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last update Last Updated: 2024-10-06 21:19:56

Olivia's POV

I woke up that morning and made my way to the living room as I stretched my body. Brian was in the living room, getting ready to leave for work.

“You're not waiting for breakfast?” I raised my eyebrows at him.

“I can't. I'm meeting a client this morning and she's extra cranky.” He scrunched his face. “I don't want to keep her waiting.”

“Okay.” I nodded.

"I brought a drunk guest home last night, help me take care of him" Brian's voice filtered over as I yawned.

Blinked, hardly processing what he said. "What guest?" My words slurred, but he was already at the door, his coat slung over his arm.

"You'll see, " he said-without really answering my question at all-but gave a hasty, almost careless smile instead. "I've got to run. See you later."

And before I could get out any protest or any more questions, or even manage to detain him, he was gone. The door clicked shut after him, leaving me with the impression of something wrong, which I couldn't shake off.

Within that fracti
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  • THE ARRANGED BRIDE    95

    OLIVIA'S POV"I… I don't understand," she finally stuttered, her voice shaking, her eyes darting from me to Kellan in utter confusion. "This… this is some kind of mistake, right? Olivia can't be here. She's… she's dead."I took another step closer, my voice so cool and level, whereas inside, all hell was breaking loose. "No, Sharon. I'm very much alive.”Her eyes grew wide as she began to freeze with the weight my words burdened her with. Her mouth popped open to say her peace, and I afforded her none."You really did think you got away with it, didn't you?" My voice was high. "Thought you could just push me off that cliff and erase me from Kellan's life forever?”Sharon stepped backward, her hands shaking. "No," she said, the words tumbling hastily from her lips as she shook her head. "That's not what happened. You've got it all wrong. It was an accident—""Don't you dare," I snapped, my voice sharp as a whip. "Don't you dare to stand there and lie. I remember everything now. I remem

  • THE ARRANGED BRIDE    94

    KELLAN’S POVSharon pulled in, a sleek black car shining bright beneath the driveway lights. I watched her get out, dressed to kill, a crimson dress clinging to her form, lips painted that brilliant red, her heels against the pavement, each movement deliberated and confident. She'd come for me; she knew damned well I would crawl back, and it was that which brought my fists into clench.“Showtime," I told myself, fidgeting with my tie and putting a grin on my face.The front door opened before she could knock. I was leaning indolently against the frame, trying to conceal the revulsion bubbling under my skin. "Sharon," I said, my voice deep and low, inviting. "I'm glad you came.”Triumph lit her features, and her red cheeks gleamed with pride. "Of course I came, Kellan. I knew you'd come to your senses eventually. But why did you tell me to come to your parents house?"“Because it's high time i introduce you to them,” I answered and her smile widened.She stepped inside and her perfectl

  • THE ARRANGED BRIDE    93

    OLIVIA'S POVMy chest was constricting as disjointed pieces of memory clawed their way to the surface. They had been locked in so long, barricaded behind the fog of confusion and terror, but the dams were breaking. My hands clamped down on the edge of the couch, eyes darting from my parents to Kellan and back again. Their eyes were all pinned in on me with concern, but it was Brian's question haunting me.How did you disappear? What happened that day two years ago."I remember Sharon," I began, my voice shaking. "Her men kidnapped after that charity event and locked me up. Then she came and talked to me… about Kellan."Kellan stiffened beside me, his fingers clamping down on mine. I dared a glance at him, saw the fire in his eyes, but he said nothing."She told me…., " I stammered, my voice lodging in my throat. "She told me I was ruining his life. That Kellan didn't love me and never would." Finally, the tear in my voice gave out and I felt the stinging of that first swipe of tears t

  • THE ARRANGED BRIDE    92

    KELLAN’S POV:The sun had long since set below the horizon, an amber twilight wrapping itself around Alex's estate. I stood beside the front door with Olivia-the softness of her hand in mine. Tenseness in her fingers spoke louder than words not formed upon her lips-she didn't want to leave. I couldn't blame her. It had been a haven, a place of refuge from all that Carl put her through.Alex filled the doorway, his sharp suit as perfect as always, but with a hint of a smile softening what was a hard steep countenance into something less unbending. "Finally leaving?"“Yes.” I nodded. "Thanks, Alex; I really don't know how to thank you for this."He waved it away. "You don't. You just take care of her. That's all I ask.”She leaned in a bit closer to me and flashed a small, genuine smile across the room at Alex. "Thanks, Alex; I really don't know what we would have done if it wasn't for you out there."Alex gave a slight incline of his head. "You have been through hell, Olivia. Just focu

  • THE ARRANGED BRIDE    91

    KELLAN’S POVThe tension in Olivia's shoulders hadn't dissipated since the moment we stepped into Alex's house. Olivia hovered near the window of the living room, arms tightly wrapped around her middle while looking every other second outside the window at each movement the shadow made out there. I sit by the fireplace, flipping through my phone, and view her from time to time. Every groan of the house sends her jolting with yet another splinter to fragment a small bit of my heart."Olivia," I whisper, setting my phone aside. Her head jerks as I call her name; wide-eyed and afraid, open wide. I moved across the room in a set of languid steps, giving her ample time to document my approach. She didn't stir, but how her fingers curled into the flesh of her arms seemed to scream how wired she was."You're safe," I said, firm, halting in front of her. "Alex has the best security team money can buy. Carl's not coming for you. He can't.”She shook her head, her voice no more than a whisper

  • THE ARRANGED BRIDE    90

    KELLAN’S POVMy heart rattled so strongly inside my chest that for one instant, I almost believed Carl would hear it. He had Amanda pressed against him with a knife glinting in the poor light that was far too close to her throat for comfort. Her eyes darted to mine, wide, terrified, pleading.“Carl," I said, stepping forward slowly, my palms up and my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "Let her go. You don't need to do this.""Stay back!" Carl barked, jerking Amanda closer. She winced as the blade nicked her skin.I froze. Every instinct in me was screaming to charge him, to rip him away from her. But I couldn't risk it-not when he was this unstable.“I'm telling you, Kellan, another step closer and she is history!"“Okay, okay," I said, moving a cautious step backwards. "You're the one in control here, Carl. You've made your point."“You think you are better than me," Carl scoffed. His voice was wavering with anger and desperation; his words were volatile, his articulation wea

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