Novels by Beth

LYNETTE'S POVI was at my desk, eating a sandwich with one hand and scrolling through design files with the other when my phone buzzed beside my laptop.I ignored it and kept working.But it buzzed again and again, and then it wouldn't stop.I let out a frustrated sigh, set the sandwich down, and picked up the phone to see what the buzzing was all about.My brows instantly drew together when I saw dozens of notifications of new followers and DMs from Instagram, all in the last few minutes.What the hell?I wasn’t an influencer or anything, I didn’t post much, and my studio's account was modest. So where did all the attention come from all of sudden? I stared for a moment, then I shook my head, ignoring it and setting the phone back down. I picked up my sandwich and continued working.The phone kept buzzing, but I paid no attention to it.Then the door suddenly opened, and Ashley walked in with a very bright smile.I'd normally be irritated that she barged in without knocking, but I w

BRADFORD'S POVThe Thanksgiving weekend that always seemed way too long had come and gone again.I used to look forward to that holiday when my mother was still alive, but not anymore.Cause I now spent them with my father and a handful of relatives that I didn’t like talking to, and they never got tired of asking the usual questions:“When are you getting married? Is there anyone special?”And my answer didn’t change either: “No one special yet.”My father watched me from across the table with an unreadable expression when I answered their questions this time. He knew I was lying, he just didn't know about what.I was also the first to leave the dinner as always.On Monday morning, bright and early, I was back in the office, staring out the busy city of New York from my window, but my mind had already drifted to Lynette.She's another reason why this past weekend felt hellish and extremely long, because she still wouldn't answer my calls and I couldn't go to her office to try and se

GABRIELLE'S POVMy mother stared at me for a long moment, unable to utter a word in response, and with that look on her face that made my stomach drop lower.Then she blinked, smoothening out her expression. The fear quickly disappeared from her eyes and was replaced by something calmer, more controlled."Of course not," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Why would I hide anything from you?"I frowned slightly. "Mom…" I started to counter, but she cut me off gently, stepping closer to me."You know I'm always worried about you, darling," she reached out, touched my cheek, and I could feel her hand still trembling, just slightly. "I'm only trying to protect you from people in that world, so you don't go through what I went through,” she paused, then softly added. “That's all there is, nothing more."She held my gaze for another second, offering a faint smile, then she walked away before I could think to say anything else. I stood there watching her go. Her shoulders t

GABRIELLE'S POV I was curled up on the couch watching t****k videos when a call from a strange number flashed at the top of the screen. I stared at it with my brow raised for a moment, but something in my gut already told me who it was. I cleared my throat softly, keeping my voice cool before answering. “Hello, who's this?” A warm, playful, and familiar voice came through. “Would you like to take a guess?” I smiled quietly, I knew that voice. It's him just like I'd guessed, but I wasn't gonna make it that easy for him. I paused briefly, letting the silent stretch, like I was thinking. Then I said slowly, letting the surprise evident in my tone. “Benedict?” “The one and only,” he replied, and I could hear the grin in his voice. I rolled my eyes even though he couldn't see me, but I was fighting the urge to really smile. “How…how did you get my number?" I asked, putting on my best surprised voice now. “Well, you wouldn't give it to me. And it turned out the universe's on my si

GABRIELLE'S POV “Hi,” he introduced, “I'm Benedict.” I looked up to meet his green eyes and could neither respond nor look away. I stared at him with my jaw dropping slightly open, wondering if I'd conjured him from my imagination cause he looked too strikingly handsome to be real. He's average height, so he wasn't hovering, but he was well built, like he spent his mornings surfing and his afternoons in the gym. His dark hair was slightly messy. He probably ran his hand through them quite often without thinking. My eye caught a small black inked tattoo peeking out from the collar of his shirt. It looked like an eagle. Everything about him screamed “playboy” but hey, he's just the kind of guy I wouldn't pass up on a night with. Shit, I'm probably drooling right now. I pressed my lips together and blinked, snapping myself out of my fantasy. And he just grinned, making those damn dimples of his deepened. Fuck, he noticed. I glanced down, trying to hide my embarrassment, then I

LYNETTE'S POVThere was a stunned silence on the table for a long terrifying moment.I stilled in my seat, and my breathing had paused.Oh my God Did he know? How could he have known?My mind started spinning with questions.‘What should I do? What should I do? I can't just run out of here, can I?’Henry glanced around, suddenly aware that something had shifted in the air. His chewing slowed and his smile faltered. His eyes darted from his mother to his father to Nicholas.No one said a word.Martha's fork was hovering mid-air. David's hand had frozen on his wine glass. Claire stared at her husband with wide eyes like she couldn't believe what he'd just said either.My breathing resumed but it wasn't at a normal rate. My heart was racing wildly with fear.I slowly turned to look at Nicholas beside me, thinking he was looking at me, but he wasn't. His eyes were shooting daggers at his brother instead. His hands were balled into tight fists on the table, so tight his knuckles had turn

ZOE’S POV I woke up with my heart full and a soft smile on my face. My entire body could feel how important today is. It still feels surreal. I lay there for a moment, listening to the hum of the AC, the birds outside and the calm breathing beside me. Owen stirred and turned slightly toward me. “She’s one,” I whispered, almost afraid to say it out loud. “I can’t believe Ava is one today.” His eyes opened slowly, still heavy with sleep but when he smiled, it was warm. He leaned in and kissed my forehead. “After everything, the fear of losing the pregnancy, her arriving too early, the moment the doctors were trying to get her to breathe, the weeks she had to stay in the NICU.” “Now she is here. Growing stronger every day.” I said softly. “She’ll keep growing,” Owen said quietly, “Healthier. Even more perfect. She’s our little miracle.” “Yes,” I said, smiling as my chest filled. “She is.” He pulled me closer and kissed me softly, then loud knocking broke the moment. “Mom! Dad!

