Novels by Selene Ashford

Ariana povAfter the less-than-pleasant episode with my mom, we walked back into the dining room, pretending as if nothing had happened between us.Although, I wasn’t sure if I was doing a very good job at it.The dinner was still ongoing, the room filled with the rich, mouthwatering aroma of the feast laid out before us.Roast chicken glazed with lemon and herbs sat at the center of the table, surrounded by bowls of creamy garlic mashed potatoes, buttery asparagus, honey-glazed carrots, wild rice pilaf, and a platter of seared salmon drizzled with dill sauce.As we took our seats, Mrs. Vivian smiled and turned toward my mother.“Since the wedding is the day after tomorrow, would you be staying over?” she asked pleasantly.“No,” my mother replied, her voice cool. “I really have something important I need to do.”Mrs. Vivian nodded, then turned her attention to me.“Ariana has always been such a strong girl. I think she’ll manage just fine on her own.”I forced a small, polite smile, m

Ariana povThe moment passed, thankfully, when the cook announced that lunch was ready. I wasn’t used to having so much attention on me.From the second I sat down, Linda hadn’t stopped shooting glares my way. I responded with the only weapon I had—a smile. At the end of this one-year arrangement, I’d be done and out of their way. Ethan could return to whoever this Cassandra person was—the woman his sister clearly preferred. But that thought—it didn’t sit well. Why was he here with me if he promised marriage to someone else?I bit my lip, forcing the question down.Would asking him be overstepping? Or worse, would it make me sound like I cared so much about his business?I was still lost in thought when the butler appeared at the door and announced the arrival of my family.A strange smile bloomed on my face. I hadn’t wanted them to come initially—I was terrified that everything would be awkward ,but they were still my family. And I loved them. I sat up straighter as they entered th

Ariana’s POV It had been five days since I moved into Ethan’s house— And today? His mother was coming. Along with his sister. My stomach was practically doing backflips. The Olympics were happening there and I was losing. I pressed my phone between my ear and shoulder as I brushed my teeth,my voice muffled by the buzz of the toothbrush. “Clara!” I whined, “I’m losing my mind. What if they don’t like me? Or worse, what if they really don’t like me?” “Girl, calm down,” Clara said, absolutely unfazed. “You’re cute. You’re lovable. How could anyone hate you? Look at those chubby cheeks!” I paused to glance at the mirror. “…Well. I guess you’re right.” “Besides,” she added, “this isn’t even a real marriage. You’re doing their son a favor, remember?” I rinsed my mouth and leaned against the sink like the drama queen I was becoming. “I haven’t even told you the worst part.” “Oh God, what now?” “Ethan invited my parents too.” I groaned. “Since the wedding is next tomo

Ariana povI took the cup of ginger tea to his room and knocked softly on the door.“Who is that?” His voice was slightly hoarse.“It’s me Ariana ,” I replied. “Please open the door.”There was a pause before the door creaked open. His hair was messy, and there was a flush on his cheeks—but somehow, the disheveled look only added to his charm. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.“I, um… brought you some ginger and honey tea. For your cough. Mind if I set it on the table?”His brows lifted in surprise. “You made that for me?”“Of course. I’m a nurse, remember?” I offered a small smile, trying to ignore the way my pulse picked up when his eyes lingered on me.“Oh. Right.” He stepped aside, creating space for me to walk in. “Just… put it on the table.”His room was just as I expected—simple, clean, and luxurious. Everything was black and white, sharp lines and cold tones. It looked untouched, like a hotel room. The only sign someone lived there was the open laptop and the faint scent

Ariana povThe sun was still high in the sky when I returned from the dress fitting. The gown would be delivered after a few alterations, and I couldn’t say I felt anything. No butterflies, no joy—just a numb weight in my chest.When the car rolled to a stop in front of the mansion, I murmured a thank-you to the driver and stepped out. I headed straight for the stairs, hoping to disappear into my room before—“Ariana.”I turned around slowly, my heart already picking up speed. Jared stood at the base of the stairs, still in his scrubs. “Hi, Jared,” I managed, forcing a polite smile. “Long shift?”He nodded once. “Emergency surgery. I had to fly out for it.”I folded my arms, suddenly self-conscious. “That explains why you’ve been gone for the past two days.”There was a pause. I took a step toward the stairs, ready to retreat.“I’m just going to head up and wash—”“How long, Ariana?” His voice dropped, it was smooth but edged with something dangerous.I stopped cold in my tracks.“I—

Ariana povIt had been two days since we visited my parents, and surprisingly, everything had been okay so far. I had barely seen Ethan or Jared in nearly two days.Just a blur of staff, drivers, silence, and marble floors echoing under my footsteps.The house—if I could even call this mansion that,was huge, elegant and completely lifeless. Like a museum. Beautiful, but cold with no sign of family warmth. The only sound was the soft hum of central air and the occasional polite knock from a housekeeper asking if I needed anything.I didn’t.What I needed was conversation. Chaos.I was bored out of my mind.I missed the hospital. The nurses’ lounge with its burnt coffee and overheard gossip. The adrenaline of night shifts. The quiet, sacred moments with patients. The way I felt useful.Here, I felt like a decoration.After the wedding I’ll talk to him. Ask if I can go back to work.I didn’t need his permission, not really.But if we were going to pretend to be husband and wife, we nee