King's Restaurant has been around for years, I knew that because my mother used to take me when I was younger. Back then it wasn't for only people who had fat wallets, it was called King's diner and they had the best burgers. Not now though. In the past five years they seemed to have trademarked and expanded, turning it into a five-star restaurant. It was beautiful, but still in the same spot, just bigger and more luxurious. Talk about losing yourself after fame and riches. They didn't even have the side swing they used to. Roman and I stepped down from the car and he had gone back to being his cold self with a confusing emotion in his eyes. I pretended not to notice, rather trying to compose myself enough to face the coming meeting. The server at the entrance stopped us before we could go any further, asking us if we had any reservations. The man was rude, holding out his hand and sneering at us like we were enemies. “No reservations, no entry,” The ma
I watched as the older couple approached our table, their eyes lighting up with recognition as they spotted us. The man, Mr. Kevin, was tall and distinguished-looking, with salt-and-pepper hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His wife, to my surprise, was dressed casually in dark blue jeans and a simple white t-shirt, her face warm and friendly, she loooked to be in her late thirties, I had an idea I was way off. There was an obvious age-gap between she and her husband. Unlike the other people in Roman's life I've met, she was a breath of fresh air. As they reached us, I stood up, offering them a welcoming smile. "Mr. and Mrs. Kevin, it's wonderful to meet you both," I said, extending my hand. Mr. Kevin took my hand, his grip firm and a slow stiff smile stretched his lips. "Mrs. Wellington, it's an honor to finally meet you," he said, his voice deep and polite. "Please, allow me to introduce my wife, Sarah," He gestured to his wife. Her beautiful brown eyes met mine and her smil
She was fucking everywhere, almost like anytime a semblance of something seemed to bloom between Roman and I, she would always be there to interrupt it, to make him go so stiff beside me that I would suspect he's having a stroke. His arms immediately left my body, like a child caught holding on to a stolen toy and unlike the many times when he'd done it to me, this time it stung, bad. I didn't move away, I didn't give them the space to speak as I usually would, instead I stood there with a married gaze, waiting as Bertha approached us. She stopped when she was only a few steps away, her prefect hair fell down to her shoulders in silky waves, her pink lips were pursed into what seemed to be either a smile or a sneer. Still, I stood. “Hi,” She said, giving an awkward wave. One which Roman didn't return. “Bertha,” He called out instead, his voice thick with emotion and quite frankly, it hurt to stand there, I wasn't sure why. It was definitely that part of me that
JESSICAI watched the clocks in my bedroom tick by, their synchronized sounds like music to my ears, it brought back memories both the ones I wished to relive and forget. “I'm bored,” I said to no one in particular, staring up at the ceiling like a lost fool in search direction. Maybe I was, maybe that was why I was so eager to go on this vacation with Amelia. So I could finally have a breather from the weight of everything and everyone. I've been a doctor before I even had the chance to decide what I wanted for myself and now, after close to fifteen long years of studying to become one…I have a whole month off. A whole fucking month! And who better to spend it with, than my only true friend Amelia. Sometimes I wondered if she needed the break more than I did. The woman never did seem to catch a break. This would be good for us, that I was certain of. I turned to look at my already packed bags and a smile stretched my lips, child-like excitement blooming in my chest.
