Masuk“Ryan…”Ryan parked and grabbed her hand, leading her up the steps. “Welcome home,” he said softly. “Our first home. I thought it was only fitting that we start our marriage here.”Tears of joy filled her eyes. “It’s perfect.”He came around and helped her out of the car, then, in one swift motion,
The morning of the wedding day dawned clear and bright, the sky a perfect, cloudless blue. Elena stood before the full-length mirror, her heart beating a frantic, joyful rhythm against her ribs. Her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted the thin veil over her hair.Today was the day. Her heart p
“Mom,” Ryan said, his voice unusually gentle. “There’s something I want to tell you.”Anna tilted her head, studying him. “You look too serious for this early in the day.”His lips curved faintly. “I wanted to tell you that Elena and I, we’re getting married.”Anna’s hand flew to her mouth. For a mo
The silence in the car as they drove away from her father’s house was different from the furious tension of the afternoon. Elena leaned her head against the cool window, watching the familiar streets of her old neighborhood blur past. Her hand rested loosely in Ryan’s, their fingers entwined as if n
That evening, Ryan led Elena to the Carter residence. She was quiet on the drive, her mind buzzing with apprehension. When they arrived, the lights were on inside, casting a warm, welcoming glow that felt like a lifetime ago to Elena. Her stomach was a tight ball of nerves. Ryan, sensing her anxiety
Elena’s sobs shook her shoulders as she stood in the living room. Ryan listened carefully, silent at first, giving her space to pour everything out. When her cries softened to ragged hiccups, he didn’t respond with words. He rose from the chair and with two long strides, he closed the distance betwe
Her breath hitched. “And where’s that?”A slow, wicked grin spread across his face. “Your birthday present. It’s been neglected for too long.”Her lips parted in shock, then curled into a wide smile. “Really?”“Really.” He kissed her, hard and quick, before shutting her door and sliding into the dri
A week had passed in a blur of forms, lists, calls, and endless “are you ready for this?” questions. Elena could hardly believe how quickly time had slipped away. The carefree summer days were officially over, replaced by a frantic energy that hummed through the Carter household. Her room was stack
The soft buzz of her phone pulled Elena from a deep, deliciously sated sleep. She groaned, burying her face deeper into the pillow that smelled overwhelmingly of Ryan. Every muscle in her body protested, a pleasant, aching reminder of the night before. She hadn’t slept properly at all, Ryan had made
“Elena, come here for a second.”She followed him out into the bedroom. Standing just inside the doorway were an older, kindly-looking couple. George, a man with a weathered face and a warm smile, and his wife, Martha. Ryan’s arm slid around Elena’s waist, pulling her firmly into his side. “George,







