C H A P T E R 1 4 : O V E R D U E R E U N I O N A N D F O R G I V E N E S S
E L L A S T A N F O R D
Ella looked at her mother, Eleanor Stanford, for a few seconds before finally dragged her gaze back to her father, Derek Williams. Both of them were staring back at her expectantly as if waiting for her answer however she did not have any. In the end, she asked them a question instead, “What are you asking me to forgive you?”
Her mother blinked. Once. Twice. Then she turned to her father. “How much have you told her, Derek?”
“I did not get a chance to tell her much. I think Javier might have told her something beforehand,” he replied and when he saw Eleanor was about to interrupt him, he quickly added, “which I have no idea what.” 
C H A P T E R 1 5 : F A M I L Y A S A W H O L E E L L A S T A N F O R D There were two reactions: a sharp gasp from Ella and a low grunt from Derek. The rest of the room stayed still. “Oh my gosh, Momma, I am so sorry,” muttered Ella softly. Feeling bad that she had more or less pushed her mother into revealing this traumatic experience, she opened her arms and reached out to her mother. Eleanor held Ella’s hand, a sad smile was on her face. Derek stood still like a statue for one full minute before he could form a response. “I am sorry, Eleanor.” He shook his head. Guilt and contrition were in his eyes. “I have failed you, haven't I? I was supposed to protect you.” “No.” Eleanor shook her head slowly as she fina
C H A P T E R 1 6 : L U N C H D A T E W I T H C L A R A B E L L EJ A V I E R S U M M E R S“Brother?” Clarabelle tilted her head and frowned before calling her brother again by his full name, louder this time. “Javier Rainard Summers!”Her brother who had been staring blankly ahead this whole time with a forlorn look on his face blinked then turned his gaze to Clarabelle. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Clarabelle Anneliese Summers?”“I am not,” she replied back with a huff. “Stop calling me by my full name. You know I hate my middle name.”“You started it,” commented Javier quietly.“Only be
C H A P T E R 1 7 : F O R G I V E B U T N E V E R F O R G E T J A V I E R S U M M E R S By the time Javier had returned, both of Ella’s parents had left and she was sleeping. He brought himself slowly down to the seat on the left side of her bed. His elbow was placed on the arm of the chair while he rested his head on his palm as he continued to stare at her. The memory of their life together flashed before his eyes and it brought a small smile to his face.
C H A P T E R 1 8 : L O S T F E E L I N G S E L L A S T A N F O R D Ella woke up and saw Javier and a nurse holding each other’s hand. She waited for a moment as she continued to stare at them yet nothing came. No feelings whatsoever. If he truly was her fiancé like how he had claimed to be, surely she would feel something. Maybe not some sense of ownership but at least a little bit of jealousy. Yet nothing. She waited for a few moments before deciding to interrupt them. “What is with all the noises?” “Ella,” he greeted back and pulled his hand out of Aimee's grasp. “This is Aimee Sonata. She is a nurse here.” “And why do you both look like you have known each other for a long time?” she asked out of curiosity and also because there was something in Nurse Aimee's eyes that she found to be irritating. There was that look that she
C H A P T E R 1 9 : H O M E I S W H E R E Y O U R H E A R T I S Carefully swinging her legs around to the side, Ella started to get out of the car when Javier suddenly scooped her up into his arms. “What are you doing?” she demanded, her body stiff even as her arms circled his neck. “You just recovered. Let me carry you,” he informed her as he strode toward the building, ignoring the look given by the passerby. “Do not be ridiculous.” She could feel her cheeks heated and tried her best to conceal her face. “I am perfectly able to walk.” “Humor me,” he teased as he climbed the stairs of the porch. “It makes me feel useful.” “But it is ridiculous. I really do not need—” Javier cut off her protests with his mouth. The kiss had simply been a reflex, a means of preventing her from telling him what he already knew, that she did not need him. She had never needed him, not the wa
C H A P T E R 2 0 : B E C A U S E W H E N Y O U L O V E S O M E O N E E L L A S T A N F O R D “I think you should lie down, Ella,” suggested Tanner with a concerned look on his face. Feeling that it might be best rather than being here and mulling over the fact that she had lost some important part of her life, she nodded then walked towards the bedroom. She closed the door behind her then approached the bed. She sat on the edge of it at first as her hand touched the fabric. Ella closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was hoping that the doctor and Javier had been right, that coming back here would bring some of her memories back, and yet thus far, all she could remember was useless things such as where she had bought some of her furniture. Slowly she broug
