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One Crack at a Time
Last Updated:
2025-03-11 22:09:58
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Reclaiming His Bride Chasing Control
Ava's POV The antiseptic smell of the hospital mingled with the tension between us, sharp enough to make me sick. Holly sat on the edge of the hospital bed, her arms folded across her chest, her expression an unreadable mask—until it cracked. Anger and confusion seeped through, and she couldn’t hold it back any longer.“Why did you do that, Ava?” she asked, her voice trembling. “He was just trying to be nice. You made him leave like he was some kind of monster.”I took a deep breath, fighting to keep my emotions in check while staring at my seventeen year old sister. “He’s not who you think he is, Holly. I’m trying to protect you.”“From what?” she demanded, her eyes flashing. “Orion’s been nothing but kind since he showed up. He didn’t deserve that. You made me feel like a child in the middle of your drama. It’s exhausting, Ava.”My heart ached hearing the raw hurt in her voice. “You don’t understand,” I said, feeling like a broken record. “There’s more to this than you know. Orion
Last Updated : 2025-03-12Reclaiming His Bride Facing the Millers
Ava's POV The moment Priscilla Miller walked in, it felt like all the oxygen was sucked out of the room. Her presence was a storm, silent at first but filled with the promise of devastation. She closed the door behind her, her eyes cold and confrontational as they landed on me. She looked pristine in her tailored green suit, every inch the formidable matriarch of the Miller empire. “I should have known I’d find you here,” she said, her voice like a whip crack. “Playing your little games. Trying to seduce my son now, aren't you?”I squared my shoulders, refusing to let her see how her sudden appearance rattled me, and how ridiculous her accusation sounded. “Mrs. Miller,” I said, my tone flat. “What an unpleasant surprise. I never knew you could find your way to this company after so long.”Her eyes, so much like Orion’s but devoid of warmth, narrowed. “Don’t pretend, witch. I know what you’re doing. Trying to sink your claws deeper into this family.” She stepped closer, her heels cl
Last Updated : 2025-03-12Reclaiming His Bride Ava Miller
Ava's POVI could still feel the touch of Orion’s lips against my neck, the warmth of his breath sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. Even now, minutes later, the memory lingered, stubborn and unyielding, refusing to be banished.I hated it. I hated the way my skin came alive when I thought of his touch, how every nerve seemed to spark beneath the memory of his lips. I despised how, for a fleeting moment, I had leaned into him, my body betraying me with its need—a need I refused to acknowledge. It was nothing, I told myself, my footsteps echoing in the empty corridor as I walked briskly. Nothing but the pangs of loneliness. It had been too long since I’d been with anyone; that was all. I would’ve reacted to any touch. It wasn’t him—not Orion. It couldn’t be him. I despised him with every fiber of my being.Yet, despite the lies I spun to myself, the ache in my chest remained—a heavy, coiled presence that refused to leave. His smirk, his arrogance, his maddening confidence—t
Last Updated : 2025-03-12Reclaiming His Bride Accepting His Ring
Ava's POV Nothing prepared me for this scene.Orion was already on one knee, a sparkling ring between his fingers that caught the light and seemed to mock me with its brilliance. The cold, calculated smirk on his face told me everything I needed to know: this was not a proposal—it was another performance, orchestrated to perfection. The entire room, filled with the board members and, to my disgust, his mother, Mrs. Priscilla Miller, watched with rapt attention.“Surprise,” he said smoothly, his voice oozing false sincerity. “I thought you might appreciate something a little more… impressive this time.”The last time he’d asked me to marry him, the ring had been simple, understated—perhaps the only honest gesture I had ever seen from him. I’d refused, believing it was the end of this charade. But here he was, armed with a massive diamond and an audience ready to applaud my defeat.I clenched my jaw, struggling to keep my composure. “What is this, Orion?” My voice was cold, every wor
Last Updated : 2025-03-12Reclaiming His Bride “Gotcha”
Orion's POV I sat in my office, my fingers tapping steadily against the arm of my chair, my mind consumed by the memory of Ava storming out. Her angry words echo in my head, but it’s the look on her face that lingers the most—the raw fury mixed with confusion, the fire in her eyes. She thinks she understands me, that she has me figured out, but she’s just another player in a game she can’t even begin to comprehend.My grip tightens around the armrest, and a surge of emotions hits me, ones I can’t quite place. Part of me wants to see her break, wants to see her crushed beneath my control, begging for mercy. But there’s something else there, something darker. I don’t want to admit it, but I can feel it crawling under my skin, gnawing at my insides. I stood still in my office as she left, the image of her hand, bandaged and raw, still etched in my mind. Chloe had pushed her down, and I’d done nothing but watch, a mere bystander to her pain. The coldness in me had found it amusing at
Last Updated : 2025-03-12Reclaiming His Bride Checkmate in White
Orion's POV The week went by faster than I expected. Every day blurred into the next, consumed by the ever-growing list of tasks surrounding the wedding. I didn’t see much of Ava in those days, but that was by design. I needed her to feel the absence of my presence, to start wondering what was happening behind the scenes. Chloe, on the other hand, was a different story. She wasn't happy about the marriage to Ava, but I reassured her over and over again that it was all temporary. Once I had Ava out of the way, Chloe would have what was rightfully hers. I could almost see the fire in her eyes ignite every time I told her this. And I backed up my words with actions—promises of loyalty, devotion, and yes, passion. But the most convincing of all was the night we spent together, where I reminded her how much she meant to me.Ava, though, remained distant, focused, and determined. She still had no idea of the full scope of my plan. And that made everything even sweeter. It was all comin
Last Updated : 2025-03-13Reclaiming His Bride Games at the Altar
Ava’s POV Here I am again, standing on the altar for the third time. Seriously, how ridiculous can my life get? The weight of the situation felt like an iron chain wrapped around my chest, and yet, there was a numbness to it all. My eyes trailed down to the ring on my finger, the symbol of yet another strategic arrangement, not love. I should have been paying attention to the ceremony, to the priest, to the audience watching me like hawks. Instead, I was lost in thought, my lips curling into a sly smirk as I considered the plans I had put in place. If everything went as I imagined, Orion wouldn’t know what hit him. Holly’s radiant smile flickered in my memory. She had been overjoyed when I told her about the wedding date, almost annoyingly so. “Finally!” she’d exclaimed. “And I get to walk you down the aisle! It’s going to be magical, Ava!” Magical wasn’t the word I’d use, but her excitement was contagious. Seeing her beam with pride as she walked beside me earlier had been
Last Updated : 2025-03-13Reclaiming His Bride The Master Bedroom
Ava’s POVThe drive to the mansion had been quiet. Too quiet. I watched the trees blur past, their bare branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, and I couldn’t help but smile. Orion sat beside me, his hands clenched, knuckles white with suppressed anger. Chloe sat stiffly in the front seat, eyes darting between us from time to time, as if expecting another battle to break out at any moment.She had insisted on riding with us and just as I expected, Orion couldn’t decline. Who on earth let’s their mistress ride with him on his fucking wedding night? Not like I was angry, it’s just hilarious!We finally arrived. The grand, cold mansion loomed ahead, its stone walls almost as frigid as the air between Orion and me. I stepped out of the car, my heels clicking against the cobblestone path. Inside, the maids scurried about, finishing the arrangements I had instructed them to make. Everything was set.I retreated to my room, the master bedroom—our bedroom now. The wind from the open win
Last Updated : 2025-03-13
Latest chapter
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
