After what felt like hours of intense conversation, I finally stood up from the chair, my legs slightly wobbly from sitting for so long. The weight of everything I had learned pressed down on me, making even the simple act of standing feel like a monumental effort. "I need to head out," I announced
He said he would talk to Roman…does that mean I don't have to say anything now? Finally, taking a deep breath, I pressed call. The phone rang once, twice, three times. Just as I was about to hang up, thinking Roman was too busy to answer, the call connected. But it wasn't Roman's deep, accented vo
Bertha's words echoed in my mind: "A love that transcends all obstacles." Was there truth to what she said? Was she really just there on business or was he lying about it? And if so, where did that leave me? I was so lost in my thoughts that I barely noticed when the car pulled up to the salon.
AMELIA As I stood in front of the full-length mirror, my breath caught in my throat. The woman staring back at me was familiar yet strangely new. My once dark limp locks had been transformed into a stunning shade of warm blonde with faint curls, the color seeming to catch and reflect the light in a
Jessica hesitated, her steps slowing as we approached a small park. She led us to a nearby bench, sitting down with a heavy sigh. "It's... it's my parents," she finally admitted, her voice small. "They're just... they're driving me crazy, as usual." "I'm so sorry, Jess," I said, feeling a pang of g
Jessica leaned forward, her elbows on the table. "And? Did he meet your expectations? Is it something you want to do again?" I opened my mouth to respond, but found myself at a loss for words. The truth was, I wasn't sure how to answer that question. Admitting it out loud, even to myself, scared me
"Greece?" I called out again, rising from my seat as the disheveled young woman stumbled towards our table. Her usually impeccable appearance was in disarray - her dark hair mussed, her clothes wrinkled, and her eyes wide with a mix of fear and relief. I watched as her legs and fingers trembled, she
What the fuck does she mean by ‘locked up’? Greece's fingers tightened around her coffee cup, her knuckles turning white. "It... it was my fault," she said, her voice small and filled with shame. "I disrespected her in front of her friends. I embarrassed her. She said I needed to learn my place."
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