Novels by A Flora

Chapter 7 The Flynn's(Ella’s POV)Hayes didn’t warn me before we arrived at his family’s estate.The long driveway curved through forest and opened into a bright clearing with a large stone house wrapped in warm light. It didn’t feel like the cold, echoing mansions Lucas’s parents hosted parties in. This house looked lived in. Loved. Like people laughed inside it.My stomach tightened as Hayes parked. “Your parents are really expecting us?”“Yes.”“And they think we’re in love?”He winced. “I didn’t have time to think of anything else. They’ve been waiting years for me to bring someone home.”“So your solution was to tell them we fell madly in love overnight?”He shrugged. “It made my mom cry happy tears. You can yell at me later.”I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Hayes…”“Ella,” he said gently, “I swear I didn’t tell them to make this harder for you. I told them because I didn’t want them thinking I stole you from Lucas.”A strange rush of emotion moved through me. “You didn’t ste

Chapter 6Quiet War(Ella’s POV)After Reese left, the penthouse finally felt quiet. I walked toward my design space and sifted through fabric bolts just to keep my hands busy. The table was covered in sketches, pattern drafts, and fabric swatches from my latest collection under my pen name. Hayes had it set up just the way it was at my aprtment. Only a handful of people knew I was the designer behind the brand that had taken over fashion week conversations.Hayes watched me from the sofa. “You’re already working?”“I need a distraction.”He nodded slowly, eyes drifting to the sketches on the wall. “Your brand’s everywhere again. I saw a thread last night. People think the mystery designer might be from Europe.”“Good,” I said. “Let them guess.”His lips curved slightly. “Meanwhile, the actual designer is in my living room wearing my hoodie and pretending she didn’t sell out an entire collection in seven minutes.”I shot him a look. “I’m not running an empire.”“You are,” he said sim

Chapter 5The Fallout(Ella’s POV)By morning, the scandal had exploded.Every headline screamed my name. Every notification on my phone demanded attention I wasn’t ready to give. I shut the device off, tossed it on the counter, and walked into the kitchen where Hayes stood scrolling through his laptop.“You saw the news,” he said quietly.“I didn’t need to open anything,” I muttered. “My ears were ringing before I even got out of bed.”Hayes winced. “Sorry.”“Stop apologizing. You didn’t ditch me at the altar.”He looked almost relieved to hear me say it.Before he could respond, the elevator doors opened and my mother stormed into the penthouse. She didn’t knock. She didn’t even slow down.“Ella Evans,” she said sharply. “Start talking.”Hayes took two full steps back. Smart man.My father followed her, far calmer but clearly tense. “Ella.”I crossed my arms. “Good morning to you too. And I believe it's Ella Evans-Flynn now, mother.”Ruby glared. “Don’t joke. You married another man

Chapter 4Marriage Pact(Hayes’s POV)Ella didn’t look at me once during the drive to my penthouse. She stared out the window like the city offended her. I couldn’t blame her. If I were her, I’d probably throw me out of the moving car.Instead, she sat perfectly still, hands folded in her lap, shoulders straight, every inch of her controlled. Ella Evans never let the world see her crack. Not even when the groom vanished.I watched her from the corner of my eye and felt my chest squeeze. I’d been in love with her for years. And now she was my wife.A wife who didn’t want to look at me.Fantastic.When we arrived, she stepped out of the car before I even rounded the trunk. Reese would punch me if he knew I wasn’t holding out my hand for her. Ruby might actually kill me.The lobby staff stared like we walked in dripping diamonds. I nodded to them and tried to keep up with Ella.She shot me a glance. “Do you always walk this slowly?”I blinked. “I’m letting you go first.”“Why?”“Because

Chapter 3The Night Before(Ella’s POV)Hayes closed the suite door behind us, but neither of us moved farther than a few steps inside. The room was set with rose petals, champagne, and everything meant for a wedding night I was never meant to have.He stayed near the door. “Ella… you don’t have to stay here. I can get another room.”“I’m fine,” I said, even though my chest felt tight.He hesitated. “Do you want anything? Water? Tea?”“No.”Silence pressed between us. He looked like he didn’t know where to stand or what to say. I didn’t either.Finally, I turned to him. “I know why Lucas didn’t come.”Hayes froze. “Ella…”“I overheard him last night.” My voice stayed steady, even though remembering it made my stomach twist. “He was talking to you.”He swallowed hard. “I didn’t know you heard that.”“I heard everything,” I said. “I heard him say he was skipping the wedding.”Hayes shut his eyes briefly, guilt rushing across his face.“I heard him say he’d go on the honeymoon with Ashle

Chapter 2I Do(Ella’s POV)Hayes stood in front of me, his eyes searching my face like he wanted to save me but had no idea how. The whispers behind us grew louder as my parents stepped closer.My mother’s voice shook. “Ella, what are you doing?”My father looked like he was ready to drag me out of the church. “If Lucas isn’t here, we’re leaving. Say the word.”Everyone waited for me to fall apart.Instead, I looked at the minister.His eyes widened. “Miss Evans… or Mrs… I mean… should we pause…?”“Start,” I said quietly.The word cut through the silence.Hayes inhaled sharply. “Ella…”I didn’t look at him. I kept my gaze steady on the minister.“Start,” I repeated.My father stepped forward. “Ella, you’re in shock. You don’t understand what’s happening.”“I understand perfectly,” I said. “We’ll talk later.”Ruby tried to grab my hand. “Ella, please. Think this through.”“I’ve already thought about it.”That was a lie. I hadn’t thought about anything. My mind was a storm. My heart wa