The reception buzzed with life—laughter, music, and the hum of conversations. The soft glow of string lights cast a warm, golden hue over the decorated hall, giving the place an almost magical feel. Clinking glasses and joyful cheers echoed through the crowd. To everyone else, it was a perfect celebration.But not for me.Not after seeing that blood-red rose.Adrian’s hand rested protectively on my lower back as we slowly made our way through the crowded reception hall. He hadn’t said much since we spotted the rose, but the tension radiating from him spoke louder than words.“We need to talk,” he murmured, his voice low but firm.I nodded, forcing a polite smile as we slipped outside, leaving the lively celebration behind. The cool night air brushed against my skin, sending a chill down my spine that had nothing to do with the weather.Adrian led me toward the edge of the property, where the shadows of towering oak trees stretched across the quiet, moonlit clearing. He checked the are
The cold night air seemed sharper now, biting through my skin as Adrian’s grip on my wrist remained firm. His breathing was steady, his dark eyes fixed on the forest’s edge, scanning for any sign of movement. Whatever—or whoever—had been out there was gone. For now.“We need to get back inside,” Adrian said firmly, already leading me toward the reception hall. His protective hold on me never wavered.I couldn’t stop trembling, my mind still reeling from that voice—low, menacing, and chillingly familiar.They knew my name.“Adrian,” I whispered, struggling to keep up with his fast strides. “What if... what if they weren’t here for you?”His steps faltered for the briefest moment, barely noticeable, but I caught it. He turned to face me, his expression unreadable. “What are you talking about?”“That voice... It didn’t sound like one of your enemies,” I said slowly, my pulse pounding in my ears. “It felt... personal.”His jaw clenched. “You’re just shaken up. They were probably trying to
After reading the note, my fingers trembled as I folded the paper back, its dark message still burning in my mind. Someone was targeting me—but why? I had no enemies. At least, none that I knew of.Adrian shut the door, locking it securely before pulling the curtains closed again. Patricia sat on the couch, still shaken.“Are you sure you didn’t see who left the envelope?” Adrian asked her sharply.She shook her head, wiping tears from her cheeks. “No... It was just there, on the front steps. I thought it was from a guest who left something behind.”Adrian nodded, though his jaw tightened. “Thank you for bringing it to us.”Patricia hesitated. “Should I... tell the police?”“No,” Adrian said quickly. “We’ll handle it.”I placed a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll be okay, I promise.”Reluctantly, Patricia left, glancing back one last time before disappearing down the hall. As soon as she was gone, Adrian turned to me.“We need answers. Now.”Adrian grabbed a notepad and a pen from a drawer
"You can’t run from your past.”The words echoed in my mind long after the intruder was dragged away by the police, leaving behind only shattered glass and broken locks. My hands still trembled as I gripped the edge of the table, struggling to steady my breath.Adrian paced the room like a caged predator, his sharp eyes burning with unspoken fury. The eerie silence that followed the break-in was far worse than the chaos that preceded it.“This wasn’t random.” His voice was low, dangerous. “Whoever sent him wanted us shaken.”I nodded slowly, still haunted by the twisted smirk on the intruder's face. He’d known something—something personal.“What if this is just the beginning?” I whispered.Adrian's phone buzzed, the sharp sound slicing through the tension. He snatched it up, his face darkening as he read the message:“I told you... You were never safe.”A chill ran down my spine. “Is it the same number?”He shook his head. “Different burner. They’re covering their tracks.”I wrapped m
I cradled the phone between my ear and shoulder, pacing the length of the kitchen as Patricia’s worried voice crackled through the line.“I’m fine, Patricia. Really.” I tried to sound reassuring, though the last few days still felt like a surreal nightmare. “It’s over now. They caught the person behind the threats.”There was a long pause on her end. “Are you sure? Mia... you sounded so scared before.”I exhaled slowly, my gaze drifting to the faint morning light spilling through the window. “I was. But it turns out it was someone I used to know… Lisa.”“Lisa?” Patricia repeated, confusion evident in her tone. “From the company?”“Yeah. We were close—at least, I thought we were.” My voice dropped, bitterness lacing my words. “She was... jealous, I guess. She felt like I took everything from her—promotions, recognition... even Adrian.”Patricia let out a low whistle. “Wow. That’s... twisted. You really had no idea she hated you that much?”“No.” My voice cracked slightly. “She hid it w
The idea of a real date still lingered between us as we stood there, breathing each other in. Adrian’s hand gently traced my jawline, his touch sending sparks through me.“A real date, huh?” he repeated, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Are you asking me out, Mia?”I rolled my eyes playfully, still breathless from our kiss. “Don’t let it go to your head, Mr. Knight. I’m just... trying something different.”His smirk deepened. “I like different.”Before I could fire back, his phone buzzed on the coffee table. His expression darkened slightly as he glanced at the screen. Business again, no doubt.I stepped back, giving him space. “You should get that.”He sighed but picked up the phone, walking toward the large window as he answered. His voice dropped into that commanding, no-nonsense tone he always used when dealing with work.I watched him for a moment—his broad shoulders tense, his jaw set with focus. Adrian was a man used to carrying the weight of the world, even when he didn’t have to
