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Sleeping in a Strange Place
최신 업데이트:
2025-05-03 02:57:03
Lunar DawnThat's it for today. Tomorrow's chapters will include Aurora and Owen alone together for the first time so check back in tomorrow for the next update. If you are enjoying the book so far, be sure to give the chapters a 'like', leave a comment or leave a review on the main page. If you have any GEMS that you feel Aurora and Owen deserve, it would be most appreciative.
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Whispers of the Heart Prologue
PROLOGUEMy hands trembled as I searched for the phone. I knew it had to be around here somewhere. She was never without it, always within reach, waiting for that next call. The call that would lead to either the next big hit or the means to an end. My hands felt blindly, frantically through the sheets. Not finding what I needed, in desperation, I ripped them from the bed. I breathed a sign of relief as I heard, no felt a thud on the floor next to me.I was temporarily deaf. The pounding of my heart fueled the high amounts of adrenaline running through my veins, creating a dull roar in my head, an endless pulsing wave rolling back and forth, blocking out all other sounds around me. My heart beat was strong, albeit a little too loud and unnecessarily quick at the moment.I scooped the phone off of the floor, my knees buckling as I flipped it over in my hands. Pain ricocheted through my legs as I hit the hardwood on impact, all strength leaving me as I collapsed to the ground. The scree
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-08Whispers of the Heart It's Okay to Be Scared
I felt his little hand tighten in mine and his feet started to drag, scuffing along the pavement, as the school loomed ahead in the distance, looking too big to even me. To his little eyes, I’m sure it was gigantic and threatening. I stopped and crouched down to his level, those beautiful chocolate brown eyes staring back at me.“Do you think they will like me?” He asked me for the hundredth time in the last few weeks.“I am positive they will love you, little man. What’s not to love? You are smart and funny and the most handsome little guy I have ever seen.”“You have to say that. You’re my sister.”“Listen, have I ever lied to you?”He cocked his little head, thinking hard. I could see the gears turning, him trying his best to come up with a time I had ever wronged him. If I let this continue, we would be here awhile and he would be late because I had always and would always put him first and he knew it. He was just staling.I stood up again, looked down at him and gave his little h
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-08Whispers of the Heart Wendy
We didn’t have any problems until Wendy moved in last year. Phil had not dated since that night he brought us home. In fact, I never saw him with a woman at all until Wendy suddenly showed up in our lives and moved in, seemingly overnight. Phil had played his part, telling her that I was his step daughter but the truth was, it was a difficult story to sell. He hadn’t seemed happy about her being there but being a nice guy and passive, he didn’t stop her either.Phillip is only ten years older than I am. He was six years younger than my mom when they dated briefly and she became pregnant with Nate. He is a very attractive man, looking younger than he is so most would assume when looking at us that we are a couple and that Nate is our child. That little boy is a perfect combination of Phil’s sandy blond hair and sharp cheekbones and my mom’s chocolate brown eyes and button nose. Both traits that I inherited from her, too.Janet was only sixteen when she had me and until she started doin
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-08Whispers of the Heart The Night It All Changed
FLASHBACKShe had fixed him a fancy dinner one night when she knew I wasn’t working. She knew would be home to care for Nate and she could flaunt whatever it was she was attempting to accomplish in front of me. She was strolling around the kitchen in stilettos and barely there red lingerie with a matching see through kimono robe, while she cooked, when I had brought Nate back from the park. She had the wine poured and flowing freely already by the sway of her hips, all waiting for when Phil came in from work. I had quickly made Nate a PB&J and had taken him out of there, retreating to his room the moment I saw how she was dressed and what her intentions were.After I had him fast asleep for the night, I ventured out carefully and, not hearing anyone in the living room or kitchen, I had backtracked to make myself some food. I was starving since Wendy’s presence and attire had prevented me having the chance to get anything to eat at all for myself.I had barely set down and had taken on
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-08Whispers of the Heart Aftermath
I haven’t seen Wendy since that night, not even around town, and Phil and I have never talked about it but things have not been the same between us. I now know that he sees me differently, sees me as a woman. I don't know when this started. I have never caught him looking at me with the looks you would expect from someone attracted to another person.Not that I have anything to go off of other than remembering the looks on the faces of those men as they watched her. That was a piss poor comparison, at best. Primal lust and physical attraction are supposed to look differently, aren't they? That's how it's portrayed in the movies and in the romance novels, my only sources for sex education. I would have noticed if he had been looking at me differently, right? From what I can recall, he barely looked at me at all. Or did he and I was too busy taking care of Nate to pay attention. Did he start seeing me as an object of desire and I was just too naive to notice?Like I said, Phil is an at
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-08Whispers of the Heart The Comfortable Arrangement
