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Ghosts from the past
Last Updated:
2024-11-18 22:11:55Related chapters
Never meant to be Spilled Wine and Silver Linings
IsabellaI let out a breath of relief as I walked off the dance floor. Thank God that was over. The spotlight, the forced smile, the awkward yet strangely pleasant dance with Logan—it was all behind me now. I headed straight for the bar, desperate for a moment to myself and something to steady my nerves.“Champagne, please,” I said, and the bartender quickly handed me a flute.The cool bubbles fizzed against my lips, and I allowed myself a moment to savor the taste. For the first time all evening, I felt a flicker of calm. That flicker lasted about ten seconds.“Well, if it isn’t Cinderella herself,” a saccharine voice drawled behind me.I turned to see Clarissa, my new stepsister, looking me up and down with an expression that screamed condescension. She was dressed to the nines, of course, in a figure-hugging red gown that practically screamed for attention.“Clarissa,” I greeted, my voice flat.She tilted her head, her smile cold and calculating. “You know, I wasn’t sure how you’d
Last Updated : 2024-11-21Never meant to be I am done
Isabella“Not Misha,” I managed to say, my voice a mixture of disbelief and mortification.He smirked, the corner of his mouth tugging upward in that infuriating way of his. “Not Misha,” he confirmed, his voice low and amused.“What are you doing here?” I demanded, stepping back and crossing my arms over my chest, as if that could somehow shield me from the sheer awkwardness of the situation.“I came to check on you,” he said, leaning casually against the doorframe like he hadn’t just zipped me into a dress. “I saw what Clarissa did."“Well, you’ve checked. I’m fine. You can go now.”He didn’t move. Instead, his gaze flicked over me, lingering just a second too long on the dress. “The blue suits you,” he said, his tone oddly sincere.Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I looked away, pretending to adjust the skirt. “Thanks,” I muttered.There was a pause, heavy with unspoken words. Finally, he said, “Clarissa doesn’t speak for all of us.”That caught me off guard. I glanced up at him, searc
Last Updated : 2024-11-21Never meant to be Closing Doors
IsabellaThe hum of fluorescent lights in the office felt different today, a little heavier, a little final. My desk, once cluttered with sticky notes, pens, and the occasional candy wrapper, now looked bare. My last day at work had arrived, and as much as I tried to convince my mom not to drag us into the Sinclair orbit, she wouldn’t budge. So here I was, saying goodbye to a place I’d grown comfortable in, to people who had become a steady part of my life.A small group of my colleagues gathered around my desk, their smiles a mix of encouragement and sadness. “We’re going to miss you, Isabella,” one of them said, handing me a card filled with scribbled well-wishes and good luck messages.“I’ll miss you all too,” I replied, my voice catching slightly.As the group began to disperse back to their tasks, I spotted Carlson making his way toward me. My heart skipped a beat, as it always did when I saw him. Even after a year of dating, the sight of his easy smile still had that effect on m
Last Updated : 2024-11-22Never meant to be Welcome to the Sinclairs
IsabellaI was still mid-conversation with Margaret when the atmosphere in the room shifted. The air seemed to grow heavier, the background hum of voices dulling as though the room itself were holding its breath.I turned instinctively, and there he was.Logan Sinclair entered with the kind of presence that demanded attention without trying. His tailored suit hugged him perfectly, the deep navy fabric catching the light just enough to hint at its luxurious quality. Beside him stood a man I didn’t recognize, a wiry figure with a sharp gaze.My stomach tightened as Logan’s eyes landed on me. They were just as I remembered—gray and cold, with an intensity that always made me feel like he could see right through me. For a moment, his gaze locked on mine, and time seemed to stretch impossibly long. I stiffened, every muscle in my body screaming to hold my composure.Margaret, oblivious to the silent storm brewing, smiled brightly and waved him over. “Mt Sinclair! Perfect timing.”I wanted
Last Updated : 2024-11-24Never meant to be Ties that bind
