Novels by Josephine Mbanefo

Ryan's POV I don’t know how to say this, even to myself, but… thank you, Greg. Of all the ways this night could’ve gone, you showing up was oddly perfect. Sure, the guy’s a nuisance, but at least he gave me the excuse to keep Aurora close. When I dragged Greg out of the restaurant, I didn’t care about the stares or whispers. All that mattered was making sure he understood one thing, he wasn’t to lay a finger on her ever again. Once we were outside, I let the mask drop just enough. My wolf side flared, my eyes narrowing, a low growl escaping my lips. Greg’s face turned pale, and he stumbled back like the fool he is. Before bolting like a scared rabbit, he promised not to touch Aurora again. I made sure my warning stuck. With him gone, I headed back inside. Aurora was still trembling, her face pale as she tried to gather herself. I kept my voice steady. “Let’s go. We need to grab your things.” I hated stepping foot into her rundown apartment again. The place reeked of memories that

Aurora’s Pov The restaurant was quiet, the only sound coming from the faint hum of conversations in the background. I kept my focus on my laptop, scrolling through emails and checking tasks I hadn’t finished. There was so much to do, and I didn’t want Ryan thinking I was slacking. But as I worked, a cold sensation washed over me. It wasn’t the temperature of the room, it was deeper, bone-chilling, like the shadow of something I’d spent years trying to escape. I forced myself to keep looking at the screen. It’s nothing, I told myself. It’s just your imagination. You’re safe. But then the feeling intensified, like ice creeping up my spine. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and my fingers froze mid-typing. Slowly, hesitantly, I looked up. No. No, it couldn’t be. I blinked, shaking my head as if trying to wake from a nightmare. My heart pounded, and I prayed I was wrong. But then someone stepped closer, and my worst fears were confirmed. “Greg,” I whispered, my voice barel

Ryan's Pov The moment Aurora stepped out of her apartment, I couldn’t stop my eyes from trailing down her figure. She was wearing one of the outfits I’d bought for her. A light blouse tucked into a high-waisted skirt that accentuated her curves in a way that was both modest and striking. Her hair was neatly done, and her shoes clicked softly on the worn floors. She looked beautiful, confident even, and for a moment, I felt a swell of pride. Not just for the clothes, but for the way she carried herself. My little one. I opened the car door for her, and as she slid in, I made my way to the driver’s seat. Today wasn’t a day to have someone tagging along. I wanted it to be just the two of us. The drive was quiet, except for the occasional directions she gave. When we reached the bank, she hesitated as she saw the crowd outside. “I think we should’ve come earlier,” she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. I pulled out my phone without a word, dialing a number. A few

Aurora’s Pov I woke up feeling much better than yesterday, though a lingering sense of exhaustion still clung to me. As the sunlight streamed through the cracks in my curtain, I stretched and let out a soft sigh. Today was the day before the trip, and there was so much work left undone from my absence. I couldn’t afford to slack off any longer. After dragging myself out of bed, I quickly got ready. I opted for one of the new outfits Ryan had bought me, a simple t-shirt paired with a high-waisted skirt. When I caught sight of myself in the mirror, I had to do a double take. The outfit fit perfectly, accentuating my figure in a way I wasn’t used to. It felt strange but good, like I was seeing a version of myself I hadn’t known existed. "Wow," I murmured, brushing invisible lint off my skirt. “Is that really me?” Slipping on a pair of matching shoes, I smoothed down my hair, grabbed my bag, and headed for the door. But the moment I opened it, I froze. Ryan stood there, his hand rai

Ryan’s Pov I pulled the car to a stop in front of Aurora’s apartment building. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I scanned the building’s exterior—chipped paint, cracked windows, and an aura of neglect that made my skin crawl. This wasn’t a place for her. Not for my little one. Aurora reached for the door handle, pausing to glance at me. Her delicate features were tinged with exhaustion, yet she still managed a small, polite smile. It was the same smile she’d given me earlier, as if she had to reassure me that she was fine. She wasn’t fine. I could see it, feel it. And leaving her here felt like abandoning her to the wolves. “Be ready tomorrow morning,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “We leave early.” She nodded, murmuring a soft, “Thank you,” before stepping out of the car. I watched her disappear into the dimly lit entrance, a wave of frustration and anger surging within me. What the hell was I doing? Dropping her off in this filthy, unsafe place? My jaw tigh

Aurora’s Pov I lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, my mind swirling with unanswered questions. The nausea that had been threatening to overwhelm me all day hadn’t fully subsided, but that wasn’t what kept me awake. It was the thought of Ryan, sitting just a few feet away, his piercing gaze watching over me. “Can I ask you something?” I finally blurted out, breaking the silence that hung heavily between us. Ryan’s voice was calm as he responded, “Of course.” “Were you born rich?” The question tumbled out before I could second-guess myself. Ryan leaned back slightly, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Yes, I was born into wealth.” I nodded slowly, unsure what I expected him to say. “I’ve always dreamt of having my own company one day,” I admitted, the words spilling out in a quiet confession. “But… that’s by the way.” Ryan smiles, and I caught the amusement in his expression. “What’s funny?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him. “Nothing,” he said, t