C H A P T E R 2 1 : J A V I E R S U M M E R S Javier stared blankly ahead. Even though his body was in his office, his mind traveled elsewhere, preferably in a small flat downtown where Ella was located at the moment. Even though he did not fully agree with what Damon and Tanner had suggested — mainly because he did not think he could leave her be especially when she seemed to be in need of his help, he felt that he should give it a try. Even if it pained him, even if it broke his heart to be apart from her.The look on her face showed how little she remembered him and he was afraid if he was giving her some space, she would forget him altogether. How would someone remember when there was no reminder at all? How would she remember him if he was not even around? Going to the office this afternoon had been difficult enough. He wished he could stay with her, at least until this evening when he
C H A P T E R 2 2 : T R U T H I S R A R E L Y S I M P L EJ A V I E R S U M M E R SJavier waited as his sister was gaping at him with a shocked look on her face. She continued to stare for the next two full minutes before a small frown started to appear on her forehead and she was finally able to form a sentence. "What do you mean you helped him?" Once she managed to say that one question, more questions kept coming out from her mouth, giving Javier no chance to answer. "So you have been lying to us the whole time. How could you do this? You knew how desperate we were all trying to find Draven. We even thought he was lost for good. If you have known where he was the whole goddamn time, why did you not tell us?!" Then she blinked, her eyes were narrowing infinitesimally. "O
“Did you perhaps get some pieces of your memory back?” asked Ella, sounding hopeful. She’d once been in Clarabelle’s position and she knew how frustrating it was not knowing the past, to have a few years stolen from her memory. Although in the end, Ella managed to gain her memories back. Clarabelle cleared her throat for no particular reason other than to delay answering her sister in law question for several seconds. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. There was no easy way to say this and she knew that keeping this act for so long wouldn’t benefit anyone either yet it was really hard to tell the truth. No one would understand. “Look, Clara,” Ella held my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Ella’s eyes were understanding and Clarabelle was suddenly filled with immense guilt. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. We’re just so happy you’re alright. Don’t force yourself to remember, it’ll come eventually. I know this from experience.” Ella’s smile was what broke Clarabelle’s
“Oh, don’t be so sure, Brother,” teased Clara with a wink. She turned to Ella and Damon who were on her left. “You know Ella, and you remember Damon, right?” “Yeah, sure.” Maxon nodded at Damon. “Hey, man.” But when his eyes moved to Ella, he gave her an awkward smile. “Ella.” He wasn’t usually this awkward around females especially one married to his brother. Hell, he wasn’t awkward with Ava, Thornton’s wife — maybe only for a few months after his brother told the family about Ava riding their neighbor Josh on the kitchen counter. Truth be told, the fact that he was slightly awkward with Ella was all his sister’s doing. Before Javier realized his feelings for Ella, Clarabelle had tried to set up a blind date between Ella and Maxon. Furthermore, Max had once said that Ella was hot to Clarabelle, and knowing his sister, she had indeed told Ella. Max didn’t have any feelings or crush on Ella, but still, it would take him a little while to not feel awkward. He wasn’t good around people
“Oh, don’t be so sure, Brother,” teased Clara with a wink. She turned to Ella and Damon who were on her left. “You know Ella, and you remember Damon, right?” “Yeah, sure.” Maxon nodded at Damon. “Hey, man.” But when his eyes moved to Ella, he gave her an awkward smile. “Ella.” He wasn’t usually this awkward around females especially one married to his brother. Hell, he wasn’t awkward with Ava, Thornton’s wife — maybe only for a few months after his brother told the family about Ava riding their neighbor Josh on the kitchen counter. Truth be told, the fact that he was slightly awkward with Ella was all his sister’s doing. Before Javier realized his feelings for Ella, Clarabelle had tried to set up a blind date between Ella and Maxon. Furthermore, Max had once said that Ella was hot to Clarabelle, and knowing his sister, she had indeed told Ella. Max didn’t have any feelings or crush on Ella, but still, it would take him a little while to not feel awkward. He wasn’t good around people
“And you’re married,” reminded Ella, shaking her head. “True. But I’m not blind.” “How’re you, um,” he scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably, then cleared his throat before adding a soft and barely a whisper, “Princess.” With three sets of eyes watching him in curiosity mixed with surprise, Macon Summers had a faint blush on his high cheekbones. He cleared his throat one more time and focused his eyes on his little sister. “Sister?” Clarabelle let out a small giggle. “Sorry, guys, I made him call me that because he was the only one who only visited me once since I got admitted in this hospital.” There was a glint of mischief in her green eyes. After all, one of the reasons little sisters were born was to annoy their brothers. It was a birthright as much as it was an assignment. Maxon heaved an exasperated sigh. “I’ve apologized a dozen times, Clara.” He made his way to the empty spot on the right side of her bed. “I’m not going to make the same mistake of asking ‘what else
