Novels by Fana Palms

Monday morning. I'm staring at Melissa's text."Congratulations on your promotion. We need to talk. It's about Damien. Call me."Every instinct screams trap.But there's a tiny voice asking: what if it's real?I call Damien immediately."Melissa texted me. About you. Says we need to talk.""Don't respond. She's trying to manipulate—""What if it's important? What if something's actually wrong?""Nothing's wrong. She's baiting you. Trying to drive a wedge now that things are good.""You're probably right.""I'm definitely right. Delete the message. Block her number."I want to. I should.Instead: "I'll think about it.""Elena—""I'm not calling her. But I'm not blocking her yet either. Just—let me process."At work, I can't focus.Keisha notices. "You okay? First day as CIO and you're distracted.""Melissa texted. Wants to talk about Damien.""Absolutely not. That's a trap.""Everyone keeps saying that.""Because it's true. She's had a restraining order. She's been silent for months. N

Week three of marriage. Early November.Life settles into a rhythm. Work. Home. Therapy. Repeat.It's mundane. Beautiful. Everything we've been working toward.Monday evening, I come home to find Damien cooking again."You're really committing to this domestic thing," I observe."I like it. It's meditative.""Who are you and what did you do with my husband?""Your husband is evolving. Deal with it."We eat dinner on the couch. Some cooking show playing in the background."Clara called today," I tell him. "She wants us to come to dinner Saturday. Celebrate their engagement properly.""Sounds good. I like seeing them happy.""They remind me of us. Working through their damage.""Except they didn't break up four times first.""Just the once. Overachievers."He laughs. Pulls me closer."I love this. Us. Just existing together.""Me too. It's strange how normal feels extraordinary after so much chaos."Tuesday, my first monthly coffee with Virginia.I'm nervous. Damien offered to come but

Monday morning. October 31st.Two weeks married. First day back at work.I wake up at six AM to my alarm. Damien's already in the shower."Morning!" he calls out. "Coffee's ready!"I stumble to the kitchen. He's made a full pot. Left out my favorite mug.Small gesture. But it matters."Thank you," I say when he emerges, dressed for work."Of course. First day back. We need all the caffeine."We eat breakfast together. Toast. Fruit. Comfortable silence."Nervous?" he asks."A little. Two weeks is a long time to be away.""You'll be fine. Keisha had everything under control.""I know. But still. Re-entry is always hard."At seven-thirty, we leave together. He kisses me in the parking garage."Love you. Have a good day.""Love you too. See you tonight?""Dinner at home. I'll cook.""You'll cook?""I'm trying new things. Being married and all."I laugh. "Okay. Surprise me."At work, Keisha greets me with a huge smile."Welcome back, Mrs. Torres-Voss!""Please don't call me that at work. I

Sunday morning. October 16th.I wake up married.The ring on my finger catches morning light. Still surreal.Damien is already awake, watching me."Morning, wife.""Morning, husband. That's going to take getting used to.""We have the rest of our lives to get used to it."We're supposed to leave for the Oregon coast this morning. Two weeks. No phones. No work. Just us.But first, cleanup.The apartment is still decorated. Flowers everywhere. Tables and chairs to be returned."The rental company picks up at noon," Damien says. "We should pack."We spend the morning disassembling our wedding.It's bittersweet. This space held our ceremony just yesterday. Now it's returning to normal."I'm glad we did it here," I say. "At home. It felt right.""It was perfect. Small. Intimate. Us."At noon exactly, the rental company arrives. Takes everything.By one PM, the apartment looks like ours again."Ready to go?" Damien asks."So ready."We load the car. Drive south.The Oregon coast is four hou

Dr. Patel stands before us, smiling.Behind Damien, I can see our guests. Twenty-eight people who love us. Who've supported us through everything.The Seattle skyline stretches beyond the terrace. October sun casting golden light over everything."Elena and Damien," Dr. Patel begins, "have invited us here today to witness their commitment to each other. And what a journey it's been."Soft laughter from our guests. They know. They've all witnessed some part of our chaos."They've chosen to write their own vows. Elena, would you like to begin?"My hands are shaking. Damien squeezes them gently.I pull out the paper I've been carrying. My vows. Written and rewritten a dozen times."Damien," I start. My voice cracks immediately.Deep breath. Try again."Damien, two years ago, you walked into my life when I was at my lowest. And instead of seeing someone to save, you saw someone worth knowing. Worth choosing. Worth fighting for."Tears are already streaming down my face. I don't care."We'

Friday. October 14th.One day before the wedding.I wake up at dawn, heart racing.Tomorrow. Tomorrow I get married.Damien is already awake beside me. “Can’t sleep either?”“Too much adrenaline.”“Same. Want coffee?”“Desperately.”We sit on the terrace where tomorrow we’ll get married.The chairs will go here. The string quartet there. Flowers everywhere.“This time tomorrow, we’ll be married,” he says.“Married. That word still feels surreal.”“Good surreal?”“The best surreal.”At noon, guests start arriving.Clara and Marcus drive in from their apartment. Maggie flies in from Portland. Keisha comes straight from work.The hiking group arrives together. Priya, Marcus, James, others.Small group. Intimate. Perfect.“Welcome!” I greet everyone. “Thank you for being here.”“Wouldn’t miss it,” Priya says. “We’ve been waiting for this for years.”The rehearsal is scheduled for three PM at the apartment.Dr. Patel is officiating. She arrives early to go through the ceremony.“We’ll keep