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Innocence in the Shadows
Huling Na-update:
2025-03-13 16:39:52
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Reclaiming His Bride A Sister’s Strength
Ava’s POVThe tension between all of us felt like a thunderstorm about to break. Chloe stood motionless in the driveway, arms crossed, her eyes darting between me, Orion and Holly. I leaned against the wall, silent but watching. I could feel her anger simmering beneath the surface. This is so good. I looked at Holly and couldn’t help the smile that threatened to tear my lips apart.Holly took a deep breath, schooling her expression into calm authority. “Miss Chloe,” she said, her voice steady. “You won’t be going with them.”Chloe’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”Holly smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “You heard me. Why would you even think that you could go with them? It’s a honeymoon!”Chloe started pacing back and forth, her fists clenched at her sides. “You invited me to pack. What kind of game are you playing, Holly?”Holly crossed her arms, matching her glare. “I needed you to know how serious I am about boundaries. You’ve crossed too many lines. Don’t think I haven’t notice
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-13Reclaiming His Bride Honeymoon in Hell
Ava’s POVThe drive felt endless. The silence was a battlefield, each second dragging like a weight on my chest. Orion’s eyes flicked to me now and then, his gaze piercing, full of unspoken words. I kept my focus on the window, watching the landscape blur past, my mind racing. "Chloe at the airport?" I finally broke the silence, voice sharp. "You must think I'm as naïve as you are arrogant." Orion smirked, but there was no warmth in it. "You underestimate her. She doesn’t give up that easily." "And you don’t understand boundaries," I shot back, meeting his gaze head-on. "But Holly just gave you a lesson in them. Did it sting?" He leaned closer, his voice low, dangerous. "Careful, Ava. Don’t mess with me. I swear, I’ll teach you a lesson you won’t forget in a hurry." I didn’t flinch. "Maybe I really want to be taught a lesson then." The tension crackled between us, every breath charged with the weight of unspoken battles. I could feel the power shift—Holly’s stand had been
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-13Reclaiming His Bride Pretending
Ava’s POVThe next morning, sunlight spilled into the room through sheer curtains, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch across the divide between our rooms. I hadn’t slept—my mind raced, replaying every venomous word Orion had spat and every cold glare exchanged. The soft murmur of Venice waking up outside felt worlds away from the tension that hung in this suite.I rose, determined not to let him see any weakness. The war had begun, and every move mattered.As I stepped out of my room, I found Orion already seated on the plush sofa, a steaming cup of espresso in his hand. He looked up, his gaze unreadable, but I could see the dark circles under his eyes. Had he slept any better than I had? I doubted it.The stupid thing about this suite? We have to share a bathroom!“Good morning, Ava.” His voice was clipped, a deliberate performance of civility.I didn’t reply. Instead, I crossed the room and entered the bathroom. After relieving myself, I brushed my teeth and washed my face
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-13Reclaiming His Bride Sex in Venice
Orion’s POVThe next day followed Holly's perfect honeymoon plan, every moment a scripted performance. I woke to the scent of strong coffee and the faint hum of Venetian traffic filtering through the open window. The sun painted golden streaks across the room, but none of it pierced the fog in my mind. The bed beside me was empty, the sheets cool. Ava was already playing her part. By the time I joined her on the balcony for breakfast, she was the picture of effortless grace, sipping orange juice in a white sundress that caught the breeze just right. She looked... different. Softer. Dangerous, in a way I couldn't place. "You're late," she said, not looking up. "Didn't realize we were on a schedule," I muttered, taking a seat across from her. She finally met my eyes, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "We are now." ***The dark theater was a welcome reprieve from the relentless sun and the suffocating charade. The film was a melodramatic Italian romance—star-crossed lo
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-14Reclaiming His Bride Echoes of Regret
The silence between Ava and Orion was a living thing, thick and suffocating, as though the walls themselves held their breath. Ava’s hand trembled slightly as she opened her door, eyes downcast, carefully avoiding the man standing just a few feet away. Orion. The air crackled with tension, unspoken words swirling like ghosts between them. Neither of them could look at the other without seeing what they had done—or more accurately, what they hadn’t stopped themselves from doing. She didn’t need to look at him to feel the weight of his gaze, the intensity of the regret they both shared. It clung to them like a second skin, too raw to confront, too painful to forget. Orion stood rigid, every muscle in his body taut with a mixture of anger and guilt. His eyes, normally sharp and unreadable, were clouded with something darker—self-loathing. He despised himself for the night before, for the weakness that had consumed him, and for the guilt that now festered like an open wound. The m
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-14Reclaiming His Bride Fleeting Moments
