Novels by ABY

Olivia’s POVIts being a few days since Cassandra's video went viral and since then I could breathe a little easier. Blogs were still posting about the incident, but overall most of them have moved on.Apologies were still poring in from people that have wronged us. Also, Xander's former teammates who blacklisted him, called to apologies too.The past week has been good, Maya and I had lunch when we can, discussing about the video and wondering what promoted her to change. Ethan calls everyday to check up on me, and also pops in for dinner here and there. The clinic has been keeping me super busy, with clients coming in every single day. Xander's been away more often too with practice and team games.But today, we were both at home, away from our busy lives. We also just had dinner, a simple meal of pasta and chicken. Now, we were curled up on the couch with Xander rubbing slow circles on my back, basking in each other's comfort.“You know,” I started, wanting to release what has bee

Olivia’s POVI shifted slightly in bed as Xander's body enveloped me from behind. After our rendezvous a few minutes ago, I needed all the rest I could have. My butthole was burning a bit with every move but it was a good kinda hurt. After some time, the heat left me and I felt Xander shift upwards. Nothing thinking much about it, I wanted to drift to sleep when a sharp inhale woke me up.Jerking up because of the sound, I winced a little as my butthole puckered at the movement. Looking at Xander, his eyes were wide like he'd seen a ghost, his face illuminated by the bright light in the otherwise darkroom.My heart rammed in the chest as I saw that look on his face. “Babe? What’s wrong?” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes as I move closer to him a bit. He didn’t say anything at first, just handed me the phone with a stunned look. “You gotta see this, Liv. It’s… Cassandra.”My mouth soured at the name, worst nightmare confirmed. God, what was she up to now, what lies have she spewed again.

Xander’s POVThe arena was still humming with the win of today. Spectators were still milling around, the ice workers getting ready to clean the ice. My teammates were coming to us, Erikson reached us first. “Well, damn, Hayes,” he said, nodding toward Olivia, Ethan, and Maya. “You didn’t mention your people were this cool.”I laughed and slid an arm around Olivia’s waist, pulling her close to me. She was warm against my own cold body. “Guys, this is my wife, Olivia. Liv, meet the team—Eriksson, our fearless captain; Jax, the human wrecking ball on defense; Aiden, who fed me that beauty of a pass today; and the rest of these fucking lunatics.”Olivia smiled, a little shy at being introduced to a lot of people but she puffed her chest out. “Hi. You all played incredibly today. I’m so proud of Xander and honestly, the whole team.”Eriksson shook her hand firmly with respect. “The pleasure is all ours. Haye’s been grinding hard in practice. That hat trick wasn’t just luck.”Jax leaned

Xander's PovIt's been a month of getting to know my new team, the Timber Wolves and learning their practice style, and perfecting the styles that needed to be tightened. Today, was officially our first game day for the season. I was equal parts, super excited and a hell of a lot nervous. The guys on the team were good wingmen, there was no bad energy, just curious teammates who just wanted to learn and better the team. No one was stirring up for a quarell or bringing up the scandal unprovoked. I really liked it here, a team that felt like home. . We were up against the Denver Avalanche, a decent mid-tier team, but I knew we had enough grit to handle them.My body buzzed with nerves and anticipation. I knew we were going to ace this game, whether we lost or not, we were going to give it our best.I stretched slowly, muscles protesting yesterday's practice but I needed to keep moving. After getting ready, I grabbed my gym bag and headed for the team bus that was waiting outside the

Xander’s POVThe alarm I set before I slept buzzed at 5.am the next morning. I woke up abruptly, shutting it off before it woke Olivia, but she stirred anyway waking up. "Already?" she mumbled, her voice still sleepy but happy."Yeah, gotta hit the road for Minnesota," I whispered, kissing her forehead. "Go back to sleep, beautiful. I'll text you when I get there."She smiled faintly, eyes still closed. "Please drive safely .I love you.""Love you more." I slipped out of bed, the cool floor hitting my feet. The excitement from yesterday was still thrumming in my veins. To be honest I couldn't even sleep all through the night, thinking about how today would go. Doubts still creep in, what if Cassandra unexpectedly shows up there. I now she can't because nobody knows of my drafting, but you never know. What if the new team doesn't like me? They would see me as some washed up, scandal filled player. I know this is all up in my head but I can't just push it away.Trying to think posit

Xander’s POVIt's been a month since the opening of Olivia's clinic and it has been an eventful month. We were fully unpacked and living in our private duplex in a family oriented neighbourhood. Married life has been good so far, with lazy mornings, faster afternoons and quiet nights. I loved my wife with all my life and I couldn't ask for anything more. But I would be a liar if I didn't say I thought about hockey during the better part of my day. I missed the game, the cold arena, wearing skates, loud teammates and our over serious Coach Miller.Hockey was basically my life and it still is. I thought I could really do without it but I can't . Since the time i was fired from the Chicago Blizzards, I have been itchy to get off the ice. Now is the best time to call Coach Hartley who offered me a spot in the Timber Wolves team, although I wouldn't be a captain there obviously , but at least I got to play the game I cherished with all my life.This morning something just clicked in my h