The incessant beeping of my alarm clock jolted me awake at an ungodly hour. I groaned, fumbling to silence the irritating noise. As consciousness slowly seeped in, I remembered why I'd set it so early. California. The trip. Roman. Ugh. My phone lit up with a new message from Amelia. "Hey Jess, slight change of plans. Roman might be delayed. I'll meet you at the hotel. Sorry!" I stared at the screen, irritation bubbling up inside me. Of course he'd be delayed. Why did I expect anything different from that man? "No worries," I typed back, though my clenched jaw said otherwise. "See you there." Grumbling to myself, I dragged my suitcase to the waiting Uber. The streets were eerily quiet as we drove to the airport, the city still slumbering. Part of me wished I was back in bed too, but a bigger part was excited for this getaway – even if it now included an unwanted addition. The airport was bustling with early morning activity. I checked in, went through security, and found
AMELIA“Is that really all you're carrying?” I looked down at the simple backpack Roman had packed for a two week stay, it was barely enough to contain anything. He nodded, zipping it close, his arm's muscles flexing from the small action. He wore a T-shirt that hugged his chest and his abs like s second skin, then he wore jeans…fucking jeans. When was the last time I saw the man in anything other than a suit and tie? He looked good in everything. Dressing casual made him look rather boyish, that serious air that constantly surrounded him seemed to ease slowly, even more when Colson had come over to take the last of the files. He was left in charge for the next two weeks. Riman surprised me by making such a decision, I was even more surprised by the fact that Jessica agreed for him to come with. “Well then, put it up there, or do you need help?” I raised a brow in question. We were already seated in the plane, Roman booked business class for some reason and now we were
As we stepped into the hotel lobby, the cool air-conditioning was a welcome respite from the California heat. I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. This was my first time out of the country, and I was determined to make the most of it. Most importantly, it was a break from everything, including the ones I couldn't remember. "I should call Jessica," I said to Roman, pulling out my phone. "Let her know we've arrived." Roman nodded, his expression unreadable. "I'll wait here with the luggage," I dialed Jessica's number, and she picked up on the second ring. "Amelia! Are you here?" "Just arrived," I confirmed. "We're in the lobby," "I'll be right down!" Came her squeal of excitement. True to her word, Jessica appeared moments later, practically bouncing with excitement. She rushed over to me, enveloping me in a tight hug. She was beautiful, and it took me some time to really get used to it. Her long brown hair was tied up into a loose bun, she wore an oversized s
“Is that really all there is to it?” “Yes,” Jessica nodded, though I could tell she wasn't entirely convinced. "Well, let's focus on us for now. We've got a whole vacation to enjoy!" As Jessica launched into her plans for our trip, I tried to push thoughts of Roman out of my mind. But part of me couldn't help wondering what he was doing now, alone in his room. Would he spend the entire vacation holed up there, or would he finally let himself relax and enjoy this beautiful place? I shook my head, forcing myself to focus on Jessica's excited chatter. This was my vacation too, after all. And I was determined to make the most of it, with or without Roman's participation. "So," I said, cutting into Jessica's monologue about the best local restaurants, "Tell me more about this shopping you mentioned. I think I need some new beach clothes," Jessica's eyes lit up, and she launched into a detailed description of all the boutiques we simply had to visit. She even had a list. As
SIX MONTHS LATERThe annual Wellington Anniversary gala was in full swing, and we'd decided to host it in our home rather than the hotel it was in late year. The ballroom of our estate glittering with lights that illuminated the beauty of the hall’s interior, reflecting against the marble floors, making it seem like the guests were walking on air. From my position near the large staircase, I could see the entire room, business associates, family members, friends all mingling in their finest attire.Jessica looked radiant in a deep green gown and she stood with Alexander near the champagne fountain, their six-month-old son making a fuss in her arms. My godson is a fast bloomer, that boy would walk the ends of the earth if his parents let him out of their sights. Probably why Jess was holding on to him like he was a lifeline. I couldn't help the light laugh that left me as I watched her and Alexander try to force the baby on Trenton. Greece, looking stunning in silver, was deep
I woke to unfamiliar shadows dancing across an unfamiliar ceiling. For a moment, panic seized me as I forgot where I was. Until it came rushing back and I found myself sinking deeper into the mattressRoman's bed was sinfully comfortable, the sheets soft against my skin. I stretched, my muscles protesting after yesterday's tension. Weak morning light seeped in through the slightly cracked curtains, suggesting it was still early. The storm had passed and all that was left was the scent of rain and forest, wet soil. A scent I never imagined would bring me such comfort, but it did. I slipped out of bed, my bare feet silent on the wooden floor. I still had Roman’s T-shirt on, adequate enough for modesty but still making me feel strangely vulnerable. I ran my fingers through my hair, attempting to tame it into something presentable, then padded quietly down the hallway.The living room was empty, no sign of Roman or the wolves. A folded blanket and pillow on the couch were the only evid