“Did you perhaps get some pieces of your memory back?” asked Ella, sounding hopeful. She’d once been in Clarabelle’s position and she knew how frustrating it was not knowing the past, to have a few years stolen from her memory. Although in the end, Ella managed to gain her memories back. Clarabelle cleared her throat for no particular reason other than to delay answering her sister in law question for several seconds. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. There was no easy way to say this and she knew that keeping this act for so long wouldn’t benefit anyone either yet it was really hard to tell the truth. No one would understand. “Look, Clara,” Ella held my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Ella’s eyes were understanding and Clarabelle was suddenly filled with immense guilt. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. We’re just so happy you’re alright. Don’t force yourself to remember, it’ll come eventually. I know this from experience.” Ella’s smile was what broke Clarabelle’s l
Dear Gentle Readers, Life has been hectic for this author and he apologizes for making everyone wait on updates. This author also apologizes for the broken chapters with duplicates content. He has informed the editor previously. Since it’s not fixed, this author will double update 2 chapters into 1 on the next one before adjusting the one you have paid. Daily updates will start again in May, so pls be patient. Thank you all sm for your support and love. It has never gone unnoticed. Much love,Yours truly,P.S. this author will only be updating this story for May, Lone Wolf will have to wait until June. It’s very hard to find time these days, unfortunately.
“What about the cake?” Ella eagerly asked as she grabbed an album filled with photos of wedding cakes that she’d asked from the bakery who’d made her wedding cake. “Which one do you want? And how many tiers do you want it to be?” Clarabelle moved the magazine aside so Ella could place the album on her lap. She began checking each cake and reading the label placed next to each photo. “Earl grey sounds lovely,” said Ella, pointing out a cake on the right side of the page. “Or maybe chocolate fudge. That sounds lovely too. We can perhaps have it with white frosting or pale blue to match your dress.” “Darlings.” Damon dramatically sighed. “This is an easy question. You should stick to the most delicious cake in existence. Coffee and cognac. Keep it elegant, keep it tasty.” He stuck his forefinger and thumb together then kissed them like a chef. “No, thank you. I think I’ll stick to my favorite cake. Red velvet,” said Clara with a frown. “I’ve tasted coffee and cognac during Ella’s wed
“Remember that it’s all about you, Darling,” said Damon with an exaggerating wave of his hand that made both Clara and Ella giggle. “You are the center of everything that day. Everything else should be a blur but you should be the only thing that’s crystal clear in everyone’s mind.” Clara shook her head, covering her face with both hands. “Gosh, you’re being way too much.” “It wouldn’t be Dee if he isn’t being too much,” commented Ella with a grin, teasing her best friend. She moved her gaze back to Clara and smiled. “But I have to say that he’s right, Clara. You should be the center of the event. So have you decided on your wedding theme yet?” “You guys are killing me,” said Clarabelle with a loud sigh. She brought her hands down and stared at the wedding magazines on her lap. Even though every girl had a vision of their wedding and how they wanted it to be, Clara had forgotten all about hers when she’d started her company. She’d thought of her company as her baby and that she was
Hélène d’aureville had turned Draven Summers into a softie and he didn’t like it. Not even one bit. “Yes, I am fine, Mum.” He glanced at the door and frowned. Suddenly he felt annoyed that his sister’s boyfriend had not come out of there and it had been more than twenty minutes. “Let me knock on the door.” With determination, he approached the door, and then without even knocking on the door or giving any warning, he swung that door open. “Sister!” Draven greeted the two lovebirds loud enough for the neighboring rooms to hear. “Mum and Dad are here to see you. And of course, your fiancé.” He opened the door wider and held it so both of their parents could walk inside. Much to Draven’s dismay, his sister and her lover weren’t making out. They were at a polite distance. She was on the bed while he was sitting on the chair next to her bed. The atmosphere was different too, it was not as hot and bothered as it had been about half an hour ago. It seemed that they had been having a convers