Novels by Simply_B

ASHLEY "You're staring," I whispered. Anton immediately dragged his gaze away from Selene. Across the room, she stood beside Sebastian, greeting her father and several guests. The emerald-green dress hugged her perfectly, drawing attention without even trying. When Anton finally looked at me, I arched a brow. "You know you shouldn't—" "I know." He cut me off before I could finish. With a sigh, he tipped back the rest of his wine and drained the glass. "I really tried not to look at her." His lips twitched into a self-deprecating smile. "I didn't even realize I was doing it until you caught me." A small laugh escaped me. Anton rubbed a hand over his face before pointing toward his own eyes. "These traitors." I laughed softly. His gaze drifted back in Selene's direction for the briefest second. "She just..." He pressed his lips together. "She looks really beautiful tonight." There was no bitterness in his voice. Only resignation. And somehow that

SELENE God knew how hard I had tried to push it out of my mind. I had told myself to forget every word Irene had said. I had reminded myself over and over again that this was exactly what she wanted—to get under my skin, to plant doubt where there had been certainty. But no matter how many times I repeated those things to myself, the thoughts refused to leave. Every time I looked at Sebastian, the same question surfaced. What else could he be hiding? The second thought came right after it. Why didn't he tell me he met Irene? And then came the third one. The one that hurt more than the other two combined. Was Irene telling the truth? Had Sebastian really planned to divorce me? Had he been communicating with her before the accident? The questions spiraled endlessly through my mind. Had that been why he kept saying her name in his sleep? Was it because he had never truly gotten over her? Was that why he had hated me so much at the beginning of our marri

SEBASTIAN There was something wrong with Selene. And I didn't believe for a second that she was simply tired. She had been perfectly fine before she disappeared into the changing room. Then she'd come out different, like something had crawled into her head and refused to leave.Even during the drive back, I'd asked her twice if she was okay. Both times, she'd given me the same answer. I'm just tired. A lie.Or at the very least, an excuse. I sighed as the elevator doors slid open. Stepping out, I headed toward my office, only to find Vincent standing outside my door. The moment he saw me, his shoulders visibly relaxed. "Finally." I frowned. "Why didn't you answer your phone?" "My phone?" I pulled it from my coat pocket and immediately spotted the five missed calls.Right. I'd put it on silent earlier and forgotten about it. I glanced up. "What's going on?" Vincent rubbed the back of his neck. "Your father and brother are waiting insid

SELENE I was spending my lunch break shopping with Sebastian for something to wear to my father's birthday party.The boutique was quiet, filled with soft music and the faint scent of expensive perfume. A rack of evening gowns stood before me, but my attention kept drifting elsewhere. More specifically, to Ashley. A smile tugged at my lips as Ashley's flustered expression replayed in my mind. "Thought of something funny?" Sebastian's voice pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced up to find him watching me with mild curiosity. I shook my head, running my fingers over the sleeve of a dress. "I think Ashley is seeing someone." One of his brows lifted. "You think?" I nodded. "She's keeping it a secret, but I'm sure she'll tell me when she's ready." I pulled a navy-blue gown from the rack and held it against myself, studying my reflection in the mirror. "Hmm." Sebastian slipped his hands into his pockets. "And her love life makes you laugh?" I lowered the dres

JORDAN / ASHLEY/ MIRA JORDAN I picked up my car keys from the desk and turned toward the door. Before I could leave, the door opened and Mira stepped inside carrying her tablet. "Should I make a reservation for lunch, sir?" she asked. I paused. "No." "Oh." She blinked. "Do you already have an appointment?" I tilted my head slightly. "Should I be reporting my whereabouts to you now?" The color instantly drained from her face. "No." She shook her head quickly. "T-that's not what I meant. I'm sorry." For a second, I tried to maintain a serious expression. Then I failed. A laugh slipped out. "I'm joking, Mira." She stared at me. Then, realizing I wasn't serious, let out an awkward laugh of her own. "Oh." For someone who had worked for me for years, she still occasionally reacted as if I might fire her for breathing incorrectly. "Go have lunch," I said, moving toward the door. "Yes, sir." She stepped aside to let m

ASHLEY With my phone, notepad, and pen in hand, I stepped out of my office and headed toward the conference room. I had barely made it halfway down the corridor when Anton appeared, a steaming mug of coffee balanced in one hand. I couldn't help the amused shake of my head. When he'd woken up this morning, his first complaint had been that his head felt like it was being split open. What exactly had he expected after finishing nearly an entire bottle of wine? "How are you feeling now?" I asked as we fell into step beside each other. Anton brushed a hand through his messy curls. "Still feel like shit," he admitted. "Just not as much as I did this morning." I pressed my lips together, patting his shoulder sympathetically. "Recovery. We love to see it." Before he could respond, a voice called out from behind us. "I see you guys came in together." Anton and I turned simultaneously. Sarah stood there with Daniella beside her. Both women wore matching express