Novels by Queen

~ARIA'S POV~“Get yourself together, Aria. You are not a teenager waiting for a date.”The words came out of my mouth before I could stop them, soft but firm, as I stood in front of the mirror with a towel wrapped around my chest. My reflection stared back at me, eyes steady, lips slightly parted like I was waiting for an answer from myself. I had not given Rowan a response. Not yes. Not no. Yet deep down, I knew he would still show up at seven. And that knowledge alone was enough to make my chest feel tight.I stepped fully into my room, the warmth from my bath still clinging to my skin. My hair was damp, dark strands resting against my shoulders, droplets sliding slowly down my back. I closed the door behind me and leaned my back against it for a moment.Why does this feel like a big dealWhy are you overthinking thisIt is just RowanJust your managerJust someone who insists too muchI moved away from the door and walked toward my closet. I opened it slowly, like I was afraid the

~ETHAN'S POV~“She ruined everything, Aunt Margaret.”The words left my mouth heavier than I expected. I stood in front of her, my palms damp, my chest tight. I hated myself even as I spoke, but fear pushed me forward. Fear of losing everything I had fought so hard to keep.Margaret froze where she stood. Her brows slowly drew together as she looked at me, confusion clouding her sharp eyes. “What do you mean, Ethan,” she asked softly. “Who ruined what.”I swallowed and forced my voice to steady. “Aria.”Her name hung between us like something fragile. Margaret’s lips parted slightly. “That is not a name you throw around carelessly,” she said. “Explain yourself.”I took a breath, then another. “She got involved in illegal dealings within the company. Secret transactions. Shady accounts. It all came out eventually. That is why she was removed as CEO.”Margaret stared at me, disbelief washing over her face. Slowly, she lifted a hand to her chest, her fingers pressing against her blouse a

I stood in front of Rowan’s office door for a second longer than necessary, my fingers curled lightly at my side. The sting on my cheek had faded into a dull heat, but the humiliation of what had just happened outside still clung to me. I knocked once and heard his calm voice.“Sit down, Amelia.”That was the first thing Rowan said the moment I stepped into his office.I closed the door quietly behind me and walked toward the chair he indicated. I sat with controlled grace, my back straight, my hands resting lightly on my lap. My cheek still burned from the slap, but I refused to let it show in my posture or my voice.“Thank you, sir,” I said calmly.Rowan leaned back slightly, his hands lifting, his fingers resting along the line of his jaw as his eyes traced my face. He did not look away. Not even for a second.The silence stretched, heavy and uncomfortable. My chest tightened. I hated how exposed I felt under his gaze. I was furious at Vanessa, furious at Ethan, furious at the enti

~ANNA'S POV~Her backpack sat lightly on one shoulder, but her body felt heavier than she remembered. Not from pain alone. From being seen.She could feel it before she heard it.Whispers.Gasps.She passed a group of students near the hallway and one of them turned around sharply.“Is that her?”“I thought she dropped out.”“No way, look at her leg.”“What happened to her?”Anna kept her eyes forward. She told herself she was deaf. Deaf to the stares. Deaf to the murmurs. Deaf to the sudden interest in her existence. The rubber tip of her crutch tapped softly against the tiled floor with every step, the sound echoing louder than she wanted.“Is she even supposed to be here like that?”“She looks so different.”“She was always quiet though.”She did not slow down. She did not look back. She walked straight to her classroom.The door was open.Inside, the class was not in session yet. Chairs scraped. Laughter burst and faded. Bags were thrown onto desks. The room was alive with careles

I tasted metal before I felt the sting fade. The sound of the slap still rang in my ears as I steadied myself, my heels scraping softly against the floor. My right palm pressed firmly against my burning cheek while my chest rose and fell too fast. Every eye in the office was on me. I could feel it. The shock. The hunger for drama. The fear of saying the wrong thing.I lifted my head slowly.Vanessa stood there breathing hard, eyes blazing with a kind of reckless pride, as if she had just claimed a victory. I straightened my back, ignored the tremor in my knees, and raised my other hand. My finger pointed directly at her face, stopping inches away from her.“Do not,” I said quietly, my voice shaking but clear, “do not ever think you can touch me again.”A murmur rippled through the room.“Did she just threaten her?” someone whispered.“I am warning you,” I continued, locking eyes with Vanessa. “You have no idea who you are standing in front of. Do not underestimate me.”Vanessa blinked

~ARIA'S POV~“Good morning, Amelia,” someone said softly as I passed.I paused for half a second, surprised, then smiled. “Good morning.”Two steps later, another voice followed. “Morning, Amelia.”I smiled again, nodding. By the time I reached the elevator, I had greeted at least five people. My smile stayed on my face, but confusion stirred inside me. This was not how it usually went. People were polite before, but distant. Today, their eyes held warmth. Some even looked relieved.When I reached my desk, my colleague from the next cubicle hurried over with a cup in her hands.“I thought you might want coffee,” she said brightly. “It is still hot.”“That is kind of you,” I replied, touched. “But I am fine, really.”“Are you sure,” she asked. “You look like you could use it.”“I promise,” I said with a small laugh. “Save it for someone else.”She smiled and nodded before walking away.Another voice chimed in from behind me. “Amelia, are you free for lunch later”I turned to see two co