I didn't want this. I'd never wanted any part of the family business. Wellington Corp was my father's obsession, not mine. I'd joined the military to forge my own path, to prove I could succeed on my own merits rather than riding on my family's coattails. And I had succeeded. Building a life far di
As I walked through the airport, I felt like I was moving in a daze. I checked in for my flight mechanically, barely registering the conversation with the airline staff. It wasn't until I was sitting in the departure lounge, staring at my boarding pass, that the full weight of what I was doing hit m
Bertha was upset. Crying, soaking my shirt through with her tears and quite frankly, all I could do was hold her to my chest and pat her back. Everything makes her upset these days, everything makes her cry. Almost like after she came back, she became a whole different person. Not the stron
I felt anger rise in my chest. She called her illegitimate?! That bitch! “Don't let her words get to you…” I heard myself say, my voice devoid of the anger I felt in my chest, “I speak to her,” At a distance. After going over the last details of the grand opening for the next day. Bertha
I should've given a reply I knew would stung. But I stayed silent, letting the words sink in. I'm a person too. Those words had stayed with me ever since she said them. It made me rethink every action before I took it around her. Which was why I found myself striding over to the kitchen
AMELIAThe dress I picked was the royal blue dress Roman had gotten for me when we went shopping. Mainly because I bought him a suit with the same color. A deep royal blue that I knew for a fact would look fantastic on him. There was a look in his eyes when I wore that dress, one that gave me
He gave me an apologetic gaze before bringing the phone to his ear, “I told you I'll call you back!” He hissed, sounding annoyed by the interruption. I was relieved by it. I turned around and headed downstairs, not sure why I needed to leave his presence, even though it would only be a few secon
There's so much I want to say to him, yet I knew it would be better to stay silent. I didn't trust myself to speak around him anymore, I seem to say the most stupid shit when I look into his eyes. Unlike what it looked like the last time I saw it, the department store looked magnificent. It wa
SIX MONTHS LATER The 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
Wolves. They were fucking wolves yet Roman acted like they simply dogs he'd raised. And in turn, they acted the same towards him. “Why wolves though?” I raised a questioning brow as I caressed Sage's soft fur and Juniper whining a few seconds after that. Roman shrugged, “Why not?” He replied w
"You should hate me," I whispered, my voice breaking. "After what I did, you should hate me." "I know," he agreed, the ghost of a smile touching his lips. "It would be so much easier if I did." A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it. Roman reached out, hesitated, then gently brushed i
"What happened?" he asked, his voice gentler than I deserved. I laughed bitterly. "Nothing dramatic. No great tragedy or betrayal. Just... emptiness. Day after day of emptiness. Making decisions that affect hundreds of people, never letting anyone close enough to see that I'm terrified of making th
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 mattress Roman's bed was sinfully comfortable, the sheets soft against my skin. I stretched, my muscles p
The rain continued to lash against the windows, filling the silence between us. Outside, lightning flashed, illuminating Roman's face and his even darker expression. I wasn't getting through to him. And I didn't blame him. "Two years ago, you made it very clear that you didn't need me," he said
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
Roman suddenly cleared his throat and dragged his gaze away. He ran a hand through his short blonde hair, sending droplets flying. "I'll get you something dry," he said, his voice rougher than before. He disappeared down a hallway without waiting for my response. Left alone, I took the opportunity
AMELIA My 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