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THE 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 : 2024-10-23THE ARRANGED BRIDE 55
KELLAN'S POVI wheeled the car into the parking lot of the bar that Sharon had rented for her party; louder music pulsed through the walls, and I got a little tighter in my grip on the wheel. Glancing over, Olivia would seem to get a little nervous sitting beside me, fidgeting her fingers in her lap."You ready?" I asked softer than usual.Olivia smiled small and unsure, nodding in consent. "Yeah, Let's get it over and done with."I tugged that smile back at him, left the car and came around to open the door for her. She slid out, smoothing the hem of her dress, her blue dress, the one that hugged every curve just right. I held out my arm and she looped hers through mine. As we stepped inside the bar, heads turned. His eyes followed her as she passed and something inside of me stirred.Possessiveness.Inside, Sharon was standing by the door waiting for us, smiling broadly and all over-welcomingly."Kellan! Olivia!" Sharon gushed, arms open like she'd been waiting all night for us to s
Last Updated : 2024-10-23
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THE ARRANGED BRIDE 95
OLIVIA'S POV"I… I don't understand," she finally stuttered, her voice shaking, her eyes darting from me to Kellan in utter confusion. "This… this is some kind of mistake, right? Olivia can't be here. She's… she's dead."I took another step closer, my voice so cool and level, whereas inside, all hell was breaking loose. "No, Sharon. I'm very much alive.”Her eyes grew wide as she began to freeze with the weight my words burdened her with. Her mouth popped open to say her peace, and I afforded her none."You really did think you got away with it, didn't you?" My voice was high. "Thought you could just push me off that cliff and erase me from Kellan's life forever?”Sharon stepped backward, her hands shaking. "No," she said, the words tumbling hastily from her lips as she shook her head. "That's not what happened. You've got it all wrong. It was an accident—""Don't you dare," I snapped, my voice sharp as a whip. "Don't you dare to stand there and lie. I remember everything now. I remem
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KELLAN’S POVSharon pulled in, a sleek black car shining bright beneath the driveway lights. I watched her get out, dressed to kill, a crimson dress clinging to her form, lips painted that brilliant red, her heels against the pavement, each movement deliberated and confident. She'd come for me; she knew damned well I would crawl back, and it was that which brought my fists into clench.“Showtime," I told myself, fidgeting with my tie and putting a grin on my face.The front door opened before she could knock. I was leaning indolently against the frame, trying to conceal the revulsion bubbling under my skin. "Sharon," I said, my voice deep and low, inviting. "I'm glad you came.”Triumph lit her features, and her red cheeks gleamed with pride. "Of course I came, Kellan. I knew you'd come to your senses eventually. But why did you tell me to come to your parents house?"“Because it's high time i introduce you to them,” I answered and her smile widened.She stepped inside and her perfectl
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OLIVIA'S POVMy chest was constricting as disjointed pieces of memory clawed their way to the surface. They had been locked in so long, barricaded behind the fog of confusion and terror, but the dams were breaking. My hands clamped down on the edge of the couch, eyes darting from my parents to Kellan and back again. Their eyes were all pinned in on me with concern, but it was Brian's question haunting me.How did you disappear? What happened that day two years ago."I remember Sharon," I began, my voice shaking. "Her men kidnapped after that charity event and locked me up. Then she came and talked to me… about Kellan."Kellan stiffened beside me, his fingers clamping down on mine. I dared a glance at him, saw the fire in his eyes, but he said nothing."She told me…., " I stammered, my voice lodging in my throat. "She told me I was ruining his life. That Kellan didn't love me and never would." Finally, the tear in my voice gave out and I felt the stinging of that first swipe of tears t
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
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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
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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
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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
