StellaAs I slowly enter the room, arms crossed over my chest, and set my bag down on a seat by the door. I watch as Adrian drapes an elegant diamond necklace into Clara’s hands. The room fawns and gasps over the sparkling jewelry.“Congratulations on waking up from your coma, Clara,” Adrian looks d
StellaI tear my gaze away from Adrian’s unable to even look at the man that stands before me. I spot a nearby hotel employee, signaling them over. They slowly approach me, nodding their head, ready to receive my command.“I want to see the security footage,” I gesture to the security cameras that h
“The diamonds don’t even look real!” Clara boasts and turns her chin upwards, looking away as a form of protest.The jewelry appraiser from before approaches me with a kind smile.“May I?” He kindly asks. I nod.The man leans in and closely inspects the necklace. My heart races inside of my chest.W
Third Person POVStella sighs and closes her laptop screen, rolling her head back into the headrest of the car. A small smile creeps up onto Sebastian’s face as he watches her.“Your hacking skill shave gotten better,” his praise catches her attention, opening one eye to look at him, “you’re much fa
StellaI roll my eyes and click a button on the side of the car door. The window rolls up, Adrian drawing his hands away. Without another word, Sebastian steps on the gas pedal and the car speeds away.“Stella,” Sebastian says my name like it is butter rolling off of his tongue, “if you need to talk
The man’s jaw clenches, eyes widening from surprise. He clears his throat and turns to exit the room without another word. I straighten my back and look at the rest of the men.To the side, Sebastian begins to slowly clap, an amused and proud smile on his face. Nobody dared to speak up against my br
AdrianI push off and away from the counter, fists balled at my side. My eyes focus on Stella and the man who holds her, whispering into her ear. I huff and my nostrils flare.“Adrian? Where are you going?” Clara calls out from behind but I don’t turn around, instead continuing to walk towards Stell
Third Person POVSebastian’s eyes remain on Stella’s hazel ones. The man relaxes into his spot, the warmth from the side of her face still lingering on the tips of his fingers. Stella clears her throat and nods, pulling away from him.She knows that he is telling the truth. She knows that Sebastian,
Maybe, just maybe, we could have had a happy marriage together. One that had no contactual surgeries or ended in bright, festering flames.Maybe we could have been happy together.“Adrian?” Stella’s voice snaps me back to reality. I look down at her and nod my head, humming in response. “Your mom wa
AdrianMy foot taps against the marble floor of the resort’s lobby. I look around the room, which is now busy and vibrant from the people who are visiting, and glance at my mother. She wears a worried look on her face, watching the elevator entryway with close eyes.“You should go check up on her, d
One day, I’ll be away from him. Then I’ll be able to breathe again.The white screen is filled with jobs upon jobs. Many of them are to help others gain information on a cheating spouse or to see what their loved one is hiding from them.Suddenly, my screen turns black. Green letters and numbers pop
StellaThe morning breeze is light and gentle on my skin. It soothes my aching heart and helps me clear my mind from the events that transpired the previous night.Clara’s face is burned into my memory, the way she held onto Adrian so casually and so affectionately…it hurts my soul to even think abo
He shoves his hands into his pockets, my crossbody purse still hanging from his shoulder. He gestures his head to the hallway, his blonde hair falling into his face.“Come on. Let me show you to your room,” he says and turns around without another word.Once Adrian is out of my sight, I am able to b
StellaMy hand feels numb beneath Adrian’s touch. I attempt to wiggle my fingers away, to slip out of his deadly grasp, but he only tightens his hold on me. The numb feeling makes my skin and muscles of my hand feel like they are being poked by millions of tiny little needles.“Adrian,” I breathe ou
“We’ll also take your most expensive bottle of red,” Sebastian continues. I look down at Stella, who wears a small grin on her face.“And what would you like to eat, sir?” the waiter asks.“I’ll have the steak, rare, and she will have the salmon,” I say, knowing that Stella always has preferred fish
Adrian“Table for three, please,” Stella’s voice is gentle and kind as the three of us approach the hostess’ stand. The woman looks up at us and nods, gathering three menus in her hand, and gesturing to the open dining room.Many of the tables are empty and many of the other patrons are made up of c
Her words feel like a gut punch. I know she’s lying through her teeth. The words come out of her mouth so effortlessly and I can’t help but feel as if they are daggers hidden beneath silk piles, ready to pierce into my skin at any given moment.We step away from the desk and towards her, our feet mo