ELOISEI didn’t give much thought to what Adam would gain from this marriage anymore. I was on the edge of a cliff, but I really didn’t want to die, so I chose to survive rather than be killed. Callum would be the end of me, while Adam would be my saving grace, like creatures in the jungle where the weak seek shelter from the strong.But I didn’t anticipate that preparing for this wedding would still be challenging. After I announced to Nina that Adam and I were getting married, Mr. Ross, her uncle, arrived two days in Manhattan after our conversation.We were meeting with Mr. Ross in Adam’s office now, where we could formally discuss everything, even though Adam hadn’t fully taken action yet.“It is a tradition for Sebastians to marry on our estate, Mr. Ross. A Sebastian wedding is a big celebration. We are at the center of attention, given our family’s connections. Billionaires and big names from New York City and the media will attend. Our family is in the entertainment business.”
ELOISE“Shouldn’t we give her a chance to think this through since they’re already getting what they want, Mr. Ross? Besides, it’s just a venue. I’m taking care of the rest," Adam added.“As you wish, Mr. Sebastian,” Mr. Ross acknowledged.Adam’s jaw clenched. “But what if we refuse to agree to what you’ve mentioned?”“We will all be forced to have the baron and viscount decide for Ms. Walker’s fate. We won’t be leaving America without her as this is a crucial time in the family; an urgent matter needs to be solved for the peace and order of those governed and the people relying on the Cunninghams.”I looked at Mr. Ross. “What about you, Mr. Ross? You’ve known me since I was little. What do you think of Callum as my husband? You can tell me honestly. I won’t tell Dad.”He heaved a sigh. “I know you won’t miss, but God help us all if Callum becomes the viscount.”I sighed in relief. At least I knew Mr. Ross was on my side.“We’ll be doomed.” Nina shook her head. “He’s already handling
ELOISEWe entered the living room where Adam’s family had gathered. His siblings, whom I had only seen in magazines and on the internet, were there, looking like GQ magazine cover models. Sitting at the forefront was a man in his late fifties who was still well-built and handsome despite his age; he must be Benjamin Sebastian, their father.On his right was Rafael, a younger version of his father, and his refined but approachable wife, Savannah. On the other side were Julian and his wife, Anya, who looked young with a baby face and seemed sweet and shy. According to my research, they each had one child who was probably in their respective bedrooms.Carter, the only Sebastian I had met at the party, stood behind their father.“Please, Adam Eloise, sit beside me,” Rachel invited, seated in front of a long semi-circular couch.“Thank you, and good evening everyone,” I greeted as I sat down. A maid automatically placed a glass of orange juice, water, and various muffins, biscuits, and chi
ADAM“So, this is going to be our room,” I said, leading Eloise into my old room. The housekeepers had always taken great care of it whenever they knew I would visit, so everything was exactly as I had left - the dark sheets, wooden accents, gray carpets, and my shelves untouched. They knew better than to move anything, as I would notice right away.Eloise looked around and remarked, “This seems different. Whose room was it when we...?”“It’s a guest room,” I said simply, trying to gauge any discomfort in her eyes. We were taking a big leap by deciding to get married, so it felt natural to open up to her more. After all, she was going to be my wife. It was incredible how she always seemed to have the right opinions and be on point with everything. Being with Eloise was a constant source of wonder - you never knew what would happen next, but you always craved more. She had completely captivated me.“And what about this room?”“It’s mine.”Her mouth formed an “O.” “Right. It’s very you
ADAMThere was a moment of silence in Zoey’s line.“Hello?”“You never apologize,” she sobbed, her voice husky.I never did, did I?“I don’t...” I trailed off, at a loss for words.“So don’t, sir. I’m sorry. It was my fault you chose her. What should I do to make this right? I can’t... I can’t lose you like this.”How long has it been since we played the game? She didn’t mind if I had an occasional fling with someone else during those years because she was also involved with Chase. But I simply didn’t have the energy to be that kind of person for Eloise. When I met her, I never wanted anyone else.“I won’t apologize. It’s my fault,” I said, looking up at the sky. The atmosphere remained surprisingly serene. I almost thought I saw a shooting star. Was it because I acknowledged my mistake and released Zoey from the pain I caused her? She shouldn’t forgive me.Why was she blaming herself? Ah, I see. It’s because I taught her to think that way. I was really an asshole.“We should inform C
ADAM“I know, I believe you,” I replied, holding her hand and bringing it to my lips. “We may be different, but we make it work, right?”“We’re trying, and here we are. I’m not bothered about Zoey anymore. I know she was your submissive, so it’s not as shocking as I initially thought. What did she tell you? Did she ask about me?”“She did, but does it really matter?”“But are you worried about her now?”“Would you be mad if I said I felt responsible?” I questioned.“Of course not, because that shows you have a sense of… decency, at least to some extent, right?”I laughed again. I never thought I could actually be decent. “So, I’m not totally a lost cause, aren’t I?” I mused aloud.“No, you’re just...” Her gaze locked onto mine, her eyes full of intensity. “...having an identity crisis. At least, that’s how it seems to me,” she said, her expression shifting to one of sympathy. It was as if she could see right through me.But was I really that obvious? “How can you say that?”“Because I
