LOGINShare
60– Adaline
Last Updated:
2025-04-27 17:15:26
Related chapters
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 61– Adaline
Michael’s eyes are lit with a smile that makes my heart clench as he rises with his hand stretched out to mine, urging me to take it.For a second, I just stare at the hand, at the slightly shaky fingers waiting for mine to merge with it. My heart beats harder and faster, pushing up into my throat.I swallow down a gulp, offering him a thinned-lipped smile as I lift my hand to his. His skin is warm, soft, and steady against mine. He looks at me as our fingers thread together, my small hand disappearing into his big one but still feels fitting, like they belong together.Michael is still looking at me, really looking at me. And I think this is the first time he’s ever looked at me so long—or maybe it’s the first time I’m really noticing his eyes on me.My chest is rising and falling. So is his. The air between us hums, heavy and soft at the same time. His intense gaze makes me feel tingly and I want to look away, yet I’m unable to.He’s a beautiful man.And he has beautiful hair.I fee
Last Updated : 2025-04-29To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 1– Adaline
My ear erupts with loud ringing as I watch my world shatter into tiny little pieces. The pain is crippling. It feels as though someone is craving a blade into my heart. Sorrow curls around me, confusion and surprise seizing my ability to breathe. I’m standing with my skin tight with a cold that shouldn't even exist in this heat, my legs firmly rooted to the spot, and my mind spiraling. I’m trying to understand, to make sense of the scene unfolding in front of me. My wide eyes are trained on my best friend and the love of my life, watching as they scramble with the sheets to shield their nakedness, to hide their betrayal. Their shame means nothing to me. The damage is already done.Tears flood into my eyes and sting my lid, I refuse to let them fall. I can’t break—not here, not now. Is it even necessary to hold back the tears?With or without it, my pain is boldly written on my face. My pain shows in the way my eyes are darting around the room with desperation, as if searching for
Last Updated : 2025-03-07To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 2– Adaline
I’m standing in front of the mirror, nervous. My frayed nerves are not even about the party or being in a room filled with influential men and women—I’ve attended many such parties for at least sixteen years in a row, I’m already used to it. My birthday parties are after all business gatherings. I’m nervous about meeting Michael Black for the first time. I’m afraid of becoming someone’s wife-to-be barely twenty four hours after my heart was broken. A marriage of convenience. He’ll meet me today, and I’ll wear his ring today. And maybe in weeks, if I’m lucky, I’ll officially become his wife. Adaline Black.What was I thinking yesterday when I barged into my father’s office and made that decision? I shake my head to push the doubts away. It’s done. There’s no undoing it now.The door swings open, and Kate steps inside with a huge grin. She’s always so enthusiastic for my birthdays you might even think it’s hers. Good for her. I don’t like to consider Kate a household staff—maid as
Last Updated : 2025-03-07To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 3– Michael
Ever since seeing this woman—Adaline, I’ve always dreamt of being here in this position as the man who she’ll spend the rest of her life with. Now I’m here, and I’m beginning to realize she won’t be an easy woman to deal with.Understanding dawns on me as I narrow my eyes and watch the woman who just challenged me with two words—Make me. I finally understand what her father meant when he asked if I could handle her. At the time, I’d brushed off his words with the confidence of a man who has seen and done enough to believe there’s little left in the world that could surprise him. But now, standing here, observing her in real-time, I see that he wasn’t speaking about handling her in the way I assumed.He meant this.There’s fire burning in her eyes. Her skin radiates with bubbling energy. And the way she tilts her chin and holds her head high? God help me. The girl is a walking representation of rebellion wrapped in elegance. She’s rolled her eyes so many times I’ve lost count. She d
Last Updated : 2025-03-07To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 4– Adaline