The silence in the hotel room was suffocating, heavy with regret and unspoken words. Chloe’s venomous words clung to the air, each syllable a dagger aimed at her heart. Ava refused to respond; the weight of her emotions was too much to bear. Instead, she stormed out of the suite, her footsteps echoing down the hallway. The cool morning air hit her as she stepped outside, but it did little to soothe the chaos inside.She wandered aimlessly through the city streets, tears welling up in her eyes. The night’s events played on a cruel loop in her mind: Orion’s touch, the betrayal, the raw regret. She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling the sting of every breath.As she walked, she heard the soft strains of music—a street artist performing with a raw, soulful voice. The sound tugged at something deep inside her, and she finally let the tears fall.The crowd bustled around her, a sea of strangers, each lost in their own world. But for Ava, the world had narrowed to the ache in her ches
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-14Reclaiming His Bride Silent Storms
Ava's POVAs Orion and Chloe pulled away, the engine's roar faded into the distance, leaving a strange silence behind. I stood there, the tension from the flight still coiled tight in my chest. My gaze lingered on the empty space they’d left, as if staring long enough could erase the hollow ache gnawing at my insides. “Ava?” Mason’s voice pulled me back, gentle yet grounding. I turned to him, finding solace in the warmth of his hazel eyes. “You look like you could use some tea.”I managed a small smile. “Is it that obvious?”He chuckled, the sound somehow softening the jagged edges inside me. “Come on. There’s a little café just around the corner.”We walked in silence, the airport chaos fading behind us. The café was tucked away, quiet and intimate, with the comforting aroma of fresh herbs and spices. We found a table near the window, and as the server set down our cups, I wrapped my hands around my elbow, letting the warmth seep in.“Long day?” Mason’s voice was casual, but his eye
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-14Reclaiming His Bride Fractured Vows
Ava's POVI leaned my forehead against the wardrobe door, my breath shaky, chest tight. The silence behind me was deafening, like a storm waiting to break. I could feel Orion's anger hanging thick in the air, even with the door separating us. Memories clawed at the edges of my mind—his hands around my waist, his lips soft against mine in Venice. Now, those same hands were nothing but chains.As if on cue, the image of him tangled in sheets with Chloe flashed through my mind. What kind of animal is he? What does he take me for?I dressed quickly, pulling on soft silk and tailored lines. It wasn’t about vanity—it was about feeling protected, cloaked in control. When I stepped out, Orion was still there, his back to me, hands clenched at his sides. "Why are you still here? Why does seeing me with someone else bother you anyway?," I asked, my voice calm but edged with steel.He turned slowly, his eyes a dangerous storm. "You're really asking me that? Watching my wife entertain strangers
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-14
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Reclaiming His Bride The Life We Fought For (Bonus Chapter)
Ava’s POVThe crisp autumn breeze carried the scent of fallen leaves as I stood before Richard’s tomb, dressed in a flowing white dress that billowed around my ankles. It had been over two years since the chaos, since the battles that tested our strength, our love, and our resilience. Two years since we lost the man who gave me—gave all of us—a new chance at life. A chance at love, at family, at something real. I felt a gentle press against my hand and turned slightly, meeting the warm gaze of my mother-in-law. Without words, I passed her a knowing smile and squeezed her hand back. We had arranged this ceremony not to mourn, but as a reunion. A day to celebrate Richard’s life rather than grieve his absence. Laughter and quiet conversations floated through the cemetery as familiar faces gathered. Holly stood a few feet away, her phone in hand, a small, amused smile playing on her lips as she typed away. I narrowed my eyes, curiosity sparking in my chest. Was she texting… a boy? I
Reclaiming His Bride Fragments of Us
Epilogue Orion stood alone on the balcony of the penthouse, the cool morning air brushing against his skin as his thoughts drifted to the past. He had sold the mansion—the one he and Ava once called home. The memories that filled those walls had become too painful to bear. The haunting image of that particular morning played in his mind, unbidden and relentless. Ava in his arms, blood staining her dress as she struggled to breathe, coughing up blood. “Don’t talk, Ava. Please… just stay with me. Somebody get the ambulance!” His frantic cries echoed in his ears as the paramedics wheeled her away, her weak hand reaching out, telling him with her eyes to let her go. Despite the terror in his chest, he listened to her wish and watched her leave, helpless to follow. Uncle Theo had dragged him away, his voice hollow, urging him to pull himself together. “Ava, your wife, will want you here,” Theo had said. Those words, heavy with unspoken meaning, drove him to storm into the conference ha
Reclaiming His Bride Chloe's Last Stand
Ava’s POVThe incessant ringing of our phones jolted us awake. I stirred, unwilling to leave the warmth of Orion's arms. He hesitated for a moment before reaching for his phone on the headboard. His body stiffened as he listened to whoever was on the other end. Suddenly, he shot upright. “What do you mean by that?” he barked into the phone, his tone sharp and commanding. My curiosity piqued, I sat up and watched him intently. “Schedule a meeting for today,” he ordered before tossing the phone aside and raking his hand through his disheveled hair. “What happened?” I asked, my voice cautious. He turned to look at me, his expression softening. “It’s nothing for you to worry about, just some… minor concern at my company,” he replied, placing a reassuring kiss on my hand. His lips then trailed from my hand to my arm, my shoulder, my neck, and finally to my ear. “Stop,” I said, smiling as I half-heartedly pushed him away. But before things could go further, my own phone rang. Orion
Reclaiming His Bride A Bitter Rescue