Logan -I leaned back in my chair, watching Isabella leave my office. She held a notebook in one hand, a pen in the other, her expression focused as she reviewed the notes she’d just taken. It had only been her first week, but it was already clear—Isabella wasn’t the type to waste time or ask unnecessary questions. She was sharp, efficient, and professional to a fault.As the door clicked shut behind her, Derek leaned casually against the frame of my desk, a skeptical look on his face.“She’s quick,” he said, crossing his arms. “But aren’t you expecting a lot from someone who just started? You threw her straight into the deep end, Logan.”I smirked, tilting my chair back slightly. “She’ll handle it.”Derek raised an eyebrow, his expression unconvinced. “Confident, aren’t we? What makes you so sure?”I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk.“If you’d come to my father’s wedding,” I said, my tone casual but laced with meaning, “you’d already know why.”Derek’s brow furrowed, his
Last Updated : 2024-11-25Never meant to be A chance encounter
Logan -Clubs were never my scene. The loud music, the flashing lights, the shallow conversations—it all grated on me. But Derek and a few others had insisted we meet here tonight, promising it would be a “refreshing change.” So there I was, nursing a whiskey neat and trying to appear interested as a blonde with overly dramatic gestures talked at me.I’d already forgotten her name.I nodded at her words, pretending to listen, but my attention drifted. My eyes scanned the room, half-hoping for something, anything, to break the monotony. And that’s when I saw her.Isabella.She stood near a corner booth, her smile radiant as she leaned in toward a man I didn’t recognize. A flicker of something stirred within me. Annoyance? Curiosity? Whatever it was, it tightened my jaw as I watched her laugh at something he said.The man—tall, polished, the kind who looked like he was used to getting what he wanted—was close to her. Too close. Not that it was any of my business.I shifted my gaze back
Last Updated : 2024-11-25Never meant to be A Welcome, Interrupted
LoganThe moment Isabella walked out of my office, I smacked my forehead with the heel of my hand. What the hell was I thinking?It wasn’t like me to lose my cool—or my focus—but there I was, sitting at my desk, replaying the moment like a bad movie.Do you have a boyfriend?I wasn’t even sure why I’d asked. The question had slipped out before I could stop it.Now, she probably thought I was some kind of creep. Fantastic. Just what I needed on top of an already chaotic day.I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly, trying to shake off the discomfort. It wasn’t like me to fumble, especially not around someone like Isabella. Derek walked in, carrying a folder. He placed it on my desk with a decisive thud, oblivious to my inner turmoil.“We need to finalize the influencers for the next advertising campaign,” he began, launching into a rundown of the options. “These are the top contenders based on reach and engagement metrics. I think we should—”“Hmm,” I said absently, my eyes drifting
Last Updated : 2024-11-26Never meant to be A Little Too Curious
Isabella“So, Isabella,” Amy said, leaning just slightly toward me with her wine glass poised elegantly in hand. “What’s your story?"I hesitated, trying to muster a polite response. “It’s nothing too exciting,” I said, brushing it off.But Amy wasn’t letting go. “Oh, come on! You’re young, beautiful, and clearly a catch. Spill the beans!”I glanced at Logan, who sat across the table, swirling the wine in his glass with a casual ease. His eyes flicked to me, sharp and amused, as if he were enjoying watching me squirm.Amy’s expectant smile was impossible to ignore, so I finally relented. “Well, if you must know... I was seeing someone from my previous office.”Amy’s eyes lit up with interest. “Really? Tell me more!”I sighed inwardly, resigned to giving her just enough to satisfy her curiosity. “His name is Carlson. He was a colleague, and we’d known each other for about a year before we started dating. It’s been... six months now.”Amy tilted her head, her smile unwavering but her ey
Last Updated : 2024-11-28
Latest chapter
Never meant to be Damage Control