As much as I would have liked to have stalled or ran away altogether, I knew I couldn’t. I didn’t know exactly how this conversation was going to go but I, at least, owed Phil enough to have it. He had taken me in and let me live with them when he knew he didn’t have to. I could have easily been tossed into the system, ending up in a foster home somewhere halfway across the country but I didn’t. I know part of it was him feeling that he owed me for taking care of Nate when he wasn’t around and another equal part not knowing how to take care of Nate and be a father himself. For the time, it just worked out for all of us. I took care of Nate and the house, worked when I could and either gave him money to help with bills or bought groceries and necessities for the house.Neither of us ever thought to question the arrangement until it was forced upon us. I grew up. I was no longer the scrawny, awkward fourteen year old girl he took guardianship of that tragic night. He saved me and I, in
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-08Whispers of the Heart Barb's Advice
I had confided in her months ago about what had happened that night that Wendy attacked me. She had said the moment that Wendy moved in that she would not last. That she had known that woman all her life and that she was the desperate type. Not only that, she told me straight up that Wendy hated me so much because she was jealous. Jealous of how beautiful I was, her words not mine, and jealous that I already had Phil wrapped around my finger.I had scoffed at this, refusing to see it or believe it until that night. I confessed to Barb that I just didn’t know what to do just a couple weeks ago. On a particularly slow evening with not a customer in sight, we sat down as Barb lit up a cigarette between those ruby red lips and after taking a couple long draws, she told me exactly what she thought on the matter. Barb suggested that I give Phil a chance, if he ever was brave enough to make the move and straight up tell me how he felt. She had drummed her fingers on the wood of the table as
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-08Whispers of the Heart It's Your Name He Moaned, Not Hers
She tamped out her cigarette before leaning back with a deep sigh. “I see your point, kid. That is tough. But, that was a long time ago and your momma is long gone from this world. That doesn’t seem to bother him too much now, though, does it?”“Men are different. I remember what it was like for them to be together, though. Janet had always struggled as a mom. She wanted to be my friend more than my parent. She liked to party, drink and do drugs. She smoked marijuana and would snort pills but nothing more than that, not at first. I got drug around with her to every party she went to from the moment my granny died when I was eight. It’s any wonder I didn’t end up being abused when I look back on it.”“She was different when she got with Phil.” I continued pouring my heart out, unable to stop now as Barb just sat and listened. “She tamed her ways, something I never thought would happen. She acted like a real mom, for once. They lived together and seemed happy and in love. He worked, she
최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-08
최신 챕터
Whispers of the Heart Sleeping in a Strange Place
Owen stayed close watching Nate, in case he took a tumble, ready to catch him if he needed to. I busied myself settling in for the night, hanging the clothes I had brought with us in the closet. As soon as I had it all put away, Owen said he was gonna go take a shower and for me to text him once I had Nate asleep.Nate had definitely exhausted some of his pent up energy on his makeshift trampoline. He climbed off of the bed once I announced that it was bath time and followed me in, stripping his clothes along the way. He was as equally excited about the size of the tub, exclaiming that he could really swim in it.I turned on the water, adjusting the temperature. The tub was so tall that Nate could not climb over the side by himself, although he tried a couple times. It might have been manageable with clothes on but that would have defeated the purpose of the bath to begin with so I had to lift him up and over and into the water.I pulled the vanity chair over. It was the perfect heigh
Whispers of the Heart Settling In
I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped before I tried my best to keep a straight face.“No, you don’t need to jump on the bed. Why do you want to jump on the bed?”He looked at me like it should have been obvious. “Rory, that’s a good jumping bed!”“And exactly how do you know that?”Once again, this time with an eye roll. “I’m a kid! I can just tell!”“Still! We are guests here, Little Man! We can’t just go jumping on other peoples’ beds.”I ignored the pout, purposefully turning away from him as I walked toward the two doors that were closed. I opened the first one to reveal a small walk-in closet. I say small but it was still almost the size of my former bedroom at Phil’s house. There was space on both the left and right sides to hang clothes. The one on the left had double hanging space while the one on the right was designed for longer garments. Each had dozens of empty hangers just waiting to be used.The back wall had floor to ceiling shelves of various heights for storage of
Whispers of the Heart Our Accommodations
I shook the thoughts from my head concerning the epiphany I had just had regarding my deceased mother and my previously assumed routine trips to the community pool. Just another fragment of my innocence lost as I transition to adulthood and another reminder of my shattered youth. I would have to keep the lid tightly closed on that box or I might end up needing therapy before I can even graduate high school. I probably do anyhow but who can afford it. At the end of the walkway, Owen moved around us and opened the door ahead. We entered into a larger hallway that dripped a refined sense of elegance and sophistication. The floors and walls were all of a highly polished black walnut, including the intricate carved crown molding along the trim of the floor and ceiling. Each piece of art or decoration was there with purpose, as a statement of extravagance and prodigality.“This is what is called the East Wing. This is where my bedroom and a couple of the guest bedrooms are. My parents have
