Novels by Jada Morningstar

It was a quiet afternoon when Erica received a message from the receptionist in the lobby, telling her that an unexpected visitor had arrived. The name on the visitor log made Erica’s heart skip a beat.Ophelia’s mother.She hadn’t seen or heard from her in years. This was the woman who had been complicit in Ophelia’s schemes, who had chosen time and time again to side against Erica. Now, she was here, asking for a meeting, and Erica couldn’t quite fathom why.Curiosity mixed with caution, Erica agreed to see her. Moments later, the doors to her office opened, and there she was—older, slightly frailer, with an expression that seemed as if it were weighed down by regret.“Thank you for seeing me,” she said softly, her voice carrying a tremble that Erica had never heard before.Erica gestured to the chair in front of her desk. “Please, sit down.”Once seated, Ophelia’s mother took a deep, shaky breath. Her eyes were distant, filled with memories and perhaps even shame. Erica watched her

The day began like any other. Erica was deep into a work project, her desk scattered with notes and half-written memos, when her assistant stepped into her office, a small, nondescript envelope in hand.“Mrs. Benson, this came in the mail for you,” she said, holding out the envelope with a curious expression. “It looks… personal.”Erica glanced up, surprised. She rarely received personal letters, and the handwriting was unfamiliar. She thanked her assistant and took the envelope, studying it for a moment before carefully opening it. Inside, on thick, weathered paper, was a letter. And when she saw the signature at the bottom, her heart nearly stopped.The letter was from her grandfather.For a moment, Erica simply stared at the paper, memories flooding back—the man who had once been her hero, the one she had trusted, only to discover his hand in the betrayal that nearly shattered her life. The man who had chosen ambition over family. Her hands trembled as she began to read.---My Dea

The auditorium was alive with excitement, and an air of both celebration and finality hung in the room. Parents clutched their phones, ready to capture each precious moment, while teachers and staff exchanged proud glances. Erica and Julian sat near the front, their hands intertwined, as they watched the graduates line up on stage, looking every bit the young adults they had become. Among them stood Olivia, her cap perched perfectly on her head, her gown shimmering slightly in the lights."Can you believe this is it?" Erica whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "It feels like just yesterday we were dropping her off for her first day of kindergarten."Julian squeezed her hand, his own eyes shining with pride. "She was so nervous that day, remember? And now look at her, standing up there with so much confidence. She’s grown into such a remarkable young woman."They exchanged a look filled with the silent language of parents who had witnessed every laugh, every tear, and every mom

The weeks following Olivia’s first day of school felt like a new chapter, not only in her life but in Erica and Julian’s as well. Their routines changed subtly; mornings were now filled with the hustle of preparing Olivia for school, and the evenings were quieter, spent unwinding as a family. But in between these moments, Erica and Julian had found a new rhythm—a way to focus on each other and reclaim parts of themselves that had been buried under the demands of work and family.One Thursday, Erica decided to surprise Julian with a weekend getaway. It had been a long time since they’d taken a break from everything, and she knew they both needed it. She had everything planned, from arranging Olivia’s stay with her grandparents to booking a secluded cabin by the lake. As she placed the envelope with the details on Julian’s desk, she watched the spark of excitement in his eyes.“A weekend away, just us?” he asked, his tone laced with both surprise and eagerness.She nodded, her eyes shin

The house was calm, filled with a quiet energy as Erica and Julian stood side by side, watching Olivia head off for her first day at school. The silence, though strange, brought a rare sense of freedom.After a few moments, Julian wrapped his arm around her shoulders and whispered, “I missed you. The you that didn’t have to juggle a million things all at once.”Erica glanced up, a smile softening her expression. “Well, you might be stuck with that version of me for a while,” she teased, her fingers brushing his hand on her shoulder. “But today…today, it’s just us.”Without missing a beat, Julian led her to the kitchen, where he’d already set out coffee and breakfast. They ate in a comfortable silence, just enjoying each other’s presence, laughing over their daughter’s antics and sharing stories that seemed so distant yet so close.When breakfast was done, Julian leaned across the counter, his gaze warm and steady. “How about we take the day off, make a little escape?” His voice was lo

Years passed, and the life Erica and Julian built together grew stronger, more beautiful with each new chapter. Their challenges and triumphs had turned into stories they told Olivia, now a lively young girl with her mother’s determination and her father’s calm strength. She filled their home with laughter and a spirit that made every day an adventure.On a warm afternoon, Erica, Julian, and Olivia gathered in their lush garden for a small family celebration. Erica had organized the day as a way to honor not only the love they shared but the journey that had brought them here—a journey that started with struggle but had become one of fulfillment, peace, and joy.Julian was setting up a small picnic table, arranging flowers that Olivia had picked herself, while Erica laid out food and drinks. The sky was a clear blue, with a gentle breeze that whispered through the trees. It was the perfect setting, a beautiful reminder of everything they had overcome.As they settled down, Olivia clim

