powerfulcouple

Through years of abuse and death threats, Ye Jian is not so ready to bid adieu to this world just yet! Fortunately, destiny has granted her another shot at life. Only this time, she is determined to become the master of her own fate and retaliate her oppressors from her previous life. It's payback time. Although reborn with beauty and youth, Ye Jian obviously holds higher pursuits. In this life, she is determined to become an extraordinary commando. No, she does not need love, family, or any affection! He is born in a powerful family; and step-by-step, he becomes the youngest Major General through his own merits. He is drawn to her every move, despite her repeatedly shunning him. "What you need is love, my little fox," he whispers. "Get lost! I need bullets!" She steps away. Behold. Let this novel take you through the warm, happy, loyal, and passionate story of the aggressive military couple.

The sequel to Hunting the Field Guide. Kellen thought that his troubles were over. He'd dealt with the issue of the Poison Gate, he'd saved his sister, and he found out the location of where his trusty fellow Field Guide was located. As far as he was concerned, things were finally looking up for him. He could finally, finally live out the peaceful life he'd wished for when he'd first left the Front Lines. But then the E.A.G. reared it's old head. A hydra, a beast that just wouldn't die, Kellen was at his damn wit's end. All he wanted was to live out the life he'd literally carved out for himself. He just wanted to be happy with his Captain. Why was it so damn hard? ~ Meanwhile, Brent Jameson just wanted to be left alone. A man who knew he could have exceptional talent, Brent just wanted to do what he loved. Sleep around, escort people through Gates, and drink his problems away whenever he wanted to. He did not want to be the new Head of a Guild. That sounded like the exact opposite of what a man like him would want to do. He also didn't want to be attached. Maybe Kellen was right and he had a type, and maybe he avoided that kind of person, but hey, he was just a guy. He couldn't be with someone when he was worried at any minute that he could be teleported away from them and dropped into the ocean. Hell, it was dangerous for him to even have friends. Now that he was back 'home' with his lovely, wonderful family, he knew that he had made the right choice. Brent was better off alone.

[Congratulations, Terran survivor #99598, for activating the Universe Assistance System!] Althea, along with the remaining 1% of the population of their home planet, stared at the holographic screen in front of them in confusion. Their galaxy was apparently ending, and suddenly announcements from an alien system appeared in their heads, telling them they would be permanently transferred to another world. The survivors were all very depressed. First, they were forced to survive in a zombie apocalypse, and now they had to survive a new world altogether? It just so happened that Althea was one of the few people who got the Lord Token, the ticket to controlling a territory---a supposed safe haven for her people. Althea looked at her very large stomach and sighed at an unknown future. Would she be able to build a good home for her children? And... would she and her husband find each other again? #Apocalypse, #Josei, #Romance, #BeautifulFL, #HandsomeML, #PowerCouple, #Infrastructure, #MagicSpace, #KingdomBuilding, #Adventure, #Pregnancy, #Game Elements, #System #LitRPG ____ Now an E-BOOK~! Please rate, ne? WILL HELP US OUT SOOO MUCHH~! Book 1: AMAZON: https://a.co/d/hy7Rocr GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203724162-after-surviving-the-apocalypse-i-built-a-city-in-another-world ____ READERS LOUNGE NOW OPEN~! (Readers ONLY please!) https://discord.gg/w8qKw2yaNK

In a dystopian future where Vampires emerged from the shadows in order to stop humanity from becoming extinct, a young woman with a dark past meets a charismatic stranger. As time goes by Private Love Aikawa of military Unit 4-7, finds that she may not be as human as she first thought. Battling rogue vampires, mutated creatures and her own past, Love works to unravel the mysteries behind the secretive Helsing unit, and tries to become the bridge between humans and vampires in a world filled with discrimination. This novel starts intentionally slow through the exposition and the early world and character building, BUT everything kicks into gear after the turning point in the latter half of Volume 1, and especially Volume 2, where the tone of the novel shifts. So, I hope you stick with it and enjoy the wild ride! I also added some song recommendations along the way to listen to whilst you read certain chapters, I hope this helps boost the experience. Public Spotify playlist titles (all under the name LouLou): TLAR - Book 1 TLAR - Book 2 TLAR - Book 3 TLAR - A Fire in Their Wake This is rated 'No one under 17 permitted' for (very) mature themes, including drug use, SA, LGBTQ+ discrimination, very frequent strong language, violence etc. Please note that no storyline is chosen for shallow shock value, and most are taken from personal experience, and hopefully handled with the care, respect and sensitivity they deserve. Disclaimers are added against any chapter that may cause distress. Tip Jar + updates and some extra content: https://ko-fi.com/loulou2 The majority of Volume 1, in a different order and edited as a full novel is available free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Loulou2