I’ve never felt this way… weak, dull, unable to properly move my limbs. My eyes flutter slowly, fighting to adjust to the dim light above me. I bink up at my ceiling. But it’s not really mine. This looks different, the color is off, the light too dim. And the sheets feel different—smoother, silkier. Not like my usual fluffy ones.I shift slightly in bed with a strained groan and the dullness of my limbs drives tears out of my eyes. Is this what it feels like to die? Am I having a nightmare? My mind floods with thoughts as I move again, my eyes finally opening fully. Gritting my teeth, I try to move again, exhaustion keeps me down, my vision blurring, almost dragging me into an unconscious state. I blink hard, fighting to stay awake. It already feels like I’ve slept longer than I’m supposed to.“How are you feeling, Adaline?” I hear a thick voice, immediately feeling firm fingers stroking my hair. The touch is so soft and gentle it almost makes me sick. My stomach twists as I try to
Last Updated : 2025-03-07To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 5– Adaline
I hate to admit it, but Las Vegas knows how to party. It’s loud, wild, and just the right amount of chaotic. This is the kind of chaos I’ve always wanted. It has drowned my thoughts, and has made it impossible for me to think about anything other than the moment.I didn’t expect to have fun here. After all, I was drugged and dragged against my will by the insufferable Michael Black. But here I am, swaying to the heavy bass of the music, the neon lights casting playful colors across Kate’s beaming face.We spent the entire day spending his money, and the best part? The card didn’t max out. We tried. Oh, we tried. Designer stores, luxury boutiques, spas—I was certain at some point the cashier would swipe the card, frown, and tell us that we’d hit the limit. That maybe, just maybe, I’d get a furious phone call from Michael demanding to know what the hell I was doing with his money.But nothing.No declined transactions. No angry calls. No reaction at all.Which leaves me wondering—was h
Last Updated : 2025-03-24To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 6– Adaline
“Can I get my phone? I’d like to call my father.”The door slams shut and the lock clicks. A tremble shakes me to the core as I hear Michael’s heavy footsteps approaching from behind. “Why?” He asks.“I…” I swallow loudly. “I want to call my father and let him know I’d like to call off this engagement.”It feels as though time has come to an abrupt stop. One moment, Michael is standing behind me, the next, he’s in front of me, jaw locked, eyes tight and narrowed on me. He suddenly scoffs. “Are you still under the influence?”“No. I’m completely sober.” Apparently his hand crashing into my ass sobered me up. “I’m simply choosing not to go ahead with this engagement.”“Why?” He quizzes, his face dropping. “Because you don’t take no for an answer and I don’t think I can handle a man who doesn’t take no for an answer.”Silence.I feel his gaze burning into me but I don’t have it in me to look up. A moment passes, Michael steps into me, his hands shooting forward and cradling my face, t
Last Updated : 2025-03-24To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 7– Michael
I used to work under Adaline’s mother—as her boy in training. Then years passed and I became a partner. More years passed and our enemies were closing in. Rebecca Daniels knew she wasn’t going to survive the storm that was brewing, so she had asked me to look over her daughter—be the girl’s shadow, make sure nothing happens to her.I didn’t care to watch Adaline Daniels myself. I tasked one of my men to handle the job and went about living my life as recklessly as I desired. Until a little over a year ago when I returned to LA and decided to go and see an old friend, Adaline’s father—Jameson Daniels. I saw a beautiful girl in the company lobby, moving around gracefully, her beauty radiating. My attraction was instant. Later that day, I discovered she was the girl that was put under my care all those years ago.She was Rebecca’s daughter. Forbidden? Yes. But I’m not a man who shies from things simply because they are forbidden.However, I have the utmost respect for Rebecca, and for
Last Updated : 2025-03-24
Latest chapter
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 61– Adaline
