Novels by Author Marr

Morning came slowly, wrapped in the scent of toasted bread and the gentle clatter of pans in the kitchen. I had just closed my notebook, my eyes still heavy, when the sound of Liam’s footsteps made me turn.“I’m not dreaming, am I? You’re really in the kitchen this early?” I asked, half teasing.Liam turned from the stove, smiling. “Not a dream. Breakfast for two doctors and one little future patient who’s still sleeping soundly.”I chuckled, glancing at the table where my open anatomy textbook lay. “You know, I tried reading the chapter about abdominal vascularization three times, but all I can remember is Elena’s crying last night.”“Normal,” he said, pouring juice into glasses. “If you can memorize arteries with a baby crying, that means you’re not human.”I smiled. Amid the pile of notes and a cup of cold coffee, my eyes drifted to Elena in her small crib in the living room. Her tiny body was still wrapped in a blanket, her face calm. Every now and then her fingers twitched, as if

Midnight.Elena’s cry pulled me out of the light sleep I had just fallen into. It wasn’t loud, but enough to make me sit up right away. In the dim glow of the bedside lamp, I saw her tiny body wriggling in the crib, her face flushed and her lips trembling softly.I turned to the other side of the bed. Liam was awake too, almost at the same moment his phone started ringing on the table. The sound was familiar the emergency call tone from the hospital.He looked at the screen for only a few seconds before letting out a quiet sigh.“Emergency surgery,” he said.“Elena’s crying,” I whispered, lifting our baby into my arms.Liam was already half standing, reaching for his shirt and the white coat hanging on the chair. His eyes met mine, filled with visible hesitation.“I can call the substitute doctor. Maybe...”I shook my head quickly. “No, go. They need you.”“Sienna…”“Liam, you took an oath to save lives. I’m here, and Elena’s with me. We’ll be fine.”For a moment, he didn’t move. The

The sky was already dark when I stepped out of the hospital. I had just finished my first day in the ER, twelve full hours filled with adrenaline, blood, and breaths racing against time.I looked at my palms, still trembling slightly. Even after washing them many times, there was still a faint shadow of blood stains that seemed to cling beneath the skin. Strangely, I didn’t feel disgusted. Liam’s car was already parked out front. He got out as soon as he saw me coming through the hospital doors.“Hey,” his voice was soft, but filled with relief.I smiled weakly. “You didn’t have to pick me up, I could have... ”“No excuses. It’s your first day, isn’t it? I wanted to make sure you got home safely.”I got into the car.“You look exhausted,” Liam said.“I think I am, but I can still talk, so that’s a good sign.”He gave a faint smile and handed me a bottle of water. “Drink first. You probably haven’t had a proper meal either.”I took it, sipped a little, then leaned back against the seat

My first day in the emergency department began with the familiar scent of antiseptic and the sound of hurried footsteps. There was no calm here; everything moved fast and with purpose, as if every second had its own price.Dr. Alden was already waiting for me at the triage desk. His white coat looked slightly wrinkled, but his eyes were sharp, like an eagle that never sleeps.“Welcome to the ER, Dr. Sienna. Today you’re not just learning about the human body, but also about the strength of the mind.”I swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes, Doctor.”“Good. Starting today, you’ll learn to decide who must be saved first and who you have to let go. That’s the hardest part of this profession.”I followed his steps down the corridor. The faint smell of blood lingered in the air, and the sound of monitors beeped all around us. Several patients lay on stretchers some crying, others silent in pain.Alden stopped by one of the beds. “First case.”A young man sat there, a deep cut on his left arm cau

