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THE ARRANGED BRIDE 36
BRIAN'S POVI left the office and began driving home. The late evening had finally thinned the traffic - the city lights dancing across my windshield as I drove. Turning onto the street that would bring me to the house, my cell phone buzzed on the dash. A text from Kellan.Kellan:I ended things with Sharon. Meet me at the bar.I pulled over and re-read the text, trying to make out just what exactly it was he'd said. Not the attentive type of response, per say, more out of curiosity, I emailed fast and said I would be there. Then I turned the car in the direction of the named bar. all of us?I stepped into the darkened bar and didn't at all have any trouble finding Kellan. He sat at a table toward the corner, surrounded by a load of empty glasses and one half-full bottle of whiskey. His head hung low, and from across the room, it wasn't even hard for me to tell the weight of everything weighing down on him."Kellan," I said, reaching for him, but he didn't even lift his head.I slipp
Last Updated : 2024-10-05THE ARRANGED BRIDE 37
Olivia's POVI woke up that morning and made my way to the living room as I stretched my body. Brian was in the living room, getting ready to leave for work.“You're not waiting for breakfast?” I raised my eyebrows at him.“I can't. I'm meeting a client this morning and she's extra cranky.” He scrunched his face. “I don't want to keep her waiting.” “Okay.” I nodded."I brought a drunk guest home last night, help me take care of him" Brian's voice filtered over as I yawned.Blinked, hardly processing what he said. "What guest?" My words slurred, but he was already at the door, his coat slung over his arm."You'll see, " he said-without really answering my question at all-but gave a hasty, almost careless smile instead. "I've got to run. See you later."And before I could get out any protest or any more questions, or even manage to detain him, he was gone. The door clicked shut after him, leaving me with the impression of something wrong, which I couldn't shake off. Within that fracti
Last Updated : 2024-10-06THE ARRANGED BRIDE 38
KELLAN'S POVI settled back against cool leather and closed my eyes. The silence wasn't helping anything; each louder second reminded me of how much the wall had grown up between them. And how to break through that?The soft sound of feet pulled me out of it. I opened my eyes in time to see Olivia come into the room, damp hair from a taken shower, face smooth, almost too smooth, serene as if she'd made her peace with it all by then. How does she do that?“You look better," she said, soft yet certain. "I was thinking I'd make breakfast.Break-fast? After everything? Hard, I blinked in an attempt to get my head to wrap around what she'd said. She went into the kitchen like this was just any other day-like we hadn't been at each other's throats not that long ago. She wasn't even upset anymore, it seemed.I sat there and watched couldn't just sit there and watch. I eased myself up off the couch and followed her into the kitchen, not knowing really what I'd do, but knowing I needed to be c
Last Updated : 2024-10-06THE ARRANGED BRIDE 39
KELLAN'S POVI leaned over onto the passenger seat for my phone and after a moment's deliberation, dialed my mom's number. She'd been nagging me about Olivia for weeks, saying if I didn't get my head out of my butt, I'd lose her forever. And yeah, she was right, but I wasn't about to say that out loud.It didn't even have time to ring once, and she picked up. "Kellan?" Her voice was sharper than a razor blade and expected an answer, now. "Yeah, it's me," I answered.“How is it going with Olivia?” She asked."I'm working on it." I scratched the back of my neck. "Working on it?" she repeated, singularly unimpressed. "That's what you said a few days ago. What does that even mean? Have you spoken to her? Seen her? Done anything at all to rectify this mess you made?"I blew out a loud huff. "I talked to Brian," I said, knowing darn well it wasn't gonna cut it with her. "I've got a plan, okay? I'm trying to take things slow.""Slow? Kellan, you don't have time for 'slow.' Olivia is slippi
Last Updated : 2024-10-07THE ARRANGED BRIDE 40
OLIVIA'S POVI sat on the plush bed in Kellan's penthouse, hands in my lap, staring at the unfamiliar space lining the walls. Sleek, modern decoration was so very far from cozy apartments that I had left, but then again-everything about this arrangement felt alien. I agreed to move back in with him; still, it didn't feel like a homecoming. Not yet."Kellan said it was best to stay here," I grumbled, repeating in a process with myself that I had since arrival. "He didn't want us staying with his parents."And maybe he was. Complicated-mostly, being around his parents was in its own way, but being here with him… It was like standing on the edge of a cliff, not knowing whether I would fly or if Kellan would catch me this time.It was buzzing on the nightstand, and I reached over, picking it up, glad for the distraction. Brian's name flashed across the screen of my phone, and a small sigh of relief escaped my lips. At least talking to Brian always managed to make things feel just a little
Last Updated : 2024-10-07THE ARRANGED BRIDE 41
OLIVIA'S POVWe pulled up in front of this Fancy restaurant, valet service, with a long line of luxury cars parked in front. I hadn't been to one of those in ages, and for one fast second, I wondered whether I overdressed or underdressed. Smoothing the fabric of my dress once more, I watched as Kellan stepped from the car and came around to open the door for me.He nods and extends an offering hand. "Ready?" he asks. I hesitate half a second too long before I take it, let him pull me from the car. "As ready as I'll ever be."Inside was just as breathtaking: soft lighting, everything in a warm glow. Tables were set so that each table would be in privacy and the soft hum of conversations moved through the air. A waiter gestured us to a table by the window, and I couldn't help but be very aware of Kellan's hand on the small of my back as he guided me toward it."Thanks," I whispered, as he pulled the chair out for me.Kellan sat down across from me and for a minute we didn't say a word.