Michael’s eyes are lit with a smile that makes my heart clench as he rises with his hand stretched out to mine, urging me to take it.For a second, I just stare at the hand, at the slightly shaky fingers waiting for mine to merge with it. My heart beats harder and faster, pushing up into my throat.I swallow down a gulp, offering him a thinned-lipped smile as I lift my hand to his. His skin is warm, soft, and steady against mine. He looks at me as our fingers thread together, my small hand disappearing into his big one but still feels fitting, like they belong together.Michael is still looking at me, really looking at me. And I think this is the first time he’s ever looked at me so long—or maybe it’s the first time I’m really noticing his eyes on me.My chest is rising and falling. So is his. The air between us hums, heavy and soft at the same time. His intense gaze makes me feel tingly and I want to look away, yet I’m unable to.He’s a beautiful man.And he has beautiful hair.I fee
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 60– Adaline
Michael and I are so engrossed in the conversation we’re having—more like banter—that we don’t even realize when the driver makes the last turn into the final destination.The car slows and Michael tells me to wait as he hurries out of the car and rounds it, opening the door for me and holding out a hand to help me out.“Such a romantic,” I tease, sliding my hand into his, feeling his warmth and steadiness wrap around my skin as helps me down carefully.As I step out of the car, the evening air hits me more harshly and I think it’s because this place is mostly surrounded by trees. I inhale a deep breath and straighten up, smoothing down the front of my dress.“Are you sure you can breathe in that thing?” Michael’s voice has a teasing edge to it as he curls a brow at my slim-fit waistline.“Mmhm,” I hum, glancing around the surroundings. I was expecting the usual noise and lights that come with a restaurant.But the street is quiet. There’s no bustling crowd, no clinking of dishes, no
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 59– Adaline
One week later.“Marry me, Ada,” Michael whispers behind me as he laces the corset of the dress I’m wearing for our date.My lips stretch into a smile and I look at his reflection in the mirror, admiring his ability to focus both on helping me with my dress and this one thing he’s been nagging me about.Every day since a week ago, Michael has not failed to ask me to marry him.He says it in passing, when he kisses me, while we’re having breakfast—just everywhere and every time the thought crosses his mind.And I’ll always give him the same answer: “we just started dating and I don’t think we’re there yet.”I see the frustration in his eyes every time I say that to him, but he’d clench his jaw, swallow around nothing and force out a smile.My mind tells me Michael Black is really close to taking away my choice of the matter from me.Once, he forgot himself and said, “this is supposed to be an arranged marriage, and if what I know about such arrangements is true, then we don’t need to k
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 58– Adaline
My body feels like it’s burning up as I tremble with a small groan, feeling something firm and warm, and wet and teasing between my thighs. My brain is slowly waking up, yet it doesn’t feel like I’m awake. I feel like I’m lost in my dream—because waking up will definitely not feel this good.Will it?I try to move my limbs, but they feel heavy. When did the covers start weighing so heavy? My eyes flutter open slowly, a soft moan slipping out of my parted lips before I even realize it. My hips twitch instinctively, seeking the source of the pleasure.My hands are behind my head, firmly gripping the pillow. What… why am I gripping the pillows? Another moan comes from my throat. I try to shift again and that’s when I realize I’m unable to move. My legs… they’re wide apart and something firm is holding them in place. My tongue pokes out of my mouth and glides across my lips. I feel that wet and warm and firm something deliver another stroke of pleasure and I moan. Groaning, I lift the
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 57– Adaline
“How was shopping?”“Jesus!” I scream, jerking back and slamming my hand against the wall switches. Bright lights flicker on, flooding the living room, and my breath comes out in a whoosh. “Michael… what are you doing sitting in the dark?”He's lounging on the couch, leaned back, legs thrown apart in a manspread like he owns the world—which, I guess, he sort of does. A small, lazy smile stretches across his lips as his gaze drinks me in. I realize I’m still in my heels and tight jeans, my top slightly askew from the bags I carried upstairs. I probably look flustered.“I was just thinking, Adaline,” he says, voice groggy.I exhale a shaky breath. “What about?”“You, work, a lot of things,” he answers.I raise a brow. “It’s a good thing I’m at the top of that list.”His lips stretch into a brighter, warmer smile as he taps his thigh twice. I blink at him.He taps it again, still smiling.Oh.I get the memo.Without another word, I cross the room, trying not to smile too much. My heart
