Novels by Elara B

Damien Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Why was she here? How could she sit there and look so beautiful like she hadn't caused me any pain? Like she hadn't blown my life to pieces? How could she come back here knowing what she'd done? Callie. Mrs Callie Rivera. She had changed so much. Gone was the innocence and naivete of a twenty-year-old college student. She was much more mature now, having evened out in all areas. She was glowing and knew it, and she was here now, taunting me with her presence. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her. A part of me felt like she was just a figment of my imagination, and if I looked away, she would disappear like she did those years ago. I couldn't bear to go through that ever again. I was angry at her— furious— but I was even more angry at myself, realising how much I’d missed her. I probably still even cared. I'd dreamed about meeting her again. I'd always thought I would deal her a cold shoulder, breeze past her like we were total strangers—t

CallieHe was looking straight at me. Every sound in the room died down to a dull hum, and it felt as though it was just the two of us right there—Damien and me. I couldn't make sense of the somersaults my heart was doing in my chest or the tight knot that formed in the pit of my belly, causing me to lean back in my seat. It was like my body was trying to retreat from the moment. But there was no escaping this.I was floored. Utterly and completely.I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I'd left, hoping that life and fate would keep our paths from ever crossing again. But that plan had failed. The very same face I'd run away from those years ago was the one I was staring into right now. He had changed a lot—grown rather. He was no longer the soft, sweet, charming bloke I fell for. Everything about him, appearance-wise, was sharp and cold.His eyes were devoid of any tangible emotion. Even now, looking right at me, the only hint of emotion I got from him was a flash of something unr

CallieI was sure I didn't just hear that right. “What?” I repeated myself. I felt a tight grip in my chest. It was almost like I couldn’t breathe. What was going on? "Excuse me, did you just say acquired and demolished?" Clara butt in. "Yes, ma'am. All you need to know is in the envelope.""And who gave you the right to do this?" She snapped at him. “Hold on, let me handle this,” I said, trying to pacify her. She was more pissed about this than I was. I, on the other hand, felt confused. My mind spun for a second, but I forced myself to stand straighter. I knew I had to handle this. He’d come in here asking for me after all. “There must be some mistake somewhere. This building belongs to me.” The envelope he had handed me suddenly felt so heavy in my hand. “Ma’am, this is out of my jurisdiction. I was required to give you this envelope. The details are thoroughly explained.” “But how can this happen? We have rights!” Clara wasn’t having his explanation at all. He flinched slig

Callie (5 years later) After being away for so long, coming back to the city felt new. Everything had changed, but at the same time, city life was still pretty much the same. It was weird because I had grown up here and knew these streets like the back of my hand. But the moment I stepped off the train, something felt different. And I didn't think it would ever be the same again. I wasn't the same person when I left anyway. It'd been two months since I returned. I'd spent most of that time making plans to reopen my father's old bakery, and today was finally the opening day. He had done fairly well managing this place until he got sick. The tumour ruined a lot of things, but worst of all, it took him away from me. I used to dream about running this place on my own, redesigning the menu, giving it a full makeover. Now that it was a reality, I didn't feel nearly as fulfilled as I thought I would be. I'd always wanted to change the name, but in memory of my dad, I was going to keep i

CallieI couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face — Eleanor’s cold smile. Ava’s false sympathy. My father, unconscious and vulnerable, like he’d been handed over as collateral in a deal I never agreed to. The walls of my apartment felt too thin. I could hear my neighbour’s TV through the plaster, someone shouting at a game show, like life was just normal, like nothing had happened.But everything had.And then came the memory again. Eleanor’s voice, cool and absolute: ‘They’re engaged.’ Like she was saying, the weather was going to be nice tomorrow. It felt like a gunshot to the chest. Engaged. Damien and Ava. How? When? As much as we hadn’t really defined the lines in our relationship, everything we had felt was real. At least it was real on my part. I didn’t know what to believe now. He had a whole different identity and a fiancée he had somehow failed to mention. I felt so stupid. Had he truly been lying to me the entire time? Or was I just the idiot wh

CallieThe corridors smelled like antiseptic and artificial lemon. My shoes squeaked against the polished linoleum floors as I rushed past the front desk, not bothering to check in.I knew the room he was in. Room 207.My chest was tight. I held my breath as I turned the corner, expecting the worst.But when I walked in, my father was still alive. Still here. Still unconscious.His chest rose and fell slowly, machines blinking steadily beside him. I froze in the doorway, my heart slowly peeling itself off the walls of my ribcage. Relief didn’t come the way I thought it would—it felt more like dread, confusion, then sadness. I sat beside him, my hands shaking as I reached for his.“Hey, Dad,” I whispered, forcing a smile that felt too fake; it was more out of despair than real happiness. “You scared me.”I glanced at the IV bag, the monitors, and the faded quilt I’d brought from home, folded neatly at the foot of the bed. Nothing looked wrong. Nothing looked urgent.So why had the nur