In a sudden burst, El-Mond launches forward rocketing through the pillar holding the statue. His jaws open wide. . He swallows the stone whole. . Power explodes. . The energy surges through him like an endless flood. . "AAAHHHHHHH...!!" . El-Mond roars, his scream shaking the depths. His body moves uncontrollably, tearing through submerged stone boulders beneath the sea at terrifying speed. . Rock shatters. Water erupts. . Every passing minute, the pain intensifies. . The energy is overwhelming violent, endless, merciless. . Twenty minutes pass. . He cannot endure it any longer. . His body feels full overfilled ready to burst apart. . Yet, the stone shows no sign of reaching its limit. . Unconsciously, El-Mond rockets through another boulder and shoots upward. . He explodes out of the sea. . ROOOAAARRR!! . A thunderous roar sends reverberating shockwaves of energy across the sky. . Then silence. . His eyes turn white. . His breathing becomes shallow, broken. . He falls back into the sea. . His body begins to give up. . As he sinks deeper, darkness closes in. . "Master! Master! Wake up! Please!" Eldred screams desperately within him. "I don't want to die!" . There is no response. . El-Mond's eyes close. . "MASTER!… REMEMBER… THE ADULTERERS!" Eldred's scream echoes . And instantly . ROOOAAARRR!! . El-Mond's eyes snap open. . "THOSE!… BASTARDS!!....." . In perfect synchronisation White energy erupts from his body. . A colossal beam shoots through the sea, pierces the surface, and blasts straight through the clouds above. . His cells ignite with power. . Bones shatter then reconstruct. . Again and again. . Thirty minutes pass. . The beam of light finally fizzles out. . The sea dust clears. Revealed within the water Deep hazel eyes. A diamond-shaped face. Long white hair flowing like silk. A lean upper body, fair skin And a powerful fish tail beneath. . Eldred stares in disbelief. . "H-How is this possible!?" "He went from an Earl… to A half-step Dukel evolved creature!" . "And he has a complete half body!?" "At this rate… won't I be a slave forever!?" . El-Mond clenches his fist. . Monstrous energy ripples outward. . "WASH YOUR NECKS, BASTARDS." . "I WILL BE BACK." . THOS. THE REVENGE OF THE MURDERED ABSTRACT-ONE BEGINS

Lyra thought she was just a survivor—an orphan scraping by in the shadows of a kingdom at war. But the night she’s captured by Raiden, the infamous Dragon Prince of the Fire Nation, everything changes. He is ruthless, dangerous, and devastatingly magnetic. She is sharp-tongued, stubborn, and hiding a secret even she doesn’t fully understand. Together, they are forced into a journey of trials, quests, and betrayals—where every step pulls them deeper into danger… and closer to each other. As Lyra’s hidden powers awaken with terrifying force, Raiden becomes the only one who can push her through the fire without letting it consume her. But passion is as dangerous as battle, and the storm building between them may be the greatest threat of all. As kingdoms march to war and enemies close in from every side, Lyra and Raiden are forced into a dangerous bond—one that blurs the line between hatred and desire. But the deeper their connection grows, the more perilous the truth becomes… Because falling for the Dragon Prince might not just break her heart. It might burn the world to ash. Steamy tension. Fierce banter. Heartfelt moments. Deadly quests. In a world on the brink of ruin, Lyra and Raiden must decide if their bond is a curse… or the only thing strong enough to save them both.

Torn apart and eaten alive by zombies, Jiao Lizhi died filled with regret and hatred. As darkness engulfed her, she opened her eyes—only to find herself back at the beginning of the apocalypse. Crawling back from hell, she sought revenge and fought to live a better life. Watching his loved one torn to pieces before his eyes, he lost his sanity. To avenge her, he destroyed humanity’s last hope with his own hands. On the day the world was swallowed by darkness, he took his own life as the last man standing on Earth. When he opened his eyes again, he vowed never to lose her again! As the world turns into a living hell, will they be able to undo the regrets of their past lives? TRIGGER WARNING! Gore, Violence, Graphic scenes, Abuse.

