LOGINShe had grown used to seeing him in his loud floral Hawaiian shirts, but never in something like this. And she couldn’t quite explain why it amused her so much.Was it because he looked oddly… endearing, wearing that apron?Damn it. Just last night, she had been seething with anger at him. That very
Phillian’s lips pressed shut once more, as though sealing in whatever words had threatened to escape. He fell silent, lost in thought.Then, without another word, he quietly walked toward the bedroom door, opened it, and stepped out. But before closing it, he turned back to her, his eyes resting on
Calley didn’t know how long she had been staring at the painting hanging above the headboard in Phillian’s room. It was a different painting now—not the one he had once made for her.Of course, Phillian had taken that down. Why wouldn’t he?But…Her gaze wandered across the room, unsettled. Why had
The loud ringtone jolted Calley awake, making her straighten in her seat. She turned her head to the side, catching sight of Phillian still focused on the wheel, driving steadily.She blinked, groggy. She hadn’t even realized she had fallen asleep. Shaking off the haze, she shifted her gaze out the
“Phillian! What are you doing?! You can’t force me to come back to Asteria!”“Who told you I’m bringing you back there?”She froze.Where was Phillian planning to take her?When the only possible place dawned on her, she gasped. But she didn’t have the chance to speak again before they reached the t
“Ugh, you look terrible.”That was the first thing Sacred said when they met, two days after she had confirmed her condition. They met at a restaurant near her apartment.“I had to fly all the way from Texas just to meet you,” he said as he sat across from her, his gaze fixed. “Make sure this is wor
She obeyed at once, lowering her head as she slipped into the back seat behind the driver. Sacred carried both of her suitcases himself, loading them into the trunk before sliding into the car. While he was still outside, the elderly driver turned his head slightly and asked,“Where to, Miss?”“Anyw
She lifted her face, struggling to suppress the sob rising from her throat as she spoke again. “Did you forget that I turned my back on my life in New York for you? Did you forget that I left the career I had there just so we would never have to be apart? I was serious about us, Phill—”“Of course
After fetching the flashlight from her room, Nelly immediately took her hand and pulled her along.Calley said nothing, allowing herself to be led. They circled to the back of the beach house, where a narrow path sloped down toward the sea. She thought they would descend, but instead, Nelly guided h
She had been overly dramatic the first night they met, ten years ago. She laughed too loudly, talked with exaggerated gestures, because she didn’t care what he or anyone else thought of her at that time.All her life, she had been cautious, careful of every move, every word. But that night, she want







