_________________________________...2 years ago....I opened my eyes and closed it immediately when a headache hit me so fast, as if someone had punched me in the face.I felt nauseous and achy.Man, I got completely wasted.I really needed to stop doing this to myself. I kept away from clubbing and drinking for months and then one fine day, I will get drunk like there is no tomorrow, and I would get so wasted... so f%#cking wasted that it will be difficult for me to say what day or time it was.Why do I keep doing this to myself?I am so f%#king dumb!I became aware of my surroundings. I was naked and my back was against a broad naked chest.I blinked. I didn't have much memory of last night.I didn't remember who I had gone home with.I opened my eyes.Okay, apparently, it wasn't a home. It was a hotel room.Oh god, Rory. What is wrong with you?I tried to turn around so I can take a look at my one night stand but his grip on me tightened and he grumbled something in his sleep.
______________________________...|| ROWAN KELLER' POV ||."Honestly bro, you are beyond my understanding." Ashton Ames, my best friend, said as he took a sip of his coffee.I rolled my eyes as I paced around my office room.That idiot had figured it out so easily. And now, she was going to be even more guarded around me.That was not going to work well for me.I needed her to trust me. Trust me enough that she will happily hand over all of her shares in the company to me.I had approached Dr. Merin Ashdale first with money. But she wasn't swayed by it. That's when I thought of appealing to her sad, lonely existence. And it had worked. Sleeping with the doctor and making her say only good things about me, so that Aurora thinks that though she could not see it, I have been doing very well as a husband and putting an amazing amount of effort into our stupid marriage.The plan seemed so flawless.Yet, the doctor and I didn't last one session with her. She knew immediately.Was she a
___________________________..."I think I might have overreacted. About you deciding to give your marriage another chance."I looked up from my burger to see that Bianca was looking out the window, a faraway look on her face.I rolled my eyes.I did not like my overdramatic friend like this."That makes me disappointed in you." I said.She looked over at me, her brows furrowed.I reached over and took her hand in mine."You are my best friend. You are my sister. You are supposed to be mad at me when I do shit!" I said the word 'shit' a bit too loud and had people glancing over. Ugh, this is the problem with expensive restaurants."But-""Is this about me spending more time with Zoe these days?" I raised a brow, a smirk forming on my face.I mean, Bianca is my best friend. I know her like the back of my hand.She gave me a flat look."Don't even try." I rolled my eyes, chuckling as I took my drink in my hand. I took a sip and waited for her to speak up."Fine." She gave in, rolling
____________________________ . . . F%#k. F%#k. F%#k. I stared at the screen, at the news article that my stupid friend, Eric Rogers the idiot (as Bianca calls him) had shared with a 'LMFAO' and six laughing emojis. I scratched my head frantically as I dialled my assistant, Susan James' number. "I saw it, Rory." She said as soon as she picked, I could hear rapid typing in the background. "We are already on it. How do you want the news to be? Any preferences?" "Say it's morphed." I sighed. "Don't you think we have been using that excuse a little too often lately?" I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath, annoyed at her for pointing it out instead of doing her job and even more annoyed at the fact that she was absolutely right about that. Think Rory, think. Think before the devil named Rowan Keller have your head for this slip up. Heh, it's funny how I am worried about the reaction from the man who makes my life a living hell. I heard the beeping sound of an incoming cal
___________________________________...I took a deep breath as I stared at my bedroom door, my hand on the door knob.Come on Aurora, just turn it and go out there. It is not the end of the world. So what if you responded to his kiss? It happens.Not when the man in the question is a douchebag who made your life, it doesn't.Damn it, I can't even blame Rowan this time. I mean, I can blame him for... forcing himself on me? But is it really forcing it if I responded? Readily?Oh my god, I will have to double avoid him from now on.I looked over at the black clock on the wall. It said eight forty-five.Huh... Rowan leaves for the office at eight. He may be a useless assh*le but he was always punctual.Alright, Aurora. Let's go.I turned the knob and flung the door wide open, a bright smile on my face to greet Bill. And I stopped in my tracks.He had not gone to work."Oh wow, someone seems to be in a great mood!" Rowan wriggled his eye brows at me while I stood there blinking, like an
_________________________________..."I don't see how your families coming over is a big problem," Bianca said over the phone. She had baby Jamie in her arms as she tried to feed him the formula. Fiona was peacefully sleeping and Roselyn was out with her girl gang from university. So it was Bianca Stanley versus Jamie Stanley-Anderson. And currently, Jamie was winning. He was screaming at the top of his lungs and Bianca was in the far end of the apartment, fearing the blood-curdling screams of her twin brother would wake little Fiona up and Bianca just wasn't ready for her two babies having a screaming match. "Come on, look at your aunt and smile at her. She could use some