Novels by Velaris

Summer’s POVThe mansion is quiet, but I feel the weight of it pressing down on me. Every step I take across the polished floors echoes too loudly, reminding me that I am alone here with Alexander. Technically, not alone. He’s just there, watching, always watching. But even that presence feels suffocating.I try to focus on anything else, the rain tapping against the windows, the faint scent of cigar smoke lingering in the study, but nothing can distract me from the thought that has been gnawing at my mind since earlier: the wedding. My wedding.I had barely recovered from the grief of the boy when Alexander had casually dropped the bomb that he told my mother we were getting married. Casually. Like it was just another part of his day, like it didn’t involve my life, my feelings, or my sanity.I sit on the couch in the living room, hugging my knees to my chest. I can feel the bruises from the hospital, the remnants of my stress, but my mind is elsewhere. I glance at the door and see A

Summer’s POVThe drive back to the mansion is silent, heavy. Alexander’s hands grip the steering wheel with a calm control that makes my chest ache. I stare out the window, the city passing by in gray blurs, trying to process everything that has happened today. His hand brushes mine occasionally, subtle and possessive, and I can’t decide if I want to pull away or press closer.When we arrive, the mansion looms like a fortress, dark and imposing in the late afternoon light. Rain begins to fall again, soft at first, then heavier, drumming against the car roof like a warning. I step out, shivering slightly, and Alexander’s arm wraps around my waist before I can move too far.“You’re cold,” he murmurs, his voice low and commanding. “Stay close.”I nod, unable to speak, letting him guide me inside. The familiar scent of leather, expensive wood, and faint cigar smoke fills my senses. The mansion is quiet, almost too quiet, and I sense a storm coming from him before he even speaks.He leads

Summer’s POVThe hospital room feels unusually warm, though the air conditioning hums softly in the background. My mother sleeps peacefully, her chest rising and falling with slow, steady breaths. I brush a strand of hair from her forehead, trying to focus on her. But my mind refuses to cooperate. All I can see is Alexander. All I can feel is him, the way he kissed me, the way his hand lingered on my cheek, the way his presence had filled every corner of the hospital hallway.I try to shake the thoughts, pacing the small space beside the bed. My heels click lightly against the tiles. “It was just a kiss,” I whisper to myself. “Nothing more. It doesn’t mean anything.”The words feel hollow. I can’t stop thinking about the way his lips had pressed against mine, the intensity of his gaze, the way he had claimed me without permission and yet somehow demanded I notice it. My chest tightens, my pulse racing.The soft click of the door makes my stomach lurch. I don’t even need to look up to

Summer’s POVThe hospital corridor feels colder the moment he leaves.I stand there for a while, still reeling from his words, You’ll need it, for the wedding.The wedding. My wedding?No, this has to be some kind of cruel joke.I excuse myself from my mom’s room, forcing a smile as she drifts back to sleep. My heart is pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat. When I finally step into the hallway, I see him near the elevator, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his car keys.He looks calm, too calm, like he didn’t just drop a bomb in the middle of my life.“Alexander!” I call out, my voice sharper than I intended.He turns his head slowly, his eyes meeting mine with that infuriating calmness. “Summer.”I march toward him, my shoes clicking against the tile. “What was that back there? Why would you say that to my mom?”He raises a brow. “Say what?”“That you’re my future husband! Do you realize what you just did?” I hiss. “She believes it! She thinks I’m getting married! You

Summer’s POVThe sharp scent of antiseptic hits me as soon as we step into the hospital.It’s quiet, only the low hum of machines and the shuffle of nurses breaking the silence. I’ve always hated this smell. It’s too clean, too cold, like it’s trying to scrub away everything human.I clutch the strap of my bag tightly as we walk down the long corridor. My pulse is still racing from what Alexander said earlier in the car.You’re going to marry me.He hasn’t mentioned it since.He just walks beside me, tall and unreadable, his hand occasionally brushing mine. Every time it happens, my heart betrays me, skipping, stuttering, burning.We reach the room. My mother’s name is printed neatly on the door. I take a deep breath and push it open.“Mom?”She’s sitting up, frail but smiling when she sees me. “Summer! I was wondering where you were. You didn’t come early today.”Guilt twists inside me. “I’m sorry, Mom. I just… overslept.”Her smile fades when her gaze falls to my cheek. Then my wris

SUMMER’S POVWarm sunlight slipped through the curtains, soft and golden. For a moment, I didn’t know where I was. The sheets beneath me were smooth, the scent of clean linen and something faintly masculine filled the air, expensive cologne, familiar and comforting.Then memory hit me like cold water. The alley. The men. His voice.Alexander.My eyes flew open. I was in a wide room, ceiling high, curtains heavy and velvet-dark. It wasn’t a hospital. It wasn’t my apartment. It was his mansion.I pushed myself up, wincing as a dull ache pulsed through my arm. Bandages. My wrist was wrapped, my cheek tender. On the bedside table, a tray held a glass of water and medicine. Someone had taken care of me.Someone—him.But when my gaze darted to the clock on the wall, my breath caught. 10:47 a.m.My heart dropped. “Mom,” I whispered, voice shaking.I threw off the blanket and jumped from the bed, ignoring the pain that shot through my side. I was supposed to visit her early. She hated being