“In this life, I will rise from the ashes—and make them regret ever touching me.” Betrayed by the two people she trusted most—her husband and her best friend—Elena Ashford, heiress of the illustrious Ashford family, met a cruel end: burned alive in the flames of her broken marriage. But fate grants her a second chance. She wakes up five years in the past, her heart hardened and mind sharp with memories of betrayal. This time, she won’t be the obedient daughter-in-law, the loving wife, or the naive friend. She’ll destroy those who wronged her, piece by piece—using power, wit, and every tool at her disposal. But just when her world is fueled by vengeance, an unexpected bond forms. Enter Mila Blackwood, a bright and curious little girl who clings to Elena with innocent affection. Mila runs to her father Lucas Blackwood... "Dad, that pretty Auntie... I like her a lot. Can she be my mother?" "I won't get married again in this life," Lucas ruthlessly rejected his daughter. Lucas Blackwood is the cold and enigmatic CEO of the Blackwood Industries—who hides his own scars behind an icy exterior. On the path of revenge himself, will he make way for love in his life?

Not all names were written in the annals. Some were erased… because the world was not ready to remember them. Twenty-three centuries ago, two beings defied the heavens. Not with armies. With a bond. The empire recorded the war. History preserved the victory. But the truth was sealed in blood, jade, and silence. Since then, destiny has waited. For when an oath passes through death, when two souls refuse to obey time, when heaven itself hesitates… When the Dragon awakens and the Phoenix remembers, let the world fall silent… and understand. Whoever hears the echo will comprehend. Whoever comprehends it… will never again forget. The Dragon and the Phoenix is not a legend. It is a forbidden memory. 鳳凰

Ongoing new Russia Novel Bangladesh novel Author’s Note21+ Ninel Nastasya Anna (Writer Oriniska) This is the final chapter of The Fate of the Shadow. Due to account limitations, I am unable to officially mark this story as “complete on Webnovel. However, I want all my readers to know—this is truly the end of the journey for these characters. Their story ends here. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, supporting, and staying with this story until the very last word. I hope their fate, choices, and shadows remain with you long after the final chapter. — Author Anna ⚠️ Age Advisory (21+) This story is intended for readers aged 21 and above. It contains adult themes, intense emotional conflict, dark elements, violence, and psychological tension. Please read responsibly and at your own discretion. Copyright Notice © 2025–2028, Ninel Nastasya Anna Orinska. All rights reserved. The Fate of the Shadow is an original work by Ninel Nastasya Anna. No part of this story may be reproduced, copied, translated, distributed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the author, except for brief quotations used in reviews or other non-commercial purposes permitted by law. Written & Illustrated by: Ninel Nastasya Anna Orinska Languages: Bengali, English, Russian First Edition: 2028 Story Overview — The Fate of the Shadow Alia is a brave and intelligent woman carrying deep secrets hidden within her family and true identity. Her search for truth leads her into dangerous missions, covert operations, and a world shrouded in shadows. Along the way, she encounters Viktor—a mysterious man shaped by a dark, violent past. Their collision sparks a complex relationship—built on trust, betrayal, desire, and conflict. Together, they navigate a brutal underworld where loyalty is tested, love becomes a weapon, and survival comes at the highest price. Genres & Themes Dark Romance Dual Lives & Secret Missions Action, Thriller & Adventure Mafia & Criminal Underworld Royal Bloodlines & Traditions Betrayal & Revenge Drug Trade & Dark Networks Intense Chemistry & Psychological Conflict Power Struggles & Control Loyalty vs Duty Character Profile — Alia Skills Summary Alia is a highly trained operative and versatile warrior, excelling in physical, psychological, and technological combat. Martial Arts Expertise: Taekwondo, Krav Maga, Jiu-Jitsu, advanced hand-to-hand combat. Weapons Mastery: Expert in sniper rifles, handguns, submachine guns (SMGs), and specialized firearms with exceptional precision. Psychological Warfare: Skilled at destabilizing opponents through manipulation, mental tactics, and strategic deception. Technology & Cyber Espionage: Proficient in hacking, encryption bypass, cybersecurity infiltration, drone operation, and covert surveillance.Character Profile — Viktor Skills Summary Viktor is a highly skilled operative and strategic enforcer, shaped by a dark, violent past and honed in covert operations and criminal underworld networks. He excels in psychological manipulation, combat strategy, and high-stakes intelligence missions. Combat Expertise: Master in hand-to-hand combat, Krav Maga, close-quarter tactics, and disarming opponents. Exceptional skill in firearms, including sniper rifles, assault rifles, pistols, and specialized tactical weapons. Psychological Warfare: Adept at destabilizing targets through intimidation, deception, and mental manipulation. Expert in reading opponents’ behavior and exploiting weaknesses. Intelligence & Covert Operations: Skilled in surveillance, counter-surveillance, infiltration, and extraction missions. Proficient in cybersecurity, hacking, encryption bypass, and covert communication techniques. Strategic Leadership: Capable of planning high-risk missions, manipulating power dynamics, and controlling outcomes. Operates in morally gray areas where loyalty, survival, and control are constantly tested.

