ALANNAScrolling through my phone, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Just hours after my date with Nolan, headlines and photos were plastered all over the internet. "Alanna's Secret Date Night with Ex-Husband Nolan Westbrook!" read one, accompanied by a candid shot of us at the museum, hands intertwined. "Love Rekindled or Just Friends?" questioned another, speculating on the nature of our relationship. Some were supportive, calling it a "long-awaited reunion," while others weren't as kind. "Alanna's Second Chance with a Serial Cheater—Is She Desperate or Just Naive?" I clenched my jaw, feeling a mix of anger and humiliation. How could they twist everything? And who the hell leaked this? My fingers itched to type out a statement, something to set the record straight. I wanted to deny the rumors, to tell everyone they were wrong about me, about Nolan, about everything. But Angela's voice of reason cut through my frustration."You can't respond," she said, her tone calm but firm. "
CHLOE_"Love is a trap designed to enslave, and I'm the hunter who sets it free."_Hidden in the cramped, musty closet, I could barely breathe. The situation was absurd—hiding like a teenager caught sneaking around. The irony was thick, almost suffocating. This wasn't supposed to be my life. Yet here I was, eavesdropping on a conversation between my latest lover and his real obsession. Alanna. Always Alanna. Even in the darkness, the mention of her name made my blood boil.Brad's voice was soft but clear as he spoke to her, a tenderness I hadn't heard from him before. "I love you, Alanna." The words stabbed at me, and I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. I had known Brad had a thing for her, but hearing it was different. It made it real. As they continued talking about the media circus, my anger simmered. How dare she? How dare she waltz back into my life and ruin everything?I checked my phone, scrolling through the headlines. There it was, plain as day: *"Nolan Westbroo
NOLANI was sprawled on Jake’s couch, the uncomfortable springs digging into my back. The fight with Chloe had left me exhausted and hollowed out. Jake and Angela had been kind enough to offer a place for the night after the hellish argument, and I was grateful, even if I didn’t show it. The room was dimly lit, shadows stretching long across the walls, mirroring the turmoil inside me. Angela was sitting across from me in the dimly lit living room, a warm glow from the lamp casting a soft light on her face. She looked calm, her eyes reflecting a quiet sadness. I had just learned that Jake and Angela were together. I was processing that, trying to make sense of it when I shifted the conversation to something far more unsettling—Alanna.“Angela,” I began, my voice rough and uncertain, “can we talk about Alanna? I need to understand what really happened. What did she go through after we separated?”Angela hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with a loose thread on her sweater. “It’s not a pl
ALANNA"The shadows of anger can eclipse even the brightest of intentions."The day had been uneventful until Lucas stormed into my office, his face twisted in a scowl. I was in the middle of reviewing some documents when I looked up and saw him standing there, radiating anger. “Alanna,” he spat, his voice sharp and cutting. “I need to talk to you.”I tried to keep my composure, but the look on his face made me bristle. “Lucas, what are you doing here? This is my office. If you have something to say, say it, but keep it professional.”He walked towards my desk, his movements deliberate and aggressive. “Professional? This is personal. You think you can just waltz into people’s lives, take their husbands, and leech off their fame? You’re nothing but a fraud, Alanna.”My heart pounded in my chest. “Excuse me? What exactly are you accusing me of?”Lucas sneered. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. You’ve wormed your way into Nolan’s life, played the victim, and now you’re trying to
ALANNA“Family is a prison where the bars are made of blood and guilt.”I stared at the phone, my father’s name flashing on the screen. My gut twisted, a knot of resentment and old wounds that never seemed to heal. I hesitated before answering, but his voice, insistent and commanding, brooked no argument.“Alanna, we need to talk. It’s important.”I could feel the weight of his words pressing down on me. I looked over at Angela, who was sitting across from me with a worried frown.“Are you sure you want to do this?” Angela’s voice was calm but filled with concern. “The last time you saw him, he took a lot from you. Do you really want to put yourself through that again?”I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I know, Angela. But he’s still my father. I can’t just ignore him, no matter what happened before.”Angela gave me a long, thoughtful look before nodding reluctantly. “Alright, but be careful. You know he’s good at manipulating.”I promised her I’d be cautious and left for the
“Power is a game, and sometimes, you have to break the rules to win.”I arrived at Lucas's house, my heart pounding with rage and desperation. The humiliation and anger from seeing Alanna with Nolan had been simmering inside me, and I needed to do something—anything—to take back control. As Lucas opened the door, I put on the most pitiful face I could muster. My eyes were already red from crying, and I knew I looked the part of a woman scorned.He let me in, looking concerned but wary. I knew Lucas well enough to see that he was still unsure of his place in all this. He had his own grudges against Nolan, but he was also cautious. I needed to push him over the edge."Lucas," I began, my voice quivering as I sat down on his couch. "I can't take this anymore. They're ruining everything. Alanna and Nolan... they're planning to destroy us. They're already spreading lies and turning everyone against me."He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Chloe, calm down. We can't just act impuls
ALANNA“Sometimes, the stars align perfectly, and you find yourself living a dream you never thought possible.”Sitting across from Seraphina, the vogue Lady , felt surreal. Her elegant office, filled with iconic fashion photographs and luxurious fabrics, was a testament to her impeccable taste and influence in the industry. As she sipped her tea, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves. This was an opportunity I'd dreamt of for years, and now it was finally within reach."Alanna," Seraphina began, her voice smooth and authoritative, "I've been following your work for a while now, especially after your fashion show. Your eye for design and your unique perspective are exactly what this industry needs."I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. Praise from someone like Seraphina was rare and incredibly valuable. "Thank you, Seraphina. That means a lot coming from you. I've always admired your work and the way you've shaped *Vogue* into what it is today."She smiled, a knowing g
NOLAN“In the face of fear, love is the only thing that makes us brave.”The second I heard Alanna's panicked voice over the phone, my heart sank. The moment she mentioned the brakes weren't working, I felt a cold rush of terror like I'd never known. I tried to keep my voice steady, to give her the best advice I could, but my hands were shaking. When she told me she was going off the road, I could barely breathe.I could only listen helplessly as the phone went silent after a deafening crash. My blood ran cold. I didn't think twice. I grabbed my keys and bolted out the door, driving as fast as I could to the location she mentioned. I kept calling her name, praying she'd answer, but the line stayed dead.When I arrived, my heart stopped. Alanna's car was crumpled against a tree, smoke billowing from the hood. I parked haphazardly and ran to the wreck, adrenaline surging through my veins. My hands fumbled with the door, pulling it open. The sight of her slumped over the airbag, blood tr