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

The night was quiet—eerily so. The kind of quiet that left room for thoughts too loud to ignore.Danielle sat on the edge of her bed, her phone dimly glowing in her hand, unread messages from Aria stacked beneath a new one that simply said: “How’s Theo?”She didn’t reply. She didn’t really know what to say.It had been two days since Alexander had asked her to stay, and though the initial awkwardness hadn’t vanished entirely, the atmosphere had changed.Theo had started eating again—slowly, hesitantly—but only when Danielle fed him herself. She couldn’t explain the connection between them, but it tugged at her more with each passing hour. As if her soul recognized something her mind couldn’t place.A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.She glanced at the door just as it opened without waiting for permission.Alexander stepped in, jacket off, sleeves rolled up, expression calm but unreadable.“You’re still awake.”Danielle stood quickly. “I was just about to sleep.”He didn’t respond

The moment Danielle stepped into the Sterling estate, she realized nothing about this was going to be simple.Last night, she had received an urgent call from Damian. Something was wrong with Theo, and they needed her help.Danielle didn’t ask too many questions. The child was enough to get her on her feet.The foyer was quiet—too quiet. Not sterile, not cold, but carefully arranged. Like everything in Alexander Sterling’s world, it was too polished, too controlled.A butler greeted her with a respectful nod, stepping aside to let her in without a word.She clutched the small overnight bag in her hand tightly, pretending not to feel the tremble in her chest. This wasn’t her home. This wasn’t her world.But Theo was here.And Theo needed her.She didn’t hesitate as she followed the butler through the grand hallway, her heels making soft clicks against the marble. The scent of pine and something expensive hung in the air—Alexander’s cologne, maybe. It lingered without trying to dominate

Chapter 11 – Shadows in the MirrorDanielle didn’t speak the entire cab ride home. The words Aria had said the last time they spoke lingered, crawling beneath her skin like whispers she couldn’t silence.“Just be careful. Some things have a way of circling back.”Her phone buzzed again. Another message. Not from Aria. Unknown number.Are you alright?She didn’t reply. Not because she didn’t want to—but because she didn’t know who it was. But deep down, a part of her already suspected.She turned the screen off and leaned back against the window. The city outside moved fast, a blur of headlights and neon. But inside the car, everything felt still. Heavy.The moment she stepped into her apartment, she kicked off her heels and let herself sink into the silence.The storm from days ago had passed, but something lingered—an aftertaste in the air, like the quiet after a fight where nothing had been resolved.She passed the mirror in the hallway and stopped.Her reflection stared back at he

Danielle leaned against the window of Aria’s apartment, nursing a glass of wine she hadn’t touched in twenty minutes. The city glittered beneath her like a secret waiting to be uncovered.“So,” Aria said, flopping onto the couch dramatically, “you’re telling me Damian West cornered you on the street just to say his boss appreciated your hospitality?”Danielle raised an eyebrow. “Cornered is strong.”“Please. This is straight out of a drama. Handsome man. Shady family. Illegitimate child—”Danielle cut in, “I did not say anything about an illegitimate child.”“But we both know it’s possible.”Danielle pressed her fingers to her temple, the headache from earlier beginning to pulse again. “Aria, stop. That child has nothing to do with me.”“You’re sure?”“I…” Danielle hesitated. “No. But I’m not entertaining something that insane.”Aria sat up, her teasing gone, replaced by concern. “I’m not saying chase it. I’m just saying—don’t ignore it. Something’s pulling you toward that boy. Maybe

Two Days LaterThe first thing Danielle noticed when she stepped into the Carter Enterprises building was the silence.It wasn’t the usual polished hush of a successful corporation. This was different—taut, watchful. As though the walls themselves had learned to listen, too used to the tension that came with power struggles and fragile alliances.Danielle walked with her head high, heels clicking smartly on the marble floors. Her presentation folder was tucked under one arm, the edge slightly bent from where she had clutched it too tightly earlier.Bianca had seen to it that this meeting would feel like a trap.But Danielle Carter never ran from wolves. She had learned to bare her teeth when it counted.Her assistant met her near the conference room. “They’re inside already. Mr. Carter is with the Sterling representatives. Bianca’s heading the pitch.”Danielle’s jaw twitched. “Of course she is.”Although her stepsister might appear crude and birdbrained sometimes, there was no denying

The press conference shimmered with luxury—bright spotlights, crystal chandeliers, a sea of black suits and glittering gowns. Danielle stepped onto the red carpet entrance of The Crest Hotel, the high-end venue chosen for the merger announcement between her company and Virella Group. Her heels clicked sharply against marble, echoing like quiet defiance.She wore a deep green dress that hugged her slender frame, her long curls tucked into a sleek knot. Elegant. Untouchable. At least that was the image she’d learned to wear over the years—like perfectly cut armor.Behind her, Aria muttered, “That’s a lot of cameras. Are you sure you don’t want me to answer any questions on your behalf?”Danielle offered a soft smile. “No need. I’m just here to show face. They’ll all be watching Bianca anyway.”Speak of the devil.“Danielle?” The high-pitched, syrupy voice froze the air.Danielle turned, only her eyes moving first. Bianca Carter stood a few feet away in a wine-colored gown that screamed