NatalieA few days later, after Noah bought me my new car. I'm making dinner in the kitchen when Alaric comes home. My mood is so good, and I'm dancing to some new pop song on the radio. These steaks are going to taste like a happy life.Sadly, the music within me dies when Alaric walks into the kitchen with a bouquet of flowers. There is a big smile on his lips. It turns into a sad line when I cross my arms underneath my chest.I frown at him, meeting his eyes with fury behind mine. "You didn't call me after I was let out of the hospital.""I know, honey," Alaric inhales deeply. "Losing our child was hard on me...""It was hard for me too. I expected us as a couple to get through the hardship together," I tell Alaric, looking him up and down.Alaric is wearing an expensive suit, and he has shaved. He cleans up nicely, but I won't step into the trap of inhaling his cologne and letting him kiss away my anger.Alaric let me down when I needed him the most. Instead of him being there for
NatalieThings have been going great with Alaric. We have spent the entire week joking and having fun. We are getting married next week, and... I might not be the happiest I could ever be, but I'm satisfied."You seem lost in thought."Alaric's deep voice washes me, and I realize I must have spaced out. How rude of me.We are eating dinner at some fancy restaurant. I'm talking to my dad again, and he gave us money; Noah's money, to pay for this dinner I'm having with Alaric right now."Are you alright, Natalie?"Alaric's brows are furrowed, and his mouth is turned down. For once, there is actual concern written on his face."I'm excellent," I smile, lifting my class to share a cheer with my soon-to-be husband. When I see the worry disappear over Alaric's handsome features, hope for the future ignites within me. Tonight is about us. I'm trying to fall back in love with Alaric because he is a good guy. When we first met, he was a total gentleman. He held up doors and threatened me to
Natalie I dig into my dessert to try and look busy around our table. Alaric left to visit the bathroom in quite a hurry. He had an incoming phone call from his business partner. So I'm eating my soufflé alone. The fancy restaurant is filled with people tonight. They crowd the floor and mingle with each other before finally sitting down to order. I feel a bit out of place, especially since I'm alone. I'm also suffering that nagging feeling that every other person inside this room is wearing way more expensive clothing. I swear some women frown upon seeing me while others snicker at my second-hand bag. "I'm sorry," Alaric returns to the table. "My business partner had a lot to say." A smile takes hold of my lips. I get the feeling Alaric's business partner is a woman since he is afraid of naming them. I wonder why he is trying to keep that a secret? "It's alright," I tell him. "I ordered dessert to keep me busy." "Was it any good?" "Delicious." "Anyway, about our wedding," Alar
NatalieI stare even harder at the scene going on by the other table. Lexie is covering half her face with her glitter-colored nails. She appears excited, with her leg dangling over the other, while Noah's face is shrouded in shadows.What is going on?I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth. I didn't realize Noah was in love with Lexie. Are they honestly close to getting married already? I'm sad and confused and close to tears.I have no right to feel this way, but I do.Flashing a wicked smile at Lexie, Noah opens the black box to reveal...A diamond necklace.Time seems to stop. Noah didn't propose to Lexie—why is that such a huge relief? It feels like a rock has been lifted off my chest. Lexie might be dancing in her seat right now, but she won't become Noah's wife.Thank the heavens.I watch the pair, holding my breath when Noah turns around. His eyes meet mine and linger. I'm caught, spellbound by the gorgeous man. Recognition flashes over his features, and I avert my eyes with m
NatalieSilently, I look myself over in the mirror, sad because I didn't get to rent the dress I wanted, but happy since the one I'm wearing does fit me. The minus would be that it's puffy around the shoulders and lacks the finesse I had dreamed of. I resemble a white cake with plenty of whip cream. But at least this is a proper wedding dress, and with my brown hair sat up in silver pins, I have to say I look prettier than ever before. A corset is holding in my pouch of a belly. I'm wearing fake diamond earrings on top of the cherry, and Linnea did my makeup. She is currently in tears behind me. I have to bite back a laugh. Linnea has taken on my mother's role and is looking at me like I'm her daughter. It warms my heart. "You look stunning," her lip is quivering. "So damn beautiful I can't hold back my tears..."Linnea's boyfriend, Johan, is already inside the church, but Linnea won't leave me just yet. She is watching me like a hawk, unable to blink away from my dress and makeu
NoahPastNatalie's wedding is taking place tomorrow morning. She is marrying Alaric, and I can't think. I can't sleep. My head is a jumbled mess, and my heart beats out of rhythm.I love Natalie.I love her so much it's physically painful.And all I want is for Natalie to be happy, even if it destroys me.But is she, though?Is Natalie happy?I roll around in my bed next to Lexie and rake my fingers through my hair. Natalie is a spreading disease. I love her, and I can't fight how that woman takes over my entire system. Ever since my memories came back, I have thought about her every minute.I can't breathe.And if I close my eyes, Natalie is there, smiling at me. She is the most beautiful person I've ever seen, inside and out. Pure. That woman is brighter than the sun.Beautiful."Shit..." I stand up and swing my legs over my bed in the dark. An angry mutter leaves my lips. "I need to see a therapist..."Once again, my brain is fevered by a million memories and thoughts of Natalie.
NatalieI suck in a deep breath, yet it doesn't calm me. My world has officially turned into madness, and my brain isn't thinking rational thoughts right now.Noah smiles at me, and my heart is beating out of rhythm. His eyes tell me that he remembers everything, bringing me to tears. This is how... Fuck. Noah looked at me like this the first time we met—like I was the most beautiful woman on the face of the earth. It breaks me.Because it's not the right thing to leave Alaric by the altar. It would break him apart, probably forever. It's such a traumatic experience to be dumped here of all places...But...I believe love is the rarest thing you can find. People search for it their entire lifetimes. And even though it's crazy, I falter... I want to be selfish and leave Alaric because no other man has ever affected me like Noah.His blue eyes, brown hair, and that damn smile... Does he even understand it makes time stop and my head spin? How do you move on from that feeling?I take
NatalieWe stop the car by the beach. As soon as we are outside the vehicle, Noah grabs my waist. I smile as he pushes me into the car and claims my lips with his. It makes tiny sparks start by my toes and soon travel up my entire spine and body. I slip my hand into his suit, gasping. "My God, you're so hard. I swear even your muscles have muscles."Noah is bent over me and breathes a laugh before cupping my face and finding my eyes. It makes me nervous seeing the tiny smile on his lips. No other man has ever made me feel like I need to deliver, but with Noah, every second counts."You're gorgeous," Noah is playing with the zipper of my dress. It makes lust spiral in his eyes. His voice is raw and deep. Hungry. "But you would look so much better without it." "You want to have sex here?" His smile only grows. "Uh... Yes? I can barely keep my hands off you, and the hard-on I'm sporting isn't good for driving."My cheeks flush. "I still can't believe this is happening. You're here, wi