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THE 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 : 2024-10-13THE ARRANGED BRIDE 49
KELLAN'S POVI woke up to my head banging like a sledgehammer against my skull. For the first few moments, everything was fuzzy: the sharp white of the hospital lights cut into my vision enough to further inflame the ache within my head. For a couple of seconds, I had no clue as to where I was; I was hot, my throat parched. It felt like some truck ran me over, and my body was a million pounds. Then, in a rush, it came to me– the vase, Olivia, Sharon's screaming face.I blinked a couple of times, fighting to bring my vision into focus. And when my eyes finally did come into focus, I saw her: Olivia, pale seated beside my bed with her eyes red from crying. The instant she saw me wake up, she let out a gasp, her hands flying up to cover her mouth."Kellan," she whispered hoarse with fear. Immediately, she started to well up with tears.I wanted to reach out in comfort, but it was as if my arms were too heavy to lift. "Olivia." My voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper. "You okay?
Last Updated : 2024-10-15THE ARRANGED BRIDE 50
OLIVIA'S POVIt had almost been my second home, and with every conscious minute of the day, I knew a duty called to sit beside Kellan's bed and make sure he was fine. Days had run their course since the accident, and once the doctors reassured me that everything was all right, nothing else mattered but hovering over his bed like a mother hen. It was no longer something that I felt I needed to do, but my reason to want to go. Somewhere in a big way, I became attached to him much more than I ever expected.Minor things, really. The way in which he would glance at me, teasing and bright-eyed glinting, the softening of his voice when my name was spoken by his mouth. When his eyes crinkled up with laughter over my serious nature-in that infuriating and yet-at-once curiously disarming.Today was like all the days before it: Kellan was his usual impossible self.Olivia," he groaned, puffing out an exaggerated show of agony with his hand pressed against his forehead. "I think… I think I might
Last Updated : 2024-10-17THE ARRANGED BRIDE 51
KELLAN'S POVThe drive home from the hospital took a little longer than i expected, not because of the distance but because of this weight on my chest that suddenly occurred for reasons I couldn't understand. My parents were insistent upon taking me to their house, fawning over me like some kid that just skinned his knee. But it wasn't them smothering me that bothered me; it was Olivia.These last couple of days, she had been my rock, and now seated beside me in the back seat, her eyes flickered every now and then towards mine with that concern, some silent strength, the care and cognizance that stirred something in me, something that I did not expect to feel. Seated as I was now, faking rest with closed eyes, the only thing that could occupy my mind was her.I wanted to brush it all off, telling myself that it was the situation, I was in a hospital; I was a weak little rabbit; and all that, but it wasn't quite that simple. Olivia had been nicer than nice. There was something about he
Last Updated : 2024-10-17THE ARRANGED BRIDE 52
OLIVIA'S POV Kellan had been in denial ever since that day, the day he got discharged from the hospital. He kept claiming that he was fine, and could go back to work.I could see the exhaustion still brimming within his eyes. The more he brushes me off, my chest is getting tighter with concern, but no matter how hard I tried to convince him, Kellan was determined."I am not wasting one more day at home, Olivia," he said this morning, more compact, softer, with the smile that did backflips in my heart. "I'm perfect; I need to get back into the company. Brian can't manage everything alone."I rolled my eyes at the excuse, but inside I was a lot more concerned than I let on that in fact he really could easily overexert himself. "Kellan, you were just in the hospital a few days ago. You need more rest.”He shook his head, leaning back against the counter of the kitchen, crossing his arms over his chest in that stubborn way of his. "I've had enough rest. I'll go crazy if I spend another d
Last Updated : 2024-10-20THE ARRANGED BRIDE 53
OLIVIA'S POVI stood there, still in shock, rolling a grocery cart down the aisle, and I just couldn't shake scenes of Kellan clutching his head in pain over and over again out of my head. It was when the medics came in, took over, and finally declared Kellan was not well enough and had to return home. Pitiably helpless he had looked, so unlike the man that always managed to make him appear invincible, and that ached deep in my chest.The doctors had made it crystal clear he needed another week of rest before returning to work. Still, that fact just didn't sit well with Kellan, but again I could see it in his eyes-exhaustion. He needed the time, whether he liked admitting it or not.I blew out a heavy sigh, reaching for a bag of apples and launching them into the grocery cart. It was busy at the grocery store today, a nice bromide to heavier thoughts swirling in my mind. Yet no matter how hard I'd been trying to convince myself that Kellan was alright, I couldn't seem to work out thi
Last Updated : 2024-10-23THE ARRANGED BRIDE 54
KELLAN'S POVI stood at the window of the bedroom, staring out into the late afternoon sky. But my mind wasn't on the view. I was thinking about the evening ahead: Sharon's birthday party. Not that I was looking forward to it very much, but I just wanted the past behind me. Even now, I could sense Olivia unease-the way she fidgeted to get ready.At last I faced her, standing before the mirror in futile efforts to wrestle with her necklace. Soft light, filtering through with the decline of day, fell on and upon her in its gold radiance. She was beautiful, and I could but observe with an arabesque charm how the short blue dress curved around her in such a manner as to bring every detail forth in view to hold my gaze in thrall.Something in me stirred, woke, that hadn't in quite some time. Olivia's body was curvy, though I had spent a lot of time with her, I felt like he was seeing her for the very first time, how that dress clasped onto her skin, the smooth curve of her waist, the soft
Last Updated : 2024-10-23
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