Roman chuckled, the rich sound sending heated shivers down my abdomen. His eyes crinkled at the corners, making him look more like the man I remembered. "So did you," he replied, nodding toward my pixie cut.I reached up self-consciously to touch the ends of my damp hair. "Maybe it should be called the divorce look," I said, attempting humor to break the tension."I prefer the term 'cut-off look,'" he countered, and we both laughed, the sound surprisingly easy between us.His expression softened, the rigid control slipping just a fraction. "I missed that," he said quietly. "Your humor. I'm still having a hard time believing you're actually here.""That makes two of us," I admitted, wrapping my hands around the warm mug of hot chocolate he'd made. It was sweet but not too sweet, exactly how I liked it. He'd remembered.One of the wolves approached cautiously, its golden eyes fixed on me. I tensed immediately, my body instinctively preparing for a threat."It's okay," Roman said, notici
AMELIAMy mouth opened, but no sound came out. Words, which had never failed me before, suddenly evaporated from my mind like morning dew under a harsh sun. I stood there, gun still stupidly hanging from my fingers, staring at the stranger-not-stranger before me.Roman Wellington. But not my Roman Wellington. This man was harder, sharper around the edges. The softness I remembered in his face was gone, replaced by angular planes and a jaw that could cut glass. The blonde hair threw me completely, so different from the midnight black I used to run my fingers through.I knew he was a blonde, heck, I tried to convince him a few times to stop dyeing his hair. I watched as the initial shock in his eyes faded, replaced by something cold and distant. The walls went up so fast I could almost hear them slamming into place."Amelia," he said again, this time not a question but a statement. Flat. Emotionless. "What are you doing here?"My throat felt like sandpaper. I swallowed hard, trying to
"I can make some inquiries," Nikolai replied, his voice careful, measured. "Roman Wellington is not an easy man to find if he doesn't want to be found."I gripped the phone tighter, my knuckles turning white. "But you can do it, right? You have connections I don't."There was a pause on the other end of the line, then a soft sigh. "For you, Amelia, I will try. Give me a few hours to contact my people in North America and Europe. If he's left any trace, we'll find it.""Thank you," I whispered, relief washing over me like a wave. "I owe you for this.""Let's not keep score between friends," Nikolai said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I'll call you when I have something."The call ended, and I sat motionless on my bed, staring at the wall. The enormity of what I was doing, searching for the man I'd walked away from two years ago, hit me. My hands trembled as I set the phone down, and I pressed them against my thighs to steady them.A soft knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts
The drive back to the manor was silent. Oppressively silent. The kind of silence that rings in your ears and makes your skin feel too tight. Jessica kept shooting worried glances my way, her hands gripping the steering wheel so hard her knuckles were white. I couldn't bring myself to care. My mind was spinning with Greece's words, playing them over and over like a broken record."I haven't seen Roman in almost two years. No one has. He's gone."Greece had explained everything in that café, how Roman had methodically dismantled his life after I left. How he'd slowly withdrawn from social circles, buried himself in work, and then one day just... vanished. Left Wellington Corp in Colson's hands with an iron-clad contract and detailed instructions. Left his manor empty, his cars collecting dust in the garage. He'd even left his personal phone behind, with just a short note telling Greece not to worry, that he needed to "find himself" whatever the fuck that meant.I stared out the window,
Hi, hope you're doing good and the year has been going well for you? You must've noticed the lack of updates and I sincerely apologize for it. After my grandma's passing, things haven't been the same and I'm sad to admit that I went down a spiral and I had to take a step back for my mental health and to give you a proper ending. And I'm hoping my new book will also be ready by the time The Forgotten Marriage is done. There are five chapters left to go and maybe one bonus chapter. I can't say I'm totally fine but I'm getting there and I'm grateful to everyone who reached out and left comments as well. I really appreciate it, and I'll see you at the end. Love, Dchenemi.
AMELIAI felt like I'd been punched in the gut, all the air leaving my lungs in one desperate rush. Greece Wellington's presence was like a ghost from my past life, one I'd tried desperately to forget. My fingers tightened around the shopping bags, knuckles turning white as I struggled to maintain my composure."Jessica," I managed again, my voice lower and more upset when I didn't get an answer the first time. Jessica's eyes pleaded with me, her hand coming to rest on my forearm. "Please don't be mad," she whispered urgently, bringing her full hands up to her chest in a pleading motion."She's been trying to reach you for days. I couldn't just ignore her,” Jessica explained, her voice just as low as mine as her eyes darted between Greece and me pleadingly. “ Just hear her out, Amy…this might be good for you too, you know?”I let out a shaky breath and held back my growing anger, last thing I wanted was to project my frustrations on the pregnant woman. I knew she was trying to help
AMELIA Morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of my bedroom, casting warm patches across my chilly sheets. I should have felt lighter, triumphant even. The family was finally under control, the threats neutralized, and the Guerrero name secure. Yet as I lay there, staring up at the ceiling with its intricate paintings my mother had made , I felt anything but victorious. The heaviness in my chest from yesterday hadn't dissipated. If anything, it had grown worse, Alexander's words echoing in my mind like a haunting melody. "Even after two years, he's never once tried to reach out..." I didn't want to think about Roman. In fact, I had gaslighted myself into thinking it was taboo to think about him and rightfully so. How the fuck am I supposed to get him out of my head now? How the fuck am I supposed to stop thinking whether he never really cared to begin with, or what he was up to, or if he was okay. I knew he was. If anything had happened to Roman Wellington, the r