The last thing I wanted was to give her what she wanted. Attention. She laughed, the sound sharp and brittle, echoing slightly in the hallway. "Oh, our father was right – you really have become quite haughty, haven't you?" Her eyes glittered with malice as she leaned in slightly, her expensive p
The reaction was immediate and exactly what I'd hoped for. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd like waves, disapproving glares directed at Bertha, whose mouth opened and closed soundlessly as she realized what I'd done. The whispers grew louder, more pointed – "Did you see that?" One whisper
The bell chimed softly as I pushed open the diner's door, and the familiar scent of coffee and grilled food wrapped around me like a warm embrace. My heels clicked against the checkered floor as I made my way inside, my eyes immediately finding Vincent in the booth by the window. The afternoon sun s
The lunch with Vincent felt like navigating through a thick fog of my own thoughts. My mind kept drifting back to Maria – her fearful glances, the way her hands trembled, the undercurrent of tension that seemed to vibrate between her and Vincent. The diner around us became a blur of muted sounds and
I could hear them. Could feel their eyes. "Did you hear?" "Mrs. Wellington is pregnant..." "After everything with Bertha..." Each hushed conversation felt like a physical weight. In the past, I might have confronted them, might have shut down the gossip with a carefully wielded put-down. But tod
The suggestion was so unexpected that I actually laughed. A genuine, surprised laugh that felt foreign even as it escaped my lips. Roman, suggesting we watch a movie? We'd never done something so mundane together…apart from that dinner. It was almost like we were trying to get the hang of our marr
ROMAN The warmth of Amelia's body against mine lingered like a ghostly imprint even after she'd fallen asleep. Her breathing had softened into that delicate rhythm that meant complete surrender to exhaustion – something that didn't happen often for her these days. Her face, usually tense with unspo
"Jesus, Roman," Alexander's voice held a mix of frustration and something deeper – genuine concern. "I can't just start eliminating people because they make you uncomfortable. These are complex family dynamics–" "Complex?" My laugh was sharp, devoid of humor. "My wife is being harassed. Threatened.
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