"I'm gonna need you to wash the dishes, Mia."I paused mid-step, almost thinking I misheard. I turned toward the doorway, and there she was Alexandra Knight, Adrian’s mother—standing with her arms crossed like she was judging the entire state of the kitchen. Her eyes swept the room with the precision of someone mentally tallying up flaws.“Sorry… what?” I blinked, unsure if I imagined the request."The dishes," she said again, slower this time. ""They won’t clean themselves. I assume you know how to wash them?"I glanced at the sink. Three plates, a fork, and a single cup. Not exactly the aftermath of a grand feast.“Oh,” I said, forcing a polite smile. “I thought the housekeeper handled that kind of thing.”“She’s off today,” Alexandra replied with a tone that implied I should’ve known. “Besides, it’s good for you to be useful for something while you’re here.”There it was.I pressed my lips together to stop the words fighting to escape. I wasn’t going to let her get to me."Of cours
The sound of Alexandra’s sharp heels echoed behind me as I stepped into the house. I didn’t look back, but I could feel her gaze cutting into my spine.I dropped the garden shears on the entryway table, deliberately not bothering to wipe the dirt off the handles. Maybe I’d get lucky, and she’d touch them by accident.“Mia.” Her voice followed me, calm but unmistakably edged.I kept walking, heading straight for the stairs. “I’m going to shower,” I said without turning around. “Unless you have another list of chores you’d like to add?”There was a pause. “Not at the moment.”I could hear the irritation buried beneath her polite tone, and for once, it felt good.---The hot water was barely scalding enough to wash away the day.I stood under the spray, letting the steam fog up the glass as I replayed the interaction over and over in my head.Had I really told Alexandra Knight to back off?My brain screamed that I’d made a mistake—that pushing back against someone like her was just askin
The evening was nothing short of perfect. The soft hum of the city below mixed with the gentle whisper of the wind, and the sky stretched out in vibrant hues of orange and pink. It felt like the entire world had paused to give us this moment, a rare and precious gift. The balcony where we stood had become our sanctuary—a place where we could breathe, where we could be just us, without the weight of the world pressing down on our shoulders. It had witnessed our transformation, from uncertainty to the kind of deep, unwavering love that anchored us here, in this peaceful moment.Adrian’s arm was around my shoulders, holding me close, and I felt the warmth of him seep into me, deep into my very bones. There was something about the way he held me—like he’d never let go, no matter what. The simple touch of his hand was grounding, like a promise. It felt like the world had faded away, leaving only us here. The hum of the city below was distant, muted, as if the world knew that in this moment
The soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the large windows of our cozy home, casting golden rays across the room. The world outside was just beginning to wake up, and I could hear the distant hum of cars on the road, the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze, but here, in this moment, it felt like it was just us. Adrian’s deep, contented breath beside me was the first sound I heard as I woke, his arm wrapped around me, holding me close. I smiled, enjoying the peace of the moment. We had been married for six months now, and somehow, everything felt both familiar and brand new at the same time. Like we were writing a story together that we’d never expected but were fully committed to.I glanced over at him, unable to resist. His features were softened in sleep, the usual intensity of his expression replaced with a peaceful calm. His lips were parted slightly, and I could see the subtle rise and fall of his chest with each breath he took. There was something about the sight of
The day had finally arrived. The crisp morning air was filled with the soft hum of birdsong, blending harmoniously with the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore. The estate was a picture of serenity and beauty, nestled on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sparkling blue ocean. The sprawling gardens, meticulously maintained, were adorned with white roses, cascading ivy, and golden lanterns that twinkled even in the bright light of day. The venue was a dream—exactly what Mia had envisioned, though she would have never admitted just how much time she spent agonizing over the details. As the sun climbed higher into the sky, its rays kissed the tops of the trees, casting dappled light over the rows of chairs and the pristine white aisle that stretched toward the ornate floral arch at the altar. Mia stood in front of a gilded mirror in the bridal suite, her hands trembling slightly as they smoothed over the soft fabric of her dress. Her breath caught in her throat as she to
