ログインRavenThe ballroom doors open at exactly one o’clock, and I stand at the top of the staircase for one long breath before I start down it.The dress is red I’m wearing is red. I chose it intentionally, over the safer golds and blush tones the stylist kept steering me toward. Red is bold. Red doesn’t apologize for taking up space in a room, and after everything it’s taken to get here, I’m done apologizing for existing.Every head in the ballroom turns as I descend.Roman meets me at the bottom of the staircase, offering his hand, and the moment my fingers close around his, a ripple of murmurs spreads outward through the crowd.“You look extraordinary,” he murmurs, close to my ear.“I feel extraordinary.”“Mr. Bellerie,” an older man in a blue suit calls out to Roman.“Mr. Silas.” Roman turns to me and lowers his voice. “I’ll be back.”Anaya appears at my side almost immediately, a glass of wine already in hand, eyes wide as she takes in the room, the chandeliers, the string qua
Raven The lake house comes into view at the end of a long gravel drive, all glass and pale stone, the kind of place built to be photographed rather than lived in. I remember Vivienne posting about it once, some caption about peace and privacy, right around the time she was telling the entire country I stole her fiancé.Roman’s hand finds the small of my back as we approach the front doors, two of my security officers a step behind us, and a third figure beside them, a man in a plain grey suit carrying a folder, the court-appointed officer here to make sure today ends the way it’s supposed to.Roman stops just before we reach the entrance and turns to me.“Can you handle this?”“I want to enjoy this.” I meet his eyes, steady. “Don’t get involved unless I need you. Trust me to look after myself.”He studies me for a moment, then nods once, stepping back just slightly, close enough to intervene, far enough to let this be mine.The door opens before we even knock.Vivienne stands
RavenI sit up, pulling the sheet around me. “I finally know what was in the envelope.”His hand stills in my hair. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I told you it was yours to handle.”“I want to tell you.” I take a steadying breath. “I’m going to tell you everything.”“Okay,” he says quietly.“But first…” I glance down at my hands. “I need to tell you I did something really stupid. You’re probably going to be pissed.” I force out a small, nervous smile. “It’s okay, though. I probably deserve a little scolding.”I reach for the nightstand drawer, pull it open, and take out the photograph, holding it out to him.He takes it carefully, his eyes scanning the image. I watch his expression change as recognition settles in.“That’s Erica,” I say quietly. “And the little girl with her… that’s her daughter, Roman.”He goes completely still, staring at the photograph as if it might somehow change into something that makes sense.“So… how is this our business?” he asks, flipping
RavenWarm lips against mine wake me from sleep, then another press against my forehead. I open my eyes to find Roman sitting on the bed beside me, already dressed.“The gala’s not until one,” I say, voice thick with sleep. “You’re up early.”“Calls to make before then.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “You should rest a little longer.”I reach up and catch the loose end of his tie, pulling him down toward me before he can stand, and kiss him properly, slow at first, then deeper when his mouth opens against mine, his tongue meeting mine in a way that makes me forget entirely what time it is.“Stay a little longer,” I murmur against his lips.His eyes drop to my stomach, and he lifts the thin fabric of my nightdress, running his palm slowly over the curve of it. “How’s the little one?”“Kicking hard already.” I smile down at him.He pulls back just enough to shrug off his tie and shirt, tossing them aside, and settles between my legs, pressing a soft kiss to my stomac
RavenWe’ve been driving for almost two hours by the time the city finally gives way to open land, and I find myself with my face nearly pressed against the window, watching rolling fields blur past in the fading evening light.“This is so beautiful,” I breathe. “I can’t believe I’ve never seen this part of the country. I’m twenty-three years old and I’ve never once been anywhere that looks like this.”“City baby,” Anaya teases, glancing at me sideways.“I’m serious. I grew up in an estate surrounded by gates and security cameras. I don’t know what to do with all this.” I gesture at the horizon, gold and orange bleeding into the hills. “It’s so quiet out here. No cameras. No staff hovering. Just land.”I watched the endless fields roll past, my gaze lingering on the open land and the quiet beauty surrounding us. Everything felt so peaceful out here. No traffic. No noise. Just nature. For the first time, I found myself wondering what it would be like to raise a family somewhere li
RavenAnaya steps through the massive glass entrance and comes to an abrupt stop, her mouth falling open.“What…” Her eyes sweep from the soaring marble columns to the crystal chandeliers hanging overhead, then to the winding staircase and the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the gardens. “Raven… this place is insane.”A laugh bubbles out of me at the look on her face.“I’ve been to Roman’s estate, and I’ve seen the penthouse, but this…” She slowly turns in a circle. “This is the best one yet. It’s huge. It’s gorgeous. And don’t tell me this belongs to you too.”“It does.”Her head snaps toward me. “Seriously?”“One of my estates, actually.”She blinks. “One of your estates?”“My father left them to me.” I shrug. “Everything. Including the Cole estates you’ve probably heard about.”For a full five seconds, she just stares. “So…” Her eyes narrow, calculating. “Are you richer than Roman?”“I wouldn’t say that.”“You wouldn’t say that because you’re trying to be humble.”
RomanI find Marcus in my study, standing by the window with his back to the door, trying very hard to look like a man who has been patiently waiting and not at all like a man who walked in on something he wishes he could unsee.“Marcus, I—”“I didn’t see anything.” He says it quickly, still facing
RavenI can’t hide my joy about the postponement.Even though I should, even though Jack is barely cold and his family is planning his funeral, I should be drowning in grief.But all I feel is satisfaction.The wedding is postponed, Vivienne is furious, and for the first time, Roman chose to protec
RAVENI sit at the kitchen island, eating cornflakes straight from the box because I know it will annoy someone eventually, and right now that feels like the only power I have left.The house is quiet. Too quiet. Roman left for the office hours ago without saying a word to me. Vivienne is out there
RavenThe living room is dark except for the lamp in the corner and the low amber glow of the drink in his hand.I stop in the doorway.Roman is sitting in the armchair, facing the entrance, as if he has been there a while. Like he positioned himself there deliberately. His jacket is gone, his shir