Katherine Blaire has worked six grueling years to rise to the top of the banking world of Manhattan. Confident, voluptuous, and ambitious, she's nearly within reach of the promotion that will help to finance the college education of her autistic brother. She needs but one account- the account of Anthony Marvin, arguably the most influential and dangerous man in New York. Anthony "Tony" Marvin doesn't just own hotels and nightclubs. He controls both legitimate and underground empires as the heir of the most notorious mafia family in the city. Tony is ruthless, heartbreakingly handsome, and untouchable until Katherine enters his club with the business plan and with an unwavering refusal to back away from him. When Tony offers Katherine something she cannot refuse —a night with him in exchange for the contract —she storms out, humiliated and outraged. But Tony is interested in the woman who had the strength to say no to him, and Katherine finds herself drawn into a dangerous game of power struggle, desire, and growing love. As their relationship grows stronger, Tony's father, the ruthless mafia kingpin Thomas Marvin, will do whatever it takes to eliminate what he sees as his son's greatest weakness. Surrounded by enemies and with Katherine's entire family in danger, she and Tony must decide if their love is worth risking everything — including their lives. In a world in which love is the ultimate vulnerability, can a banker and a mafia prince redefine the rules of power?

Visha's latest adrenaline rush lands her in the Beast Continent with a mysterious system. Her first companions are beastmen exiled because of their 'defects'. Together, they must navigate the harsh realities of the continent. Little do they know that survival is only the beginning. Amidst shared battles and silent understandings, Visha found TWO reasons stay in this new world: Uri and Xeno. As her system begins to harness vital energy, she discovers it is not as lifeless as she believed. It has opened her eyes to new possibilities and connections. Visha must decide: Will she reshape the balance of power on the continent? ----- DISCLAIMER: Reader Discretion Advised This is a work of fiction. All names, places, and characters are products of the author's imagination. Contents include: Violence Nudity (Partial and Full) Fictitious Religious Ceremonies Non-monogamous relationship (Triad/Throuple/Polyamory)

At an academy where youth feels endless, three teenagers cross paths during a season that will never return. Between shared classrooms, quiet glances, and words left unsaid, their bond slowly turns into something fragile and complicated. As time moves forward and choices are made, love does not always grow the way they hoped. Some feelings are meant to bloom only once, and some seasons are never meant to last.

"Chu Zhaoyang, what are you doing unbuttoning?" Gu Nian stepped back. Chu Zhaoyang unbuttoned the last button of his shirt, "Sleep." "But it's daytime now, hey... weren't you going to sleep? Let me go first..." To outsiders, everyone thought that Master Chu was cold and face-paralyzed as if he didn't have any expression, but they didn't know that he was kidnapped when he was young and had nightmares every night. It wasn't until he met Gu Nian, that he suddenly felt that sleeping was quite enjoyable... He knew that there was someone living in her heart, and even if that person would never come back, all he had to do was to drive that person away and change the tenant in her heart. However, the person who should have been dead came back..... He said pitifully, "Gu Nian, I seem to be homeless." But Gu Nian pointed at his heart: "When you moved in, I signed a lifetime residence agreement with you." He laughed. .................................................... Hi guys, This time I'll try to translate one of my favorite novel that I've been a fan of. Since I can't find the novel in Webnovel, I thought about giving it a try to translate it. And, I would love to let you all enjoy this novel. Plus, if you know that this series is from the seven gentleman series. You may know that this novel is the third book before the story of Han Zuoli, The Long-awaited Mr Han

