Novels by ugwuchioma725

EMILY'S POVThe evening light was fading outside my window, painting the gardens in shades of orange and pink. I sat on the edge of my bed, the photograph spread across my lap, staring at the two boys for what felt like the hundredth time.The taller one was definitely Ralph, even as a child there was something careful about him. While the other boy, the one with his arm around Ralph's shoulder, was smiling like he didn't have a worry in the world. I traced thier faces with my finger remembering the mesaage, the heir and the decoy. One was hidden, while one was chosen.A soft knock at my door made me jump, I quickly shoved the photograph under my pillow just as the door opened. Ralph leaned against the frame, already changed into casual clothes, his hair slightly damp from a shower. He had that soft smile on his lips, that smile that always made my heart beat irregularly."Hey my princess." He greeted me, his voice was warm and charming. "I was looking for you, dinner's almost ready.

EMILY'S POVThe connection took three days to surface. Marco called me late at night, his voice tight with tension."I found it." He said. "The blind trust that owns Aethelgard, it took sixteen layers to get there, but I found it."I gripped the phone. "And?""It's registered to an Othon-controlled holding company, the same one that handles Ralph's personal investments."The room spun, instantly i sat down hard on the edge of my bed. "Are you absolutely certain Marco?" I asked wishing it was a lie, wishing there was a mixup somewhere"There's no doubt, Alpha. The documentation is ironclad.”“Ralph Othon, through his holding company, is the beneficial owner of Aethelgard Holdings."I closed my eyes in pain, although I already suspected it, but knowing the man I'd married. The man who held my hand and kissed my forehead and called me princess, had paid for the attacks on my pack, burned my warehouses and terrorized my people made me feel sick."What do you want me to do?" Marco asked.

EMILY'S POVThe third day after the honeymoon, my phone buzzed with an unknown number. I was in my study reviewing summit documents, the device sat on my desk, It's screen lighting up with a message I didn't recognize. "Congratulations on your wedding Alpha, the cage looks beautiful from the outside. Just know you are now mine to— A.K."The mesaage was from Aurelian Kest, my blood went cold immediately I finished reading the message. I deleted the message immediately, and set the phone down with shaking hands.I decided not to tell anyone except Marco. "He's playing games." Marco said when I showed him the deleted message on my recovery log. "He's trying to get inside your head Alpha…beware of him.""It's working Marco, he's getting into my head." I admitted."Don't let him in Alpha." His voice was firm. "Kest profits from chaos, if he's reaching out, that means he thinks there's chaos to profit from.""Or there is a possibility that, he knows something about Ralph." I countered s

EMILY'S POVPortofino was beautiful.The Island clung to the cliffside like something from a dream, all white stone and blue shutters overlooking the Mediterranean. Bougainvillea spilled over terraces in explosions of pink and red. The air smelled of salt and lemon and summer.I stood on the balcony of our villa, watching the sun paint the water in shades of gold, and tried to feel something."Honeymoon" was what everyone called it. Three days after the wedding, Ralph had announced the trip with a flourish. My mother had cried with happiness, the Elders had nodded approvingly, the press had run photos of us boarding his private jet, calling it a "fairy tale escape."I smiled and packed my bags.Now I stood here, the Mediterranean breeze soft against my skin, and felt absolutely nothing."Beautiful, isn't it?"Ralph's voice came from behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against his chest. He rested his chin on my shoulder."I could stay here forever." He murmur

EMILY'S POVI started noticing the small things, the way Ralph's eyes flicked to my phone every time it buzzed. The way he appeared in doorways unexpectedly, always with a smile, always with a plausible reason. The way conversations shifted when I entered a room, staff members falling silent before greeting me warmly.At first, I told myself I was being paranoid. The wedding stress, the photograph. Marco's discovery about Aethelgard. My mind was looking for monsters under every bed.But the feeling wouldn't leave, It was on a Tuesday afternoon when I found it.I had come back to the study to grab a report I'd forgotten. Ralph was supposed to be in a meeting across the city, the room was empty, quiet, sunlight streaming through the tall windows.I walked to my desk and stopped. The drawer on the left, the one I always kept slightly open, was fully closed, like it was sealed shut.I never closed that drawer, my heart began to beat faster. I pulled the handle of the drawer that was locke

EMILY'S POVThe wedding was over.I woke slowly, the silk sheets cool against my skin, sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting soft gold across the unfamiliar ceiling. For a moment, I forgot where I was.Then I turned my head and saw Ralph's side of the bed, it was empty but his pillow still held the indent of his head.I sat up gradually, the events of yesterday crashed over me in waves. The dress. The vows. The kiss. The photograph. In fact everything was so overwhelming.I looked down at my hand, two rings now. Engagement and union, platinum and diamonds, glittering in the morning light.Mrs Othon-Cortez. The name felt so big to bear.A soft knock sounded at the door, Clara peeked in. "Good morning, Mrs Othon-Cortez.”“Mr Othon asked me to let you sleep, he's in the study taking calls.""Thank you, Clara."She smiled and disappeared.I lay back against the pillows and stared at the ceiling.Mrs Othon-Cortez.Whoever sent that photograph wanted me to doubt. Wanted me to ask