Novels by Marie H. Jamid

The moment her sky-blue eyes met the deep blue of his, the world seemed to still.He stood tall and confident, broad-shouldered, his features carved in a serene way that unsettled the heart. Long strands of his black hair slid over his shoulders with a gentle breeze—as if they danced to a rhythm only he could hear.Suddenly he moved smoothly, approaching her with a gentle smile.“Lila, right?”His voice was low, resonant… like a private melody composed for her alone.A soft twist tightened inside her. “Yes…”“I’m Zane.” He offered a faint, knowing smile. “I think you should get to know me.”She had no idea why he said that.And even less idea why it felt—just for a heartbeat—like her name had been waiting on his lips for years.She opened her mouth to answer, but Ryan cut across the space between them in tense, urgent strides, his face shadowed with an emotion she couldn’t read.“Lila,” he said harshly. “Your mother wants you.”She frowned. “No one told me—”But Ryan didn’t let her fi

“Mr. Myers, do you take Maria Brown to be your wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?” “I do.” “And Maria Brown, do you take Chris Myers to be your husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward—” “Yes, I do,” Maria answered softly before the minister could finish, lowering her head as a shy smile curved her lips, her cheeks warming with modest embarrassment. Chris chuckled affectionately. The minister pronounced them husband and wife. With deliberate tenderness, Chris slid the wedding band onto Maria’s finger, lifted her hand, and pressed a gentle kiss against her knuckles. Lila stood slightly apart from the crowd, a silent observer among unfamiliar faces. Her gaze wandered across the decorated hall until it landed on Ryan—her new… brother. He moved with polished ease, greeting guests with practiced charm and confidence. No one would e

Ryan’s fingers crept slowly along the back of her thigh, as if she were something fragile—something that might shatter at the slightest pressure. “Ryan?! Ryan, what are you doing?” she whispered, startled. “Shhh.” He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer, inhaling deeply at the curve of her neck. His pupils dilated, his jaw slackening as something dark flared in his honey-brown eyes. At that exact, dangerous moment, a heavy knock thundered against the door. “Ryan Myers. I want you in my office. Now.” Ryan jolted, his senses snapping back into place. He shoved Lila away, opening the door with his fingerprint without looking back, then disappeared into his room, leaving her behind. Lila stepped out moments later, her body trembling faintly with unfamiliar sensations. She glanced around—no sign of Mr. Myers, no one at all. She exhaled in relief and went downstairs, where her mother was calmly drinking tea. In Ryan’s room, his father sat waiting, fury etch

"Excuse me, Mr. Myers. I'll go check on Ryan."Lila said after a moment of contemplation. The last few minutes had weighed heavily on her heart. Seeing her mother holding Chris Myers's hand, looking happy, smiling with genuine joy in her eyes… it struck her.When had Lila stopped noticing? When had she failed to see that her mother had been broken, sad, and lonely?A wave of sadness engulfed her heart, prompting her to utter those words even though she couldn't stand Ryan.Mr. Myers smiled warmly and gestured toward the stairs. "Of course, my dear. He's upstairs in the last room. And sweetheart, your room will be right next to his. It's best you two talk and get along.""Lila, please don't be upset with him, darling. Perhaps he just doesn't remember you—you were so little seventeen years ago. Now, you're an exceptionally beautiful young woman."Lila gave him a faint smile and quickly ascended the stairs. She wanted to leave her mother alone with Myers. Fine, she had surrendered. She s

I got married."That's the strangest thing I've heard all my dreary year. Good joke, Mom.""I... I'm not joking, Lila."Maria nervously raised her right hand. Lila lifted her head from her computer screen, looked at her mother's hand for a moment, then gasped in shock and stood up abruptly, sending the chair rolling back violently."What?! What are you saying, Mom? Have you lost your mind? Marriage? To whom? And when did this happen? When did you start dating someone? When were you meeting him?"Lila's chest rose and fell in anger. "And you're telling me now? Seriously?"Maria covered her hand with the other, flustered. "It's... Chris Myers.""What?! Your late best friend's husband?! Have you gone mad, Mom? What about Dad? Have you truly forgotten him?" Lila asked her quietly, stunned."It's only been three years since he died, and you're already moving on to another man? And to Chris Myers, of all people! What's wrong with you, woman?" Lila screamed, slamming her palms on the desk, h