Logan -I sat at my desk, staring at the clock on the wall. The hands seemed frozen, mocking me with their refusal to move. Isabella wasn’t at the office today. I’d expected that much after last night. Hell, I probably would’ve done the same if I were in her shoes.The memory of her walking out still stung. Her tears, her anger, the slap—I deserved all of it. I’d screwed up. I knew it the moment I saw the diary in her hands. There was no way to explain, no excuse good enough to justify what I’d done.I rubbed my temples, willing the tension in my head to subside, but it clung to me like a shadow. I needed to fix this, but first, I had to give her space. Isabella wasn’t the kind of person you could pressure into a conversation. She’d come back when she was ready—if she ever wanted to hear me out at all.Just as I was about to dive into the mountain of emails piling up in my inbox, Derek walked in, holding his phone with a grim expression."You’ve got to see this," he said, sliding the
Never meant to be A Betrayal Too Deep
IsabellaI froze, staring at the worn leather cover with my name scrawled on it in silver ink. It was unmistakable. The corners were frayed from years of use, and the faint stain of spilled ink near the edge was exactly where I remembered it.What was this doing here?Slowly, as if compelled by an unseen force, I flipped it open.The familiar loops of my teenage handwriting stared back at me, messy and unrefined, but undeniably mine."January 12th. I saw Logan today in the hallway. The moment he looked at me, my heart felt as though it was about to burst. He appeared to be so serious. He’ll never notice me like that, though. He’s Patty’s boyfriend, and she’s perfect. Ugh, why am I even writing this?"My throat tightened, and I flipped further. Page after page, it was all there—my secrets, my insecurities, my dreams. The crush I thought I’d hidden so well.A lump formed in my throat as I pieced together the impossible truth. Logan had this diary. For how long? And why?My chest heaved
Never meant to be Shattered
Isabella The silence in the car was deafening. Logan’s words still hung in the air, heavy with meaning and impossible to ignore. He loved me. He loved me. And for a brief, heart-stopping moment, I wanted to believe that we could make it work, that the world outside this car didn’t matter.But then reality came crashing back, as it always did.I pulled my hand from his, the warmth of his touch lingering even as I turned to face him. My heart was pounding, but I steadied myself, forcing my voice to remain calm. "Logan," I began, "we’ve been through this before. We can’t have a relationship."His brows furrowed, and his jaw tightened, a flash of frustration crossing his face. "Why not?" he asked, his voice low but firm. "Why are you so determined to fight this, Isabella?""Because it’s not just about us," I said, gesturing vaguely at the world outside the car. "If we do this, it won’t just affect us, Logan. It’ll affect everything."He shook his head, his gaze never leaving mine. "I don
Never meant to be Confession
Isabella -The music shifted, becoming slower, more seductive. The soft rhythm of the song seemed to weave through the air, urging me to move."I am tired." I said to Trent.He stopped dancing, and I stepped onto the deck. I leaned against the railing, closing my eyes for a second to breathe in the salty air, trying to regain some clarity. But before I could settle into the moment, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me.“Leaving the party already?” Trent’s voice broke the silence, and I turned to see him standing a few feet away, his ever-present grin in place.“I just needed a break,” I said, forcing a smile as I adjusted my posture, hoping he wouldn’t push.He didn’t seem to take the hint. Instead, he moved closer, his eyes lingering on me a little too long. “I get it. Sometimes, all this”—he waved a hand toward the house—“can get a bit much, huh?” He stepped closer again, his tone lower now, more intimate. “But I’ve got to say, you look incredible tonight, Isabella.”“Thanks, Tr
Never meant to be The Party at Paris’s Beach House
IsabellaThe night was warm, the salty breeze from the ocean carrying with it the sound of laughter and music. Paris’s beach house was breathtaking, glittering with golden lights that illuminated the sprawling deck and the sand below. The entire scene felt like something out of a movie—perfect, polished, and far too intimidating.Despite Logan’s insistence that I wait and go with him, I had decided to arrive on my own. Something about the idea of walking in with him felt too complicated, too public.I had spent an unreasonable amount of time deciding what to wear, eventually settling on a fitted black dress with a plunging neckline and a slit up the side. It was a little risqué for me, but tonight, I wanted to feel pretty.As I stepped onto the deck, the party was already in full swing. The sound of waves mingled with the upbeat music playing through hidden speakers, and the air buzzed with conversation. Waiters weaved through the crowd with trays of champagne flutes, and the guests—e