Several months had passed since Elena was born. My life had begun to find its own rhythm—between being a mother, a wife, and now, a future surgeon. Sometimes I still couldn’t believe I had truly returned to that world. The world I used to only watch from afar whenever I saw Liam in his white coat.I stood in front of the mirror, looking at myself wearing a new lab coat. The faint scent of baby powder still lingered on my clothes, as if Elena followed me everywhere I went.Liam stood by the doorway, arms crossed. “You look just like the first time I saw you at the hospital,” he said teasingly.I turned and smiled. “The difference is, now I have a baby who can scream at any time in the middle of the night.”He chuckled and walked closer. “You still look amazing, even with the lack of sleep.”I playfully pinched his arm. “Don’t be so sweet, or I might end up not leaving.”Liam lowered his head to kiss my forehead. “You’ve come so far, Sienna. I’m proud of you.”“I’m just afraid I won’t b

My body leaned against his chest, feeling his steady, warm heartbeat. There were no words between us for a while. Only the slow rise and fall of Liam’s breath, and the small beat of my own heart trying to match the rhythm. His embrace was firm but not constricting.“I forget the last time I felt this safe,” I whispered into Liam’s chest.His hand rubbed my back gently. “You do not need to remember. Just know that right now you are safe.”“I am still afraid, Liam.”“Afraid of what?” his voice soft.“Afraid of not being good enough, as a mother, as your partner. As someone who will return to a harsh world when Elena grows up.”Liam bowed his head, resting his chin on the top of mine. “You do not need to be perfect. You only need to be real, and as long as you keep loving, you are enough for me, for Elena.”I raised my face slowly and looked into his eyes. The morning light from the window made his irises look brighter, warm like honey.“You always know what to say, don’t you?”He smiled

Dusk slowly settled over the Wrenford mansion's yard. A gentle breeze rustled the maple leaves in the corner of the garden. Amid the rustling sounds, the soft laughter of Evan and Elis echoed as they ran around with soap bubbles reflecting the evening light.From the terrace, Liora sat leaning on a rattan chair, her hand holding a cup of warm tea. Her gaze fell on the two children, two little miracles who had become the center of her universe. Beside her, Xavier sat quietly with a closed laptop on his lap. Not because he was busy, but because he chose not to open it."It seems you’ve truly recovered," Liora said softly, without turning her head.Xavier smiled. "If my illness was ambition, then the cure is all of you."Liora looked at him for a moment. "And now, what remains?""Gratitude," Xavier replied.They fell into a long silence, enjoying the peaceful sounds of the evening. Below, Evan burst into laughter when his bubble popped in the air, while Elis clapped her little hands in d

The morning sun streamed through the windows of their villa in Amalfi. Liora slowly opened her eyes and found Xavier already sitting on the balcony, gazing at the shimmering sea. There was a calmness in his face, something she rarely saw before, as if all the weight of the world had finally been placed somewhere he no longer had to carry it alone.“Awake this early?” Liora asked.Xavier turned and smiled. “I just wanted to remember this. The sound of the waves, the salty air, if I could bottle it, I’d take it home with me.”Liora stepped closer and sat beside him. “You can keep it here,” she said, tapping his chest lightly. “As long as you don’t forget how it feels.”Xavier gazed into the distance. “I won’t forget.”Liora took his hand in hers.Their plane took off that afternoon. Evan pressed his face to the window, pointing at clouds shaped like animals. Elis slept in Liora’s lap. Xavier watched them with a soft expression, two small reasons that made him smile even under the same s

Morning in Italy felt different. Sunlight streamed through the olive branches that swayed gently in the courtyard of the small villa where they were staying. Liora sat on the terrace with a cup of coffee in hand, wearing a simple cream-colored dress. Her hair was loose, softly tousled by the wind. From inside the villa came the sound of Evan and Elis laughing, arguing over a straw hat.“Dad said this is an adventurer’s hat,” Evan insisted.Elis crossed her arms. “Papa said I’m the pretty one when I wear it!”Xavier appeared at the doorway, still in a white casual shirt and linen trousers. He held a camera in his hand.“If you two keep arguing, I’ll take a photo right now and send it to Grandma. She can decide who deserves the hat most.”The children immediately stopped fighting. Liora chuckled softly, watching her husband quietly snap a picture of them.“You’re enjoying being a spontaneous photographer,” she teased.Xavier sat down beside her.“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Liora murmured.“Y