Whispers of the Heart Family Bonds and Childhood Memories
“Owen, how do you not get lost in a house this big?”“I guess I have just gotten used to it but I know, it’s a bit much. This is the biggest estate in the community. It belonged to my dad’s parents so this is actually where my dad grew up. After my grandparents passed away, he didn’t want to sell it so we just moved here. He has already asked me if I will keep it in the family and not sell it. I promised him that I wouldn’t. So, I guess I will be raising my family here one day, too.”I suddenly felt like a gold digger, having had thoughts just moments ago about it now being my dream to live in Urban Crest. I tried to shake those thoughts, that connection out of my head. Owen living here and my dreams to better myself were two totally different things. Weren’t they? Why did I always associate something good with it somehow not being something that I deserved? I wanted to love Owen for himself and not for what he owned or how much money was in his bank account. I knew I wasn’t that kind
Whispers of the Heart Urban Crest
The moment the gates opened and Owen drove us through, I felt like I had crossed over into another dimension. The paving on the road was immaculate, not a pothole in sight. The grass seemed brighter, lusher. Owen clicked the button to roll the windows down so that we could see better instead of attempting to look through the dark tint.Even the air smelled better here, though I had to be imagining that. But it seemed crisper, cleaner with maybe just a hint of sweetness to it that I had never experienced before. The landscaping was impeccable, not a blade of grass out of place or uneven and every flower properly mulched.Owen pulled forward to an intersection and turned right. He was rolling along without tapping the gas, just letting Nate and I both take in the scenery around us.“The road just makes one big long rectangle perimeter with just two entrance gates.” He explained as we inched along. He pointed to the first road that we came to on the right. “Each little side road has just
Whispers of the Heart On Our Way to Urban Crest
Owen texted me at seven forty-seven to let me know that practice was over and he was heading back to pick us up. After Barb and I had talked with things settled as to where I was going and what our plan was for the next few days, I had hugged her again and even walked into the kitchen and made John surrender and give me a hug, too. He just responded with his normal grunt but he did have a twinkle in his eye and squeezed me back during the hug. I had kept myself busy making sure everything was prepped for the next day. Now, I let Barb know that Owen was on his way. Nate handed me his tablet as I stretched out my hand for it. I turned it off and laid it on the table.“Are we not going home, Rory?” He asked me with a tilt of his head.“Not tonight, buddy. Your daddy is still not feeling good so we need to let him rest.”“But who’s gonna take care of Daddy while he is sick?”“I made sure he was okay before I left.” The lie tasted so bitter on my tongue. “He just needs to get a good night
Whispers of the Heart Barb's Offer
“As much as I have appreciated our talk, Kyle, I need to get to work.”“Yeah, I need to get out of here, too. Stop by and check on my sister before I head home for the night.”“I take it the two of you are really close.”“Yeah. She helped Mom raise me so she’s been like my second mom. She’s eight years older than me.”“So you completely understand the relationship I have with Nate, then?”“Probably more than anyone else around here could, actually. Her and Mom made sacrifices for me all the time so as soon as I was old enough, I made sure they were looked after and taken care of. I still do.”“You’re a good guy, Kyle.”“Shut that down right now. You’ll ruin my reputation.” He answered with a grin. “I have to stay the bad boy to get all the honey.”“Ugh, forget I ever said anything.”“That’s more like it. Here. Cash me out and I’ll get out of your hair.”I took his money and rang up his tab, giving back his change. He left a good tip for Darcy and left with a nod. It had been like this
Whispers of the Heart An Unexpected Ally
Even after I asked, he looked out the window as he took a drink of his own soda. He sat there watching the traffic like he didn’t have a care in the world but I could see the turmoil behind his eyes. He had questions and he wanted answers but wasn’t sure how to ask.Finally, he sighed as he looked over at me. “You know, my sister’s old man gets in a mood from time to time. Nicest guy you will ever meet unless he’s in one. Then, he turns into this totally different person. Never would have ever believed it, even if she told me until I saw it with my own two eyes. I guess that’s one of the reasons she hid it from us for so long. The drink is what does it. It’s poison to him. One drink and he changes into this monster, this stranger that is out here walking among us like a normal, every day guy.”“What are you saying, Kyle?”“I think you know what I’m saying, Aurora. I just hope it ain’t pretty boy there that’s causing that look you had when you walked in tonight. I know that look cause
Whispers of the Heart Practice is Not Optional
Barb and Darcy gave me a couple minutes to compose myself, just to make sure I was okay to come out. Outwardly, unless specifically looking, you couldn’t even really tell that I had been in any sort of altercation at all. Mentally, I didn’t even have an answer as to my state of mind or stability at this point. I was numb and maybe more than a little in denial, if I were to completely be honest about it.When I came out, I avoided eye contact with the booth my boyfriend and classmates were sitting at until I had first checked on Nate again. He was coloring on a placemat, happy as he could be. Our food was in the pass, waiting so I took his burger and fries to him first with a promise that I was just a couple tables away if he needed me. He dove in to the burger with gusto, completely in his element here in the diner.I doubled back and grabbed the plates for Owen and myself and took them to the table, sitting his down in front of him before sliding in beside him and centering mine in f
