Nobela ni Okoro Elizabeth

The morning sun had barely warmed the palace walls when the trap was sprung.Georgia was heading toward the garden shed with a basket of linens when a pair of uniformed guards stepped in front of her, blocking her path.“Miss Georgia,” one said coldly, “you’re needed in the council hall. Now.”Her stomach tightened.“Why?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.“You’ll find out soon enough.”Their faces were stone. No emotion, no answers. Just duty.She followed them, heart thudding against her ribs like a warning drum. Every step felt heavier than the last. The corridors she once walked freely now felt like they were closing in on her.When they entered the council hall, a small crowd had already gathered.Servants. Guards. Advisors.And at the far end of the room, standing tall with his back to her, was Alpha Jared.Her eyes flicked to the right, Serafina.Smiling.Smiling like the devil himself had whispered a secret in her ear.The air was tight with tension."Step forward, G

The hallway was quiet now, too quiet. Georgia stood frozen, staring at the shadow that had just slipped away with that cruel laugh."You scared me..." she whispered to one of the guards standing there, her voice breaking slightly.Why had he pretended? Why had he scared her like that?She wanted to crumble to the floor, but pride, stubborn, burning pride, held her upright. She had no one to lean on. Not really. Jared had tried. But even with him, she didn’t want to be seen as weak.Not again.Not by anyone.Later that evening, the staff moved around her like she was invisible. When she reached for her portion at the kitchen door, the cook, usually indifferent, stepped back and folded his arms.“You’ve already eaten,” he said flatly.“I haven’t,” Georgia replied, confused.“Check with Lady Serafina,” he said with a shrug, turning away.Something cold and cruel settled in Georgia’s stomach.She didn’t need to ask.She knew.Day after day, it continued.No food.Whispers behind her back.

The next day, Serafina, with a knowing smirk, deliberately assigns Georgia the impossible task of carrying a massive crate, fully aware she can't lift it alone. As Georgia struggled, her arms trembling under the weight, a voice slid in from behind, smooth yet firm.The next day, Serafina, with a knowing smirk, deliberately assigns Georgia the impossible task of carrying a massive crate, fully aware she can't lift it alone. As Georgia struggled, her arms trembling under the weight, a voice slid in from behind, smooth yet firm. “You don’t have to do this alone, Georgia.” Jared’s voice was gentle but unwavering as he reached for the crate she was barely holding up. Her muscles screamed in protest, but she tightened her grip, refusing to let herself appear weak. “I can manage,” she muttered, shifting her stance despite knowing she was barely standing. Jared frowned, his jaw tightening. “You’re about to collapse. Just let me” Before he could take the crate from her hands, a s

Georgia swept the hall, her stomach growling loudly, the ache a constant reminder of the dinner she wasn’t allowed to attend. She glanced up just in time to see Serafina strolling past, heading toward the dining room.“Don’t look so miserable, Georgia,” Serafina said with a mocking smile. “It’s not my fault you weren’t invited.”Georgia gritted her teeth as the hunger in her stomach intensified. “I wasn’t invited because you made sure of it.”Serafina paused, turned, and laughed coldly. “Well, someone has to clean up after us. It’s not like you have anything better to do.”Georgia tightened her grip on the broom, her voice barely audible. “You’ve taken everything from me, the food, the attention, the life I should’ve had.”Serafina’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “You’re just bitter because I’ve always had what you’ve wanted. Get used to it.”With a final glance, Serafina walked away, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Georgia stood frozen, the emptiness in her stomac

"So, what is it you want me to know before we get there?" Georgia’s voice was sharp, cutting through the heavy silence in the car.Anna exhaled slowly, gripping the edge of her dress. "Just… be the good girl you always are, okay? Everything will fall into place."Georgia turned to her, searching her face. "That’s it? That’s all you have to say?"Anna hesitated, then reached for Georgia’s hand, squeezing it tightly. "I love you. And I swear I’m not doing this to hurt you. The Alpha threatened my family, I had no choice. But I promise you, I will take care of your children. Always."The rest of the journey was silent, save for the occasional creak of the carriage wheels. When the towering walls of the palace came into view, Georgia felt a cold dread coil around her spine. The place was massive, almost suffocating in its grandeur. Torches flickered in the night, casting eerie shadows against the stone walls.As soon as the carriage halted, the door swung open, and a guard motioned for Ge

"Well… I’ll go."Georgia’s voice trembled, but there was no taking it back now. Anna exhaled sharply, her shoulders sagging with a mix of relief and something heavier, something like fear. "Thank the moon," she muttered, but the flicker of anxiety in her eyes didn’t go unnoticed. Georgia’s heart pounded. The room felt too small, too suffocating. Anna’s mother stood by the door, her gaze unreadable, while the triplets played on the floor, their laughter a cruel contrast to the weight pressing on her chest. "You want this, don’t you?" Georgia’s voice was quieter now, almost accusing. Anna bit her lip, struggling with her emotions. "I have to want it." She shook her head. "If you don’t go, my father loses everything. His position, his respect, everything. The Alpha made it clear. Either you come willingly, or my family pays the price." The words cut deep. Georgia felt like she was being shoved toward the edge of a cliff. "And what about me?" she whispered. "What happens to me

