Novels by Janelle Rich

Marrissa's point of view After work, I headed straight to Molly’s apartment. My mind was in chaos, and I felt like I was drowning. If I stayed alone with my thoughts for one more second, I was sure I wouldn't totally lose it. Molly was the only person I could trust to help me make sense of everything—or at least not judge me for it.She opened the door with her usual smile, but it quickly faded when she saw my face. “Marrissa,” she said, pulling me into a tight hug. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”I stepped inside, letting her close the door behind me, and dropped my bag on the small table by the couch. “Molly, I am in big trouble,” I said, the words spilling out like a confession.Her eyebrows knit together in concern. “What kind of trouble?”I sighed, heading straight for her fridge. “I’ll tell you everything, but first—I’m starving. What do you have to eat?”Molly frowned but did not press me. She opened the fridge and pulled out a container of chicken and chips

Morgan's point of view The door to my office clicked shut behind us, the sound louder than usual, or maybe it just felt that way because of the weight of the conversation we just had. I walked in after my father, my steps heavy with anger and frustration, while he, as always, moved with that same composed, unshakable confidence. It was maddening.As soon as we were inside, I couldn’t hold it in any longer.“Dad,” I called sharply, stopping a few feet away from him. He didn’t turn right away, just kept walking to the window, where he stood with his back to me, hands clasped behind him as though nothing I said could rattle him. “I can’t marry Marrissa,” I said firmly, forcing the words out before my emotions got the better of me. “She doesn’t fit my status, my reputation. She is….she is not the kind of woman who belongs by my side.” Still no response. “And besides,” I continued, trying to steady my tone, “I already have someone in mind.” That was a lie. A pathetic, last-ditc

Marrissa's point of view I saw Morgan standing frozen at the door, his fingers gripping the handle so tightly it was a wonder he didn’t break it off. I frowned, my mind racing to figure out what had him so stiff. But then, he slowly took a step back, and my heart sank.“Oh, great. I guess he’s not done with his hurtful words,” I thought bitterly, bracing myself for whatever verbal attack he would launch this time.But before I could get a word in or prepare my defenses, the door opened wider, and someone stepped in behind him.I froze.It was Mr. Thornhill.He didn’t need an introduction. His presence spoke louder than any title or name. The sharp angles of his face, the calculating gaze, the way he moved as if he owned not just the room but the entire world—he commanded attention.My stomach twisted.“Did he hear everything?” I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible. My palms started to sweat, and I quickly looked down, avoiding his piercing eyes.“Oh no, Marrissa, things jus

Morgan's point of view “What’s this?” I asked, my tone colder now.“It’s none of your business,” Marrissa snapped, reaching for it, but I held it out of her reach.“Marissa,” I said, “Is this what I think it is?”She said nothing, her eyes fixed on the floor. "Are you trying to kill an innocent child?" I asked. I could see the tears swelling at the back of her eyes.“Don't fall for it, Morgan," my inner mind said.“Oh how you disgust me,” I said, my tone sharper.She raised her eyes to look at me and I saw something flashed, anger, pain, sadness, but I didn't care.“Satisfy my curiosity Marrissa, why would you want to hurt something as cute as a baby?” I asked, my tone softer.“Could it be because you are involved with so many men that you are not sure who the father is?”“Or that you enjoy your immoral lifestyle so much that you feel bearing a child would disrupt your business.....”Marrissa didn't let my words drop before landing me a slap.“How dare you, she fumed, you have no ri

Marrissa's point of view I could barely sleep throughout the night. Every time I closed my eyes, nightmares clawed their way into my mind, dark and fearful. Disturbed thoughts kept me tossing and turning, leaving me wide awake for most of the night. By the time morning came, I felt like a shell of myself. My head throbbed, the pounding headache so intense I thought it might split open. But I didn’t let it stop me. My mind was made up—there was no turning back now.Bringing a child into this world without proper planning is a sin, I told myself over and over as I got ready. The words became my mantra, my only comfort. I convinced myself that I was doing the right thing, even though something deep inside me screamed otherwise. But I ignored it. I dressed quickly, pulling my jacket tighter around me as if it could shield me from the weight of my decision. Then, I stepped out into the brisk morning air, heading to the pharmacy a few blocks away. The pharmacy was small and familiar. I

Morgan's point of view I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my forehead with the palm of my hand. The week had been hell, pure and simple. Every second grated on my nerves, and everyone around me seemed determined to drive me over the edge. Marrissa’s absence only made things worse. With her gone, I was forced to work with a temporary secretary who couldn’t get anything right. Every single task she handled ended up a mess. I was sick of cleaning up after her, sick of explaining things she should’ve figured out by now. But that wasn’t what bothered me the most. Marrissa had vanished without warning, and her silence burned me more than I wanted to admit. She hadn’t told me she was leaving, hadn’t given any notice. Her phone was off most of the time, and when it wasn’t, she ignored my calls. It was like she’d disappeared from the universe completely. I got up and started pacing my office, trying to shake off the frustration that had settled in my chest. The questions wouldn’t stop