LOGINOrana’s point of viewTo say my heart skipped would be putting it mildly. Vaughn had a way of making it difficult to remember why I was supposed to be angry with him.I didn’t move after the elevator doors closed in front of me.This morning I had woken up to fresh flowers waiting outside my door. I had thrown the first two bouquets, and within the hour he had texted me asking if I hadn’t liked them. I had typed back a single word.‘Yes’I couldn’t help the small smile that surfaced now, thinking about the absurdity of it, that he would actually go out and find something I really liked.I loved the flowers; that’s why I kept them in my room. I smiled to myself when I got dressed.I spent the rest of the day in meetings and catching up on some things. When it was time to leave, there was a knock on my door, and when I lifted my eyes, there he was.“What are you—” I started, but paused.“Thought I could pick you up.” He said, walking into my office, hands in his pockets. My eyes raked o
Vaughn’s point of viewWe stayed on that hill long enough before I finally drove her home. She was quiet most of the way back, but it wasn’t like before when she ignored me or acted like I didn’t exist. Something had shifted, even if she hadn’t said the words. She hadn’t pulled away when I took her hand at the last red light, and that was enough. She fell asleep before we reached her building, and once I pulled over, I looked at her; she was sleeping with her head leaning against the window.I rounded the hood of the car and went to the passenger door. I unbuckled her belt, and then I carried her to the door, her weight nothing against my chest.Sienna opened the door for me, and I made my way inside her room and laid her down carefully, pulling the blanket over her before I let myself leave.I sat there, brushing hair out of her face and tucking it behind her ear. I leaned in and kissed her forehead before forcing myself out of her room because I might stay the whole night.Sienna
Orana’s point of viewVaughn stood through the entire service with his arm around his mother, holding her up as her knees threatened to give in.Bethany trailed a few steps behind them throughout, and I was there standing aside while she played the role of a perfect woman.He gave the eulogy, his voice breaking, and made some jokes about his father.Afterward, James guided Penelope toward the waiting car. Bethany offered to stay with Vaughn while I stood by and watched.“I’m fine,” he told her, his eyes looking past him. “Just need a minute.”“I don’t mind staying—”“You’ve done enough,” he said, patting her shoulder. “Thank you.”He walked to his car alone and got in but didn’t start the engine. I watched him sit there for a long moment, and then, instead of heading to my car, I crossed the gravel and let myself into the passenger seat after giving my keys to Sienna.“Beth, for fuck’s sake, I said—” He stopped when he turned and saw me, surprise moving across his face.“Orana.” My na
Orana’s point of viewWe walked into the room, and she was still asking for him.My heart was beating hard against my chest, and tears threatened to fall. She had her arm and her head bandaged.“Oh, Orana, sweetie,” she cried, extending her hand to me. I took a few steps towards her, letting Vaughn let go of my hand.I swallowed past the lump in my throat and took her hand.“Penelope.” My voice came out weak, but I cleared my throat. “I’m so sorry. They tried everything they could.”She went very still, her eyes roaming around my face as she looked at me. I squeezed her hand, hoping it would be enough.“They didn’t get to him in time,” I said gently, fighting back my tears as hers rolled down her cheeks. “From what I was told, he wasn’t in pain.”The sound that came out of her wasn’t a scream and wasn’t a sob; something caught between the two, and she shook her head over and over.“No! He can’t be dead.” She shook her head again.“I’m so sorry, Penny.” I apologized again, my voice bre
Orana’s point of viewI ran out of the car as soon as it stopped in front of the hospital and made a run, Sienna right behind me, both of us out of breath. Nobody seemed to know anything, even when I asked at the nurses’ station, only that there had been an accident.An article had gone up briefly and then disappeared before we could even read the details.I found the waiting area and stopped in my tracks, my eyes roaming around. James was sitting with his head in his hands, devastation written all over his face. And Laoise was crying into a tissue beside him. A nurse moved to stop me at the entrance. “I’m sorry, but this area is closed off,” she said, her voice calm and even.“I’m with him.” I pointed towards James, and she glanced back at James, then raised an eyebrow. I’m sure, considering I was in a lounge suit and looking like I just woke up. She couldn’t believe I could know the Carsons. “Please… I’m with him” “I’m going to ask you to leave,” she said. She stretched out her
Orana’s Point of ViewI woke up to a pounding head and a throat so dry it felt like sandpaper. I tried to move my head, but the pounding was getting too much.My eyes fluttered open, and the ceiling above me was wrong; I wasn’t back at my house, that’s for sure.I lay there for a moment, trying to remember everything that happened last night. I remembered a man walking up to me, and we had a good laugh about British culture. Then we talked about music and life.Shit. Did I sleep with someone I met last night? I got up slowly, dragging myself upright, my eyes roaming around. I was still in my clothes, and I didn’t feel sore between my legs.Maybe I wasn’t in the right mind. There was the smell of coffee in the hallway, and I looked right, then made a beeline towards the left where the smell was too strong.The place was adorned with white and grey furniture, soft music coming from the speakers, and when I turned towards the kitchen, I stopped dead in my tracks.Because Vaughn was stan
Orana’s point of viewI stumbled after her, and she turned, bolting out of the room when she saw the gun in my hand.Bet she didn’t think I could overpower Carla and take the gun.“Stop!” I shouted after her, limping towards her. I needed to make sure whoever she was working with didn’t get to Sien
Vaughn’s Point of View’The moment I stepped back into the hospital, the sharp scent of antiseptic hit my nose again. It clung to the air and burned the back of my throat.My boots echoed against the polished floor as I headed toward Orana’s room. My chest felt tight. The pounding in my skull had n
Vaughn’s point of viewOrana left the room without looking back, Colter by her side. I tried to catch up with her, but she was so fast.“Under duress?” I asked after catching her by the elevator, but she didn’t even look at me, just stared at the doors.Orana turned slowly toward me, her eyes rakin
Vaughn’s point of viewFive long fucking weeks that I haven’t held her in my arms. That she hasn’t looked at me with those eyes like I was something worth anything in this life.I stopped sleeping every night, watching her even as she tried to move on. When she came into the office for the meeting







