Romance


"Will you take me to be your wife, Mr. Lu?""Sure, but I won't love you."These were the words Elizabeth Liang got from James Lu after they slept together and had a crazy night.Set up by her cousin, Elizabeth would've been sent to an old man as a gift, but she misread the room number and had a one night with the hot CEO James. Elizabeth wanted to query her cousin, but she caught her fiance and cousin on the bed. The truth was revealed to all.In desperation, Elizabeth proposed to James to escape from her family. To her surprise, James agreed. They started a titular marriage, but James and Elizabeth gradually fell in love with each other. When she thought they would have a happy ending, she saw James secretly meeting a woman. Finally, she found out why he agreed to marry her... 
Oliver Jefferson, the king of the business world, vows not to marry. But one day, a new chapter of his life begins when he's forced to marry a younger wife!"Mr. Jefferson, Mrs. Jefferson trashed the Westwood residence."Oliver asks, "Does she feel better now?""No…""Send a few people over to help her, then."…"Mr. Jefferson, Mrs. Jefferson got into a fight with someone and landed them in the hospital."Oliver asks, "Is she happy with that?""No…"He continues with his work. "Let her continue, then."…One day, when Oliver finds that his wife has gotten into another fight, he flies into a rage. "You're asking for it, Grace!"Grace Gulliver complains, "You weren't like this in the past, hubby!"He points at her stomach. "You weren't pregnant before, were you?"The nerve of her, getting into a fight when she's seven months pregnant! It scares the living daylights out of her opponent and also Oliver, yet she's delighted that she's managed to win a fight without even lifting a finger! 



Three years ago, she was a poor judge of character. She was willing to donate her kidney and become disfigured for an a**hole. However, not only did that man cheat on her, he had even nearly caused her to lose her life!Three years later, she regained her beauty. Upon her glorious return, she swore to make all a**holes pay for what they did.It was widely known that Stanley Batton, the wealthiest tycoon in Atlantis, was a cruel man feared by many. Although he had the facial features of a passionate man, he was known for his heart of ice.People constantly speculated on the kind of woman who would be able to open his heart.However, to everyone’s surprise, he kneeled on one knee under the spotlight, and in front of every known media company, to tie a butterfly knot on her shoe.“Stanley Batton, what do you really want?” She seemed panicked and flustered.He laughed at himself. “Xyla Quest, no one else but you can take my life away!” 
One accident led to An Xin waking up in the body of her best friend. The once domineering Miss An was now suddenly the gentle Madam Ye, but this does not mean that she is without thorns. The first thing to solve, is this cold and unapproachable husband of hers that makes her pity her best friend. At the same time, perhaps squeeze a pretty penny off some hustle, and save up so she can travel. Perhaps she will find a few hunks on the way and her newfound life would not be boring at all. But wait, why is the once unapproachable husband suddenly so clingy? Good sir, I am not your wife, and marrying me is impossible. Unless...you promise to spoil me for the rest of my life, love me like nothing else, and to and over all your wealth and influence, and to be content coming home to do the chores and cook for me everyday. Perhaps then, I would sit on the couch and cheer you on! 

On the day when I'm due to give birth, one of my husband's female students disappears into Mount Silas while she is heavily pregnant.My husband, Jamie Frestin, searches for her for three days and three nights while I'm left alone at the hospital. I bleed profusely because of my difficult labor and have to be wheeled into the intensive care unit.When Jamie reappears, the doctor hands him a critical condition notice. Meanwhile, Jamie hands me a divorce agreement."Daisy Lorenzo is my best student. I can't just stand by and watch her do something foolish. You're about to become a mother, so you need to stay strong!"In my past life, I refused to sign the divorce papers. After leaving the delivery room, I reported Jamie and Daisy's illicit relationship to the school.Daisy's research qualification was revoked, and she was slammed by criticism from the public. In the end, she slit her throat in front of me. When Jamie rushed to the scene, both Daisy and her baby had passed. He didn't say a word as he handled her funeral matters. My relationship with him returned to how it had been before. I assumed that happiness was waiting for me.On my daughter's first birthday, Jamie slammed his foot on the accelerator and drove us off a cliff. It was Daisy's death anniversary.When I open my eyes again, I realize I've returned to the day of my difficult labor. 

