When Lisa’s husband, Derek, suggested they take a month-long break to “reignite their relationship,” she wasn’t thrilled about the idea. But he spoke about it with such enthusiasm, making it sound like some revolutionary relationship strategy. “You’ll see,” he had said over breakfast, smiling as he stirred sugar into his coffee. “It’ll be like dating all over again. You’ll miss me. I’ll miss you. And when the month’s over, it’ll be a fresh start for us.” Lisa hesitated but ultimately agreed. Maybe some time apart would make them appreciate each

Everyone has secrets. I just never thought my boyfriend’s was behind a locked door. “Just storage,” he said. But his dog knew better. Max, his golden retriever, was always sniffing at that door, whining, pawing at it—begging me to take a look. And when the door finally cracked open one night, I realized Connor had been hiding something much bigger than just a messy room. You ever feel like something is off but convince yourself it’s nothing? Like your gut is practically screaming at you, but your brain goes, “Nah,

The weight of my father’s words pressed down on me like a boulder. “Son, I wouldn’t ask this of you if there was any other way.” I clenched my fists, trying to make sense of it all. “You’re telling me the only way to save the business is for me to marry some woman I’ve never even met?” He sighed heavily, his usual commanding presence replaced with something I never expected to see—desperation. “Adriana is Victor’s daughter. The merger with his company is the only thing that can keep us