Last Updated : 2024-10-09THE ARRANGED BRIDE 42
KELLAN'S POV“You killed that deal, Kellan," Brian said, still smiling as he clicked his glass to mine across the corner booth at our regular lunch place. "I swear, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were born to close deals like this."I laughed, shaking my head. "It's all in the presentation. If you act confident enough, they will believe anything you are selling."Brian threw himself backward in his chair, laughing. "Well, whatever it is, it's working. Speaking of which… how's it at home? You and Olivia seem to be getting on all right these days."The thought alone brought a smile to my face. "Yeah, actually. Things have been… surprisingly good. We have been spending more time together, talking-actually getting along. I think she's starting to thaw up to the fact that maybe we can make this work.""That's great to hear," he said. "I knew it was only a matter of time. You two just needed some space to figure things out.”I didn't even have time to say anything before I found Brian
Last Updated : 2024-10-09THE ARRANGED BRIDE 43
OLIVIA'S POV I lay on the bed, tucking my legs under me, and began absently scrolling through my phone. That Afternoon was quiet, too quiet, actually, and I was trying to distract myself from the constant hum of anxiety that always buzzed around the back of my mind for days. Things had been better between Kellan and me; no doubt. We'd been talking more, sharing meals-even laughing at times. It almost felt as though we were normal. Almost.But it had always been there, something had. The huge weight that I couldn't shake. Perhaps deep inside, the fear that finally found peace wouldn't last would eventually be ruined by something or another, and I'd be back right to square one: hurt, angry, and doubting whether any of this could really work.I ironed out random posts that mostly didn't pique my interest and scrolled down through my social media apps. Then I saw it.The headline."Adopted Heiress Sparks Controversy: Brooke Family's Desperate Attempt to Merge with Eastons?"It felt like
Last Updated : 2024-10-09
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CARL'S POVI walked around the lounge with Amanda slumped on the couch in front of me, lifeless as a doll. My pursuit of reason was after a wriggle away while the noise of the sirens was growing outside-no less shrill to herald an empire crumbling away.It would have had to have been Kellan-that self-righteous jerk-just couldn't leave well enough alone, could he? I built it with my own hands, he had no right to take it away from me.A loud crash, and my thoughts are rent asunder by the flying open front door. First to storm in is a tidesurge of river-backed, armed officer, hard on the heels of Hardhead, the head of Security-firm as unshakeable granite."Carl Martins," he yelled, as if his voice should have carried around the estate. "It's time to know what's left of you. Back away from Amanda now and surrender yourself to authority."I raised my hands, and a smirk curled my lips. "Surrender? To what, precisely? Baseless accusations? You have nothing on me."Out came the head of Securi
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CARL'S POVMy ringing phone dragged me out of my sleep. Already, my chest was getting tighter while I read on-screen the name Marcus, one of my most trusted men. Swiping to answer, already my voice was a low growl. "What is it?‘We have a problem," Marcus said, the tight urgency laced into his voice. "The head of Security has mobilized a team. They're coming for you, Carl. They're going to raid the estate within the hour."I almost lost my grasp on the phone as that icy panic clutched my chest. "How the hell could this have happened?”"It's Kellan Easton," Marcus spat. "That bastard's been gathering evidence, and he gave it to them. They've got enough to tear you apart."I clenched my jaw so tight I thought my teeth were going to crack. Should have killed Kellan Easton when I had him. That smug, self-righteous fool actually thought to take everything from me, power, my empire, Amanda."Listen now," I said, my voice razor-sharp. "Delay them. I don't care how you do it--cause a diversi
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KELLAN’S POV The next morning, I sat on the edge of Alex's couch, my phone clutched in the firm grasp of my hand as if the strength of the hold could balance my thoughts spiraling out of order. The room, apart from the soft light coming from the table lamp, was shrouded in darkness. The creeping shadows at each corner were a reflection of unease crawling in my chest.What was left now was the riskiest of them all, and frankly speaking, I couldn't afford to waste more time. So I dialed the number that Brian had sent me - London head of Security - a man who, per Brian, had ties in with the Brooke family and who would deal in high stake situations.It rang a couple of times until I heard this firm, deep voice respond, "This is Gerald Mitchell.”‘Mr. Mitchell, my name is Kellan Easton," I started off hopefully-my voice wasn't breaking, "I'm calling because I have evidence regarding Carl Martins’ involvement in some illegal activities including but not limited to fraud, bribery, and unlaw
THE ARRANGED BRIDE 86