Alden Crestfall remains cold and distant to his wife, Thalia Marquette, even after two years of being married to each other. Furthermore, they only have sex once a month as previously agreed.
Thalia smiles and accepts Alden's condition out of love for him. She trusts that one day, she'll make Alden love her in return.
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Thalia catches Alden and his sister-in-law, Kiera Hollindale, getting it on in his office. As Thalia watches them going at it like wild, lustful beasts, she realizes Alden isn't as sexually disinterested as he claims to be.
It's just that Thalia isn't the woman Alden loves.
Any hope that Thalia had dies in an instant, and she divorces Alden before taking control over her family business once again.
When Thalia's name is listed in Fortune Global 500 and becomes her country's first female billionaire, Alden shows up with a bouquet of 999 roses to beg her for forgiveness.
"I was wrong, Lia. Please give me another chance," he says.
In response, Thalia takes a step back.
Meanwhile, the famous and prestigious scion, Darius Backshaw, suddenly appears and pulls Thalia into his arms.
"Screw off, you piece of scum! Don't you dare taint my wife's eyes with your presence any longer!" Darius exclaims. 
Ariana York is a proud woman, but she sets her pride aside to pursue Elijah Linden, a cold, distant man. Her wish comes true, and she finally marries him. However, after marriage, she realizes he has someone else in his heart.Ariana becomes the laughingstock of the city's upper crust. Once, she fights with Elijah and jumps off a building. The debacle is recorded and uploaded online—the whole city mocks her.When Ariana wakes up, she's lost all her memories of Elijah."Who are you, mister?""Pulling the amnesia trick isn't the trend anymore, Ari. I won't divorce you."Ariana turns and leaves without hesitation.Three years later, an adorable little girl accidentally runs into Elijah. He sees the woman he's dreamed of countless times approach, and he blurts out, "Ari, is this our—"Ariana is holding a handsome man's arm. "Mr. Linden, allow me to introduce you to the father of my child!" 
In a treacherous web of deceit, she found herself betrayed by both her boyfriend and her own sister. To make matters worse, her adoptive father, driven by greed, took her life mercilessly.In a desperate bid for freedom, she fought her way through a blazing fire, risking everything to save him. Little did she know that he would repay her selflessness with betrayal of his own.Six long and grueling years passed before she resurfaced, armed with a determination for vengeance. With her twins by her side, she vowed to take back what was rightfully hers.Enter Mr. Young, a man of towering height and striking handsomeness. His sarcasm, arrogance, and undeniable power made it clear that women should keep their distance.But one day, a shocking twist occurred—the legendary man brought his little daughter to work. The revelation sent shockwaves through everyone around them.In a remarkable transformation, the once aloof and unfeeling man became possessive and overprotective, unable to hide his jealousy. The arrival of the twins only intensified the situation.The twin brother, with an air of arrogance, warned, "Daddy is despised by everyone, so stay away from our mother!"The twin sister chimed in, saying, "Give me another brother, and I'll give you my mother!" 

Isabella Hart has always been a goody-two-shoes who lives a spoiled and pampered life. Unfortunately, she falls in love with Adrian Sterling, an infamous playboy known for his history in the upper crust.
After using every method in the book, Isabella finally becomes Adrian's girlfriend.
In order to stay by his side, she learns all sorts of positions and tries out various new things to spice up their intimate life together. Also, she lets him take her to bed regardless of the day and time.
Whenever Adrian is about to hit his peak, he loves leaning into her ear and murmuring, "You're amazing, babe. You're really talented at learning new things.
"Relax, babe. Don't clamp down on me that tightly.
"That's it, babe. Oh, I love you so much."
Isabella is the longest girlfriend Adrian has ever had. They've been dating so long to the point that everyone around Adrian thinks that he's finally quit being a playboy.
That is, until Adrian takes Isabella to a gathering one night after their passionate session in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. 