Xavier looked at Liora’s face, which reflected the soft glow of the garden lights. The smile on his wife’s lips slowly dissolved all the weariness in his chest.“Vacation, huh?” Xavier murmured, as if trying to imagine the word. “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that word in my life.”“Exactly. You need to pause for a while. We all do. Max and Isabelle have started their new life. Now it’s our turn to enjoy ours,” Liora said.Xavier looked at her for a long moment, then lowered his gaze to their two children, still asleep on the chairs.“Maybe you’re right. They’re growing so fast, I don’t want to miss it.”“So?” Liora asked teasingly.Xavier raised an eyebrow. “You’ve already planned everything, haven’t you?”Liora pretended to look away. “Maybe a little.”“Liora,” Xavier’s voice was half a laugh, half resignation. “You’re always one step ahead of me.”The next morning, the Wrenford house was filled with the aroma of breakfast and the sight of suitcases lined up by the door. Ev

In the Wrenford mansion’s backyard, white tents stood tall, adorned with neatly arranged fresh flowers along the path. It was a big day for Max, the man who had stood beside Xavier from the very beginning, from boardrooms to moments of crisis.Xavier stood on the upper balcony, gazing down. From there, he could see Max in a light gray suit talking with guests. His steps were steady, yet Xavier noticed the small movement of Max’s hand, the way he tapped his fingers against his pants whenever he felt nervous.Isabelle, his sister, had just stepped out of the house accompanied by Liora. A simple white gown graced her figure, her hair tied up in a soft bun decorated with tiny pearls. Liora adjusted her veil while Evan and Elis stood on the steps, each holding a small basket of flowers.“Dad, can I throw the petals now?” Evan asked impatiently.“Not yet,” Xavier replied, patting his son’s shoulder. “After Aunt Isabelle walks, then you can throw them, okay?”Elis nodded, her expression seri

A few days after that, Xavier’s house returned to its usual rhythm: the sound of small footsteps, short bursts of laughter, and first words that were not always clear in meaning but always made Liora smile.That morning Evan walked with enthusiastic little limping steps, dragging a cloth lion doll that had once been a gift from Liora. Elis, calmer but just as curious, followed behind carrying a bottle cap she considered a treasure.“Do not fight over it…” Liora warned before anything happened. But of course, she was too late, Elis grabbed the lion’s tail and Evan immediately screamed in protest.Xavier appeared from the kitchen with two slices of toast. “Good morning.”Evan immediately ran toward Xavier and hugged his father’s leg. Xavier lifted the child with one arm as if his body had no weight.“Hey, little fighter.”“Papa?” Evan mumbled half asleep.Elis saw that from Liora’s arms and began whining, asking to be carried too.Xavier laughed. “Alright, alright. Social justice applie

I was straightening my slightly disheveled shirt when suddenly, a shadow moved in the slightly open door. I immediately froze in shock.A woman in a neat business suit, likely Gabriel's personal assistant, stood frozen there. Her eyes were wide, her face pale. In her hands was a stack of files.Riana. She was one of the few people in this company I had seen a few times at official events, years ago. In her eyes, I was now and forever Sera, Gabriel's stepdaughter.I froze, the blood seemingly draining from my face. It felt like being doused with ice water."This isn't what it looks like," I said, my voice hoarse and unconvincing, sounding utterly foolish even to my own ears.She immediately lowered her head, her gaze quickly dropping to the floor, trying to erase the expression of shock and perhaps a hint of disgust that had been on her face moments before."My apologies, Mr. Gabriel. I only intended to place the quarterly reports on your desk," she said in a flat, professional tone, t

