Novel-novel oleh Chika Uche

Margaret’s POVPrinted case files, character references, old performance reviews from Kessler & Hale and anything that might prove I had always conducted myself ethically covered the tiny dining table in the apartment.Cielin sat across from me, quietly sorting documents into neat piles while I stared at the same paragraph for the third time without absorbing a single word.“You’ve been on that page for ten minutes,” Cielin said gently. “Maybe we should take a break.”I shook my head. “I can’t. The first session is tomorrow. If I don’t walk in prepared—”A quiet knock at the door cut me off from spiraling into another emotional turbulence.Both of us stiffened. No one has visited or even knew where we were since we moved.Cielin stood first with a cautious “Are you expecting anyone?”“No.”I repliedI rose slowly and walked to the door,my heart already racing. Part of me was convinced it was Sam or Alexander. I took a breath, unlocked the door and pulled it open.It was neither of them.

Sam’s POV“Sir. Are you alright? Do you need anything?” The voice of the waitress who was tending the bar brought my attention back to reality. I looked at my watch and it had been over fifteen minutes since Laura left. It was then that I realized that I had been staring into nothingness for a while, stuck in the plain and reveling over what Laura said.“I'm good. Thanks” I hurriedly said and paid off the tab bill Laura accumulated before dramatically leaving before letting myself out of this cafe before I looked more crazy than I already did.I got into my car and just sat there for a long moment, staring at the steering wheel as people on the street outside moved on like nothing had happened. They walked past, talking, laughing and living normal lives. Meanwhile, I was drowning in a mess I had created for myself years ago.I was beyond mad, at Laura,myself and the entire situation at large. I had let a single night of poor judgment turn into a leash around my neck. And the worst p

Laura’s POVI continued staring at the hospital discharge papers that were still in my bag, refusing to bring it out in disbelief that Alexander actually didn't bother to come pick my up.Not even a single message asking if I was okay or explaining why he disappeared from the hospital without a trace.My fingers tightened around my phone until my knuckles turned white as I fought the urge to call him but I eventually became overpowered by my need for certainty. I dialed his number, already feeling the rejection that might come with his tone but still holding on to the possibility that things may be different now and that he probably had an explanation for not coming.After numerous attempts,he answered with a flat and distracted voice,“What is it, Laura?”I immediately let the tears come even though I know it made me look desperate because for Alexander,I was willing to do anything to get him back.“Alexander,you didn’t come to pick me up. I just lost our child and you left me alone at

Margaret’s POVI let myself relax in Alexander’s arms as it closed around me and in a matter of seconds,my emotions were uncontrollably all over the place in ways I knew I’d probably regret later.My knees had already given out and a broken sob tore from my throat as the full weight of all the chaos crashed down on me at once although only a few significantly kept playing in my head,The Chief Justice’s hot breath against my ear or the fact that his hands actually touched my body. And then Laura’s baby who was gone,not having the opportunity to experience life just because I couldn't keep together these same emotions of mine. I clung to Alexander’s shirt like a drowning woman, crying so hard my entire body shook. I hated myself for seeking comfort from him, but in that second I had nothing left. No strength or pride. Just pure, raw collapse by a woman who has not even a single shoulder to cry on.For a brief, foolish moment, I felt his hand rest against the back of my head. I though

Margaret’s POVThe high court complex loomed in front of me like a giant beast as I walked closer to the large terrazzo staircase that led into that building. My hands became extremely clammy standing at the entrance.I was scared, terrified actually but I kept repeating the same words in my head like a mantra: You can get through this, Margaret. You built this career with your own hands, don't let them take it from you.I took a deep breath, adjusted the strap of my bag, stepped inside and headed straight for Chief Justice Bartholomew’s office. He had called me the night I received the letter from the court warden, sounding worried for me over the phone: “Make sure you come to my office unfailingly tomorrow, that's if you still want to practice law in this state.” The words had kept me up all night.This morning, I had woken up in the small, scrubby apartment Cielin and I had managed to move into that same day, my body still sore from the emotional and physical exhaustion of the past

Margaret’s POV My sight became blurry bit by bit due to the uncontrollable tears that left my eyes as I shoved one last shirt into the suitcase, my wrists shaking so badly that I could barely zip it closed. How could I have been so stupid as to let myself believe that happiness was possible when everything I touched turned to poison? Cielin sat on the edge of the bed, her hand gently rubbing my back as sobs wracked my body. “Margaret, breathe. Please. You’re going to make yourself sick.” “I’m just so stupid,” I choked out between sobs, wiping my face with a rough piece of clothing “Why did I let myself fall for such a scam? I should have known this was too good to be true.Because of my own carelessness,Laura has lost her baby because of me and my career is probably over after that stupid picture Laura obviously took of us at the restaurant. I don’t even know how to go about any of it. I’m just tired, Cielin. I just want to end all of this pain.” Cielin pulled me into a tight hu

