AMELIA I once used to think that I wasn't meant to find happiness or deserve to be loved by anyone. Because my father and Monica stopped at nothing to remind me. My father's beatings and Monica's verbal abuses were enough to bring down my self esteem or rather burn it to ashes. Despite how much I
The warmth of Roman's lips lingered on mine as he finally decided to leave. His fingers traced the curve of my cheek, his touch so gentle it almost felt like a whisper against my skin. I watched him, my heart swelling with a mixture of love and that inexplicable fear that I couldn't quite shake. Ev
AMELIA Vincent's movements seemed sluggish, almost mechanical. As more time passed, his usually vibrant energy seemed to have dulled, replaced by a weariness that hung around him like an invisible cloak. I watched him carefully, my instincts picking up on the subtle and yet obvious signs of exhaus
ROMAN “We've been unable to trace the number, sir.” Came the second disappointing reply for the day, from the one hacker Dimitri trusted enough to get the job done. My grip on my phone tightened as I struggled to rein in my emotions, my frustration almost spilling over. I was sick and tired of
ROMAN My father and I haven't spoken since I received the invitation to his wedding. Now, I wasn't claiming to be perfect. I was also unfaithful to my wife and hurt her in ways I would continue to regret for the rest of my life but him? He was making a decision that wouldn't benefit him in an
ROMAN I laughed. I couldn't help myself. Bertha's words were by far the best punch-line to a joke I'd heard in a while. I shook my head, meeting her eyes for a split second before I burst out laughing again. By the time I had called, her face was red, from both embarrassment and anger. The
AMELIA “We should make her Jessica, after her beloved godmother,” Jessica argued on the other line, annoying me like she usually did. “Why would I name my child, Jessica?” I snorted, “Last thing I want is for my baby to look like you,” Jessica scoffed rather dramatically and I couldn't help but
I stared at the text message, my thumb hovering over the screen as a million thoughts raced through my mind. The invitation seemed so out of character for my father - a man who had been more absent than present throughout my life, and who I'd deliberately distanced myself from. Roman's steady brea
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