Ariana’s POVFive years later.The villa looks different now — warmer, fuller, lived in. Flowers climb the stone walls, laughter spills from the garden, and the faint scent of cinnamon and sea salt lingers in the air.It doesn’t feel like a fortress anymore. It feels like home.I’m sitting on the porch swing, a book half-forgotten in my lap, when the sound of running feet pulls me from my thoughts.“Mommy!”I barely have time to look up before Elio barrels toward me, curls bouncing, eyes bright. He’s five now — wild, fearless, and every bit his father’s son.“Slow down, baby!” I call, but he’s already leaping into my arms.He giggles as I catch him, breathless and full of sunshine. “Daddy said we can go to the beach!”I smile. “Did he now?”“Uh-huh!” He nods fiercely. “He said if you say yes.”Behind him, Damian appears — older maybe, but somehow softer. His hair is a little longer, his smile a little easier. He’s holding a picnic basket and shaking his head fondly.“You always sell m

Damien's Pov My wedding dress hangs near the window, white silk, simple but elegant, nothing like the extravagant one from our first wedding. That one had been a performance, a cage wrapped in luxury. This one feels like freedom.I sit up slowly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. My reflection in the mirror looks softer than I remember. Not because I’m flawless, the faint scars on my wrist, the tired lines near my eyes but because I look alive.A knock on the door breaks my thoughts.“Come in,” I call.Hale steps inside, dressed neatly in a charcoal suit, holding a bouquet of pale roses. “You ready to make an honest man out of my boss?”I laugh quietly. “He’s already honest now. That’s what scares me.”Hale grins. “He’s been pacing since dawn. I think he’s more nervous than you.”“Good,” I say, smiling faintly. “It’s his turn.”He chuckles, handing me the bouquet. “You look beautiful, Ariana. Really. You deserve this.”The words hit somewhere deep. I swallow, blinking back the

Damian’s POVIt starts with a phone call I never expected.I’m in the study, sorting through contracts when Hale knocks once and steps inside, phone in hand. His expression tells me everything before he even speaks.“Your mother,” he says quietly.The pen slips from my fingers. “What?”He nods, offering me the phone. “She asked to speak to you. Said it’s important.”For a moment, I just stare at the screen, the name I haven’t seen in years glowing back at me like a ghost. Mother.My throat goes dry. The last time we spoke, her words were final.“You’ve disgraced this family, Damian. We can’t support your choices.”I’d told her she could keep her approval. I’d walked away and never looked back. Until now.Ariana steps into the doorway, hair tied up, a faint trace of flour on her cheek from baking with Elio. “What’s wrong?”I swallow. “My mother’s on the line.”Her eyes widen a little, then soften. “After all this time?”“Apparently.”Hale sets the phone down and leaves, closing the do

Damien's Pov Ariana sits beside me. She looks… peaceful. Or maybe she’s just better at pretending. Her hand rests on her lap, fingers brushing against the edge of Elio’s pacifier she carries everywhere. I want to reach for her hand, but something in me hesitates.Dr. Langley, the therapist, clears her throat softly. “Thank you both for coming in today. First sessions are always the hardest.”I almost snort. Hardest? She hasn’t seen hard. Hard was watching Ariana get taken. Hard was holding her afterward, blood on both our hands, whispering promises I wasn’t sure I could keep.Ariana beats me to a response. “We’re… trying,” she says quietly. Dr. Langley nods. “That’s a good place to start.” She looks at me next. “Damien, what made you agree to come?”Her tone is gentle. Too gentle. It grates on my nerves.I shift in my seat, leaning forward, elbows on my knees. “Because she asked me to.”Ariana glances at me. Dr. Langley hums. “And what do you want to get out of being here?”I want

Ariana's Pov Damian’s grip on my hand is firm, grounding. He hasn’t spoken in a while, but his thumb moves slowly against my skin. The judge clears his throat. “Will the defendant please rise.”Adrian stands. His cuffs rattle faintly, the only sound in the room.He looks different now, a bit subdued. The foreman stands, paper trembling slightly in her hand. “We, the jury, find the defendant, Adrian Cole, guilty on all counts.”The words hang in the air.Kidnapping.Endangerment.Assault.Conspiracy.Each one lands like a nail sealing the coffin of a man who once thought himself untouchable.I exhale shakily. Damian’s shoulders sag, the tension leaving his body in a slow wave. Hale, standing near the door, closes his eyes for a brief moment — silent relief.The judge speaks again, voice even. “Given the nature and gravity of these crimes, this court hereby sentences the defendant to thirty years without the possibility of parole.”There’s a murmur, reporters scribbling, the audience

Ariana's Pov Damian’s hand rests lightly on my back as we walk through the double doors, past the swarm of reporters and flashing cameras.“Just keep your eyes forward,” he murmurs.I nod, though my pulse thunders loud enough to drown him out.Inside, the courtroom feels colder than it should. Polished wood. White walls. Rows of strangers waiting to witness the end of something evil.And in the center of it all, him.Adrian sits at the defendant’s table, wrists cuffed, a faint smirk on his face. He’s wearing the same expression he wore when he cornered me with— calm, detached, superior. His eyes find mine.For a heartbeat, it’s like we’re back there, the room, the baby’s cry, the terror. My chest tightens, but Damian’s fingers slide into mine, grounding me.“Don’t give him power,” Damian whispers. “Not anymore.”I inhale slowly. Exhale. And when I look back, I meet Adrian’s gaze without flinching.He blinks, surprised. Then the smirk fades.The bailiff calls for silence. The judge e