KELLAN’S POV It was 10:27, and my phone vibrated on the bed-side table, breaching the silence in my hotel room. All I could think of was who on earth would ring at such an ungodly hour, and by the time Eliza flashed across the screen right in the next second, my stomach started to growl. She never called for nothing whatsoever, and I think something inside my stomach had told me this time it was serious.“Eliza?" I returned, trying to keep my voice as neutral as possible, though the edges of my mind tickled with dread."Kellan," she said in a near whisper and barely holding in her shakes. "Something happened, Carl and Amanda, they had this huge fight.”My heart did a somersault, skipped a beat in me. "What kind of fight?" I was upright in bed.“A bad one,” she whispered. "Carl locked her in her room. He's furious. I think-" The words seemed to break off as if the weight of what she was saying hung in silence between them. "I think Amanda might be remembering."My mind just went compl
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Olivia's POVCarl's eyes, boring into my skin, his jaw snapped shut; fists bunched at his sides, unreachable and menacing, he stood between me and the door. I had been so very careful with feigned ignorance, and yet somehow he knew."You've been lying to me, Olivia," Carl said ominously in a quiet tone.I glowered back with puzzlement, but inside my heart had started going crazy, pounding loudly inside my ears. "What's it? I don't-""Enough," he snapped-the word whistling through the air like a whip. "You think I do not see the way you are looking at me now? The reluctant one, the defiance in your eyes? You are remembering who you are.”Instinctively I moved one foot backward, but behind my back was no place to go. "Even if I did," I said, and for some reason my voice wasn't shaking. "What does that matter? You have lied about everything to me, Carl-who I am, about my past-“Because you needed protection!" he cut in, voice rising. That manic edge gleamed once more in his eyes and my h
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Olivia's POVI slowly came awake, the pungent antiseptic smell of the hospital stinging my nose. It was like trying to blink the world into focus-my eyelids just felt so heavy. The pale, white ceiling above me came into view, but it wasn't the sterile room that caught my attention-it was the flood of memories crashing through my head.Kellan.It surged back, with such force-so visceral-taking the breath from my lungs: his face, his voice, his touch. I remembered it all-the life they shared, the love they shared, the despair I felt because it was torn from me.Carl had lied.My heart racing, I swallowed hard, my eyes flying from one side of the room to the other. There was no sign of Carl anywhere, but I knew that he wouldn't have wandered very far away. I couldn't tell him I remembered-not yet.I shifted slightly, wincing as a dull ache coursed through the back of my head. The flash of Carl's anger, his hand shoving me, and the wall rushing toward me replayed in my mind. Stupid to con
THE ARRANGED BRIDE 83
Kellan's POVMorning light filtered through my window, but it was barely noticed. In front of me, on the desk, my laptop sat with its screen full of all the documents and reports Thomas sent over in the last days: copies of bank accounts, police records, cameras at important junctions. The jigsaw of grains formed one enormous confusing puzzle.My phone rang right next to my head. I lifted it-the name across the screen glowed. It was Thomas.“What have you got?" I said, cutting to the chase.“We need to act fast, Carl is growing paranoid,” Thomas said. “We’ve noticed him destroying files, moving assets around. He knows someone’s digging into his business, but he doesn’t know it’s us.”Good. That gave us an edge, but not much of one. Carl was too calculating to let his guard down for long.*****I later met Thomas and the rest of the team that afternoon in a nondescript café on the outskirts of town: functional in as much as it was well out of the way of prying eyes, and even farther ou
THE ARRANGED BRIDE 82
Kellan's POVI was pacing around in the living room when it came. The incessant buzzing on the table; I reached to snatch it up with not a lot of thought on whom it would be; it was Eliza."Tell me you have something," I pressed, an edge to my tone, though tension in my voice belied a composure."Mr. Easton," Eliza started, but just then, an inflection of the tone that began to rise her voice sent my alarm bells ringing. "There's been an accident.”"What's wrong?" My stomach twisting into a tight knot, I clutched the phone in my hand."Olivia, she's been admitted to the hospital. She is unconscious."The world had stopped. I just blanked for a second until pure surging panic and anger took over my head. "What do you mean she's unconscious? What happened?""I don't have all the details yet," said Eliza, "but yes, she was rushed out of the house today, some type of head injury, and she's at Memorial Hospital."I didn't say a word either; took my car keys and ran out of the house, full o
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Amanda's P.O.V.The room was stifling. Dead air, deadening the silence, weighed upon me, like some unshed tear inside of me which refused to come out. I sat at my window, looking out into the sprawling gardens of Carl's mansion. My mind, however, had flown elsewhere.Disjointed pieces of something that were at the same time so strange and yet so familiar started as flashes sometime back: a sound, a woman's voice calling my name; the echo of laughter with this feeling of warmth and welcome that just didn't fit into this cold, calculated life Carl said was mine.My fingers dug in and scratched the nail deep across the skin. Would not those flashes let me be, hanging onto the edges of my mind tenaciously-never to let go and believe this version that Carl tried to sell so desperately as my life.I abruptly got on my feet-my chair scratching the floor with me. The unease inside had brimmed; I wanted answers.Carl's voice carried out to the hall outside my room, and I took a deep breath, pu
