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THE ARRANGED BRIDE 68
KELLAN’S POVNews replayed in my head, some broken record, words digging deeper, poisoning me with despair. I couldn't believe it wouldn't believe it. There was blood. There was clothing. But there was no Olivia.I clung to that last shred of hope as I steered onto the edge of the cliff. I needed to see it for myself-to know.Brian sat quietly beside me, supportive but mute. I knew he didn't know what to say; what could anyone say when there was just no sense to any of this? He did know this was something that I needed to do, but were a pain nonetheless. Earlier, he tried being dissuasive that we should just let the police handle it, but I'd have been in a position to listen. She wasn't just some missing person to me; she was my all.We finally reached the edge, and I went out onto the road-my eyes scanning in every direction for where she could have fallen, trying to imagine where she could have gone-if she'd survived somehow. The thought clung tenuously to my head, refusing to let g
Last Updated : 2024-12-10THE ARRANGED BRIDE 69
BRIAN'S POVMy cell phone buzzed its way off the nightstand, pulling me from sleep. A glance said it was Kellan's number flashing across the screen. I almost ignored it because Kellan had been unreachable most of the day, and I'd assumed he had finally turned his phone off after drowning himself in whiskey. Yet, something inside gnawed at me, begging me to answer. I exhaled and picked up, "Hello?""Is this Brian?" a gruff voice growled, almost as if there was an irritated note in its tone. "Yeah, who's this?" "This is Tony, the bartender down at Logan's Pub. Your friend Kellan is causing quite a scene here. You might want to come get him before things get out of hand." I groggily groaned as I sat up and ran a hand over my face. "I'll be there soon."I hung up and rubbed my temples. It all weighed on me. Kellan was spiraling-we were all in our own way-but his drinking had gone from bad habit to an outright dependence, and he'd become lazy with just about everything else. Work had c
Last Updated : 2024-12-10THE ARRANGED BRIDE 70
KELLAN'S POVI pounded my lids open, squinting against the incompressing morning light between the curtains; the steady beats in my head came regular, relentless. The room wavered a little as I sat up-remnants from last night's whiskey binge still churning queasily in my stomach. The memories were back now-flashes of arguments, fights, Brian's steady hand pulling me clear from the chaos.I swung off the bed and ran a hand across my face as I went into the sitting room. Brian was sitting there, staring at the empty whiskey bottles that littered the coffee table. He turned his gaze at me when I walked into the room; his eyes narrowed.“Good to finally see you awake,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. In that one swift second, the tone in his voice let out its disappointment, held for days in silence, until it broke through.I managed a half-hearted nod as I sat down across from him. "Yeah, I guess I went a little too far."A little too far?" He sneered, running a hand through h
Last Updated : 2024-12-14THE ARRANGED BRIDE 71
KELLAN’S POVTWO YEARS LATER"Mr. Easton, you need to leave for the board meeting in twenty minutes."I blinked at the sudden disruption-my assistant's voice hauling me from a spiral I hadn't known I was in. The polished desk beneath my hands felt cold, grounding me for the first time today.Two years.It's been two goddamn years since Olivia vanished.Save the soft hum of the AC to fill space, it was silent. My windows looked out to the Chicago skyline, its light reflected in high-rise buildings that shone like shards of glass. I had it all-man's three wants: money, power, and success-but day after relentless day, another revelation made me no more than a husk of a man.I readjusted my tie, and a reflection stared back-a man somehow less real. Sleepless nights veiled themselves as dark circles below his eyes. There was a new etching upon his face that wasn't there before Olivia. Of course, it had to be work-my escape-numbers, contracts, and meetings in one long, never-ending monotono
Last Updated : 2024-12-15THE ARRANGED BRIDE 72
KELLAN'S POVI didn't believe in ghosts.But with the combined effort of Carl Martins and his fiancée Amanda Dawson staring at me, I might have sworn there was one staring back in their stead.Her.Olivia.I overlaid my hands on the inlaid mahogany edges a smidge too tightly, focused on anything, anything but the woman to Carl's right.I heard Carl's voice, the low hum of his words, but they faded to static. Amanda, Olivia, nodded beside him, hands delicately clasped into her lap. My gaze fell to her slender fingers, then up into her face, as if searching for fissures in the illusion.She wasn't smiling. That was the first thing I caught. Olivia always smiled-softly, teasingly, like she knew something no one else did. But Amanda's expression was polite and distant. Controlled. Maybe that's what made it worse. "Mr. Easton?"I jerked my head up. Carl Martins was staring at me, an amused, slightly irritated look on his face. "Sorry," I said, clearing my throat. "Jet lag."Carl chuckl
Last Updated : 2024-12-15THE ARRANGED BRIDE 73
KELLAN’S POVThe air inside the pub was thick with murmurings and the strong pungent smell of hops, but it did absolutely nothing to take the edge off the storm brewing inside my skull. I leaned back into the creaky wooden chair, my glass of whiskey untouched as I stared blandly at the condensation sliding down its side.Across from me, Alex's frustrated stare joined the concerned one where my elbow leaned against the table. "Say it again, Kellan, because I am really sure I must have gotten it wrong the first ten times."I rose from my slouch to his voice, eyes narrowed in agitation. "I was saying, I saw Olivia. She is alive, Alex."Alex let out a low groan and rubbed a hand over his face. "And I'm telling you, you're chasing ghosts."“Don't," I snarled, my hand slapping onto the table. A few of them turned to stare, but I ignored them. My voice dropped to a roughened whisper. "I know what I saw. She looks just like Olivia."Alex leaned forward, his eyebrows furrowed as he peered hard
Last Updated : 2024-12-15THE ARRANGED BRIDE 74
KELLAN’S POVA place dealing in no loud conversations, some sort of restaurant where everybody had a title and every smile was some calculated chess move, the soft clinking of cutlery against the porcelain hummed in like the underscore as I adjusted my cuffs and leaned back into the chair.Across from me sat Carl Martins, immaculate in his gray suit. There was something about him that screamed power and control, a taut inch of him, but the manner in which he sat informed me that he was not quite as comfortable as he came across. Amanda Dawson she sat quietly now beside him, her hands folded delicately in her lap.She had not once glanced my way since our arrival.“Your London expansion seems to go really well, Kellan." Smack in the middle between calm and a smirk, the smoothness in Carl's voice was a forerunner of wine sipped from the glass. "I heard BAES Enterprises are looking at trying to pace ahead of Westfield International in its acquisitions. Ambitious."I gave him a practiced
Last Updated : 2024-12-15THE ARRANGED BRIDE 75
KELLAN’S POV I leaned back in the leather chair of my suite, my gaze fixed on the streetlights glowing against the dark London skyline. The city sprawled before me, alive and glittering, but it was wasted on a mind too clouded to notice. On the table beside me, a glass of whiskey sat untouched, condensation dripping onto the polished surface.None of those conversations that I replayed in my head made any difference. Every word Amanda had spoken was like a record playing on in my brain: the hesitation at my question about her past, the politeness but carefulness of the answers, the way her smile fluttered too fast whenever Carl was in the room-as if it wasn't hers at all, but something she had been taught.Controlled.By him.I pushed to my feet and began pacing, the frustration boiling in my chest. It wasn’t just her face—that face I’d tried and failed to forget. It was everything. Her nervous habits. The way she twisted her ring unconsciously, like some invisible part of her was sc
Last Updated : 2024-12-17
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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
THE ARRANGED BRIDE 94
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
THE ARRANGED BRIDE 93
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
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