Zayra Choi Yaritú is no ordinary young woman: the daughter of an Indigenous Chiquitana mother and a Latino-Korean father, she bears the mark of two opposite worlds. She grew up between the magic and wisdom of the rainforest… and the relentless discipline of an education abroad. But when she returns to her homeland, she finds her people on the brink of losing everything. Greed for the resources of the Red Forest has unleashed a silent war—political corruption, hidden threats, and a danger that doesn’t distinguish between allies and enemies. Haunted by a past mistake, Zayra agrees to a marriage of convenience with Kang Ryu, a brilliant, cold, and principled Korean CEO. He comes to Bolivia seeking to save his family’s company… but what he doesn’t know is that he’s also stepping into a game where power and loyalty are traded with the same cold precision as the gemstones he hopes to export. What begins as a calculated deal will become a story of unlikely alliances, secrets burning beneath the surface, and a love that could change the fate of an entire people. In the Red Forest, every decision has a price… and not everyone is willing to pay it. How far would you go to save what you love… even if it means losing yourself?

For readers who crave yearning, destiny, and love that endures beyond death. This story unfolds through two interwoven timelines. One follows Sein, who awakens as a spirit and must piece together the fragments of her forgotten life. The other traces Zeya, the Crown Prince, from the moment he first truly sees her. As their paths intertwine across time, the same love story is revealed from both perspectives, slowly uncovering betrayal, hidden power, and the truth behind Sein’s death. A slow-burn romance blending spiritual mythology, royal intrigue, and deep emotional intimacy. [Listen to the story, find Sein & Zeya on your favourite Podcasting App]

In a world where magic is forbidden and witches are hunted, Ashlynn Blackwell has hidden her mark of the witch since birth. The night of her wedding she's betrayed and her secret is exposed. Attacked by her husband and his knights, Ashlynn was abandoned and left for dead in the wilderness. Rescued by the vampire lady Nyrielle, Ashlynn is offered a choice: die as a human or embrace her power as a witch. Bound by a mystical blood pact, Ashlynn is plunged into a world of ancient magic, immortal vampires, and deadly political intrigue for the chance to find eternal love. [Bronze Winner: Weekly Love Tales - Vampire] [Book of the Month: September/October 2024]

Luo Yan, a modern-world chef who only read the first chapter of an apocalypse novel, transmigrates into Day 0 right as the world-wide “sleep wave” ends. When people wake, the population splits brutally: about half become zombies, most of the rest are ordinary humans, and a smaller portion awaken elemental powers. Luo Yan awakens something far rarer: a Void element, and he’s secretly bound to a System that everyone else will mistake as a “storage-type ability.” The System lets him store and perfectly preserve supplies, assigns life-or-death tasks with rewards, and grants him a sealed trump card called God’s Whisper—one reality-bending sentence he can choose to speak, at the cost of falling unconscious for a full day. While the city’s local military establishes an emergency base, Luo Yan reaches it early and uses his limited plot knowledge to gain an edge: he recognizes that zombies drop evolution “core crystals,” and he starts collecting and rationing them before most people understand their value. There he collides with Lan Huan, a young general from a powerful capital military family. Lan Huan awakens a rare Storm-type power and, in the chaos of Day 0, forms a bond with a summoned eastern dragon named Longyang—a full-bodied battlefield dragon he can only keep manifested briefly at first, but which grows stronger and more independent as he upgrades. As Luo Yan and Lan Huan work together, only Lan Huan learns the truth about Luo Yan’s System, making their relationship intense and fast-burning rather than slow. They begin recruiting a registered squad of “selected few” survivors—ten core teammates (seven men, three women) with a mix of normal elements and dangerous weird abilities. The squad’s mythic identity forms around an eastern-dragon theme, eventually registering under a creature name tied to “Jade Thunder.” But survival isn’t just about zombies and disasters. Inside the base, a strict metal-element commander, Zhao Qingshan, clashes with Lan Huan’s command style before coming to respect him. The bigger threat shifts to the government side: bureaucracy, quotas, and “proper shelving” politics that decide who gets resources, who gets evacuated to the capital, and who is quietly labeled expendable. While the team grows stronger through leveling cores as zombies evolve, Luo Yan’s hidden powers—and the terrifying price of using God’s Whisper—force hard choices that can save everyone or break their unit. Later in the story, mpreg becomes part of the world’s post-awakening evolution: Luo Yan’s body changes after higher-level core breakthroughs, raising personal stakes inside a brutal apocalypse while the squad fights to carve out a future under storm, blood, and dragon.