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 56– Adaline
The car begins to slow, and Kate sits up straighter, peering out the window just as the driver swerves the car into an underground parking lot.“Oh my God,” she breathes. “We’re here.”I follow her gaze and immediately feel my heartbeat speed up.The showroom.Not just any showroom. The showroom. I’m talking tall glass walls, velvet ropes, the names of the biggest fashion houses gleaming in gold on black marble: Chanel. Dior. Balmain. Yves Saint Laurent. There’s a Versace sculpture at the entrance.I’m telling you this place is a palace. A dream. “I can’t believe it,” I squeal and furrow my brows, “come to think of it, why did we never shop here? I mean… we’ve got the money—”“You’ve got the money,” Kate corrects. I shake my head, clicking my tongue. “My money is your money, baby.” She smiles breathily and mutters, “come on, let’s go.”I smoothen my hair, rub my lips together to make my lipgloss pop and reach for my purse. “Let’s spend some money.”Kate adjusts her sunglasses and
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 55– Adaline
Michael’s way of making it up to me is instructing his driver to take me around the city, anywhere I want, but most especially to the most expensive showrooms in the city. He left his black card before leaving, said I could get anything I wanted. And let me tell you this, I am about to splurge so much of this man’s money. I’ve said it many times before, but let me say it again: I love luxury as much as I love to breathe. And that means, my love for luxury is unlimited. To top it off, Michael’s driver had driven me to my father’s estate where we picked Kate up to join me for my shopping today. She said Michael had contacted her to keep me company today while he’s busy with work, and she can also spend as much as she wants. Kate has a pair of oversized sunglasses perched on her head, her curls pulled up into a lazy bun, her lips dented with a smile. I don’t even think she’s smiling this much. “There’s a glow about you today, Katherine Barnes,” I say playfully. “I just can’t get e
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 54– Adaline
The silence that follows is comfortable, peaceful. I listen to the soft exhales of his breath, my heart beating in perfect sync as his while my eyes slowly hood. I blink, attempting to keep myself awake a little longer, but it doesn’t work. “Are you sure Joy and Fluff will be good to be with Caleb, considering his busy schedules and all?” I ask, breaking the silence. “I’m sure he can handle it perfectly, baby,” Michael says assuringly. “After all, Joy has been around him since she was a puppy. They’ll have a good time together.”I smile. “I don’t doubt that for a second.” Another wave of silence envelops us. Michael’s whisper breaks the silence between us. “Adaline…”“Hm?” I mumble, my voice still groggy.“Are you falling asleep yet?” he asks softly, his fingers tracing a lazy line across my shoulder.“Barely,” I murmur, eyes still closed, feeling comfortable with the warmth of his body close to mine. Michael exhales heavily but doesn’t speak. I open one eye, turning my head slig
To Hate, To Love, And To Wed 53– Adaline
“I’m beginning to fall for you.”I’m beginning to fall for you… I don’t know why I said those words to him. I regretted them the moment they slipped through my lips. And it’s not because it’s a lie… I truly am starting to fall for Michael Black in ways I didn’t imagine would be possible. But why didn’t he say it back to me? He’s the one who’d always jump at any opportunity to tell me he loves me, and now that I tell him this, his response was absolute silence. Then he smiled, planted kisses all over my face, and scooped me into his arms, carrying me gently into the room and then straight into the bathroom. I know I said I would never believe those three words—I love you—but I really crave to hear it from Michael. And now that I crave it, he’s refusing to say it. I nestle into his chest, my eyes heavy, my limbs sore. Michael doesn’t fuck easy. I’ve only ever been with Austin, and even he does not have the stamina Michael has, nor the passionate aggressiveness. Michael knows ho
