Romances de Her Majesty in Red

DIANAThe hallway was still buzzing with laughter and whispers even after Roxette had run away like the pathetic coward she was. I stood there for a moment, arms crossed, watching the crowd slowly disperse while Bianca, Ashley, and Rebecca kept laughing and showing each other the new videos they had just recorded.“Did you see her face when she realized everyone was dressed formally?” Bianca cackled, replaying the clip on her phone. “She looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her.”Ashley smirked. “She deserves it. Walking around like a cheap stripper while the rest of us actually dressed for the event. Pathetic.”Rebecca nodded, eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “We should post more. Make sure the whole campus sees what a desperate slut she really is.”I forced a smile, nodding along with them, but inside I was a storm of rage, hurt, and dark satisfaction. Seeing Roxette humiliated like that — dressed in that ridiculous bunny costume, breasts pushed up obscenely, ass barely cove

ROXETTEI had been avoiding this moment for days.Every time I saw Diana on campus, my heart would race and my stomach would twist with guilt and fear. But I couldn’t keep running forever. I had to talk to her. I had to explain. I had to apologize, even if she didn’t want to hear it. Even if she hated me now.So when I spotted her walking toward the library with her books in her arms, I took a deep breath and started after her.“Diana! Wait!” I called out, jogging to catch up.She stopped, turning around slowly. Her expression was cold, guarded. The warmth that used to be in her eyes when she looked at me was completely gone.I swallowed hard. “Can we talk? Please? Just for a minute.”Before she could answer, Bianca, Ashley, and Rebecca appeared from behind her, flanking her like loyal soldiers. The four of them stood together now — a united front against me. The group that had once been my worst nightmare had officially absorbed my best friend.Bianca smirked, crossing her arms. “Loo

ROXETTEI opened my phone with trembling fingers, heart pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat.It had been days since the party, but the fear of what I might see still lingered like a shadow. I expected the worst — hundreds of notifications, cruel comments, new screenshots, more humiliation that refused to die. My stomach twisted as the screen lit up.But the first thing I saw wasn’t hate.It was Thea’s messages.A string of concerned texts from the past few days:[Hey Roxette, I saw what happened at the party. Are you okay?][I’m really worried about you. Please let me know if you’re alright.][If you need someone to talk to, I’m here. No judgment.]I was surprised. Really surprised. After everything that had happened — after Diana’s cold reaction to her, after the way the whole campus had turned on me — Thea was still reaching out. Kindly. Without any hidden agenda I could see.My thumb hovered over the reply button. My heart was still heavy, weighed down by the unresolved m

THEAI had been scrolling through my phone all weekend.The big event at the costume party had exploded online, and even though most of the original videos and photos of Roxette had been mysteriously deleted overnight, new ones kept popping up like weeds. People were reposting, screen-recording, sharing screenshots, and tagging each other in cruel group chats. The campus was still buzzing with the drama, and every time I refreshed my feed, another post appeared.I kept reporting them.One by one.Bullying. Harassment. Non-consensual content. Invasion of privacy. I didn’t care how long it took — I reported every single one I could find. My thumbs moved fast across the screen, tapping the “Report” button again and again until my hands started to cramp. I wasn’t going to let them keep dragging Roxette through the mud like this.She didn’t deserve what happened that night.I had been there.I remembered standing in the crowd, frozen in shock as Roxette stepped through the main doors in th

ROXETTE A few days had passed since that emotional night, and life had settled into a fragile but comforting rhythm at the estate. My mother was still staying in the guest room, slowly adjusting to the safety and luxury she had never known before. We spent most of our time together — talking late into the night, cooking with the maids, trying to rebuild the bond that had been strained for so long. Chandler had been busy with work, but whenever he was home, he made sure I felt his presence — a quiet touch on my lower back, a lingering kiss on my temple, a protective hand that reminded me I wasn’t alone.This evening, I was in the kitchen with my mom, helping the maids prepare dinner. The smell of roasted garlic, herbs, and fresh bread filled the air. I was chopping vegetables when the front door opened.Chandler stepped inside, still dressed in his sharp black suit, looking every bit the powerful man he was. His eyes found me immediately, softening just a fraction at the corners.“Rox

DIANAThe airport was bustling with travelers, but the moment I saw her walking through the arrivals gate, everything else faded into the background.Mom.She looked stunning, as always — aging like fine wine with that elegant grace that made people turn their heads even now. Her hair was perfectly styled, her coat tailored to perfection, and her posture radiated quiet strength. The second our eyes met, I felt a rush of emotions I had been holding back for weeks.I ran to her.“Mom!” I threw my arms around her tightly, burying my face in her shoulder like I was a little girl again. She hugged me back just as fiercely, her familiar perfume wrapping around me like a warm, safe blanket.“Oh, my baby,” she whispered, stroking my hair gently. “I missed you so much.”We held each other for a long moment, right there in the middle of the busy terminal. Tears stung my eyes. I had missed her more than I realized. With everything falling apart — Roxette’s betrayal, my father’s disgusting behavi