Single love interest Yuri! --- After failing to ascend to the heights of Divinity despite all her preparations, an ancient cultivator finds herself not embracing the emptiness of the void - but the interior warmth of a womb. Reborn into a new life, with her memories intact - she carefully starts over from an infant. - Navigating her new family: [Really easy with only two parents and an estate full of servants!] - How to portray herself: [Everyone likes 'sweet' kids and trusts (underestimates) 'weak' girls! That should be most fun~] - Showing off the power she gathers: [This region is a 'backwater', but who knows what is out there - let's just take it slow~] - Marriage arranged before birth: [Mm... my parents adore me so at an appropriate time I'll just have it cancel- oh?] - Dealing with 'amusing' deceit: [Cute. 'He' looks worried still, but 'he' doesn't have to worry from me!] - Confronting the 'son' in private: [Whatever your family's iffy plan is, I just obtained a husband-wife~] Even in this new life, [Elua er Goltbred] can't and doesn't *want* to change who she really is at the deepest level. A scheming cultivator. A possessive lover. Neither of those things had been a real hindrance to the Peak of Demi-God. Balancing the two traits in this life - without driving away the young 'boy' she decided to support and be supported by when they both came of age - centers as much around helping [Qatrand er Yecine] find herself within who her family has made of her... As it is hoping to ease the dear fiance into how messed up the (ancient) girl honestly is. With her Astralism unchanged despite reincarnation... she can improvise plenty with her ridiculous control of Illusions and more. Which is a good thing - because plans fail and unexpected things happen when you're not *really* a genius just because you know more than others. Unexpected things... like her Physique in this life allowing the lightest 'grip' to crack stone... Despite being a little stunted by her family environment early on, [Qat] finds her future wife to be 'cute' on their first meeting... but she really shouldn't have let on and said it out loud. It made her [El] kind of vain - and kind of want to remain as cute as can be for her future spouse! - - - Oh, and *muscles*. [Elua]: I just like looking at them, okay!? Is it so weird? People can have hobbies... - - - Power System: > Types of Cultivation // Spiritual (Soul), Physical (Body), Essence (Qi) > Aspect Trinity // Astralism, Physique, Element 'Ranks' Initial - Early, Mid, Late Lower Realms // Enchanter, Primalist, Breacher Upper Realms // Defier, Demi-god, Divinity - Echelons (Rank: First -> Seventh[Peak]) - - - Other Tags: #GL #Slice of Life #Comedy #TheStrongActingWeak #ChildhoodSweethearts (It counts!) Potential trigger warnings: > A reincarnator MC that gets a little 'thirsty' a little 'young' but successfully tries to 'keep her own pants on' until the proper age, because she knows it's better for her intended partner that way. > A toxic family environment willing to force an unloved child into the role of a crossdresser. A child that grew more than okay with it. She likes wearing the aesthetics of men's suits! > 'Pretty Good Dad' intentionally *picked on* by his 'sweet daughter', all for being a relatively 'minor obstacle'. Seriously, you were warned, average fathers with teenagers. Do not engage your trauma.

Jade, a bold and sassy girl from a modest background, meets the enigmatic and prestigious CEO, *Daniel Ooman*, heir to the powerful Ooman family, during a lavish ceremony — as a mere server. She thinks it’s a one-time encounter… until fate brings them face-to-face again under unusual circumstances. But this time, something happens — a brief touch, a strange shift in energy — and the next morning, Daniel shows up at her door… *asking for her hand in marriage.* Strange, right? Especially with the whispers that follow Daniel everywhere —that he never stays past midnight at any event, that he made a deal with the devil, or worse… that he's cursed. What Jade doesn’t know is that ,she’s the key to his forgotten past… and maybe his only hope for a future