"Focus." She tried to remember what Alexis had taught her. "I should drop my weight, create space, strike sensitive areas.""Demonstrate."She tried. Dropped her weight, twisted, and aimed an elbow backward. William moved with her easily, countering, ending up with both her wrists caught in one hand while his other arm banded across her chest."Too slow," he murmured near her ear. "And you're still hesitating. If this were real, if I were actually a threat, you'd be in serious trouble.""Maybe I don't see you as a threat.""You should." But his grip loosened slightly. "Everyone's a potential threat until proven otherwise. That's rule one.""What's rule two?""Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it is." He released her wrists but didn't step back. "Rule three, know your exits. Always have an escape plan.""And rule four?""Fight dirty. There's no honor in being dead."Maddison turned in his arms to face him. They were close, too close for a training session. His dark eyes hel

Her phone buzzed. Another text, this time from Lily: Welcome to the family! Can't wait for dinner tomorrow. Warning: Grace is already planning your "real" wedding. Hide. -LMaddison laughed and showed William the message."My family is insane," he said."My family tried to sell me to a predator. Yours just wants to throw me parties. I'll take it.""You say that now. Wait until Grace starts asking about grandchildren.""Grandchildren?" Maddison's eyes widened."She's been pestering me for years. Now that I'm actually married, she's going to be relentless." He looked down at her. "Fair warning, she'll probably start leaving baby name books around the house.""We've been married for two days!""Welcome to the Chen family. Subtlety is not our strong suit."Despite everything, Maddison found herself laughing. Really laughing, for the first time in days.And William laughed with her, the sound rusty but genuine.The next morning, Maddison woke to an empty bed and the smell of coffee. For a

The operatives moved forward. Eleanor had no choice but to leave, though she shot one last venomous look at Maddison before disappearing into the elevator.The silence that followed was deafening.William stood rigid, staring at the closed elevator doors, his hands clenched into fists."William.""I'm sorry." His voice was rough. "You shouldn't have had to deal with that.""She's wrong, you know. About you being cold. Incapable of love."He turned to face her, and the rawness in his expression made her heart clench. "Is she? I've spent fifteen years building walls, Maddison. Keeping people out. Using logic and strategy instead of feeling anything real.""That's not true." Maddison moved closer. "You love Grace. You protect people through Black Herd. You married me to save me from Gerald Whitmore even though you had nothing to gain.""I had plenty to gain. My father off my back, control of my own life…""You could have chosen anyone for that. You chose me because you're good, William.

The room went silent."You what?" William's voice was dangerously quiet."Jude texted me last night. He wanted to talk. I went." Maddison lifted her chin. "And before you lecture me about safety, I'm fine. It was a public place, broad daylight. He had information I needed.""What information?"She glanced at the others in the room. "Can we discuss this privately?"William nodded curtly to the three guests. "Give us a moment."They filed out, the woman giving Maddison a sympathetic look as she passed.Once they were alone, William turned to her. "Talk."Maddison told him everything, Jude's text, the meeting, the revelation about the kidnapping being a targeted hit. William's expression grew darker with each word."You should have told me," he said when she finished. "Last night. This morning. Before you walked into a meeting with a man who abandoned you to die.""I know. I'm sorry. I thought," She stopped. "I thought I could handle it myself.""Maddison." William's hands clenched at hi

Maddison woke to sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows and the distant hum of the city below. For a blissful moment, she forgot where she was.Then reality crashed back, married, penthouse, drugged wine, William's mouth on hers, his hands.She sat up abruptly, her face burning. The sheets were tangled around her legs, evidence of a restless night spent replaying every touch, every kiss, every heated moment before that phone call had interrupted them.Her phone. Where was her phone?She found it on the nightstand, screen displaying a text from an unknown number sent at 2 AM: Make sure he eats something. He forgets when he's stressed. -GGrace. Below that was Jude's message from last night..Maddison stared at it, her initial fear from last night replaced by cold clarity. What could Jude possibly know? He'd left her there. He'd chosen Cassidy and walked away. Whatever happened after that, he hadn't witnessed.This was a bluff. A desperate attempt to get her attention now

William turned slowly, and the look in his eyes nearly undid her. Heat and hunger and desperation, barely restrained."You don't know what you're saying.""Don't I?" Maddison closed the distance between them, her body moving of its own accord. "You said this marriage was about choice. About us choosing for ourselves instead of letting other people decide." She stopped inches from him, close enough to feel his heat. "So I'm choosing. I'm choosing you. Right now.""Maddison," Her name came out like a prayer and a curse. "You'll regret this tomorrow.""Maybe." She lifted her hand to his chest, feeling his heart hammering beneath her palm. "But tonight, I don't want to think about tomorrow. I don't want to think about contracts or terms or what we're supposed to be to each other." She looked up at him, this man who'd saved her life, who'd married her to give her freedom, who was fighting himself right now to protect her from a choice she was trying to make. "Tonight, I just want to feel s