I couldn’t sleep. This chapter wouldn’t let me rest… the emotions, the confessions, the quiet healing between Samantha and Macey… I had to upload it exactly how it came to me.
Can you believe we’re in the final phase of this story?
It feels unreal.
This journey has been intense, and I want to know: how has it been for you? Have you laughed? Cried? Gotten mad at Mason? (I KNOW THIS IS A MUST), Screamed at your screen for Samantha to run or stay?
I’ve poured so much of myself into this story, and your support means the world. Thank you for riding this storm with me. It’s not over yet, but the end is close.....
Talk to me in the comments. I’m wide awake and ready to listen.
NB:
"Liam's got someone special waiting for him - he just hasn't realized it yet."
With all my love,
O.J
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING ME WITH GEMS... LOVE YOU!!!!!!
SAMANTHAI slammed the door in her face.Hard.The sound hit the air like a slap, sharp and final, and for a second, everything went still.My pulse pounded in my ears. The hallway seemed to tilt beneath me, the silence ringing so loud it felt like screaming.I turned to Macey, breath short and ragged. My hands trembled at my sides.“What the fuck, Mace?” My voice cracked, hoarse with disbelief. “What the actual hell is going on?”She didn’t even blink. Her arms stayed crossed over her chest like she was bracing herself for impact. But her voice? Calm. Too calm.“She just wants to talk.”I blinked, almost laughed. “Are you serious right now? You thought it was a good idea to ambush me with Audrey? For what… closure? Reconciliation over tea? You do remember Mason cheated on her with me, right?”“She’s not here to scream,” Macey said, firm. “She just wants a conversation.”“Great. That’s not traumatic at all,” I snapped. “You invited her into your apartment and thought what? We’d have a
YOU GUYSSS!!! We hit 1,000 subscribers and over 7,000 reads?! 🥳🎉 I can’t even explain how full my heart is right now. Thank you, thank you, thank you for riding with me on this journey—every single one of you, from the ghost readers 👻 to those of you who leave comments that make me scream into my pillow (in the best way 😭💗).I’m really sorry for the late update 😞. I’ve been battling a pretty nasty illness lately, and to top it off, I’m writing my final exams (please send prayers lol). Add a sprinkle of writer’s block to that mix and... yeah 😩Also, I know I used to give you two chapters a day, and now it’s just one. I’m so, so sorry for the change, and I honestly feel bad about it. But I promise I’m doing my best and writing whenever I can—even if it's at 2am under my covers with a tired brain and a stubborn heart. Please know that I see you, I appreciate you, and I LOVE you all. I literally refresh my Goodnovel app every single day just to check for new comments, 🥺 and I make
SAMANTHAI woke up with a plan.Read two chapters. Revise lecture notes. Maybe attempt that sketch I'd been putting off since forever. I had a project due for Advanced Fashion Illustration, and my brain needed to be on, like, now.Only... I couldn’t move.Not because I was tired.Because Mason was still inside me.Literally.I blinked at the ceiling in pure horror.The room was dim, golden morning light slipping through the curtains. His arm was slung over my waist, palm resting low on my belly like he owned me. And his body was wrapped around mine, warm and possessive and impossibly close.I froze, not breathing. Oh no.I shifted—barely—and felt him still there. Still connected. Still thick and deep and insanely not conducive to productivity.And then, like a scene straight out of a hot mess rom-com, he stirred in his sleep. Just slightly. Just enough for him to harden again, stretching me from the inside like my body had been waiting for this exact moment to betray me.I sucked in a
SAMANTHAMr. Carter didn’t speak.He just watched me from across the room, arms folded, an unreadable expression on his face. Not angry. Not kind. Just… sharp. Quiet.And somehow, that was worse.I kept my eyes on the bookshelf behind him, like maybe if I stared long enough, I’d melt into it. There was a row of leather-bound books, with titles I couldn’t make out. Some law. Some history. Some generic, intellectual crap that screamed power and wealth and don’t mess with me.He still didn’t speak.God. Please say something. Yell. Question. Judge me. Just don’t sit there. Don’t make me sit in this silence like a student about to be expelled.“I—” I started, but my voice barely made a sound. I shut my mouth again.Still nothing.He tapped one finger on the armrest. Calm. Controlled. And then…“Why’d you let it happen?” He asked, voice low, cutting through the air like glass. “With Mason. When he was still with Audrey.”I froze.The shame hit hard, like a cold slap to the face. It crawled u
SAMANTHAI got dressed slowly, like dragging myself through water.Every movement felt heavier than it should’ve. The emerald green dress hung on the back of the closet door like it was watching me. Judging me. Pretty. Elegant. Safe.The kind of dress you wear when you want to be noticed, but not too much. When you want to say, “I belong here,” even if deep down, you’re not sure you do.I slipped it on anyway. It hugged my figure in that careful, flattering way… respectful, not desperate. Modest, but still me.I curled my hair into soft waves, letting them fall over one shoulder. Pinned back one side so it looked intentional. Composed. In control.Makeup was minimal, dewy foundation, a little blush, mascara, and nude lips. Just enough to glow. Not enough to scream, "Look at me."I didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard. I just… wanted to look like I still fit into Mason’s world. Into the Carters’ world. Even if I wasn’t sure I did anymore.I stared at my reflection, trying not
SAMANTHAI couldn’t sleep. I’d been tossing and turning for what felt like hours, but Mason hadn’t moved.His arm was still draped over my waist, heavy and warm. His breathing, slow and steady, tickled the back of my neck.Mine wasn’t.My heart was racing. My mind was a mess.What if they hate me? What if I say the wrong thing? What if they still want Audrey?God. I hated that one the most.I shifted again, careful not to wake him, but of course he noticed. Mason always noticed.His fingers brushed over my lower back, lazy and gentle. “You’re thinking too much again.”I didn’t say anything. Just nodded into the pillow.He pressed a kiss to my shoulder, voice thick with sleep. “You want a distraction?”I finally glanced back at him. “Like what?”His lips curved into the smallest smile. “Let me take you out tomorrow. Just you and me. Somewhere nice. You deserve it.”I sighed. “You’re just trying to stop me from having a panic attack.”“Exactly,” he said, completely unbothered. “So let me