Hannah A few days later, there was a knock on the front door that made me jump. My heart started pounding as I set down the book I had been reading and crossed the living room to answer it. The delivery man didn’t even have time to say anything before I snatched the plain cardboard box from his
The driver put the car in park, and I quickly pulled my compact out of my purse to check my lipstick before we headed in. “I should let you know,” Noah said matter-of-factly, “Zoe is going to be here.” I froze at Noah’s words, my stomach dropping. Zoe. I hadn’t seen her since that uncomfortable
Hannah As I picked at the food on my plate, methodically pushing the bits of grilled chicken and roasted vegetables around with my fork, I could feel multiple sets of eyes on me. Out of my peripheral vision, I caught Zoe sneaking glances my way every few moments, her lips pressed into a tight line
And perhaps that would be the thing that would keep me from relapsing. “You’re absolutely right,” I said with a firm nod. “If my attendance and advocacy for seeking proper treatment can help remove the stigma, even just a little… then I would consider that immensely rewarding.” A chorus of since
Hannah I awoke with a start to the sound of rustling curtains and soft footsteps across the bedroom floor. Squinting against the morning sunlight, I pushed myself up on my elbows to see my handmaid, Ana, moving around the room. Yawning, I sat up fully and rubbed my eyes. Ana pulled open the curt
“Thank you, Luna,” she breathed. “But I don’t understand. Why are you doing all this? You’ve never…” Her voice trailed off, but she didn’t need to finish; I could hear the unspoken words loud and clear. You’ve never shown me this level of care or compassion before. I felt my chest constrict painfu
Hannah I stood frozen in place, the bathroom door still swinging shut behind me. My heart was pounding in my chest as I clutched the little blue pills tightly in my palm, paralyzed by my handmaid’s ominous words. They’re not what you think they are. What did she mean by that? These were the sa
He moved behind me then, pressing close as he patted down my back and sides. Goddess, it had been too long since I had been touched so intimately. Far too long; I felt like a mare in heat just then. I shuddered at the feeling of his hands on me, my face growing warm despite myself. Noah seemed t
“Almost done…” she murmured, leaning in with a touch of gloss for my lips. I couldn’t help but laugh at how serious she looked, as if I were some delicate art piece she was trying to perfect. Finally, she stepped back with a smile. “There. Now, the dress.” Amber was already at my side, helping m
Hannah The next morning, I woke with a flutter in my stomach that had nothing to do with morning sickness. Sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. I blinked up at the ceiling, letting that first realization sink in. It was the day of our wedding. In le
Hannah Mornings had gotten louder since Melody learned to walk. And she wasn’t just walking—she was trying to run, arms flapping and her chubby legs barely holding her up as she went. This morning, she seemed to be hell bent on dashing down the hallway as Noah tried to brush his teeth and I hunted
I laughed, hoping it sounded more natural than I felt. “Hey, I can spoil you once in a while if I want. Just because it’s a Thursday doesn’t mean I can’t surprise you.” We chatted about our day as we ate, filling each other in on all the usual things. But every so often, his eyes would flicker to
Hannah My hands shook a little as I straightened the delicate flower crown over Melody’s soft hair, adjusting it so the petals framed her tiny face just right. She blinked up at me with those wide, innocent eyes, slapping her hands contentedly on the top of her high chair. I smiled as I ran my f
Hannah By the time we stepped out of the ring, it felt as if my entire body was on fire. Every muscle seemed to be taut, every heartbeat one thump away from shifting. I couldn’t tell if I wanted to run circles around the building or maybe tear up the walls like a caged animal. What was wrong wit
Hannah For what felt like the hundredth time that morning, I sidestepped Drake’s punch with ease, narrowly dodging his hook. Training with him had become an obsession of mine lately. He’d pushed me in ways I hadn’t expected, helping me learn how to use my speed and endurance instead of relying on
Noah pushed himself harder, letting out a playful howl as he gained on her, the hunt pulsing through his veins like a drug. She glanced back, her ears twitching, and he saw her eyes flash with excitement before she put on an extra burst of speed. It became a game of cat and mouse, each of them pus
Noah For the millionth time that morning, Noah’s gaze drifted from the stack of papers on his desk to the stretch of forest that was visible through the office window. The afternoon light filtered through the trees, casting that familiar, deep green hue over the landscape. Just seeing the expans