Javier paced along the laminate floor of the waiting room, his fingers running through his messy hair. This was not the first time he had done this. His tie was discarded somewhere carelessly without a car. He continued to pace, probably burning a hole in the floor but he could not think of anything else to do. He needed to do something, anything.
“Javier?”
He jumped and finally stopped pacing as he glanced at Draven who was walking towards⁰⁰ him. Javier struggled to hold back his sob as he headed straight for him, his arms locking around his younger brother in a tight embrace. He nuzzled his face into his neck and fought his best not to cry right there and then. Draven locked his arms around his brother and held onto him tightly while muttering, “I am sorry. I came here as soon as I can. Do not worry, Brother. She is gonna be okay. Ella is going to be alright, Brother.”
“I know you do not trust me, Javier,” said Aimee once Nurse Jo had left. She was sitting on the sofa with her hands clasped on her lap while Javier was sitting on the chair next to Ella’s bed. “And I do not blame you after what has happened between us but you should know that this is work. I would never implicate anyone’s life or health.” When he did not say anything and still kept his eyes on Ella, she continued talking, “It has been ten years. You should forgive and forget about it. I have lost count of how many times I said that I was sorry. It was a careless mistake. I should not have done it. If that did not happen, perhaps—” she took a pause and let out a sorrowful sigh, “perhaps you and I are still together. Maybe we are even married and have one or two kids.” Without even looking at her, he muttered under his breath, loud enough for her to hear, “Stop talking.” Yet Aimee continued with her chatter as if she had
It felt like a dream. Except for the fact that he had not slept the entire night and even though the sun rose up, nothing changed. Ella was still lying on the bed unconscious. Javier had kept a close eye on her, watching her the whole night and hoping that she would move a muscle or even better, open her eyes, and yet there had been nothing thus far. He would have been worried that he had lost her if it was not because of the steady rhythm of her heartbeat on the monitor. Moving his gaze from Ella, he watched Damon and Tanner sleeping on the couch. Tanner was sleeping in a seating position while Damon put his head on Tanner’s thigh and occupied the rest of the sofa. Tanner had one hand over Damon’s eyes and forehead and under different circumstances, Javier would have laughed picturing Damon as a naughty brat and Tanner as his mother who tried to make him fall asleep. Ella had great friends. Javier was very grateful for their presence. He was not sure he could have gone through the
There was no day. There was no night. There was just darkness. Pitch black was all she could see. Well, now that Ella thought about it, she couldn’t really see anything. For all she knew, her eyes could just be closed, and she could be staring at her eyelids. Faint voices. She was not even sure whether they even were even voices at all. That was what she thought going on. They were so faint at times, it was like she couldn’t hear them at all. It was almost as if she was imagining it. But at other times, it was incredibly loud. So loud that she felt as if she were about to go deaf at some point. Yet she could never get the voices to be at a medium volume. She could not truly decipher what they were saying, or talking about. But what she was sure of, was that it was not just one voice or different voices at different times. It was more than one voice. Normally it would be a man’s deep voice, or two men’s voices, or sometimes even a woman’s voice and another woman’s voice but sounded m
Ella stiffened at the man’s voice but did not bother to open her eyes as she lay on the hospital bed. Him. The man she had heard the nurses called as her fiancé. The one she couldn’t remember no matter how hard she’d tried. “Come on now. Open your eyes. I know you’re awake,” his voice softened and for a moment, she was not sure why but she felt that he was smiling. “You know I could always tell, Ella.” Feeling that there was no use in pretending to be asleep or unconscious, she slowly opened her eyes. The second her eyes registered her surrounding, especially the man who was currently standing next to her bed, her pulse kicked again. She pressed her fingers to the space between her brows and wondered for a moment why the man’s face had such an unsettling effect on her. Did she know him? There was something about his voice, something that tugged at the fringes of her memory. But whatever it was, the memory stayed just out of reach. Giving up, she tried to focus on her own dilemma. But
Eyes narrowing, desire still glittering in those baby blues as he watched her with the same intensity that he had kissed her. Out of nowhere the image of a predator stalking its prey raced through Ella’s head. Whoever this man was he was dangerous. Maybe not physically, because she didn’t think he would harm her, but on some deeper, more personal level. “I asked who you were,” she said, unnerved by his silence. “Javier.” “Javier,” she repeated, sampling the sound of his name on her lips. She waited for some flicker of recognition, some memory to go with the name. When none came, her head began to throb in earnest. Pressing her fingers to her temple, she closed her eyes and ran his name, his face, his kiss through her mind again. Nothing. No inkling that she knew him, that she remembered him. All she encountered were more blank pages. Her heart picked up a panicked beat at that realization, and she was forced to acknowledge that her memory was filled with far too many blank pages. S
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
“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