happiness in her life."I narrowed my eyes at her.Why the hell was she taking jabs at me while trying to shush my nephew?"I know you wanna mess with Mommy, love, but please don't make yourself sick because of your stupid Mommy." I cooed at him. He stopped crying for a moment, looking wide-eyed wondering where
______________________________...Sonya was grabbing on to my hand. Her hold was tight, desperate. There was definitely something wrong with her."Are you okay? Is everything okay?" I didn't know whether something had happened to her or if she was tensed about whatever was going to happen here.I hoped nothing happened here, because the last thing I needed right now was more drama as compared to whatever Rowan had planned for the evening.Rowan was not just a negotiator. He was an elaborate planner and manipulator. Things could really turn around today.I was very worried.See, how the hell did I have feelings for someone I was almost scared of?Pftt... Am I not the same person who said I wasn't afraid of Rowan Keller?I have really become a pathetic shadow of my former self.It was so sad.And oh wow, I was back to thinking about my feelings for him and shit though I promised myself that I would not and that I would move on.See, the only person ruining my happiness is me, myself
_______________________________..."I don't want you near her, Aurora. Because I know exactly what you are planning!""And what exactly is she planning?" Simon asked."She is waiting for some bits from this situation that will help her blackmail me the way I did with her sister!""Excuse me?" Elizabeth looked at her son like he was crazy.Meanwhile, I stood there wondering whether I should be offended that he thought I would be anything like him, or smack my forehead and wonder how anyone would be able to placate this situation.Rowan was angry and he just lost control and spewed the very reason why I was still in this awful marriage of mine."What do you mean by you are blackmailing her with her sister?" Simon looked like he was about to explode. And the change in expression on Rowan's face told me that he had suddenly realized that he had fucked up. Oh big time buddy, and I honestly don't think I am in the mood to fix this shit for you right now."That is a discussion for another
_____________________...~~THREE YEARS LATER~~."Can you stay still?" I screamed at my hysterical sister as I fixed her veil. "All the daisies are going to fall off at this rate!""Who invented wedding gowns?" Gabby screeched as she tugged at the tulle of her wedding gown."Oh, the first documented wedding gown was worn in fourteen-o-six by-""No thanks, Miranda." I cut the overenthusiastic wedding planner off.Gabby rolled her eyes. "You know too much." She told the oblivious lady who just grinned as if it was a compliment. It probably is."You okay?" I whispered to her as I fixed the last daisy.Gabby took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah, I'm just... nervous.""You're going to marry the love of your life," I said, smiling at her through the mirror. "What's not to be happy about?"Gabby took a deep breath. "It's just... everything is happening so fast. And what if it's not enough?""What do you mean?" I asked, my hand on her shoulder. "You dated him three years before you are marr
____________________..."Oh well, I won't say I didn't see it coming," I murmured as I watched Gabby come out of Eric's room. She froze, trying to run back into the room and bumping into Eric's broad chest in the process. "but I also didn't think the day would come this fast.""What can I say?" Eric laughed as he wrapped his arms around my sister. "I know to woo my woman right.""Well, in my defense, it takes a lifetime of groveling to make up for the kind of mistakes I made." I shrugged, laughing even though I felt a pang in my chest. I had fucked up so bad.Gabby's eyes searched mine. "I know you're sorry.""But is that enough?" I asked, my voice low.Gabby looked at me, understanding in her eyes. "You know she loves you, right?"I nodded. "I know." But love was a fickle thing, and I had learned that the hard way. "But I hurt her, Gabby. Deeply.""And you're going to have to prove it to her," she said, her tone gentle but firm. "Every day. With every action, every word. You need
____________________...I was fixing myself a sandwich after putting Ki to bed when the doorbell rang.Rowan's mom was in the living room, watching TV. "I've got it," I called out as I made my way to the door.Opening it, I was surprised to find Eric standing outside. "What's going on?" I asked, my heart racing.He looked serious, his eyes darting around the hallway before he stepped inside. "We need to talk," he said, his voice low and urgent.Beth looked up from the TV, curiosity piqued. "Everything okay?""I'll handle it," I told her, guiding Eric into the kitchen. "What's going on?"He leaned against the counter, his eyes searching mine. "I found something out about Derek," he began, his tone serious. "It's... it's not good."My heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"Eric took a deep breath. "Derek isn't just obsessed with Rory. He's got a history of stalking and harassment. I found some old police reports."My stomach dropped. "What kind of history?""It goes back years," Eric sa
___________________________..."I still can't believe you didn't tell me about Eric being there in the UK all those weeks!" Gabby was ranting as she did my hair. She repeated the same tale of my betrayal at least once a day. Especially when she wanted something from me."Spit it out." I rolled my eyes. "What do you want from