Never meant to be Party
Isabella -The invitation came out of nowhere.“Isabella,” she said, dragging out my name like we were best friends. “What are you doing tomorrow night?”“Nothing special,” I replied cautiously, sensing a trap.“Perfect!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “I’m throwing a party at my beach house. You simply have to come.”I blinked. “Uh, thanks for the invite, but I don’t know if—”“Oh, don’t even try to wiggle out of this,” she interrupted, waving a manicured hand. “It’s going to be fabulous. Everyone’s coming—people from work, some old friends, and even a few familiar faces from high school. It’ll be like a mini-reunion!”That didn’t sound appealing in the slightest. “I am not sure.”She dismissed my concern with an exaggerated sigh. “Nonsense. You’ll know plenty of people, and besides...” She leaned in, her eyes gleaming mischievously. “Logan will be there.”That gave me pause. “Logan?”“Of course!” she said with a grin. “I told him about it when we had dinner the other ni
Never meant to be The Starry Tantrums of Paris
Isabella -The next morning started like any other—a blur of meetings, emails, and hurried cups of coffee. I had just settled into my desk when Derek approached."Isabella," he began, his tone careful, "I need a favor."I raised an eyebrow, already sensing where this was going. "What’s the favor?""Amy’s out on leave today, and we need someone to supervise the shoot." He gave me a hopeful smile, as though that would soften the blow.I blinked. Supervise the shoot? That was Amy’s domain, not mine. But Derek looked genuinely stressed, and it wasn’t like I could say no without good reason."Alright," I said, standing up and grabbing my notebook. "I’ll handle it.""Thank you," he said, visibly relieved. "The studio’s already set up. Just... try to keep Paris in check."That last comment made me pause. Keeping Paris in check? Easier said than done.The studio was a whirlwind of chaos when I arrived. Cameras were being adjusted, lights were glaring, and the director was pacing like a man on
Never meant to be Under the Surface
Isabella - The buzz around the office had quieted down—at least for the time being. The whispers had reduced, and the stares, though still there, seemed to carry less venom. But I knew better than to think this was over. The moment any of the gossipers found a new angle, the cycle would start again. And then there was the looming question: what if they found out about Logan and me? What if they discovered our affair, something far more dangerous than simple rumors?I rubbed my forehead, the pressure of it all weighing heavily on me. I’d been avoiding Logan—more out of instinct than anything. My mind had been in turmoil ever since Paris’s subtle provocations, and the last thing I wanted was for anything to spiral further. And yet, every time I found myself thinking about him, my heart would betray me, reminding me of how easy it had become to trust him.I had never let anyone get this close. I’d kept everyone at arm’s length, protecting myself from getting hurt. But with Logan, someth
Never meant to be Under the Spotlight
Isabella -I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off the moment I stepped into the office. The air felt heavy, charged with something I couldn’t quite name. As I walked past desks, conversations dropped to a whisper, and people suddenly found their computer screens fascinating.Why was everyone staring at me?I smiled at a few colleagues on my way to the coffee station, hoping to break whatever weird tension had settled in the room. Amy was there, chatting with a couple of other girls. I greeted them with a polite “Good morning,” but my words seemed to bounce off an invisible wall.The murmurs started just as I reached for the coffee pot.“Nepotism,” someone whispered, the word cutting through the air like a knife.My hand froze mid-pour. For a moment, I thought I’d misheard, but the awkward shuffling and sideways glances confirmed it. My cheeks burned as I tried to focus on filling my cup, my fingers gripping the handle tightly to keep from trembling.Amy approached me, her