Orion’s POV“Holly?” I called out, my voice laced with shock. Ava’s head snapped toward the door, and in an instant, she was on her feet, rushing to her sister. Pulling Holly into a tight embrace, Ava clung to her as if letting go would make her disappear. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably. “What happened? Why are you crying?” Holly asked, her voice filled with confusion. “I just missed you,” Ava whispered, her voice soft but thick with emotion. Rose stepped forward, her brow furrowed. “Holly, why are you here so suddenly? Your bodyguard didn’t notify me about this visit.” Holly’s next words landed like a thunderclap. “That’s because he’s dead.” “What?” Ava gasped, pulling back from her sister. Her posture straightened as the words sank in. “What do you mean? What happened? When did this happen?” she asked, her voice rising with urgency. Holly’s gaze dropped, her hands trembling as she whispered, “It’s Dad.” She looked directly at Ava, fear etched
Reclaiming His Bride Mason's Betrayal
Orion’s POVCradling Ava's limp form against me, her body cold and still, the past week came crashing into my mind like a relentless tide, dragging me back to the darkest moments. Chloe’s voice, as clear as if she were standing right here, played over and over in my head.I closed my eyes, fighting the flood of memories, but they came anyway. The first time she’d called after the scandal had faded—her calm, unnervingly calculated tone—it had felt like the beginning of something dangerous. Something insidious.“I want you there at six,” she'd threatened, her voice oozing venom masked as sweetness. “Or I’ll make sure this goes public. Think I’m bluffing? I’ve got a video that’ll destroy you, Orion. Imagine how she’ll react when she sees it. All those nights... How do you think she’ll feel watching our sex video?”The poison in her words sank into my skin, the memory of that call still fresh. “Remember Chicago?” Chloe had murmured, her breath deliberate, every word a careful caress. “I
Reclaiming His Bride Between Two Shadows
Ava’s POV Mason.“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice curious as soon as the door clicked shut behind him. He didn’t respond, but only walked further into the room.“I was just about to call you, but…” My words trailed off as I took in his appearance. He was still wearing the same turtleneck and coat I’d seen him in yesterday. In the middle of summer. I frowned. "Mason, it’s sweltering outside. Why are you still dressed like this? You could at least lose the coat. I know this is a corporate setting, but I would never question you even if you didn’t dress so formally.”Mason smirked faintly, brushing off my comment, but before he could respond, Orion spoke, his voice laced with suspicion and accusation. “Why are you wearing so many layers in this weather?” He stepped forward, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey. “Orion,” I warned, my tone firm. “That’s enough.” Mason’s smirk twisted into a sneer as he locked eyes with Orion. “You don’t
Reclaiming His Bride Power Plays and Betrayals
Ava's POV The morning sunlight streamed through my office window, illuminating the stack of damning documents on my desk. Photos, doctored emails, and fabricated accusations stared back at me, each one a calculated attempt to tarnish my name and shake the foundations of Miller Enterprise. Rose hovered nearby, her face pale with worry. "Ava," she began, her voice trembling. "This... this is catastrophic. It's worse than anything we've ever faced." I remained seated, my face calm and unreadable. “They’re emptying their rifles,” I said, my voice steady, almost amused. Orion paced behind me, his tension radiating like a storm waiting to break. “Ava, this isn’t just about you,” he said sharply. “This is bigger. They’re coming for the company. They’re coming for us.” I raised a hand, silencing him. “Orion, stop.” He froze mid-step, turning to face me. “How can you be so calm? Do you even realize what’s at stake?” “I do,” I replied, standing and brushing off my blazer. “And I k
Reclaiming His Bride The First Move
The city skyline shimmered like a chessboard under the moonlight, each glowing tower representing a player in this corporate war. While Chloe plotted her revenge, the Jamesons were orchestrating their own calculated strike, a move that would send shockwaves through Miller Enterprise before the Millers even knew what hit them. The Jameson estate exuded an aura of unrelenting power. The sprawling grounds, with their pristine gardens and wrought-iron gates, were more fortress than home, a testament to the family’s wealth and ruthless ambition. Inside the mansion, the atmosphere was no warmer. The study, with its dark oak paneling and looming bookshelves, felt like the nerve center of a war room. Mr. Jameson sat behind the massive desk, his piercing eyes scanning a confidential file. The dim light from the desk lamp cast long, jagged shadows on the walls, amplifying the tension in the room. A glass of bourbon sat untouched beside him, condensation pooling on its surface. Mrs. Jameso
Reclaiming His Bride The Masked Intruder
Ava’s POVThe moment I saw the figure step into view, cloaked in black with their face obscured by a mask, my blood ran cold. A scream ripped from my throat, piercing through the suffocating silence of the house. I didn’t wait to see what they would do next. My instincts screamed at me to run.I turned and bolted back up the stairs, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. I made it halfway to my room when I felt a rough hand wrap around my wrist, yanking me back with such force that I almost lost my balance.“Let me go!” I screamed, twisting and struggling, my free hand clawing at the iron grip that held me. The figure said nothing, their strength overwhelming as they began dragging me toward the stairs.“No! Let me go, you son of a gun!” I kicked and squirmed, planting my feet against the floor and grabbing the railing, anything to slow them down. My nails dug into the wood, and I screamed again, hoping against hope that someone—anyone—would hear me.And I ask again, wh