ELOISEMy lips trembled. This painful information was coming to me at once, and I suddenly felt overwhelmed and tight in my stomach.“Is that why this man… I mean, this Christopher, so antagonistic towards you?”Adam looked away for a moment before continuing. “His wife cheated on him with a Sebastian. Why or how it happened, I wouldn’t know. The Jacksons, Waldorfs, and Sebastians were longtime friends, so connections are inevitable.”“So, Christopher blamed you for everything?”He shrugged. “Well, their affair created a lot of bad blood. Of course, I didn’t know any of that growing up. I was left in the dark until I was old enough to understand, but even now, I barely understand. It all seems so chaotic to me.”“Your parents didn’t tell you?” I asked. If so, he probably learned it from Christopher.“I’m sure they intended to keep it a secret forever, but every secret is meant to be discovered.”“That’s... a lot,” I said. My throat suddenly felt dry. I immediately wanted to comfort hi
ELOISEWe cut the revelation short, and Adam let me rest for the night. We lay soundly in each other’s arms. My head rested on his arm while his other arm was wrapped around my waist. I cocooned against his warm chest while he breathed softly on my neck. This all seemed surreal and peaceful, and I felt protected. This was going to be my night for the next days, months, or years if we made it work. I then closed my eyes and fell asleep.I woke up in the morning with Adam’s face close to mine. His eyes were closed, and only then did I notice his long lashes, prominent nose lines, and the faint lines on his skin from whenever he smiled. I couldn’t help but run my fingers over his cheek and across his forehead.Suddenly, his eyes fluttered open, and he smiled. “Enjoying the view?” he teased, his voice husky from sleep.I chuckled softly. “Very much.”Adam’s smile widened, and he tightened his hold on me, pulling me even closer. “Good morning, beautiful.”“Good morning,” I replied, feelin
ELOISEThat evening, while I was showering, Adam joined me. He wrapped his arms around me from behind while his lips placed soft kisses on my shoulder. I moved my hair to the side and looked back at him. Even after everything, it still felt surreal. Adam was my husband now.Just a few weeks ago, I met this man because of a simple mistake on a blind date, and he became someone who supported me. But there was still so much I had to learn about him, many things we needed to resolve and discuss.Under the shower, we stayed silent, savoring each other’s presence. Words became unnecessary with each kiss on my shoulder, neck, and back. I surrendered to the surge of emotions, my body burning with every touch of his fingers on my skin.Adam’s lips traveled down my back to the space between my buttocks. I moaned, arching my back as his tongue slid through. I gripped the wall; the only sounds were the splashing water, my rapid heartbeat, and my heavy breathing. His fingers traced my slit, and my
ELOISEWhen the doctor left, Adam and I watched Davina sit beside Malcolm’s bed, her hand never leaving his face.The doctor told us he didn’t know when my brother was going to wake up, but he should still be able to from his temporary coma.Davina was the first to speak. “How… how could Callum do this to me? After everything…”Dad was standing by the window with his hands folded across his chest when he finally broke his silence. “Callum did it because I let him. Because my ambition and greed blinded me.” There was a long pause before he turned to face us. “I did this. I did this to our family... to Malcolm. I was too focused on making sure the Cunningham name stayed strong. I was one-sided.”Davina’s eyes flicked, and her lips pressed tightly together. “You can’t blame yourself for this. I asked you to—”“I can blame myself,” Dad cut her off. “I’ve seen the signs. To think that I almost gave away my only daughter.” He waved his hand towards me.My heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t sure
ADAM Eloise and I continued to move through the crowd, accepting congratulations and well wishes from the guests. I kept glancing around the room, scanning the crowd for any sign of Jonathan, but he had taken the initiative and was now talking to Callum. He had probably slipped away during the ceremony to begin his part of the operation. Now, all I could do was wait for him to make contact. Eloise chatted with her relatives near the buffet table when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I stepped away from the crowd, keeping my movements casual. I checked the message. It was from Jonathan: We spotted the ambulance, but one of my men outside hit a small complication. I glanced around again, making sure Callum wasn’t watching, and I remained calm. I moved toward a secluded reception corner, pressing the phone to my ear as I dialed Jonathan’s number. Jonathan gestured to Callum to wait a moment as he answered my call. “Jonathan, what’s going on?” I asked, my voice low but urgent. “I’m sor
