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
Elena’s fork froze halfway to her mouth. “Wait. What?”Ryan smirked at her expression. “Told you. Complicated.”Her eyes widened. “She dated your half-brother and then married your father?”“Yes. My father and mother have known each other since she was a child. Family friends. She and Nick were chil
“Whose are you?” he grunted, slamming into her.“Yours!” she cried out.“Say it!”“I’m yours! Ryan, I’m yours!”He increased his pace, each thrust driving her closer to the edge. The sound of their bodies meeting, wet and desperate, filled the room, mixing with the distant pulse of the club’s bass.
Ryan’s phone still lay abandoned on the desk, its screen glowing faintly before dimming into silence. His hands were not on the phone anymore, they were on Elena, clutching her waist, his grip firm, almost bruising, as if he couldn’t quite believe she had dared to invade his fortress of authority li
“It’s very important!” Anna insisted. Ryan swirled his whiskey, letting the golden liquid catch the light. His voice dropped lower, rougher. “It’s complicated. I’m not going to give you names yet.”“Complicated?” Will repeated, confused.“Beautiful things usually are,” Anna murmured knowingly, sipp







