: it was only pleasure, but I couldn’t help falling in love despite who he was. I hid it so well that he ended up just like me, asking me to be his wife. Until that night at the bachelor party, when, trying to surprise him, I saw him with another woman. I said nothing; I waited patiently for my revenge. On our wedding day, I humiliated him, wounded his pride by refusing to accept him as my husband. Two months later, I discovered I was expecting his daughter—a daughter he would never know about until the truth that separated us came to light. Now he can’t stand the sight of me. That hurts, but not as much as not knowing how to tell him he is a father, that the little girl who calls him “Daddy,” and whom

Sarada never thought she would cross paths again with Khaled Al-Sayed, the magnate behind an automotive empire and the man who broke her heart. For five years, she has raised their son, Zamir, alone, never imagining that fate would force her to seek help from the last person she would ever want to see again. When Khaled discovers the truth, the world he had built with his fiancée begins to crumble. Although he is about to marry the woman everyone considers his perfect match, there is something inside him that has never stopped burning: the spark of what he once felt for Sarada, now reignited by the discovery of a little person who will forever bind them together.

Milena Hope forgets neither promises… nor betrayal. With her dreams shattered and her heart torn apart, she’s learned how to rise. The sweet, innocent girl is long gone. Now she’s a strong woman—one who refuses to kneel again before the family that mocked her love and crushed her loyalty. Belhor Leone doesn’t forgive. And he never forgets. Time has only made him colder… and more desperate for the one thing he couldn’t replace: her. Milena was his once. And he’ll do whatever it takes to make her his again— even if it means destroying her in the process.

Daniel was my ideal. I believed in him with all my heart. But one day, a friend opened my eyes to the bitter truth, confessing that she was having an affair with my beloved. Well, yes, I had gained a few extra pounds. Quite a few, actually... But that's no excuse for cheating on your husband! Be that as it may, it was a turning point in my life. I'll lose weight and be so beautiful again that men will stick to me like flies to honey. Then Dan can bite his elbows. I'll quickly find a replacement for him. It seemed like a good plan. But... Everything is not as clear-cut as it seemed?

Four years ago, because of him, my family fell apart, and he destroyed the future I had so diligently planned. Now, I’m furious with him, can’t stand him, and have no desire whatsoever to see him. But I have to deal with him because, as it turns out, my future depends on it. Again.

"Yeva," he drawls my name painfully. "What are you doing here?" I snap, irritated, and unable to hold back, I turn around sharply. "I have to be here. I’m the owner of the gallery." The news shocks me, but I try to stay composed and not show it. "Really?" I say dryly. "I didn’t know." "You have no idea how surprised I was when I found out you were among the other artists," he says, relaxing and giving a friendly smile. "Don’t talk to me like we’re old friends," I retort, annoyed at his smug expression. "You betrayed me. You abandoned me." His smile fades, and his face pales. "I’m sorry for what I did," he starts to explain. "There was a good reason for it." "I don’t even want to hear it," I hiss angrily. "Your actions have no excuse. You didn’t even call—just sent a message."