A DARK, EROTIC BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE.
"Ah, oh my God, it's coming again..." I moaned, my head thrown back, my vision blurring.
My mouth was open, and I mumbled incoherently, my legs spread wide, facing my boss, Ethan Blackwood.
"Using your virginity to seduce me? In exchange for the power I hold, is that it?"
"You succeeded."
He thrust even more violently into the depths of my soul.
In the shudder of orgasm, he rolled me over, making me lie on my back.
I gasped, feeling him penetrate me more deeply than ever before.
———
"That night, I caught my fiancé sleeping with my sister. From that moment on, I stopped being a good girl."
For seventeen years, Leah Harnes had been blindly loyal to her fiancé, until one day, she caught him in bed with her sister.
Heartbroken.
Desperate to forget as she watched her beliefs crumbled.
So she did something unbelievable: She spent the night with a handsome stranger.
However, her entire world came crumbling down when she discovered that the man was her ruthless, powerful boss.
Ethan offered her a cruel contract: her body in exchange for his power.
However, a man like Ethan would never be gentle.
No romance, no caresses.
He only knew control, pleasure, and pain.
She vowed to hate him.
He vowed to possess her.
Caught between a treacherous stepmother, a vengeful ex-boyfriend, and Ethan's dark obsession, Leah was caught in a vortex of lies, desire, and revenge.
A man like Ethan, who despised being touched, but now, he craves the touch of only one woman—Leah.
And he would never let go of the only woman he truly desired.
Not in this life, not in the next.
~* One Night Of Revenge Turned Into A Lifetime Of Obsession *~ 






After being evicted by the Gray family, Shannon Gray magically becomes the heiress of an affluent family.
The Gray family regrets kicking her out and wants the Jensen family to give them half its assets as compensation. Shannon sneers and uses a truth-telling talisman to expose the Gray family's true colors and the skeletons in its closet. Similarly, when a scumbag refuses to leave her alone, she easily makes him have nightmares every night.
Her cousins look down on her and think she's a disgrace, but the head of the Shaw family comes knocking on their door, looking for her. "As long as you're willing to save my daughter, I'll agree to any condition you have!"
The head of another affluent family that's never gotten along with the Jensen family shamelessly comes knocking, too. "I was a fool for acting the way I did in the past. I'll announce to the world that I'm your lackey as long as you're willing to help me!"
Later, even Shannon's cousin, who once detested her, becomes her loyal follower. "She's the best cousin ever, and I'll curse anyone who dares say a word against her!"
After everything that's happened, the Jensen family finally snaps to their senses and realizes that Shannon, whom they'd thought was a pitiful little thing, is a master at geomancy and divination.
Shannon needs to rid people and places of malevolence, save lives, and suck up to a bigwig. She can't help saying, "I'm exhausted."
Benjamin "Bigwig" Cooper takes the initiative to share her burden. "You don't need to suck up to me. I'm already yours." 