me?"Gabby took a deep breath, her hands stilling in my hair. "I want you to promise me that you'll always tell me the truth, no matter what."I looked at her weirdly in the mirror. "Okay.""And that you will get me an electric blue Porsche." She grinned in the mirror.I snorted. "That sounded like my sister.""You are taking over Dad's position soon. You will have money of your own then. Get with that." I told her as she twisted my hair into an elegant knot."But what about you, Rory?" Gabby's voice turned serious. "What do you want?"I took a deep breath. "I want peace," I said finally. "For all of us."Gabby nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That's all I w
_______________________..."This sucks!" I exclaimed as I watched the expressionless face of Eric Rogers.He looked at me with a glare. "Seriously, dude?""What? It's the truth!" I shot back, pacing the tiny cell. "I've never been in jail before! And now, because of Stacy and Charles, I'm going to have a record!""Charles has said that he will drop the charges." Eric said but I knew there was more to that story."Why?" I asked. "I am sure he would not have done it for free."Charles was never a good person. He was just amazing for me. And as someone who didn't really deserve a good person, I had decided to settle with him. But the dude had cheated even before the relationship had even started. That's what got on my nerves."Does it matter?" Eric sighed. "The procedures will be completed in a few moments and then we can leave."The door to the cell opened, and a female police officer stepped in. She was tall, with stern eyes that scanned me up and down. "Gabriella Lewis, you are fre
_____________________...I fell asleep in Rowan's arms. That much I remember.But when I opened my eyes, I was back in the van.Derek's crazed face loomed over me, the gun pointed directly at my forehead. "You shouldn't have done that, Rory," he whispered, his voice a chilling echo in the confined space.I jolted awake, my heart racing and my breath coming in shallow gasps. The room was dark, the only light coming from the night lamp, casting eerie shadows across the floor. I was in my own bed, in my own apartment, with Rowan sleeping peacefully beside me. But the fear lingered, clinging to me like a second skin.It was just a nightmare, I told myself, over and over again. But the cold sweat on my forehead and the pounding in my chest said otherwise. The image of Derek's furious face, the gun pointed at me, the sound of the shot ringing in my ears—it all felt too real.Rowan stirred beside me, his hand moving to rest on my back. "Rory, you okay?""It was just a bad dream," I whispe
________________________...I scrambled to my feet as soon as I heard the shot.Was it Ophelia? Was she shot trying to save me?I had to save Ophelia if she was still alive.Ignoring the pain in my shoulder, I rushed to open the van.I peeked inside. Derek was on the floor, his hand slack around the gun. Ophelia was kneeling beside him, her hands shaking as she tried to stem the flow of blood from his leg."Oh my God, Derek! Is he okay?" I rushed to Ophelia's side."He fainted on impact." Ophelia was crying. "Quick. My phone is in my car outside. Call 9-1-1."I nodded, the shock slowly wearing off. I rushed to the car and got in, using the phone I found in her purse to call the police and ambulance. I gave them Rowan's name and address for them to contact him as well because the phone was locked. When I got back to the van, Derek was regaining consciousness. "Aurora, I think it's better for you to leave now. Give me my phone and get in my car and leave before he wakes up." I sh
_____________________..."Derek?" I was still stumped by the revelation. "Derek, why are you doing this? Is this because of Ophelia?"Derek stepped into the light, his expression cold and unrecognizable. "This isn't about Ophelia, Rory. This is about what you took from me."I stared at him, confusion and fear mingling. "What are you talking about?""You. You took away yourself from me. I had the perfect life planned out for the both of us but you kept going back to that bastard who had the least respect for you.""What are you talking about, Derek? I never even knew you felt like that." I was more stumped by the latest revelation."How would you know?" He let out a humorless chuckle. "You were too wrapped up around Rowan Keller to actually notice other people's feelings.""I'm sorry," I whispered, trying to keep the tremble out of my voice. "But this isn't the way to deal with it. Let me go, and we can talk about this."Derek's eyes narrowed. "You don't get to tell me what to do an
__________________________..."I have a bad feeling about this!" Jake murmured as I tried Rory's number for the nth time."I'm going to the park. Something's off." I told him, my heart racing."Let's go together," Jake offered, his eyes sharp.I nodded, and we sprinted down the escalator of the mall. We had been looking for Ki and Mary here."What if they are not there?" I panted, my legs burning from the run."Then we widen the search," Jake said grimly.We dashed out of the mall into the blinding sunlight, our eyes scanning the bustling street. The park was only a few minutes away, and the tension grew with every second that ticked by."What could have happened?" I whispered to myself, fear for Ki gnawing at my insides. Now Rory was also not picking up the phone.I had a bad feeling about all of this.The park was eerily quiet, not a soul in sight.We reached the parking lot. Something glinting on the ground caught my sight.A phone.Rory's phone.My heart sank. "Jake, look." I p