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THE 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 : 2024-10-09THE ARRANGED BRIDE 44
KELLAN'S POVThe morning started off normal with a drive to Mom and Dad's with Olivia in tow on a call with Brian. He had called an hour before Mom did; he was there, way ahead of us, doing what he does best, trying to get everything fixed. I simply couldn't wrap my head around it, how could things have spiraled this out of control this fast?Olivia sat beside me, never a twitch, her hands in her lap looking out the window. I knew she wasn’t okay. She hadn’t been okay since yesterday after those horrid postings, but she just got up quietly this morning and followed me out the door. By this time, my conscience really began to gnaw on me.I leaned over, taking her hand in mine, giving it a soft squeeze-my other still on the wheel. "We're going to sort this out," I said, and my voice was low, even firm. "I'm going to fix it."She didn't turn to me, but her hand squeezed mine. That much was a lifeline. We were just going to have to get through it because we didn't have a choice.The two f
Last Updated : 2024-10-10THE ARRANGED BRIDE 45
OLIVIA'S POV“You knew this would happen, Kellan!" his mother's voice cut through as if a sharp, bitter blade. "It is utterly because of her past with you."Kellan stood across from his parents, his jaw clamped, fists at his sides. His father didn't say a word to him. He just sat in silence, arms across his chest, though disappointment filled his eyes."I hadn't known Sharon would pull something like this," Kellan returned; the evenness in his tone strained. "I ended things with her after I married Olivia.""That does nothing for the fact our family name is dragged through the mud," she snapped, frustration decidedly laced into her voice. "Nor would that have happened if you hadn't gotten involved with her in the first place."I leaned against the edge of the side wall and watched this scene play itself out before me. My heart was racing in my chest, my stomach twisting with that cold, heavy feeling. It was Kellan they rebuked, but somehow-it felt like I was at the center of this. My
Last Updated : 2024-10-11THE ARRANGED BRIDE 46
OLIVIA'S POV“Kellan, do you really think this is such a good idea?" I asked low as we walked to the hotel. My heart was racing, my stomach twisting with a bad feeling. Coming here to meet Sharon in a hotel room just felt off. But she had insisted on the location. Then his features set, he turned to me: "I have to see this through to the end Olivia. And you wanted to come. We'll go through it together."I nodded, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, as the car pulled to a stop. But this was no longer just about Sharon anymore; this was about everything: our reputations, our families, our lives. Yet there was something in the insistence of Sharon to meet in private that sent a quiver down my spine.We went to the lobby, and he had only to ask for the room number. His voice didn't shake, but I could trace the tension across his jaw. The hum of the elevator was silent between us as we went higher. I reached out for his hand, squeezed as we approached the room."I'm with you," I whispere
Last Updated : 2024-10-13THE ARRANGED BRIDE 47
OLIVIA'S POV“Kellan!” I shrieked, no louder than a whisper, but that was all my stricken lungs could manage as my room began to spin.It was flying directly at me, and I didn't bat an eye as my entire body was paralyzed. My time froze anyway and I was frozen with it, incapable of movement, incapable of blinking. I could only scrunch my eyes shut tight and wait for the impact. It never came.But before anything could happen, strong arms yanked me clear out of the way. I heard the resounding crash of the vase shattering against something, and my eyes flew open in panic.Kellan.He was clutching me, his body protectively shielding mine. Relief hit for just that instant until I saw the pain in his face; his hand went to his head, his fingers touching the side of his scalp. Blood.My heart bottomed out. "Kellan!" I yelled again, grabbing for his arms as he swayed briefly. His eyes glossed over as he blinked at me, and then, just like that, his legs buckled.I panicked as I tried to catch
Last Updated : 2024-10-13THE ARRANGED BRIDE 48
BRIAN'S POVI gripped the steering wheel, parking in front of Sharon's house. My knuckles whitened on my clutched rage with my jaw clenched as my inside burned with fury. Outside, the quiet of the neighborhood was deep, parents and children probably all tucked away in their beds-but a storm raged in the pit of my stomach. Kellan was lying in a hospital bed because of her. This time, she had crossed the line, and I wasn't about to let her get away with it.I got out of the car, shut the door behind me. Crystal clear with every step that I took from the car to her front door was what needed saying: she really needed to understand that at this point, this was no more a game; people were getting hurt and unless she backed off, serious consequences were in the offing.I rang the doorbell-my finger jabbing the button a great deal harder than it needed to. In a little while, I heard movement inside and the door swung open. Sharon was standing there, her face going from mild surprise directly
Last Updated : 2024-10-13
Latest chapter
THE ARRANGED BRIDE 92
KELLAN’S POV:The sun had long since set below the horizon, an amber twilight wrapping itself around Alex's estate. I stood beside the front door with Olivia-the softness of her hand in mine. Tenseness in her fingers spoke louder than words not formed upon her lips-she didn't want to leave. I couldn't blame her. It had been a haven, a place of refuge from all that Carl put her through.Alex filled the doorway, his sharp suit as perfect as always, but with a hint of a smile softening what was a hard steep countenance into something less unbending. "Finally leaving?"“Yes.” I nodded. "Thanks, Alex; I really don't know how to thank you for this."He waved it away. "You don't. You just take care of her. That's all I ask.”She leaned in a bit closer to me and flashed a small, genuine smile across the room at Alex. "Thanks, Alex; I really don't know what we would have done if it wasn't for you out there."Alex gave a slight incline of his head. "You have been through hell, Olivia. Just focu
THE ARRANGED BRIDE 91
KELLAN’S POVThe tension in Olivia's shoulders hadn't dissipated since the moment we stepped into Alex's house. Olivia hovered near the window of the living room, arms tightly wrapped around her middle while looking every other second outside the window at each movement the shadow made out there. I sit by the fireplace, flipping through my phone, and view her from time to time. Every groan of the house sends her jolting with yet another splinter to fragment a small bit of my heart."Olivia," I whisper, setting my phone aside. Her head jerks as I call her name; wide-eyed and afraid, open wide. I moved across the room in a set of languid steps, giving her ample time to document my approach. She didn't stir, but how her fingers curled into the flesh of her arms seemed to scream how wired she was."You're safe," I said, firm, halting in front of her. "Alex has the best security team money can buy. Carl's not coming for you. He can't.”She shook her head, her voice no more than a whisper
THE ARRANGED BRIDE 90
KELLAN’S POVMy heart rattled so strongly inside my chest that for one instant, I almost believed Carl would hear it. He had Amanda pressed against him with a knife glinting in the poor light that was far too close to her throat for comfort. Her eyes darted to mine, wide, terrified, pleading.“Carl," I said, stepping forward slowly, my palms up and my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "Let her go. You don't need to do this.""Stay back!" Carl barked, jerking Amanda closer. She winced as the blade nicked her skin.I froze. Every instinct in me was screaming to charge him, to rip him away from her. But I couldn't risk it-not when he was this unstable.“I'm telling you, Kellan, another step closer and she is history!"“Okay, okay," I said, moving a cautious step backwards. "You're the one in control here, Carl. You've made your point."“You think you are better than me," Carl scoffed. His voice was wavering with anger and desperation; his words were volatile, his articulation wea
THE ARRANGED BRIDE 89
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
THE ARRANGED BRIDE 88
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
THE ARRANGED BRIDE 87
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
THE ARRANGED BRIDE 85
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
THE ARRANGED BRIDE 84
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