Elaine's povAfter spending the entire day listening to Maxwell mumble about how corrupt the world could be,by late evening,he suddenly stood up, grabbed my wrist firmly and started dragging me through the dark forest once more without slowing, muttering under his breath without even looking back to see the pain I was going through from the thorns that scratched my skin while we voyaged deeper into the woods.“Slow down. Where are we going?” I squeaked in pain.“Our wedding Elaine.This father of yours has failed to fulfil his own end of our bargain,” he growled. “He was supposed to be here an hour ago with a wedding dress for you. Maybe he has had a change of heart. You’ll have to get married with what you're wearing now.”My heart skipped at the possibility of what he just said.If my father had changed his mind about this whole thing, that meant he might come to save me.Sadly,Maxwell was quick to pull me out of that fantasy.“Don’t think he’ll come to save you, Elaine. He doesn’t ev

Castel Laurent’s POVMeredith,my wife's sobs filled the sitting room in a continuous, rhythmic echo. She sat hunched beside me on the long velvet sofa with her hands covering her face and shoulders shaking with every fresh tear. The once-elegant parlor of the Laurent castle looked smaller somehow under the weight of her grief. Outside, dawn was quickly approaching and daylight was slowly beginning to brighten the kingdom but inside here, everything still felt dark.“Go find my daughter, Castel,” she choked out between sobs. “I can’t imagine what horror she must be going through in the hands of that beast.I need my daughter please.”I reached over and placed my hand over hers.A touch which felt hollow even to me.“It’s going to be fine, Meredith,” I said, keeping my tone as steady as I can. “The entire Silverthorn pack, the royal family, and our own wolves are out there looking for her. She’ll be found in no time.”The words left a bitter taste in my mouth. I knew exactly where Elaine

Elaine's pov“Don’t be so surprised, Elaine,” Maxwell said with a calm tone and almost as if he were discussing what to have for breakfast instead of the complete hijacking of my life. “I didn’t actually kidnap you. Your father here gave his blessing. We just had to make it dramatic so that no one would suspect a thing.”The reality that accompanied those words hit me harder than it should have. Probably because deep down,I knew he was saying the truth and there was nothing I could do to change that.I turned slowly to face my father, tears already welling up in my eyes so bad that blurred my vision. My voice came out cracked and desperate, yearning for an explanation from my father.“Tell me it’s a lie, Father. It can’t be true. I know you wouldn’t allow me to be put through this. Not in the hands of this monster.”Castel Laurent and not Father,looked at me with an expression I had never seen on his face before. He appeared tired, resigned, and painfully firm. He didn’t deny it or ev

Elaine's povI didn’t think before my hand just moved in great speed.The sharp crack of my palm against Maxwell’s face echoed through the quiet forest and it had an instant sting on my skin, but that was nothing compared to the shock that followed as an after effect of his reaction. He didn’t flinch nor did her growl or even look angry.A slow, dangerous curve that was supposed to be a smile appeared on his mouth and the wickedness in his face alone made the blood in my veins freeze. His eyes locked onto mine with piercing intensity, glowing faintly in the darkness that hung between the trees. The firelight hadn’t even been built yet, but the heat in his gaze was already enough to burn.“Well, well, well,” he murmured with a low and almost amused voice. “I expected nothing less from you. Laurent women have always been strong and courageous. I’m glad to see you’re not an exception.” His eyes dragged over my face, lingering on the defiance I refused to hide. “It just fits perfectly wit

Elaine's povThe grand hall of the Laurent castle glittered under the glow of crystal chandeliers with every surface polished to perfection for this night of celebration. I stood motionless in the center of it all, clothed in layers of the finest ivory silk that did nothing but add a more depressive wait to the one in my heart. The dress was elegant, modest and designed to signal purity and obedience which was exactly what an omega like me was supposed to be.My family surrounded me like proud peacocks. Father’s chest puffed out with barely contained glee while mother’s eyes glistened with happy tears and my older siblings exchanged knowing glances. This betrothal to Alpha Louis of the Silverthorn Pack wasn’t just a marriage. It was their ticket to higher status, more land and influence within the monarchy’s tight circle. For them, nothing mattered more than securing an elite match for their last daughter.I know they think that I should have been grateful but I certainly wasn’t.The s