Lyra’s POV The day had finally arrived: my wedding day. The world outside seemed to know it was special, too. The sky was a canvas of soft blues and wispy white clouds, with the sun gently warming the seaside breeze. Every detail of the morning felt surreal, like I was walking through a dream I never wanted to wake up from. In my bridal suite, the air buzzed with excitement. Sophie, my bridesmaid and Angela’s closest friend, was helping me into my wedding dress. The dress was everything I’d imagined, sleek and elegant with delicate lace running down the sleeves and tiny pearls dotting the bodice. The train cascaded behind me like a flowing river of ivory silk. As Sophie zipped the back, I caught my reflection in the full-length mirror. For a moment, I didn’t recognize myself. “You look stunning, Lyra,” Sophie said, stepping back to admire me. Her voice was thick with emotion. I turned to her, my own heart brimming. “Do you think Kurtis will like it?” Sophie laughed. “Like i

Lyra's POV The next morning, I woke up to the smell of coffee drifting up to my room. For a moment, I stayed under the covers, savoring the warmth of my bed and the quiet anticipation that filled the air. Tomorrow, I would become Mrs. Lyra Hartley. The thought sent a flutter of excitement and nerves through me. Finally, curiosity got the better of me, and I padded downstairs, barefoot, my robe loosely tied. In the kitchen, I found Angela standing by the counter, a steaming mug in her hands. Her back was to me, and she seemed lost in thought. “Good morning,” I said, stepping closer, my voice soft so as not to startle her. Angela jumped slightly but quickly recovered, turning around with a faint smile. “Good morning. I didn’t mean to wake you. I just... couldn’t sleep.” I reached for a mug and poured myself some coffee, the rich aroma wrapping around me like a comforting hug. “You didn’t wake me,” I assured her. “But you being up this early is definitely unusual. What’s on your

Lyra’s POVThe morning light streamed through my bedroom window, painting everything in soft gold. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting me out of my thoughts. I reached for it, my heart skipping a beat when I saw Kurtis’s name flashing on the screen. “Good morning, baby girl,” his deep voice greeted me. “Good morning,” I replied, feeling a flutter in my chest. Even after everything we’d been through, his voice still had that effect on me. “How did you sleep?” he asked. “Better than I have in weeks,” I admitted. “Knowing Alice is finally in custody helps.” There was a pause, and then he chuckled. “I knew that would ease your mind. But listen, we have something more important to focus on now—our wedding.” My heart soared. “You’re right. No more delays.” “Exactly. Can you meet me at the venue later today? I’ve already called a decorator and the caterer to start discussing ideas.” “Of course,” I said, excitement bubbling up. “What time?” “Around two. I’ll text you

Kurtis’s POVThe morning after James was arrested, I woke up feeling lighter, yet there was still a lingering weight on my chest. Alice. She was the real puppet master, the mastermind behind James’s schemes. If I let my guard down now, it could all be for nothing. I sat at the edge of the bed, watching Lyra sleep. Her face was serene, untouched by the chaos that constantly tried to invade our lives. I wanted to keep it that way. Standing up, I grabbed my phone and dialed Detective Harper. “Harper,” her voice was sharp and awake despite the early hour. “We’ve got to move on Alice,” I said, my tone firm. “If she gets wind of James’s arrest, she’ll bolt. We need to act now.” There was a pause on the other end of the line before Harper responded. “Agreed. Do you have anything concrete on her yet?” “Not enough to keep her locked up for long,” I admitted. “But James’s arrest is going to shake her. If we can catch her making a move, we’ll have something to work with.” “I’ll dispa

Kurtis’s POVI was still seeing the the moment the handcuffs clicked around James’s wrists, playing in my eye, how I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. It wasn’t just about justice, it was about keeping Lyra safe, about making sure that maniac wouldn’t come anywhere near her again. As the officers led him out, his defiance hadn’t wavered. “This isn’t over, Kurtis,” James hissed, his eyes filled with venom. “You think taking me down changes anything? You have no idea what you’re up against.” His voice echoed back in my ear.I didn’t respond. He could spit all the poison he wanted; his threats didn’t matter anymore. His reign of terror had ended the moment those cuffs locked into place. Once the police cars disappeared into the night, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Detective Harper walked up to me, her expression grim but satisfied. “You did good tonight, Kurtis,” she told me.“I just did what needed to be done,” I replied, glancing at the warehouse where

Kurtis’s POVJames was a menace, a shadow that loomed over Lyra and Angela's lives for far too long. As I stood by the window of my penthouse suite, staring at the city lights below, the thought of letting him roam free even for another day was unbearable. Lyra’s safety wasn’t just a responsibility, it was personal. “I’m not waiting for him to make his next move,” I said, turning to Detective Harper on the other end of the phone. Harper’s voice was professional but tinged with determination. “We need solid evidence to make the arrest stick, Kurtis. What you’ve given us so far is compelling, but I need more to ensure he doesn’t wriggle out on a technicality.” I clenched my fist. “Then you’ll have it. I’ll send over every document, every email, every recording we’ve compiled so far. And I’ll make sure he has no place to run.” After hanging up, I paced the room, my mind racing. James was clever, but arrogance was his fatal flaw. He never imagined I’d play the long game, collectin