Wynter Quinnell has never known that she's not related to the Yates family by blood. When her childhood sweetheart and the rest of the world turn on her, the Yates family kicks her out and tells her to search for her biological parents in the hole she'd crawled out from…Wynter laughs it off. She's about to stun everyone by revealing her secret identity, but it turns out the "hole" the Yates family had mentioned is actually the richest family in Kingbourne, the Quinnell family!Over the course of a single night, she goes from the Yates family's fake daughter, who's despised by everyone, to the actual daughter of the richest man in the country. She also has six brothers who absolutely adore her!Her eldest brother is a domineering president. "Let's pause the meeting right here. Get me a ticket back to the country—I wanna see who are the people who have the nerve to bully my sister!"Her second-eldest brother is a famous celebrity. "Cancel the function. I'm gonna take my sister home right now."Her third-eldest brother is a god in his industry. "Postpone the competition. Nothing's more important than my sister."This rocks the country!The Yates family regrets every wrong move they make, and Wynter's childhood sweetheart tries to win her back.But before she can reject him, Dalton Yarwood, the president of Yarwood Corporation and the son of the renowned Yarwood family, proposes to her. It makes her the talk of the town! 
Yvette Thiel found herself expecting a child, brimming with joy. However, her happiness was short-lived as she ended up in the midst of a divorce agreement.Tragedy struck when Yvette became involved in a car accident, leaving her lying in a pool of blood. Desperate and fearing for their unborn child's life, she pleaded with Lance Wolseley to save their baby. Regrettably, Lance chose to depart with his new partner in his arms, leaving Yvette disheartened and slowly closing her eyes.Subsequently, rumors spread about Lance, who carried a forbidden name in New York, a name no one dared to mention. At a later event, during a wedding ceremony, Lance suddenly lost his sanity. He fell to his knees, his eyes bloodshot as he gazed at the heartless woman before him. "You are carrying my child. Whom do you intend to marry?" 
Six years ago, she was framed by her wicked sister and was abandoned by her then husband while she was pregnant.Six years later, she started anew with a different identity. Oddly, the same man who abandoned her in the past had not stopped pestering her at her front door.“Miss Gibson, what’s your relationship with Mister Lynch?”She smiled and answered nonchalantly, “I don’t know him.”“But sources say that you were once married.”She answered as she tucked her hair, “Those are rumors. I’m not blind, you see.”That day, she was pinned on the wall the moment she stepped in her door.Her three babies cheered, “Daddy said mommy’s eyes are bad! Daddy says he’ll fix it for mommy!”She wailed, “Please let me go, darling!” 
I've just gotten married to Nathan Rodgers, a scion of Heidorot's elite, in the morning. But in the afternoon, he takes me to the courthouse for a divorce.
As I clutch both the marriage and divorce certificates in my hands, all I can hear is his friends' relentless mocking.
"Wow, Nathan! You actually married and divorced Caroline just because you wanted to cheer Eveline up!"
"Haha! Look at how pale Caroline looks! Don't tell me she's about to cry!"
Nathan wraps an arm around my adopted sister, Eveline Garrix. He says to her in a gentle tone, "Now that both certificates are here, are you willing to flash me a smile now?"
Caroline let out a soft giggle. Her face, which is often fixed with a cold expression, now has a smile blooming on it.
I want to demand answers, but I find myself being restrained by my brothers.
Martin Bergling, my oldest brother who's a CEO, frowns at me.
"Nathan is the only one who can make Caroline laugh. You'd better behave now."
Oscar Bergling, my second brother, who's an award-winning actor, shoves me to the floor.
"Eveline comes from a pitiful background. You, on the other hand, were born with a silver spoon—you have plenty of men to pick from other than Nathan."
Albus Bergling, my third brother who's a biology professor, fixes a cold expression on his face.
"Nathan should've married Eveline a long time ago. Stop bothering them already, Caroline!"
After that, my brothers forcibly push them into a car in an attempt to stop me from ruining their first love's happiness.
That's when the system, which has gone missing for a very long time, returns to me.
"Host, it appears that you've accomplished your mission! Do you want to return to your world right now?"
I sit in the back seat, looking out the window glumly. When I hear the system's voice, I almost break out into laughter.
Finally, the angsty scene I've performed for the sake of my mission is over. From now on, I no longer give a damn about the stupid theatrics those idiots call their lives. 
DARK ROMANCE "Sir, I am in a dire need of loan. Its very important, my friends life is at stake. I assure you I'll try my best to return the loan asap." She breathlessly said it all. Her eyes were filled with hope and expectations. He was her last hope.
"Miss Sheharzaad," Shehryaar said, while standing up from his chair causing her to instantly stand up.
"Yes sir" she replied, her voice troublesome yet confident.
He walked towards the other side of the table and sat on the chair parallel to her.
"Keep sitting, please." He said, like a gentleman and she sat down. She tightly held her hands together. A life could be saved by his single yes.
"Sir please," she pleaded.
"I agree. You can have the loan, but I have a condition."
"I agree to your every condition sir" she replied with a little smile of victory on her face.
"Think before you speak, Miss Sheharzaad."
"I trust you."
"I want a one night stand with you." He dropped the bomb.
............
"Every women is nothing but a , a and you're also one of them." He said making her wriggling double against the ropes, which tied her.
"You're wrong." She replied with a sheer determination in her eyes.
He harshly gripped held her chin and bobbed her head up towards him.
"Oh, I'll prove it to you then." He spoke with an immense intensity and a promise in his eyes.
"You'll now serve me as my personal escort, Sheharzaad." He declared and threaded his fingers into her silky locks, pasting his lips on hers, her brutally.
He didn't trust womankind and she was a strong woman.
He wanted shatter and break her into pieces so he could satisfy himself. 
Estelle’s life was once a fairy tale, filled with love and promise. However, tragedy struck on the day of their wedding. Estelle’s father and Cristofer’s parents were involved in a car accident that took their lives instantly. The loss was devastating for Cristofer, causing him to sink into deep sorrow and anger towards Estelle.One tragedy comes after another, and she finds herself battling cancer, heartbreak, and deceit. In a world where all seems lost, Estelle must dig deep to find the strength to fight for what she loves most.****Cristofer’s magnetic yet cold voice wrenched her mind back to reality, “Sign the divorce paper now!”Estelle laid down her legs, sat up, and asked, “Did you drink?”“It’s none of your business.”“Drinking is bad for your stomach.”“I need to drink so that I won’t feel disgusted when having sex with you.”“You couldn’t wait to divorce me?” Her voice sounded weak.She turned her back on him as the smoke nearly smothered her, and she started coughing again.“You know that, don’t you?” Cristofer deliberately breathed out a stream of smoke in her direction and felt inexplicably pleased to see her coughing and trembling. #Caught In An Unexpected Romance Writing Contest 
On their engagement day, her fiancé cheated with her sister, and pushed her down the stairs even though she was pregnant!Five years later, Charmine Jiang made an impactful return, rooted with a deep hatred for scumbags. She was cold-hearted, ready to fight for the family money, eyed to become a supermodel. She was ready to stun the world.Although she was determined to make her own money for revenge, hordes of men still insisted on helping her, spoiling her.“Who offended my lady? Get the gears ready!”“AK999 ready, I’ve got the scumbags! Dad, Mom, please bring me a little sister!” 

