Novels by Crown_S_H

Sierra’s POVIt wasn’t a wall. A man with a well-defined chest even from behind the suit he had on, but there was something about his scent. I pulled away quickly, taking a step back when I realized it was Arthur.He was dressed to impress, and the cologne on him was impressive. He looked different, more like he had been working out. When was the last time we saw each other?Days? Weeks?Yet, he seemed to have changed so much, though the way he looked at me was still the same. He so easily decided to work out just so he could impress his fiancée. Did he do that for everyone?I turned around, intending to scold Eve for pushing me into his arms, but before I could speak, Arthur grabbed me by the arm, pulling me into him. “You are a goddess,” his voice low, hot breath grazing the back of my neck as he leaned in.I was momentarily captivated by this but tried to pull away before I did something I would regret. However, he didn’t let go. His fingers wrapped around my waist, keeping me firm

Sierra’s POVEve led me to the parking lot before letting go. “There,” she nudged her head, her gaze directed at someone.I followed her line of sight, and I spotted a man. No offense to him, but hell no. “That’s Mr. Ken, and he’s married,” I said, eyes flicking from the local photographer, who was speaking to someone, and then my best friend who had a smile to her face.“Not him. Her,” she pointed to a lady just behind Mr. Ken.“I’m not her type,” I said.“She’s not for you. For me,”“I thought you said-”“There’s a party in a few days, you can pick whoever you want then,” she said, rushing off.And there goes my best friend.Here I thought I’ll be able to release my anger in some way, which involved getting a man to give Arthur a slap to the face, but Eve just had to ruin it. I didn’t get a man but had to watch her approaching another girl in an attempt to get close. She seemed to be enjoying herself. She waved briefly at me before returning her attention to the group around her.I

Sierra’s POVI plopped on my bed, the two envelopes in hand, but those last words of Mrs. Floyd struck me in ways I could not explain. I tossed the envelopes to the side, grabbing my phone.I wanted to call him to confirm, to find out what was going on. Apologize for what I did, but I stopped myself. I had no right to ask. What was the point of apologizing? Would it change his decision to get engaged to someone else?Why didn’t he tell me? I had so many questions with an answer I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. I laid flat on the bed, arms spread. The more I thought about it, the angrier I became —at myself, him and everything else.Maybe a little outing wouldn’t be bad after all.That thought quickly changed. Eve suggested we walk to the mall. I wouldn’t have had any complaints if I didn’t have to see all the Valentine decorations going on all around.“Just because you don’t have a partner doesn’t mean love cannot go around,” was the slogan of the village.Willow Creek knew how to make

Sierra’s POV“How long had you known I had lied to you?” I asked.“A while. You aren’t exactly good at lying,” he said, taking a step forward. “I found out the next day. Stella told me everything.”“Why didn’t you confront me about it?”“I saw no reason to.”“Why?”“Because you have…”“Your reason for doing so,” I completed his words.It now felt like a recording to my ears. I always thought he did that because he loved me, but maybe it wasn’t the truth, and he only did it because he didn’t care. He didn’t see a future with me.“Yeah,” he nodded. “You know me well.”I turned around and left for Elvis’ ward. I couldn’t say a thing. I was upset. Not because Diane tricked me into coming out with her and tried not only to make me fall down the stairs with her but wanted to make it seem like I pushed her on purpose.I was upset because Arthur saved me. He acted as if he cared for me. One minute he told me he was glad I wasn’t his girlfriend anymore and the next, he was acting close to me a

Arthur’s POVI rushed over, grabbing Sierra by the waist and pulling her back and with my free hand, grabbed Diane’s hand, pulling her back before she could fall. My chest rose and fell as the shock slowly wore off.“Artie, I’m so glad you saved me,” Diane said, hands on her chest.Sierra pulled away from my grip, taking a step back. “I came to see how her son was doing, but she got upset out of nowhere and tried to push me,” Diane began.I let her speak. Everything she had memorized and ready to dish out, I was here for it. “Are you done?” I asked once she kept quiet for more than a minute.She nodded, pouting as she took my arm. “I was really scared,” she said.I nudged my hand out of her grip and turned to Sierra. “Are you okay?”She nodded. “Yes, I’m fine.”“Go back. I’ll give you an explanation later,” I told her.She took one last look at Diane before walking away. “What explanation, Artie? She hurt me. You should defend me,” Diane argued.“Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?” I ask

Arthur’s POV“Okay,” she simply said, lowering her head.She nodded for a moment then walked back into the hospital. My phone rang as I watched her leave. I didn’t take my eyes off her as I swiped my thumb on the screen and brought the phone to my ear.“Mr. Floyd, you didn’t respond to the message. Should I proceed with the arrangements?” Amelia asked.“No, things have changed. I’ll send you something different. Work with that,” I said, still staring at the lobby Sierra was no longer on.The call ended, and I rejoined Sierra back in the room. This time she avoided my gaze at every chance she got. I hadn’t had much to say to her after we found Elvis, especially after our unexpected breakup.I didn’t want it to be this way, but I had to go with it. It happened, and there was nothing I could do about it. I wanted to explain, but I’ll do that when everything is done.Jackson walked in with a bag of snacks. “Less busy with work now?” I asked.He handed out what he had. “Not my fault. I hav

