Everyone seemed to be having an incredibly good time, which was all I could have hoped for. I wanted this to be a night to remember, one that would leave people thinking fondly of Ella, of myself, and of our bond. Positive memories like these would be invaluable in countering the wave of negative
Third Person POV “Damn her! Damn her! Damn her!” Amanda screamed, slamming the door behind her. The wedding guests were gone, though it was still early. They had fled, repelled by the tension radiating off David like a storm cloud. People had known, had sensed, that he was furious. And no amount
“Yes,” I said simply. His sharp scoff startled me, and for a moment, I felt the sting of his reaction. But before I could say anything, he reached for my hand, his expression softening. “You spent your whole life dreaming of that day, only for that bastard David to turn it into a miserable exper
Ella POV Alexander carried me up the stairs and into our room, only setting me back on my feet after crossing the threshold. By then, I was breathless with laughter, my heart pounding in my chest from both exhilaration and the effects of the champagne. He closed the door behind us, turning back
Ella POV "Wake up, lovebirds! It's nearly noon!" The sound of Christopher Slater's voice shattered the comfortable silence. I jolted awake, but I didn’t get far—wrapped securely in a warm, firm embrace. Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I found Alexander’s face less than an inch from my own, his
It only took a few minutes for both of us to get ready. As we stood by the door, Alexander glanced at me, his expression curious. “Are you okay?” he asked, studying me. “I’m fine,” I replied, a little too quickly. His brow arched slightly. “Are you sure? You seem… disturbed.” “I…” I hesitate
Ella POV “What do you think the announcement is going to be?” I asked after we were safely in the car, heading back toward the capital. “I suspect it had something to do with Elizabeth. She and Damien Rose seemed quite close, and the way they danced together all night certainly had people talkin
“Of course,” Alexander said smoothly. “I believe there were some forms that required Ella’s signature?” “Yes, of course,” Dr. Bowman replied. He walked over to the nurse’s desk, opened a drawer, and retrieved a stack of papers. Grabbing a clipboard and pen, he brought them over to me. “You just
Ella POVI stood frozen, my mind racing with a thousand questions. I could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, wrapping around my chest like a tightening vice.An image of August’s tear-streaked face flashed through my mind. He tried to warn me about this. Now, I understood his fear.
Alexander POVMy heart was in my throat as I stared at Lexie. Even from several feet away, I could see the way she was shaking, her small body trembling with barely contained fear.Her wide blue eyes darted between the towering figures in the room, desperate for a safe place to land. But there was n
Alexander POVI checked my watch for what felt like the hundredth time. It was almost noon, and I had hoped to meet Sabrina and Lexie an hour ago. The plan had been simple: a shopping trip to get everything they would need for their big move to the Rowandwood pack.Lexie was excited about starting s
She trembled—barely noticeable, but I could feel it, see the way her body stiffened. Diana wasn’t one to show fear, but it was there now. Her eyes widened, though she tried to hide it behind a mask of defiance.She opened her mouth to speak, but her words faltered as she seemed to reconsider. Her ha
Ella POVIt took a while for August to calm down enough to leave. He wouldn’t give me any more information than he already had, but it did seem like he felt a little better now that he wasn’t the only one aware of the gravity of the situation.I was still standing in the doorway where I had spoken t
“I can’t,” he said weakly, his voice choked by tears.“Why?” I asked, frustrated.He looked away from me and I realized that I already knew the answer to that question. “Alexander is keeping something from me,” I said softly.He nodded, but couldn’t seem to meet my eyes.I could only imagine how har
Ella POVAugust paced across the living room, his brows drawn together in frustration. The tension in the room was thick.He and Alexander had a huge fight just a short while ago. I wasn’t in the room when it happened, but I could hear them shouting. I couldn’t make out any of the words, but it was
“I–” Sabrina looked at Lexie and sighed softly. “I’m very grateful. We’d be happy to stay with you until we’re able to find a safe place of our own.”My father smiled brightly. “Wonderful. We’ll be very happy to have you.”Overwhelmed with gratitude, I reached for his hand. “Dad…thank you. I didn’t
Ella POVThe warm glow of the restaurant’s chandeliers cast a golden hue over the elegantly set tables.I sat beside Alexander, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of my wine glass as I watched Lexie beam with pure delight. The little girl twirled in her chair, the soft pink dress Alexander h