Novels by Talia .E.

Clara’s POV“Victor… what are you doing?”He stepped inside the room and I could see confusion clearly written on his forehead. Behind me, I heard faint movement Nikolai's shoes brushing against the rug before silence swallowed it up.By the time Victor's gaze traveled around the room, Nikolai was gone but he didn't notice the bathroom door click softly. Only I knew Nikolai had slipped out through the private balcony probably the same way he came in.“I heard voices,” Victor said slowly, eyes narrowing just a little.My brows fluttered nervously as I tried to look for a convincing lie but. “Were you on the phone?”I forced a shaky laugh. “Oh… yes. I was on the phone with Mrs. Claire—” I said smoothly, trying to hide the tremble in my voice.“The one you introduced me to?” He nodded in remembrance “Yes, she wanted to confirm the catering list for next week's gala.”“I see…” He nodded as he stepped closer, his eyes softened when he saw my flushed cheeks. “You're trembling, sweetheart.

Clara’s POV“What?” he blurted, finally turning to me.“You heard me. Why do you keep tempting me if you've truly gotten over me?”He scoffed, it sounded more like a thing of mockery than an actual scoff. “Don't get ideas okay, I've gotten over you… long ago.”“And what we have now, it's just a game... it's fun watching you pretend, and to be sincere, you've been doing it so well.”“Nikolai—”He turned away, voice sharp. “Shut it, we're done with this topic.”He left me standing there, breathless and empty. I told myself I hated him for shutting me out just like that but the lie sat heavy in my chest.If only he could hear me out just this once.⁠✿✿⁠✿Later That NightI made my way down the stairs, dressed in a white dinner gown. Victor had called earlier to inform me he was going to have an impromptu business dinner so I had to get things ready, ASAP.The house looked like a painting. Warm lights, perfect rich people with polished laughter. I followed Victor through the crowd, smilin

Clara's POVDear Diary,His words burned my ear to prove it. And before I could think, things already spiraled right out of my control.I told myself to fight, to push him off this was wrong. But it was also the only thing that’s felt real since the day I said “I do.”I forgot everything in that lustful moment: my husband, my vows, my duties. The only thing on my mind was Nikolai.He smirked, his mouth inches from mine. “Then prove it.”My pulse jumped. “Nikolai this isn't—”He pressed closer, his body pinning me to the glass wall. His dark, sharp, familiar scent wrapped around me, drowning everything else out.“Don't lie to me. You've thought about it, haven't you? Him upstairs, clueless. You down here, wet and needy you used to love this.”“I haven't,” I whispered in denial but my voice shook.“Then stop trembling… it's giving you away.”And then, his mouth crashed against mine. Hard, ruthless. I pushed at his chest, weakly at first, but his hand soon gripped my wrist, and pinned it

Clara's POVDear Diary,“I don't know why I'm writing this but maybe it's because if I don't, I'll explode. You think you've heard scandal? No, not like mine I was a wife… and this is how I got tangled in a sinful web with my husband's son.”It started the night after our wedding our first family dinner. My hands wouldn't stop shaking as I sat my fork down. I told myself it was just nerves from being the new wife. But when he walked in… tall, a little older than I expected, the air shifted like I wasn't supposed to breathe it.The table stretched endlessly, my own reflection clear in the polished wood. I sat, fingers trembling in my lap as I rehearsed smiles and little jokes slipping from my mind.Tonight was the night tonight, I met Nikolai. My new husband's only son.Victor squeezed my hand under the table, his voice soft. “Relax, sweetheart. He'll love you.”“You're sure?” My heart pounded.“Yeah… and you'll love him too. Although he's just a bit… Protective.”Protective? Was this