Nicole’s life changed drastically when she was reunited with the Riddle family. “Nothing is more important than my sister,” said her eldest brother, the domineering CEO.“You are still a student with no income. Take my credit card and spend however you like,” said her second brother, the financial expert.“I will allow no one to bully you at school,” her third brother, a top student, said.“Why did I compose this song? Because it would put a sweet smile on your face when you hear it,” her fourth brother, a talented musician, said.“You're so delicate. Let me do the dirty work for you if you want to beat someone up,” said her athletic fifth brother.Just when Nicole was barely accustomed to the pampering of her five brothers, she found herself having a fiancé, a nemesis from whom she had hacked a hundred million dollars.She needed to cancel the engagement, no matter what. But he pressed her against the door and said, “How can you run away just like that after stealing my money, you brat?”“Even if I don’t run, I don’t have the money to pay you back,” Nicole acted tough.“Oh, yeah? Then I will take you instead of money.” He then carried her on his back and took her away. 

Charlotte Simmons was not just betrayed by her fiancé, who cheated on her with a mistress. Her family business was also taken from her, and she was tricked into sleeping with a stranger on her wedding night. She eventually gave birth to a stranger's child! Her fiancé used her adultery as an excuse to dump her in public, making her the laughing stock of the city. That night, Charlotte Simmons drank herself to oblivion and vowed to seek revenge. However, when she woke up, she found herself lying in Zachary Connor’s bed! She was even more surprised when Zachary asked her to marry him! "Marry me and I’ll make you shine." Who was Zachary Connor? He was known as the emperor of darkness and he also happened to be filthy rich! There were rumors that he was gay. Well, who cared? He was a douchebag anyway, so she decided to go along just so she could punish him for his behavior! They signed and made their marriage official. From then on, Charlotte Simmons got ready and started her plan to torment Zachary Connor. After tormenting him, she knocked on his door that night and said, "Mr. Connor, I want a divorce." However, the next day, Charlotte Simmons walked out of the room with a pale face. "How dare you try to leave when you’re already mine?" 



"Carroll Brown is dead! But you have to marry him in your sister's name." My mother said to me in a cold tone. My sister was engaged to the hottest billionaire. It should have been a perfect marriage. Unexpectedly, Carroll was dead in an accident. My sister didn't want to become a widow, so she forced me to marry her dead fiance. And I had no right to refuse her.Actually, I was the biological daughter of the Smith family. My sister was an adoptive one. My sister and I had been swapped at the hospital when we were just born. My parents had already had a deep relationship with her. So they chose to sacrifice me. On the wedding day, I was taken to the mourning hall."Ma'am, please keep Master company and let him feel warm." The housekeeper said with a cold expression. I couldn't help but look up at the portrait above the coffin, and my heart skipped a beat at this glance. The man in the portrait was more handsome than the superstars in Hollywood.Carroll Brown? My dead husband? Wow, he was really handsome!I didn't know how long had passed when my stomach began to rebel. After one glance at the coffin, I swallowed my saliva and then begged with my fingers crossed. "Mr. Carroll, I'm starving! May I eat your pastries? You don't mind, do you?" "I do.""Ah!" Scared, I broke out in a cold sweat. My legs went limp, and I fell to the ground. I shouted, "Ghost!"Carroll curled his lips, leaned over, and touched the black coffin. "Mr. Carroll has risen from the dead. What do you think of this headline tomorrow?" 