CHLOE'S POV Zoe’s voice came through the phone,“How’s school?” she asked.I smiled and rested on the kitchen counter. “Good. It's a lot of work, but good. I’m surviving.”She laughed softly. “How's Jamie and Ava? I asked. “They're fine,” Zoe said. “Jamie is at Austin's. He kept asking if you’re coming for Ava's birthday next weekend. He said he hasn’t seen you in a long time.”I paused.“Chloe,” she said gently, “are you still planning to come? Or… you’re not comfortable coming back yet?”I closed my eyes for a moment and breathed in. “I haven’t even held her yet,” I said. “I wouldn’t miss Ava’s first birthday for anything. I’ll be there.”Zoe sounded relieved. “I'm happy to hear that. I’ll tell Jamie. We’ll be expecting you.”Just then, Liam entered the room, he started to ask about dinner and I quickly motioned for him to be quiet.Zoe heard it anyway.“Are you with someone?” she asked.My throat felt that. “Just… a course mate,” I said quietly.She hesitated. “Okay,” Zoe said,

OWEN'S POV Zoe stayed quiet through most of the flight.Now she brushed Ava’s back again and again.I closed my laptop and turned to her. “Hey,” I said softly. “You can breathe, you know.”She smiled weakly. “I am breathing.”“Barely.”She exhaled slowly and looked at Ava sleeping in her arms. “I’m just… worried.”I already knew about what. Still, I asked, “About my father?”She nodded. “Owen, what if he won't accept me?” Her voice dropped. “He refused to come to our wedding. What if nothing’s changed?”I squeezed her hand lightly. “A lot has changed,” I said. “Time has passed. And Ava’s here now.”“That doesn’t make it certain.”“He hasn’t met you,” I said firmly. “That’s the problem. He made his decision without knowing you. But once he meets you, gets to know you, he’ll love you.”Zoe looked at me, clearly uncertain. “Are you sure?”I smiled and spoke softly. “Of course I’m sure. You’re beautiful. You’re smart. And you’re holding the most beautiful girl in the world.” I leaned clo

OWEN'S POV It was late in the morning, I sat on the couch with my laptop open, finishing some work but my mind wasn’t on it. It was on Zoe. She sat beside me with a book resting on her belly. She turned the pages slowly. She looked peaceful. Strong. Like the past months had finally been kind to her. Things had been going well for months. That should’ve been enough to calm me. But I kept watching her. She shifted, then stood up slowly. She paused halfway up. She touched her belly and closed her eyes. I got up at once. “Zoe,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “Are you okay?” She looked at me and smiled softly, “I’m fine,” she said. “Braxton Hicks. This happens now.” I nodded but my chest still felt tight. “You sure? Or should we go to the hospital? Just to be safe.” She shook her head softly. “It’s still early. The doctor said this could happen. I promise, I’m okay.” I wanted to insist. But I let it go, since she sounded sure and I didn’t want every moment to be full of fear.

OWEN'S POVComing back to Sydney should have felt like relief.The island was beautiful. The rest of our honeymoon was smooth and peaceful. The kind of peace that makes you forget everything else.But that kind of peace doesn't last. I’d learned that already. It shatters the moment you start believing it will last.Zoe moved more easily now. She walked through the house with steady steps, her shoulders relaxed and her face brighter than before.We were unpacking. I paused and stared at her.She smiled when she noticed I was staring.“I’m fine,” she looked at me and said.She seemed fine, so I wanted to believe that. But I couldn’t fully relax. Not until the baby is born.“I know.” I said softly.*******************Austin brought Jamie later in the day.As soon as Jamie saw Zoe, he ran to her and hugged her tightly.“I missed you so much,” Zoe whispered into his hair.“I missed you too, Mommy.” Jamie said.“Are you okay now?” he asked and moved back to look at her face. “You're not s

OWEN’S POVI felt the bed shift beside me. I thought it was just Zoe turning in her sleep. Then I heard my name, very softly.“Owen…”There was something in her voice that woke me up instantly.I sat up and faced her. She stood at the edge of the bed, holding the sheets with one hand and the other on her stomach.Her face was pale and she looked scared.“What is it?” I asked as I climbed out of bed.She didn’t respond immediately. She looked down.That’s when I saw it.Blood.Running down her leg.My heart seemed to stop for a moment.Fear hit me hard, but I didn’t show it. I couldn’t. Zoe was already panicking, I had to stay calm.“I’m here,” I said quickly as I moved toward her. I put my arms around her to keep her standing. “Hey. Look at me. Breathe.”She started crying, holding onto my shirt.“I don’t want to lose the baby,” she cried. “I can’t lose our baby, Owen.”“You won't,” I said firmly, even though my heart ached. “You won't lose anything. You're both going to be fine.”I