Novels by Gemma D. Nash

I forced myself to breathe, slow and steady, until my heartbeat steadied into something less violent. My hands were still trembling, but I splashed water on my face once more, pressing my palms against my cheeks as if I could push all the fear back inside.“You’re fine,” I whispered to myself. “It’s just stress. You’re fine.”Stress. Lack of sleep. The smell. Anything.Anything but the truth I wasn’t ready to acknowledge.When I stepped back onto the floor, the noise of the bar swallowed me immediately — clinking glasses, low chatter, the sizzle of something frying in the kitchen. Everything carried on as if the world hadn’t tilted sideways for me in that restroom.Emma spotted me almost immediately. She was wiping down the counter, but her eyes locked onto my face like she could read every thought I wasn’t saying.“Lily?” She set the rag down, brows knitting with worry. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”I forced a tight smile. “Just… got woozy. The smell of the garlic soup hit me

Two months had passed since that terrible day. Two months of being completely untethered from everything I had known. My life had become a series of small, fragile steps forward, each one balancing precariously on the edge of disaster. Somehow, I managed to survive. Somehow, I had managed to exist in a world that had already decided I didn’t deserve anything.That afternoon, I was sitting on the cracked sidewalk outside a small corner café, my knees drawn to my chest, my hands wrapped around them as if they could keep me from breaking apart entirely. The autumn wind bit at my skin, chilling me through the thin layers of clothing I could afford. Tears streamed freely down my cheeks, the kind that came without restraint, without shame. My chest heaved with quiet sobs, the kind you didn’t realize were so loud until someone was close enough to hear them.I had nowhere to go. No one to turn to. Every street, every alleyway, every empty bench felt like a reminder that I was utterly alone.

I froze on the couch, my hands trembling, my chest rising and falling too fast.The papers stared back at me, cruel and final, and for the first time, I felt the full weight of what had just happened. My parents’ legacy, the life I’d thought was mine, it was all gone. Taken in the blink of an eye by the people I had trusted most.I swallowed hard, my throat tight, and tried to steady my shaking hands. “I… I can’t,” I whispered. My voice broke. “I… I can’t sign. I haven’t done anything wrong. I…”“You haven’t done anything wrong?” Zane’s voice dripped with venom. He stepped closer, looming over me like a shadow I couldn’t escape. “Do you call disappearing last night and running off with some stranger… not doing anything wrong?”I flinched at the words, at the accusation, at the way his eyes—once warm, protective—now burned with mockery and hatred. “I didn’t… I didn’t run off with anyone! I went somewhere safe! You drugged me, Zane! You-”“Don’t play games!” he snapped, cutting me off.

I woke up to unfamiliar sheets and a ceiling I didn’t recognize.For one disoriented second, I didn’t breathe. My body felt heavy, drained, but my mind jumped awake all at once, pulling memories back in a rush.The knocking, the bathroom, Zane’s voice, the stranger, his hands steadying me, the kiss, the sex. I bolted upright so fast the room spun. A faint ache pulsed behind my eyes, but the drug’s fog had nearly lifted.The bed beside me was empty.The apartment was quiet.I stood on shaky legs, gathering the stranger’s discarded shirt from the floor and slipping into it. It hung low on my thighs, swallowing me whole, but I didn’t have time to care.I had to go.I had to get home before Zane twisted everything, before he convinced himself he had reason to hurt me further.I didn’t know what waited for me, but I knew something had broken between us the moment he’d drugged me. No amount of pretending would glue that back together.I found the stranger’s door unlocked. The hallway outsi

The hallways all looked alike, and sometimes it felt like I was running too fast and at other times, like I hadn't moved an inch.I could still hear their voices behind me, closing in. The only thing I was sure of was that the drink was drugged, and every single person in that room knew even before I took a sip.But what I couldn't fathom was why. “Lily!”That was Zane's voice, trying to goad me out. I found the stairs and climbed them, even though I had no idea where they were going to lead. My legs wobbled at intervals, but I pulled myself up always, knowing it was either run or let Zane's friends have their way with me tonight. Finally reaching the landing of the staircase, I moved to the first door and knocked. Everything still swirled in front of me, and I could barely keep my head up. I wanted to go to bed so badly.The door clicked open, and someone pushed his head out. I couldn't see his face. Just a lot of finger tousled hair and a single chain dangling from his naked che

I didn't go to the reception. Instead, I returned to Zane's apartment. I stood in his kitchen, clad in nothing but red lingerie, making him his favorite dish of casserole. A smile splayed on my face as I set the table, adding candles to the mix. It was going to be just us tonight, and after having Sophie stay with us for the past month, I was excited to finally get some quiet time with my husband. When the doorbell rang hours later, I sat cross-legged on the high-backed chair, revealing supple skin all the way to my thighs.I had a glass of wine in one hand when he strolled in, wearing the same outfit from earlier. I heaved a sigh of relief when I didn't see my cousin walking in after him, and at once, I felt guilty. He stopped by the door and angled his head, drinking every bit of me. "Hey, wife," he greeted with a smile on his face."Hey, husband," I whispered, motioning him over with my fingers. "Care to join me for dinner?"Zane tugged at his crooked tie as he covered the space