JULIAThe house was finally quiet.The twins had gone to sleep hours ago, their little bodies curled together in the big shared bed, breathing soft and even. I had lingered in their room longer than usual tonight, watching them sleep, my hand resting on my still-flat belly where our new little one was already growing. The news still felt like a beautiful dream. Another baby, another chance to grow our family, even after everything we had been through.Marcus had been quiet but attentive all evening. He had helped bathe the boys, read them their bedtime story, and held me a little tighter than usual when we finally closed their door. I could feel the worry in him, the way his hand kept drifting to my stomach, protective and gentle, like he was already guarding the new life inside me.Now it was just us.We stepped into our bedroom, the soft lamplight casting a warm, golden glow over the large bed. The moment the door clicked shut, Marcus turned to me, his dark eyes filled with a mix

JULIAThe rest of the day passed in a beautiful, nervous blur.I couldn’t stop smiling. Every time I looked at the pregnancy test stick hidden in my drawer, my heart did a little flip.I spent the afternoon with the twins, playing in the garden, reading them stories, and trying my best to act normal so they wouldn’t sense how excited and anxious I was.Phoebe kept giving me knowing looks and thumbs-ups. She had been practically bouncing since the test result, already talking about nursery ideas and how she and Mira would help with the new baby just like they had with the twins.But I was waiting for one person.Marcus.He had left early for work this morning, as he often did, but I had texted him earlier saying I had something important to tell him when he got home. He replied with a simple [I’ll be home as soon as I can, baby. Love you.]That was hours ago, and now the sun was starting to set, painting the sky in soft oranges and pinks.I was in the living room when I finally heard t

JULIAI woke up and felt a heavy, queasy feeling that had settled in my stomach. I lay there for a long moment, one hand resting on my belly out of habit.The nausea was different this time, not the violent kind I remembered from my first pregnancy, but a persistent, rolling discomfort that made even the thought of food feel wrong.I sat up slowly, careful not to wake Marcus, but the bed was already empty. He had left early for work again, as he often did these days. The spot beside me was cool, the pillow still slightly indented from where his head had been. A small pang of sadness hit me, sharper than usual. I missed him at breakfast. I missed his quiet presence, the way he would kiss the top of my head and make sure I ate something before he left. I padded downstairs in my robe, the house already alive with the sounds of the morning. The twins were at the dining table, their little voices chattering happily as they ate their regular breakfast. Crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, and st

PHOEBEThree months.It had been exactly one month since that ridiculous, spur-of-the-moment joke in the backyard.I still couldn’t believe it.I, Phoebe, was now in a relationship with Kael. The same Kael who had once been nothing more than the tall, silent, ridiculously handsome bodyguard that all the maids drooled over during their breaks. The man who had stopped mid-training, walked straight up to me, smirked, and said “Okay. Let’s do that” when I yelled “Marry me!” as a joke.And now… we were actually together.I still woke up some mornings thinking it was a dream. That I would blink and realize I had imagined the whole thing, the way he had started texting me that same night, the first awkward but sweet coffee date in the garden the next day, the way he had pulled me into his arms and kissed me like he meant it after only two weeks of talking.But it wasn’t a dream.It was real.And I was still shy and flustered every single time he looked at me.Today was no different.I was in

JULIAThe morning sun was bright and warm as we loaded the last of the picnic baskets into the back of the large SUV. Marcus had insisted on taking the biggest vehicle we owned. The one with the reinforced frame and enough space for all of us because, in his words, “Safety first, always.” I couldn’t argue with that. Not after everything we had been through.Today is a picnic day.A simple, perfect family outing that felt like a dream come true after the years of healing. Marcus, the twins, Phoebe, Mira, Mom, and Dad. All of us together, leaving the mansion behind for a few hours of fresh air, laughter, and good food. The boys were bouncing with excitement, their little backpacks already slung over their shoulders, filled with snacks and toys they insisted on bringing.“Mommy, can we bring the red ball?” Malachi asked, tugging at my dress with his energetic little hand. He was the more active one, always running, always full of life, his dark hair messy even though I had combed it ju

MARCUSThe prison corridor smelled of concrete, bleach, and despair.I walked down the long, dimly lit hallway with two of my most trusted men flanking me, their footsteps echoing in perfect sync with mine. The guards didn’t even look at us as we passed. They knew better than to question why the most powerful man in the underground world was here to see one specific prisoner. Money and fear had bought me unlimited access long ago.Livia.She was the only one left.Terra had died that night in the abandoned building five years ago from a single, clean bullet straight to the head from my gun the moment I saw her holding a weapon to my pregnant wife’s temple. I hadn’t hesitated. I hadn’t given her a chance to beg or explain. One shot, and the woman who had tried to destroy my family was gone forever.But Livia… she had been smarter that night. Or luckier. She hadn’t raised a gun. She hadn’t made any sudden moves. She had simply stood there, trembling, while Julia screamed and cried in t