Not that it was an easy feat to put physical space between us. Honestly, it was nothing short of maddening, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it. We had a baby shower to plan.The idea had been mine, a way to combat the negative press and show that we were handling the situation with grace and dign
KaylaThe dress was perfect.I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing my hands over the soft lavender fabric, the delicate lace detailing catching the light. It fit like a dream, as if Nicholas had sneakily taken my body’s measurements in my sleep. I felt beautiful, elegant, and for the first time
“Mr. Gray,” Nicholas said, striding up to the guildsman. “We weren’t expecting you.”Gray smiled in that dangerous but strikingly polite way that he was so good at. “Ah, well, I couldn’t miss such an important event. After all, we’re all part of the same community, aren’t we?”I forced a smile despi
KaylaI hesitated, unsure of what to say, what to think, or even what to feel.The baby—Nicholas’s son, or at least the child everyone believed was his—lay cradled in Anna’s arms, his tiny face scrunched up in blissful sleep. He was so small, so fragile, his little chest rising and falling like a hu
KaylaThe emails were damning.I hadn’t expected Noah to find something like this when he had snooped in Gray’s office. Perhaps a cryptic letter or journal entry, but this… Every word, every line, was a confession of guilt. Gray had orchestrated it all—the silverbite to put Noah in a coma, paying th
He gestured to the computer, and Anna’s eyes widened as she saw the emails about the paternity tests and using Anna against Nicholas on the screen. Guilt, fear, and confusion flickered through her gaze, and she tightened her grip on her baby.“What is this?” she whispered, her voice trembling.“I th
KaylaWe leaked the emails that night.I didn’t realize I was gripping Nicholas’s hand until I felt his fingers tighten around mine as Marcus clicked the final button. The anonymous email, loaded with screenshots of Gray’s damning correspondence, was sent to every major news outlet, gossip column, a
Suddenly, the sound of my door opening pulled me from my thoughts. I sat up, my heart skipping a beat as Nicholas stepped into the room.He was shirtless, his chest bare and glowing faintly in the silvery moonlight streaming in through the window. My breath caught at the sight of him, his muscles ta
“I’ll schedule another,” Nicholas said matter-of-factly. “I had a trip planned for the tropics, but if you don’t like that, we can go somewhere else. Whatever you want, it’s yours.”I flushed at the thought of days spent on the beach, nights spent in an expensive hotel room, and everything in betwee
KaylaNicholas’s face lit up when I said those words. He swallowed hard, nearly choking on the large bite of sandwich in the process.“You’re sure?” he asked, almost as if he couldn’t believe it. “After everything, I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted a—”“I’m sure, Nicholas,” I cut him off. “I want t
Nicholas & KaylaNicholasNora stared at me, her eyes wider than before. I stared back in shock, but when I turned to see where Kayla had gone, she was no longer there. I glanced back at Nora, who was still gawking at me like she’d just seen a ghost.“Is there something you needed to talk about?” I
I nodded, suddenly feeling my legs go weak. Three days walking nonstop in the forest, living on berries and squirrels, finally seemed to be catching up to me. I sank down into a nearby chair, slumping slightly.Nicholas glanced at me, then walked out of the room without a word, leaving me and Jade a
KaylaI didn’t hesitate. “Take me there,” I said, turning abruptly toward Nicholas.Nicholas furrowed his brow slightly, as did Emma. I knew they were both surprised at my sudden interest in Nora, who had been nothing but a thorn in my side since we’d met. And frankly, I didn’t blame them. Maybe a f
At that, Nicholas released me, taking a step back. He furrowed his brow. “You look surprised.”“Because I thought you had no intention of going on a honeymoon,” I blurted out, smoothing down the front of my jacket. “I thought…”My voice trailed off, and I couldn’t find it in me to say it out loud. I
KaylaI looked up to see Nicholas approaching, his face pale. “Are you alright?” he asked, stopping a little ways away from where I was standing.I quickly turned away, hoping he couldn’t see the tears welling up in my eyes. “I’m fine.”“Kayla.” Nicholas stepped in my way. “Talk to me. Did something
Was it true that Nicholas had laughed in her face when she confessed her feelings? Was he truly that heartless, even back then? Was it true that Nora thought she was doing me a favor by trying to break us up, by showing me that audio clip?I didn’t think Nora could ever be my friend, not by a long s
KaylaI stared at the deer turning on the spit, its skin turned red and glistening with fat as the fire cooked it from beneath. The air smelled like roasting meat, mingling with the scent of fresh bread and mulled cider.I was starving and surrounded by food that looked utterly delicious, and yet my