Arya Vitale, the daughter of his sworn enemy was supposed to be a bargaining chip
A pawn in a blood war but from the moment Giovanni De-Santis laid eyes on her, he didn’t see a pawn… he saw his
So he took her
Stole her from her wedding, forced her into a contract marriage, and branded her with his name in every way that mattered
To the world, it was a business strategy
To him she was never meant to be his, it was an obsession
But she isn’t the fragile princess he expected. She’s smart, sharp, hot-headed, sassy, and far too good at making him feel things he buried long ago
And when she runs away he hunts her
Because Giovanni doesn’t lose
Not his empire
Not his war
And never the woman he’s marked as his own
But some wars can’t be won with bullets
Some secrets refuse to stay buried
And the deadliest betrayal may not come from his enemies at all…
What happens when the one thing he can’t control
is the only thing that could destroy him is the only thing that could destroy him?
And a war that demands blood….even if it’s hers. 
Liora once believed that her marriage to Adrian would last forever, until slander destroyed everything. In one night, she lost her husband, her family, and her self respect. She was kicked out of her home while pregnant and nearly lost her life. When the world closed its doors on her, Liora chose one thing: to survive for the sake of her unborn child.
Years later, she returned with a new identity and an unwavering resolve. She rebuilt her life from scratch, raised Nolan alone, and buried the name that had once destroyed her. Yet fate brought her back, straight to the city that had once cast her out.
An unexpected encounter between Adrian and Nolan reopens a past he had been avoiding. The undeniable resemblance triggers truth after truth to be revealed, including the betrayal hidden behind Serena's name. As the Vale family's secrets are exposed and danger approaches, Liora finds herself caught between two men: Adrian, the father of her child, and Damien, the unexpected protector who appears as she is building a new life.
Amidst a storm of threats, conspiracies, and love that never truly dies, Liora must choose: to move forward without looking back, or to reopen the door that once consumed her entirely. As Nolan's safety is threatened, all the wounds, longing, and regrets force them to face the reality that the family that once shattered might still be able to stand again.
But this time, Liora won't let anyone bring her down again. 




Seven years ago, in a betrayal, she stole his information, destroyed half of his wealth, and took away his seeds.Filled with anger, he vowed to find this woman and seek revenge.When he met her again seven years later, she had no memory and only had a gifted baby around her.An adorable child cutely smiled and asked, "Mr. Dominic, do you think you look like me?"Looking at those eyes and facial feature that was similar to his, Dominic’s eyes narrowed in question, “Who are you?""Maybe you are my long-lost father and I am your son," 

After her miscarriage, Sabrina Frye turns into the wife Nester Blackwell has always demanded.
She stops sharing the small joys of her day and the frantic, late-night calls when he doesn't come home.
Even when she is framed in a street scam and taken to the police station, the officers tell her she can leave if a family member posts bail, but she tells them that she has no family.
She calmly spends the next seven days in a cold cell.
A week later, the heavy iron gates of the station open with a metallic clang at dusk. As Sabrina steps down the stairs, a black Maybach screeches to a halt in front of her.
The door swings open, and Nester steps out. Dressed in a tailored suit, he's tall, with near-perfect body proportions. Like always, he looks cold and untouchable. 




Madeline Crawford has loved Jeremy Whitman for twelve years, but ultimately it was him who sent her to prison. In between her suffering and pain, she had to witness her man fall in love with another woman…Five years later, she has returned with renewed strength, no longer the same woman he belittled years ago!With this newfound strength, she will tear apart those who pretend to be pure and step on the scums of this earth. However, just as she is about to have her revenge with the man who wronged her… He suddenly turns from a cold, unfeeling psychopath, to a caring, warm and loving man!In fact, he even kisses her feet in front of a crowd, all while promising her, “Madeline, I was wrong to love another. From now on, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you.” To which Madeline replies, “I’ll only forgive you if you....die.”