Lucille’s POV“Your fucking den?” I asked, snapping my eyes from the building we were parked at and the man who sat beside me.“What is the meaning of this?” I asked.I swallowed, watching him stare at me with a blank expression. “You’re safe,” he said.“Safe?” That word was close to making me laugh but I was so frightened to do so. “This place is not permitted to just anyone, especially not me. Why would you bring me here? Was this some kind of test? Or a way to kill me?”“You need to stop thinking I’ll kill you, Lucille.”“You need to try acting like you wouldn’t,” I retorted. “There is a little party going on in there. I brought you in as my date.”“Am I supposed to be happy about that?” My eyes narrowed at him.“They wouldn’t dare attack you when you’re with me.”“I love that you are confident in what you think your people would do but I won’t be with you every single time. How do you expect to protect me then?”“You’ll understand once we get in,” he said, stepping out of the car

Lucille's POV The document landed on the coffee table with a slap. “Thank you again,” I said to Mathew, my phone pressed to my ear as I plopped on the couch with a sigh.“It’s okay, love. I don't mind letting it go, after all, we got a few deals from it,” he said.“I know, but it doesn't change the effect it still had on your business, and still ready to let it go,” I said.“If you really want to appreciate me, let's go out for a drink tomorrow. It's been a while we hung out.”I've been busy for so long I barely interacted with friends. Katherine came around often, and it pulled me out of my work mode.Now, I needed to step out for some time. I agreed before hanging up, staring into space. I left for my room, tossed my bag to the side, took off my clothes, and laid on my back, arms spread, staring at the ceiling.I knew I should have been patient but I realized I didn’t need to always run to King. I was strong enough to handle my headaches on my own. Just this once, I’ll let Benjamin

King’s POVMy thumb grazed the side of her neck in circles. Her fear was quickly replaced with something else. Something I always loved seeing in those beautiful eyes of hers.And I liked them even more when it became defiant, hiding what truly went on in that dirty mind of hers.“What are you doing?” she asked, wrapping her fingers around my wrist. Not pulling, just keeping it there. A touch I was pleased to have.My other hand came around her waist, bringing her even closer to me. She gasped at the movement, pressing into me. “Let go,” she said but didn’t struggle to get free.If she did, she would be out of my grip in seconds. “You wanted answers but from the look of things,” I tucked her hair behind her ears, leaning in. “It seems you already have the answers to that.”She reacted to that —frozen in place for a second. However, she swiped my hand away, stepping back. “I don’t know what you are talking about,” she said.I pulled her back into me. Having her close to me has soon tur

Lucille's POV “I called him in,” Josephine said.“I don't need him here,” King said, without turning around.I blinked and it wasn't Benjamin. He handed over a jewelry box to Josephine before she waved him out of the office.King finally turned around, the safe shut. He held a wooden box but I couldn't let my guard down just yet.I took a cautious step back as King drew closer. However, that didn't stop him. He got close, his eyes locked to my face. Only when he was an inch close to me did he look at the box he held.“Open it,” he said.“Why?” I asked.“You want answers, explanations, they start here.”I briefly glanced at Josephine who looked disinterested. With shaky hands, I opened the box. I expected a lot of things but what was in it made me pause.I raised my head at King before taking out one of the many ring boxes. In it was what I guessed it was.“My wedding ring,” I muttered.I grabbed another and it was the same thing. I tried to take it out but King held my hand. “You can

Lucille's POV I flipped the paper, but aside from the picture of my wedding ring and an indication for testing, there was nothing more on it.I searched through the files and found where the paper had fallen from. In it were numerous pictures and lab tests.I wasn't sure if I was overthinking, but even though they were the same, I couldn't help but feel it was different… in some tiny way.I flipped to the last page. “Aconite-G,” I muttered, running my finger through the word.I flipped back and found that with each picture and the tests attached to it, there was a different percentage of Aconite-G.I returned to the last page and found a brief handwritten explanation, and my stomach knotted at the words.I took my eyes to my ring finger. I could still feel the itch I had gotten a month ago. I tried to piece it all together, but I just couldn't believe it.I tossed the file onto the table but picked it back up. The lines overlapped, my brain racked itself, my heart drummed in my chest

Lucille's POV Everything went back to normal… to Benjamin.He cooked, smiled at me, acted like the husband I once knew. One I could lay down my life to give the world reassurance that he would never hurt me.Not physically or emotionally.He would be the best forever, but that was a joke now.I was the joke, and he was everything that kept me that way.I was unsure of how to feel. Was there anything to explain this restlessness yet mixed with dreaded calm?I wanted to believe I was going to be able to handle whatever he threw at me. But he acted like nothing had happened three days ago.Like I had imagined it or read too deep into it when I knew that was certainly not the case.He barely left the house, which was a constant reminder that he was messing with me, and no matter how much I tried, I was letting him do it.I returned to my office, trying to get as far away from him as possible. The first two hours of work shifted between concentration on my work and the man I still called