LOGINOrana’s Point of ViewMy hands shook so much that I couldn’t even hold my lipstick. I gripped the edge of the vanity, staring at my reflection, but everything was a blur.In just a few minutes, I would be marrying the love of my life. I looked down at the dress I was wearing, running my trembling fingers over the delicate fabric. It was a custom Laoise Carson creation,The gown was a breathtaking ivory dress with a high collar of light white lace, framing a keyhole cutout that bared my collarbones and a bone-lined corset sculpted my torso down to a sharp waist, while skin-tight sleeves of unlined, sheer lace wrapped my arms like white vines. From the hips down, winter-white satin panels parted in a split, cascading to the floor in voluminous folds.Through the center opening, a slender column underskirt of continuous lace was revealed, trailing silently behind me as I moved.I looked really pretty, but the perfection of the moment only made my chest tighten with a suffocating wave of
Orana’s Point of View“Let me see that ring,” Penny said, tears immediately welling up in her eyes the moment we sat down for our weekly tea date.I smiled, holding out my hand to show her the flawless diamond catching the light of the cafe.Penny gasped softly, tracing the band with a gentle finger. “Oh, Orana. It is stunning.”“I know,” I said, a smile spreading across my face. “It’s everything I ever imagined my engagement ring would be.”She laughed, wiping a stray tear from her cheek, and we quickly dived into chatting.I asked her how she was doing, and we spent the first twenty minutes just catching up on life. It was the first time since Frank had passed away that the two of us were meeting like this.“So,” Penny leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Have you two set a date yet?”“Yes, actually. It’s in about seven weeks,” I said with a smile.The loud gasps I heard behind my chair told me that Laoise and Sienna had finally arrived. It was usually just Penny and
Vaughn’s Point of View“What kind of wedding do you want?” I asked Orana, tightening my grip around her waist and pulling her back flush against my chest.We were lying on the grass, the afternoon sun warming our skin. We had already spent two days away from the rest of the world at the mansion, and they had been paradise. My girls, Orana and Bambi, as I loved to call our little Liorah, adored the estate, so I decided to extend our getaway by one more day.I wasn’t in any rush to let the reality of the outside world crash back into our bubble.Orana hummed softly, leaning her head back against my shoulder. “I want the grandest one. I want flowers everywhere… and I want a carriage.”“A carriage, a stór?” I asked, a low chuckle vibrating in my chest.She turned her head, looking up at me with sparkling eyes that danced with excitement the moment she started talking about the details.I caught my breath just watching her. I knew why she wanted a real wedding.From what I understood of he
Orana’s point of viewI’m going to be Vaughn Carson’s wife. Is that even happening?After I could control myself, Vaughn and I sat down and had dinner, but I couldn’t stop admiring my ring. It was a gold ring with a curved band and a pear-shaped diamond.It was everything I could ever dream of.Even as he talked, I couldn’t help but admire my ring, my heart hammering against my chest. I couldn’t wait to show Sienna. Did she know about this? Was that why she didn’t seem worried?I was still thinking about Sienna.“Mama!”The high-pitched shout shocked me, and I pulled back from my thoughts as my eyes widened, and I saw Sienna walking down the manicured lawn, holding a beaming Liorah by the hand.Liorah immediately broke free of Sienna’s grip and ran toward us as fast as her little legs could carry her. Sienna stopped a distance away, crossing her arms with a knowing smile playing on her lips.She knew.Vaughn scooped Liorah up into our embrace. “Bambi,” he said, planting a kiss on her
Orana’s Point of ViewFor the next couple of months, we fell into a beautiful routine. During weekdays, Vaughn and I would go out for late-night drives or dinners just for the two of us. Saturdays belonged to the three of us. If it were us having Liorah, he would spend the whole day playing with Liorah, treating her like the center of his universe.It was strange how he loved her. Every time I found them talking or playing, I was amazed at how he treated her like a princess. Whatever she wanted, she got, no matter how hard it was; the same thing with Callahan.The two of them still can’t stand each other, but I was glad for Liorah that they were trying to tolerate each other.Meanwhile, Sienna was suddenly busy with work and with a mystery guy she was seeing. I never asked her who it was, content with how happy and radiant she looked every time she came home. She was practically glowing.But today, I woke up with a terrible, heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach that something was ab
Orana’s point of viewHe kissed me like a man who was starving, his mouth crashing against mine with a fierce, demanding intensity that burned away any doubt in my mind. The gentle restraint from the weekend was gone, replaced by consuming hunger. When he finally pulled away, his hands stayed locked on either side of my face, his thumbs pressing against my jawline as he forced me to look into his eyes. His gaze was dark, heavy, and completely unguarded.“Tell me you want this, a stór,” he rasped, his breath hot against my lips. “Tell me you want me as much as I want you.”“I want you,” I said, the words spilling out of me without a second thought. I gripped his shirt, pulling him back toward me. “I need you to touch me.”Without holding back, he swept me up into his arms, lifting me off my feet. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he carried me down the dark hallway and into his bedroom.When we hit the mattress, he didn’t rush. He took his time, laying me down beneath him like I
Orana’s Point of ViewThe soft hum of the air conditioner filled the silence while sunlight spilled across the marble floor in long golden strips. Liorah sat on the carpet near the couch, while Madelyn tried to fix her hair in pigtails.I would have loved to do it, but I still haven’t recovered, an
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
Orana’s point of viewThe office smelled like vanilla and coffee, and a slight scent of citrus. Someone had cleaned it recently, from the lack of dust on my desk.I sat behind the desk and powered on the computer, taking a deep breath. The screen reflected my tired face, and I smiled weakly, thinki