ELOISE The band began to play another slow song, and Callum pulled me close, his hand resting on my lower back as we swayed to the music. His touch felt heavy and awkward, and it stung so painfully that it felt like he’d burn me alive. “You look beautiful tonight, Eloise,” Callum said, his voice low and smooth. “I’m sure Adam feels like the luckiest man in the world. It should've been me.” “I didn’t agree to this dance so that you could flatter me,” I replied, my voice steady despite the fear gnawing at me. His eyes squinted. “Are you flattered?” I rolled my eyes. “Hello, no. Where’s Malcolm?” He studied me momentarily, his eyes searching mine as if looking for something. “You know, I’ve always admired your strength. It’s not easy being in your position. But you’ve handled it remarkably well.” “Answer the question, Callum,” I said firmly. He sighed. “He’s safe. He’s right outside the premises, in a private ambulance with a doctor tending to him.” “How are we going to get him b
ELOISEIn fairness, I was in awe of the garden reception decorated with pastel colors, our color motifs, floral arrangements, and a lengthy buffet for fancy guests under the twinkling fairy lights. The soft mainstream music from the live band filled the air with laughter and conversations.From the outside, despite all the reasons and family drama, it was the perfect evening, just as I had always imagined for my wedding. I couldn’t shake off the thoughts of the challenges that awaited us.I walked through the crowd, exchanging smiles and greetings, but I was especially eager to see the Sebastians. As I approached their table, their presence at the reception meant a lot to me, and I hadn’t had the chance to greet them properly yet. I spotted them gathered under a large oak tree, the soft light making their happy faces glow. Rachel and Benjamin were sitting together, looking engaged in a conversation. Sitting next to them were Rafael and Julian, Adam’s older brothers, each holding one
ELOISEThe day had finally arrived, and I couldn’t believe it was real—my wedding day. I had always imagined what this day would feel like, but reality had a way of twisting those dreams into something more and less than I had imagined.I couldn’t fully explain what I was feeling. Nerves buzzed under my skin, mixed with a tingling excitement that I could feel on my fingertips and even a bit of fear. This was it. I was really going to get married—to the best, most understanding man I had ever known, not to mention the sexiest man alive.A smile tugged at my lips as I thought of Adam—his touch, his voice, the way he had been my rock through everything. But my heart kept pounding in my chest. It wasn’t just the typical wedding day jitters. My mind was also drifting to the idea that Malcolm was alive and that this was the day Callum and I had agreed I would get my brother back, as well as the secrets Adam and I were keeping from Logan and Davina.The soft hum of conversation drifted throu
ELOISEI returned to my father’s mansion feeling drained and exhausted, as if the spa’s effects had worn off. Everything happened in a flash, and it felt like my brain wanted to stop functioning. Back at the hospital, all that mattered was Malcolm. I kissed his forehead and said my temporary goodbyes with a heavy heart.By the time I entered the grand hall, Nina came running to me for an embrace. She was crying her lungs out, and all I could do was tap her back.“Where have you been? It’s almost midnight. I waited for you until they closed, but you weren’t there. We were so worried about you. What happened?” She stepped back to look into my face.“I was…”Adam suddenly came to me and wrapped me in his arms, tight, as if he had been longing for me. He was breathing hard. He hugged me so tightly I couldn’t breathe. He didn’t say anything for a moment. He was just there, holding me, feeling me with every touch and fingertip.“Adam…” I whispered. Then Mr. Ross approached us.“Miss, I had
ELOISE My brother lay there unconscious, with oxygen attached to his mouth and other things connected to his body. Tons of questions swirled in my head: How did he get here? What did Callum do to him? How did Callum fake his death? Didn't they bury him? Didn't Dad see his body? We even went to his grave. But those questions didn’t matter now. Malcolm was here, alive, even though he was in a coma. I ran to him and held his warm hand, staring at his skinny face. He looked tired but still handsome. He had been here all this time, kept alive only by these machines. We had mourned him. “What did you do? I knew it. I knew you did this.” I glared at Callum. He rolled his eyes and slipped his hand into his pocket, looking relaxed as if Malcolm wasn't his nephew. “Alright, I did this, did that. I just had to do what I had to because, in the end, I knew your father would ditch me.” He walked closer and casually sat on the bed next to my brother. “Now, are you going to negotiate?” A sur
ADAM I played pool and had brandy with Logan until evening, and he asked about my relationship with Eloise, just the basics. I was waiting for him to show any sign of the man Eloise used to tell me about, but he remained private and diverted the conversation to something else whenever I tried. I don't despise the man for what he did for his daughter, but I haven’t grown any liking for him; I was only trying to be civilized. He also wanted this business expansion to Las Vegas, implying that he only accepted our engagement because he expected me to invest. I didn’t find any anomaly in their plans for their expansion. Blackwood was actually managing that quite well, not that I praised him (because he was a low-life asshole and a criminal who leeched off the family), but there were still illegal transactions happening inside among their elite members. If I was to invest in such a business, I needed to make sure that fucker wouldn’t touch anything I’d work hard for. “I wanted to hear w