Novels by Zaynee writes

ELOWEN'S POV“Open the door. I'm his partner.”Vesper knocked again, harder this time. three hard raps that shook the lock. I stared at the door, gripping my phone with both hands. Cassian lay on the bed behind me, close enough for me to hear every breath he took.“Then explain why your message said you needed him out of the way.”Silence.For several seconds, the only sound I could hear was my racing heartbeat.Then Vesper laughed softly. “You have no idea what you're talking about.”“I saw the message.”“Give me his phone.”“No.”The handle stopped moving. When Vesper spoke again, her sweet voice had become cold.“You're making a mistake, Elowen. You don't belong in this family. You should know that by now.”Her words hurt, but I refused to let them break me. I had swallowed so many insults and pretended they didn't matter. On any other night, I would have lowered my head, stepped aside, and perhaps even apologised for upsetting her. Not tonight.“Leave,” I said firmly. “The doctor

ELOWEN'S POV“Don't let go of him.”I said this to the steward as we struggled to carry Cassian up the staircase, his arms slung over our shoulders.The ballroom was in chaos. Glasses clinked, people shouted, and someone tried to calm the guests, but nobody seemed to listen. I had folded the note and slipped it into my purse before anyone could see it. My mind was racing with questions.Who had written those words? Why did Cassian need to stay away from Vesper? And why had someone waited until tonight to warn him?I had called Alistair from the dance floor, but the noise made it difficult to hear. I had to cover one ear with my free hand, and shout into the phone. He did not ask any question but instructed me to take Cassian to his private suite and keep him there until the doctor arrived.Now, we were climbing up the stairs. Cassian's feet dragged on each step. His head rested heavily on my shoulder, and every few seconds, he mumbled words I couldn't make out.By the time we got to th

ELOWEN'S POV“You're going to be fine.”I said the words to the girl in the mirror, but she didn't look convinced.The silver gown I wore was one I had bought two years ago and never had a reason to wear. It was simple, with thin straps and a skirt that flowed when I walked.I pinned my hair up, leaving a few loose strands around my face because my hands were shaking too much to tuck them away. Then I fastened the moon necklace around my neck. The mask that came with the invitation was plain white, with silver thread along its edges. I held it for a while before tying it on.When I entered the ballroom, the room went silent. It wasn't because I was the most beautiful woman there. It was because nobody expected the quiet girl who lived in the house to look so different.The chandeliers threw gold light on the marble floor. Guests dressed in black and rich colours moved between the tables, their masks sparkling. An orchestra was playing softly near the far wall.Cassian was at the foot

ELOWEN'S POV“For someone who isn't even a real Thorne.”I heard the words as I passed the threshold. They came from the staircase, spoken so casually that it was clear the person had no fear of hurting my feelings.The staff had lined up in the entrance hall, as they always did whenever Cassian came home. The housekeeper greeted him with a warm smile. A maid hurried over to collect his jacket, while someone asked if he had eaten. Another mentioned that his car had been taken to the back.Everyone seemed happy to see him.Then their eyes shifted to me, and the warmth disappeared from their faces. I continued walking. Years of living in this house had taught me how to move around quietly, as though I had to apologise for taking up space.Near the foot of the stairs, two maids were arranging white roses in a tall vase. The younger one leaned to the older one and spoke low but not low enough.“All this money spent on a party, and for who? Someone who isn't even a real Thorne.”I didn't s

ELOWEN’S POV“Don't be late tonight. Your stepfather has arranged a celebration, and please, Elowen, don't embarrass me.”That was the message mother sent me on my graduation day.I read it twice while sitting alone on a bench outside the university hall, my graduation gown hanging around my ankles.No congratulations. No, we're proud of you. She hadn't even asked how the ceremony went.I should have been used to this by now. After years of being treated like I wasn't important, I should have learned not to expect anything from her. Yet, it still hurts.The whole campus was full of excitement around me. A girl ran past with a large bouquet that covered half her face. Nearby, two brothers lifted their mother off the ground while she laughed and begged them to put her down. An old man wiped tears from his eyes as he watched his grandchild celebrate.Cameras flashed everywhere. People shouted out names. Every bench and every patch of lawn belonged to someone's family.I had hoped mother