The next day, the decision to go with Gabriel to his workplace felt like the only logical choice. The alternative was to spend the day alone in his luxurious apartment that felt like a marble-clad prison, obsessing over David, my uncle, and all the threats out there. At least, amidst the bustle of his business, I could be a distraction for myself.Gabriel didn't speak much during the drive. He wore a gray three-piece suit that seemed custom-made to perfectly cloak every line of his muscular frame. His hair, usually slightly messy, was now neatly styled, adding to his formidable and impenetrable aura.Sitting beside him in the nearly silent car, I secretly observed him. A certain power radiated from him, a kind of gravitational field that drew me, and seemingly everyone around him, in and made us wary. He was handsome, of course. That was an indisputable fact.The car glided smoothly into a private basement area of a magnificent skyscraper. As the door opened, Gabriel's aura completely

After that, I got a message from David. My phone vibrated on the bedside table.David: Hey, wanna meet up tonight? Coffee or drinks? How about it?I was so startled. I was still lying in Gabriel's embrace, his warm skin against mine, his breath just beginning to even out. Unconsciously, my body tensed.Gabriel felt it immediately. "What's wrong?" he murmured, his voice still hoarse and heavy, but already alert.He lifted his head, his sharp eyes catching my changed expression. Without asking, he took the phone from my stiff grip. I saw his jaw harden as he read the message."Who is he?" he asked, his voice flat and dangerous."David. Just a friend. You know him.""There's no such thing as 'just' a friend," he cut in coldly. He tossed my phone back onto the sheets as if it were disgusting. "You're not going."My anger, always easily ignited by his possessiveness, flared. "He's just a normal friend who wants to meet up!""Quiet." He sat up, his large body blocking the light from the win

Gabriel did not waste any time. After throwing the box into the trash, he turned around."Let's go now.""What do you mean?""I won't take the risk. If he could send this item to this house again, it means he knows where you live."Without giving me any room to protest, Gabriel took my jacket, grabbed my bag, and pulled me out of the house. His car was already running, as if he had anticipated everything.Not a single word was spoken during the drive. Only the roar of the engine and the sound of our own breaths could be heard. I knew Gabriel was thinking intensely. His eyes stared straight at the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel as if he wanted to break it.We arrived at his apartment, a tall building with layered security systems. As soon as the elevator doors opened, Gabriel pulled me inside the unit at the far end and locked the door twice before turning to face me."You're staying here again," Gabriel said."Why does it have to be here?" I finally asked.I stepped slowl

The door slammed open. Gabriel’s breath was heavy as he entered, his strides long and decisive like a storm that left no room for words.“I told you not to touch anything.”I stood in the corner of the room, my fingers still gripping my phone. “I did not touch it. I only read the card that was tucked inside.”Gabriel walked to the dining table and his eyes went straight to the black box. His sharp gaze darkened, as if something far deeper than anger stirred inside him. He stepped closer and picked up the box with a glove he produced from his jacket pocket.The moment he untied the black ribbon, the air in the room seemed to stop.Inside—there was only a small object, an old silver necklace with a tarnished pendant. Yet beneath its simplicity I saw something piercing: the symbol of my clan, a mark once held only by my family.I froze. “That—”“Where did this come from?”“It was sent with the card. There was writing, but no name.”Gabriel stared at the piece for a long time. The look in

The next morning.I stood near the dining table, watching Gabriel’s broad back as he read something on his tablet.“I’ll be going out this afternoon,” he said without looking up.“For work?” I asked softly.“As always. And don’t open the door for anyone today.”I nodded, watching him leave. The door closed with a soft sound, leaving behind the familiar scent of his cologne that lingered in the room. I touched my own lips, still warm from Gabriel’s kiss the night before.I walked toward the mirror and looked at my reflection. My hair was slightly messy, but my eyes the ones staring back at me still carried something from last night.“That’s enough,” I murmured to myself. I grabbed my bag and headed to campus.The trip felt strange. The world outside moved as usual, yet my heart didn’t seem to belong there anymore. The streets were busy, students walked by, laughter echoed from groups of friends. But my steps felt heavy, as if part of me was still left in that house, with a man who didn