I stood in the center of the boutique, staring at myself in the mirror. The lace of the wedding dress hugged my frame perfectly, the subtle shimmer catching the sunlight streaming through the large windows. The delicate floral embroidery along the bodice and hemline made the dress feel timeless, a perfect blend of elegance and romance. Yet, as perfect as it was, my chest felt tight, and my hands clutched nervously at the fabric as though grounding myself.“Are you sure about this one?” Claire’s voice broke through my thoughts. She stepped beside me, tilting her head as she studied my reflection. Her fingers reached out to adjust the veil slightly, her touch light but deliberate. Her tone was casual, but I knew her too well—there was an undercurrent of concern in her words.“It’s beautiful,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. I smoothed my hands over the intricate embroidery again, as if doing so would steady my nerves. “But… it still feels surreal.”Claire sighed, folding
The sound of waves lapping against the shore filled the quiet evening, a rhythmic hum that steadied Mia’s racing thoughts. She had no idea what Adrian was planning. A simple invitation to dinner had turned into a mysterious journey, one that brought her to this private beach under a sky painted in hues of pink and orange. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over everything. It was beautiful—but Adrian was being suspiciously quiet, his usual confidence subdued by what seemed to be nervous energy. “Are you going to tell me what this is about?” Mia asked, her voice breaking the silence as they walked along the soft sand. The fine grains shifted beneath her feet, cool and inviting, yet her heart was anything but calm. Adrian turned to her, his dark eyes softer than she’d ever seen them. “Just trust me,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “We’re almost there.” “‘Just trust me,’” Mia repeated, raising a skeptical brow. “Do you even realize how ominous that sounds? You’re n
Mia stood in front of the mirror, carefully adjusting the black dress she had chosen for the family gathering that night. It was an elegant piece, simple but fitting for what she had learned to embrace in her life—grace through challenges. Her fingers hovered over the fabric, unsure if she was ready for the weight of the evening, yet she knew it was necessary. She had made peace with Adrian’s mother—or at least, she hoped she had.The soft silk slid over her skin, and for a moment, she let herself breathe. The reflection staring back at her seemed like someone she didn’t quite recognize. There was a time when she would have run from a situation like this—an evening with Adrian’s family, full of expectations and formalities—but not anymore. She had learned that the only way through this was to face it head-on.Her heart beat a little faster as she thought of the woman she would have to face tonight: Alexandra Knight. Adrian’s mother had always been a constant reminder of how different
Adrian and I were no longer strangers to one another, but the space between us was wide—wide enough to feel like a canyon, despite the way he reached for my hand. It had been days since we made our decision to try again, but rebuilding what we’d lost felt like trying to reassemble a shattered mirror. Each step forward felt like it might be the wrong one, but we couldn’t go back. I couldn’t go back.We were sitting in the same quiet café where everything had fallen apart. The same place where Adrian had hesitated, where my heart had broken, and where, for the first time in months, we were attempting something that felt almost... normal.The hum of quiet conversation surrounded us, punctuated by the clinking of coffee cups and the soft rustling of pages turning. I could smell the rich aroma of espresso in the air, but it did nothing to mask the tension that clung between us. It was as if the café had become a silent witness to all the moments of our relationship—the good, the bad, and t
The café smelled of roasted coffee beans and freshly baked pastries, but the comforting aroma did nothing to settle the storm in my chest. I chose the corner booth, tucked away from the hum of conversations and the clinking of cups. My hands gripped the mug of chamomile tea in front of me, its warmth grounding me as I rehearsed what I wanted to say.Adrian was late.That wasn’t unusual for him—he always used to breeze in five or ten minutes after the clock struck, his apologies accompanied by some grand gesture. A bouquet of lilies. A designer pen he thought would inspire my next journal entry. Or just his lopsided smirk that somehow made forgiveness feel inevitable.But this time, I didn’t want grand gestures or charming apologies. I wanted honesty. I wanted answers. I needed him to face the reality of what he had done and the damage he had caused. Irrespective of the passionate kiss we shared the other night some part of me still didn't want to trust him completely I felt like I sti
The crisp evening air carried the faint scent of pine as I paced nervously in my small living room. Tonight was the night I would make my choice, and the weight of it pressed down on me with every passing second. I’d spent days in turmoil, analyzing every moment, every feeling, every word exchanged with both Adrian and Ethan. My heart had been pulled in two directions, and now, it was time to decide.The faint ticking of the wall clock seemed louder than ever, each second an unbearable reminder of the decision looming before me. I glanced at the coffee table where my phone sat, taunting me with its silence. The memories of the past few weeks flooded my mind—Ethan’s gentle smile, Adrian’s smoldering gaze, and the countless moments that had torn my heart apart.Finally, my phone buzzed, shattering the silence. My breath hitched as I reached for it, my hands trembling. It was a text from Ethan.Ethan: “Whenever you’re ready, I’m here.”His words were simple, but the weight behind them wa