AgnesAva looked like she’d just seen a ghost, and I knew I had struck a nerve. No matter how little Ava and I got along, and no matter how many years we had spent barely even speaking to each other, I knew the look on her face when she realized she’d been caught doing something she wasn’t supposed
“If you remember anything else,” I said, turning to leave, “you’ll let me know.”She didn’t respond, and I didn’t wait for one. I had what I needed—or at least, as much as I was going to get from her.Back at home, I spread the book out on my bed, flipping through the remaining pages in search of cl
AgnesThea and I spent an afternoon the following weekend in the kitchen, the air filled with the sweet scent of rose petals and the sound of laughter. Honestly, it was the most fun I’d had in weeks, maybe even months. Thea was practically bouncing up and down with excitement as we laid out all the
When we were finished, the liquid inside the bottle looked just like that: liquid. The last part of the ‘spell’ felt a little silly, but Thea seemed to enjoy it.“It’s so pretty,” she said, holding up the bottle to the light. “Do you think it’ll work?”“Maybe,” I replied, chuckling even though I kne
Agnes & ElijahAgnesAs I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out the fabric of my knit dress across my thighs, Thea came bouncing into my room with more energy than I thought possible. She had picked out a sparkly dress of her own that was probably too extravagant for a simple dinner out, but n
My heart sank lower and lower each time it happened, and suddenly, the thought of dessert felt unappetizing. Was he disgusted by me? Did he regret the night we’d spent together now that I smelled… foul?Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I quickly excused myself to the bathroom, my cheeks burning
AgnesI blinked, staring up at the familiar face smiling down at me. I hadn’t seen Mason in years, not since college, and now I had randomly run into him twice in the past few months after all that time apart.“Hey, Agnes,” he said with a lazy smile, sticking his hands in his pockets. “I thought I s
AgnesFor a few moments following Elijah’s swift exit, I just stood there, Mason’s business card clutched in my hand.Elijah looked furious when he saw me there with Mason, and although I hadn’t agreed to coffee or anything of the sort, I couldn’t help but feel…Guilty.I knew I shouldn’t. I hadn’t
“Thea, sweetheart… We’ve talked about this before. I would love nothing more than to be your biological mother. But…” I swallowed hard. “I’ve already had you tested. You’re not my biological daughter, no matter how much I want you to be.”Her face crumpled, and tears spilled down her cheeks. “But wh
AgnesThe following morning, I stood in the design department’s fabric storeroom, surrounded by endless bolts of luxurious materials. How long had I been in here? Minutes? Hours?The sketches for my new dress were complete, and the patterns were cut, but I still couldn’t decide on a color. After the
When we came together, it was like a dam breaking—intense, overwhelming, leaving me trembling in his arms. My chest heaved as I caught my breath, and Elijah held me close, his lips pressing soft kisses to my forehead, my cheeks, my lips.His touch was gentle now, a stark contrast to the ferocity of
AgnesI followed Elijah up the stairs, our fingers intertwined and our footsteps soft and quiet. The house was silent around us, save for the faint creak of the steps and the distant hum of crickets beyond the windows.But then there was my heart, pounding so hard against my ribs I thought for sure
“I’m glad,” he said softly. “You both needed something good after yesterday.”I leaned against the island, thinking about the sweet evening with Thea. “She called me her hero, you know. For coming to save her.”Elijah smiled. “Well, you were.”I shook my head. “I don’t feel like one after that incid
AgnesI rushed toward Elijah, my heart hammering in my chest. Even in the dim light of the entryway, his black eye was startlingly obvious—a dark, angry bruise circling the socket. He was slumped against the door, looking exhausted, but he straightened when he saw me, grimacing slightly from the eff
“Just like yours,” she said happily.“Just like mine.”Next came hair braiding. Thea sat on the floor between my knees as I gently worked through the tangles of her dark hair, separating strands for a French braid. My fingers moved automatically, muscle memory from years of doing my own hair. I humm
AgnesI pulled into the driveway around seven, exhausted after a long day of sewing, designing, and avoiding Maria’s knowing glances.The bathroom incident with Elijah had been the talk of the design department by lunchtime—whispers and stifled giggles following me throughout the afternoon. I’d buri
“Do you still intend to try and break your mate bond with Olivia?” I blurted out, then immediately regretted my bluntness.Elijah’s brow furrowed, but he didn’t pull away. “Of course I do. Why would you think otherwise?”I glanced down, unable to meet his gaze. “No reason. I was just wondering if… a