ANMELDENJELENA
The dry heaving finally stops, leaving the raw, bitter taste of bile at the back of my throat, I feel like I have officially exhausted everything in my stomach. Leaning my head back against the cold, tiled wall of the bathroom, I let out a ragged sigh of relief. My chest rises and falls rapidly as I try to steady my breathing, the echo of my loud heaving still bouncing off the porcelain surfaces.What the hell was that, Jelena?My mind repJELENAThe dry heaving finally stops, leaving the raw, bitter taste of bile at the back of my throat, I feel like I have officially exhausted everything in my stomach. Leaning my head back against the cold, tiled wall of the bathroom, I let out a ragged sigh of relief. My chest rises and falls rapidly as I try to steady my breathing, the echo of my loud heaving still bouncing off the porcelain surfaces.What the hell was that, Jelena?My mind replays the scene outside over and over again, a sickening loop that I cannot shut off. What just happened in that room didn’t look like a sudden lapse in judgment or a hidden, forbidden mistake. No, it looked like something that normally happens in this here as neither of them looked ashamed or showed even a flicker of guilt for the act. They carried themselves with the casual arrogance of people who are entirely used to getting away with whatever they want.A heavy, s
JELENAI should walk out. I tell myself this over and over again, chanting the command like a desperate mantra inside my own mind as I try to force my limbs to move, trying to command my body to turn around, but nothing I do works.It is happening all over again. Just like that horrific moment when I caught Alice and Aaron together, my mind frantically commands my body to go into flight mode, screaming at me to run out of here, to find safety, to escape the blinding humiliation of what is happening right in front of me. Yet, despite the alarm bells blaring in my head, I am completely rooted where I stand, my feet feel like they have been cemented into the floorboards and my face burns with a hot, agonizing flush of shame, but I remain utterly paralyzed and unable to move a single muscle.Now that I have crossed the threshold and stepped fully into the room, the thick, heavy smell of sex hits me like a physical wall, clogs the back
JELENAReality always finds its way back as once Sarah finishes helping me wash up, I step out of the bath.She immediately wraps a thick towel around my body before quietly leading me back into the bedroom.Freshly washed, I feel considerably lighter.Almost human again while I dry myself, Sarah busies herself preparing everything else and by the time I look toward the bed, my movements come to an abrupt halt.A delicate piece of lingerie has been carefully laid across the black sheets and beside it rests a silk robe, my cheeks instantly warm.Of course.Tonight is my wedding night, I almost forget or perhaps...I simply choose not to think about it as neither option makes the reality any less intimidating, Sarah walks toward me with the outfit in her hands."My lady..."I gently shake my head."I can manage from here."She pauses then nods respectfully, I quickly slip into the lingerie before covering myself with the robe, feeling only slightly less exposed than before.Once I am pr
JELENAThe thought of virginity suddenly crosses my mind.That is... if the owner of this body is still a virgin.The realization instantly sends a wave of heat rushing to my cheeks and my face blooms with embarrassment, and I fight the urge to bury it in my hands.I cannot believe I am standing in a room filled with so many people while my thoughts wander in this direction.Jelena, get yourself together already.I force myself to breathe normally, silently praying that no one can somehow read the ridiculous thoughts racing through my head and not long after, we finish eating.Calhoun abruptly rises from his chair, and the entire room follows suit almost immediately, everyone standing and the synchronized movement startles me for a second before I notice him extending his hand toward me.Without hesitation, I slip my hand into his and his fingers close around mine, firm but neither warm nor comforting. They simply hold me because they have to.Without saying a single word, he leads me
JELENAIt is finally time for dinner, and we are all ushered into a massive banquet hall unlike anything I have ever seen. Crystal chandeliers hang from the impossibly high ceiling, casting warm golden light across polished marble floors and long tables stretch across the room, covered in luxurious fabrics embroidered with silver and gold threads. Every place setting is flawless, from the sparkling crystal glasses to the gleaming silver cutlery.The entire hall radiates wealth, power, and authority, I am grateful for one thing, I haven't had to run into any more members of my family.Aside from exchanging polite greetings with a few people I assume are powerful Dukes and nobles, the guards have made sure no one approaches our section. They stand like statues around us, silently ensuring that no guest crosses the invisible boundary surrounding the bride and groom.I'm thankful for that, the last thing I need tonight is another confrontation with the people who abandoned me so easily.W
JELENA“I-I'm sorry, but I have to use the bathroom,” I say immediately, having absolutely no idea how to answer her question.The words leave my mouth before I can think them through.Without waiting for a response, I excuse myself and make my way toward the restroom, desperate for a few moments alone. My mind is already spinning from everything that has happened since waking up in this strange body and every conversation only raises more questions than answers, and pretending to be someone I'm not is proving far more exhausting than I imagined.As soon as the bathroom door closes behind me, I grip the edge of the sink and stare at my reflection, a face that still isn't mine stares back.I splash cold water on my face, hoping it will somehow steady the storm inside me.Who exactly am I now?Who poisoned this woman?How long have I truly been asleep?Most importantly...Why was I brought back?None of it makes sense but after taking a slow breath, I straighten my dress and force my ex
CALHOUNI lean down and whisper into Valerie's ear.“Don't accept anything from anyone without my approval,” I say quietly. “Give me a nod if you understand. And find somewhere to stay until the auction starts.”She nods immediately.Satisfied, I straighten and walk toward the bar.The place is pac
CALHOUN"Sir, everything is already in place for your trip back home," Jude says. "What should we do about the theft, though?"I sigh and lean back in my chair."Just keep watching him and his next moves for now as nothing major was touched this time, and only Cragnoy was stolen from the batch. I d
JELENAMy heart is racing really fast and even though the scent is fading I still feel weak to the bones and I didn't do anything “Jelena” I hear Aaron's voice from outside finally“I'm in here” I say with a small voiceThe relieve is instant“See, he cares”I say to my mind“Are you good?? Can I c
JELENA“Do you, Daniel Jonah, take Mary as your lawfully wedded wife?” the preacher asks.Standing at the altar is a proud-looking Daniel beside the most beautiful bride I have ever seen, Mary.The church is decorated with elegance, every detail carefully planned to pe







