Novels by Yves

Episode 18 — Roman's POV Three weeks had passed already. I took Elena back to the rooftop garden of the Cortez Hotel where we had our first fake date. It was where I had held her hand for the cameras and felt the first crack in my carefully constructed walls. She didn't know where we were going because I had blindfolded her in the car and told her it was a surprise, and she had laughed. “Roman, this is ridiculous”, she said as I guided her into the elevator. “Are you kidnapping me?”. “Maybe”. “I'm not wearing the right shoes for a kidnapping”. “Then I'll carry you”. She snorted and I smiled. God, I loved making her laugh. The elevator doors opened and I led onto the rooftop. The city below is was glittering with nigh

Episode 17 — Roman's POV The forty-eight hours she left me were hell. I didn't sleep or eat. I had even torn apart the penthouse looking for clues or anything that would tell me where she had gone but I found nothing. The note was still on the counter and I had read it until the words blurred into meaninglessness. “You deserve someone real, not someone paid to be there”. Bullshit. I knew she didn't leave because was afraid of the contract. Elena Moore wasn't afraid of anything. She left because someone got to her first. And it took me thirty-six hours to confirm that it was my mother. I later sat in my study, staring at the photos she had sent to my phone, probably the ones she had also sent to Elena. My mother's message was short: I did what was necessary. You'll thank me later.

Episode 16 — Elena's POV I should have known that it wouldn't last. The week after the will revelation was like a strange, suspended dream. Roman kept me close at all times. He touched me constantly, watching me with an intensity that made my chest ache. We cooked together and fucked like we were trying to erase every doubt. He laughed while I tried to teach him how to fold a fitted sheet “Impossible”, he declared, holding up a crumbled ball of linen. “I get that you're a billionaire but you've never folded sheets?”. “I've never had to. That's what staff is for”. I threw a pillow at his head and he tackled me onto the bed, then we started kissing. ______ I was at the penthouse alone on a Tuesday, sorting through catering samples for the second engagement party Roman insisted on throwing. He had said it wasn't for appearances but because he wanted to show me off. The door opened and I expected his voice but instead, I heard heels. My stomach dropped at the re

Episode 15 — Elena's POV I woke up with a locket warm against my skin. Roman had given it to me...well, put it on my wrist the night after his grandmother's birthday dinner. That was weeks ago. Fortunately, even though his mother had been there, she didn't utter a word to me, not that she pretended to like me or anything. His sister was quite chatty, not minding the rumours. And Mateo? He was a no-show, something about being busy or something Roman's arm was draped across my waist, his breath steady against the back of my neck. For a moment, everything felt perfect. Everything from his weight, the scent of his skin, and the quiet hum of the penthouse. Then my phone buzzed on the nightstand. And then it buzzed again. And again. I reached for it, squinting at the screen only to see a dozen missed calls from an unknown number. Then a text: Ms. Moore, this is Harold Vance, attorney for the Cortez estate. Urgent matter regarding the late Mr. Cortez's will. Please call me im

Episode 14 — Elena's POV We had gone back to the penthouse hours later and Roman had bathed and fed me. The next morning, I woke up and the penthouse felt different. It felt lighter and warmer, mostly because I woke up to Roman's warm breath against my neck. His hand was splayed possessively across my stomach and for a long moment, I just lay there, letting myself believe that this right here, was real. And that I wasn't going to wake up and find it all gone. Then Roman stirred, opening his eyes and then pressing a kiss to my shoulder, and he murmured. “We have an event tonight. My grandmother's birthday dinner”. I groaned, eyes closed. “Do I have to?”. “Yes”, he said and his hand slid lower. “But first, you need training”. “Training?”. He didn't answer, just rolled out of bed, gloriously naked, and tossed a garment bag onto the mattress. “Formal Chinese banquet. There's protocol, seating order, chopstick etiquette. Which hand to hold your tea cup”. He grinned. “I'

Episode 13 — Roman's POV Something inside me shattered immediately the door clicked shut behind Elena. I stood there, in my own fucking living room, staring at the door like it had stolen something from me. My mother was still there. I could feel her eyes on me, and I could feel the judgement radiating off her like heat. She was saying something. I could hear the words but they didn't register. She was saying something about doing what was best for the family, about protecting my reputation, and about that woman not being worth the scandal. "Roman—". "Get out". "Don't speak to me like that—". "Get. Out". I turned to face her, and whatever she saw in my eyes made her step back. “You’ve done enough”. She opened her mouth but closed it. For the first time in my life, I wat he's my mother choose silence over victory. She picked up her purse, walked to the door, and left without another word. The second she was gone, I pulled out my phone and quickly sent a text to Ele