...ROMAN[ Genevieve lingered in the warmth of Arthur’s embrace, the soothing presence easing the remnants of sadness that had weighed on her. She hadn’t realized how long they had been standing there until she sensed another presence behind her. ] When she turned, she saw me standing in the doorway, my eyes dark and piercing, my expression unreadable but charged with an intensity she knew too well.Before she could say anything, Arthur let out an awkward, exaggerated cough, clearly sensing the tension. He gently pulled away from Genevieve, his hands lingering for just a second too long before he stepped back. "Well," he said, glancing between the two of us, "I should probably go… before I become the third wheel." He shot Genevieve a knowing look before turning on his heel and disappearing back inside, leaving the two of us alone on the balcony.Genevieve watched him go, slightly confused, before she turned back to me, only to be met with a glare that could cut through steel.
...GENEVIEVE Me and Janice were sitting comfortably on the plush, velvet couch, a few polaroids and phone pictures spread out on the coffee table in front of us. The sunlight filtered through the large windows, casting a warm, golden glow across the room, enhancing the vibrant hues of the photographs. The air was filled with the easy, lighthearted vibe of two close friends reliving their favorite moments.I leaned back, my laughter ringing through the room as I pointed at one particular photo where I had been caught off-guard, mid-laugh, my hair tousled by the wind on the Vegas strip. “I look ridiculous here!” I chuckled, shaking my head as Janice leaned over, squinting at the picture with a grin.“No, you look like you’re having the time of your life," Janice teased, nudging me lightly. "Vegas really brought out the wild side in you, huh?”I smirked and rolled my eyes playfully. “It was all your fault. You were the one dragging me from one crazy adventure to the next!”Jan
...GENEVIEVE Janice and I descended the grand staircase together, the sound of our footsteps barely audible over the faint chatter coming from the living room below. “ you’re in trouble “Janice whispered to me as we neared the bottom, I could see my father, Rosalind, Olivia, and Emma gathered near the entrance, their faces filled with anticipation as they welcomed Roman, Xavier, Arthur, and Roman’s grandmother into my home. Yes my home. It was MY family’s home. It was our home. I couldn't help the small smile that crept onto my lips. Mentally, I applauded herself for the little plot twist I was about to set in motion. My casual appearance was going to throw everyone off, and I relished the thought of Rosalind's reaction. As me and Janice walked closer, the conversation in the room hushed. All eyes turned to me, their expressions ranging from surprise to thinly veiled disapproval. There I stood, dressed in her cozy sweatshirt and well-worn sweatpants, a sharp contrast to ever
...GENEVIEVE Janice’s mind raced as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. I had always been full of surprises, but this—this was something else entirely.I knew my sister and everything was on her face. She couldn’t hide anything. Jake stood beside me, tall and confident, with an air of nonchalance that matched her own. His eyes swept the room with a subtle smirk, clearly aware of the bombshell he had just walked into. His arm was still draped over my shoulder in that familiar, possessive way, and it was clear from our body language that this was no casual introduction. This was calculated. This was deliberate.Janice blinked, her gaze flicking between me and Jake, trying to reconcile the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. Was I serious? Heck I was. A *boyfriend*? Now? In the middle of Olivia’s wedding discussions? I could practically hear the collective gasps of everyone in the room as they slowly processed the revelation.My father, seated beside me just
...GENEVIEVE I leaned casually against the wall, a smirk playing on my lips as Roman stalked toward me, his eyes blazing with fury. The tension between us was palpable, crackling in the air like electricity. Just as he reached me, Roman slammed me against the wall, caging me in with his body. She let out a playful chuckle, which only deepened his glare.“Think this is funny?” he hissed, his voice low and deadly.I raised my chin defiantly, a cheeky smile still tugging at my lips. “Maybe,” I teased, my eyes gleaming with amusement. I wanted to get on his nerves. To make him mad. To make him regret loving me just like his sister did to me. In response, Roman’s hand shot out, slamming against the wall next to my head. The sound echoed in the silence of the room. Startled, my eyes fluttered closed for a brief moment, a soft sigh escaping my lips. I tried to push him away, my palms pressing against his chest, but Roman was relentless. He grabbed my wrists, pinning them above my
...GENEVIEVE I sat with my legs crossed, absentmindedly swirling the straw in my drink, my eyes distant as I stared out of the large glass window of the café. Across from me, Janice was engaged in animated conversation with Isabella and Amelia, their voices lively, but I remained quiet, a heavy sigh escaping my lips.Isabella noticed and leaned forward, her brow furrowing. “Genevieve, you okay? You’ve been quiet for a while now,” she asked, her voice tinged with concern. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”I glanced at my sister and friends, then at Jack, who sat beside me, looking equally curious. I sighed again, running a hand through my hair, before finally speaking. “I need to get married to Jack… before the week is over.”Isabella blinked in shock, her mouth falling open slightly. Amelia gasped, wide-eyed, exchanging stunned looks with Janice. “What?” Amelia blurted, her voice incredulous. “Why so soon? What’s the rush?”I bit my lip, unsure how much to reveal. I
...GENEVIEVE I sat in the middle of Isabella’s living room, surrounded by an array of bridal magazines, fabric swatches, and checklists. The soft hum of city life filtered in through the large windows, but inside, everything felt quiet and intimate. It was the eve of my wedding, and while the reality of it hadn’t fully sunk in, I was determined to see it through. Tomorrow, I would marry Jack in a private ceremony, away from prying eyes, away from the chaos that had been swirling around my life for far too long.Isabella’s apartment was warm and inviting, the smell of lavender candles filling the air. My sister Janice and Amelia were there too, sitting on the plush couches with glasses of wine in hand. Despite the normalcy of the scene, there was a palpable tension hanging in the air—one that I couldn’t quite shake off. Isabella, ever the observant one, glanced over at Genevieve, her brows knitting together in concern. “You okay?” she asked, her voice gentle but probing.I off
...GENEVIEVE I stood in front of a full-length mirror, my breath catching as I gazed at my reflection. The bridal gown I wore was breathtaking—a masterpiece of delicate lace and satin, with a fitted bodice that flowed into a billowing skirt. The veil cascaded down my back like a waterfall of gossamer, and a jeweled tiara glistened atop my dark, curled hair. I looked every bit the part of a bride, but there was a deep unease in my eyes.Isabella, my best friend, adjusted the veil and smiled brightly. "You look stunning, Gen. Jack is going to lose his mind when he sees you."Beside me, Janice and Amelia nodded in agreement. Janice, ever the perfectionist, fussed over the train of the dress, making sure every fold was in place. "Perfect," she murmured. "Everything is perfect."But my mind was elsewhere. I had been trying to contact Jack for the past hour, but every call went straight to voicemail. A gnawing dread twisted my stomach, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that somethin