All Chapters of BRIDE FOR A YEAR : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

FLAVIA'S POVI woke up to warmth... A heavy arm was draped across my waist … and there was a gentle rhythm of breathing against the nape of my neck. For a moment there… I forgot where I was, who I was.All I could think of was how comfortable I was, then my eyes fluttered open and reality hit me ... Louis.The events of last night came crashing, how he waltzed into my room, how I cancelled my date to take care of him and how cute he was.His body was curled around mine… big, solid and surprisingly gentle in sleep. I stiffened instinctively, but he didn't stir. He was still deep in his slumber … mouth slightly parted, lashes fanned across his cheeks.He looked... soft, peaceful, human and so very different from the brooding, sharp-tongued man I had come to know.Warmth crept into my cheeks when I remembered that this was the first time … we had ever shared a space, especially a bed like this, and waking up like this, cuddled up with Louis Frederick, feels far too intimate, too real, to

FLAVIA’S POVLouis’s jaw flexed as he glanced at my phone lighting up again... Carter’s name flashed across the screen, persistent and glowing like an unwanted reminder of everything I had forgotten about tonight.I panicked a little… reaching to silence it, but Louis’s low voice stopped me.“Go ahead,” he said… his lips curling into that calm, dangerous smile that always made my stomach twist. “Pick your call.”“What?” I blinked… unsure if he was joking.He leaned back slightly… swirling his wine, that infuriating smile still there. “It’s fine. Go ahead and answer. He’s already called what…? Four times? I doubt he will stop anytime soon.”I froze. “Are you sure?”“Absolutely.” he said… with a tone that clearly meant no… not really.Still, I excused myself… forcing a polite smile before stepping away from the dining area. The soft sea breeze brushed my skin as I made my way to the far end of the yacht … pressing the phone to my ear. “Hi, Carter.”“Wow,” he said immediately, voice lace

FLAVIA'S POVBy the time I reached the office, my hands were trembling so hard I had to grip the steering wheel tighter just to stop myself from swerving... I barely remembered how I got there ...the drive was a blur of red lights, honking cars, and my racing thoughts looping around one single moment.. .The kiss.God, that kiss.I parked like a maniac... slammed the car door, and rushed inside, praying Jaz was already there. Of course, she wasn’t. Her desk was empty... her coffee mug missing, her usual chaos nowhere in sight. I groaned and dropped into my chair... my nerves practically humming.I tried to focus on my laptop... but the screen just reflected my face ... pale, tired, with puffy eyes and smudged mascara ... I looked like someone who had spent the night running from her own thoughts. Which wasn’t far from the truth.Ten minutes crawled by. Then another five. I couldn’t take it anymore. I grabbed my phone and started calling Jaz... Once ... twice, five times but she didn’t

LOUIS'S POVI knew I was right about Flavia avoiding me. It’s been five days... Five whole damn days after the kiss ... and I haven’t seen her. Not in the mornings before I leave for work... not at night when I get home. Nothing. It’s like she vanished.But that ends today... I have had enough of playing the fool in my own house ...I woke up before dawn... before the alarm even thinks about ringing. I drag myself out of bed... took a long shower, and let the cold water slap the sleep off me. By the time I was done, I was wide awake.. and angry.The mirror threw back a version of me I have started to hate. The cream-colored suit fits... but barely. My shirt stretched across my stomach... and my tie felt like a noose. My reflection looked back at me like it’s daring me to admit what I already know.. Flavia’s been avoiding me because of this. Because of me.Still, I grab my phone, laptop bag, and head out. Quietly.The house was dead silent... like it’s holding its breath with me. I s

FLAVIA'S POVSleep didn’t stand a chance last night...I tossed, turned, replayed every word that came out of his mouth... every sharp edge, every bit of hurt he didn’t bother to hide ... The way his eyes hardened when he said he didn’t want to repulse me kept echoing through my head. I had caused that... Me.The guilt sat heavy in my chest... pressing until it hurt to breathe.It was obvious... painfully obvious... that my actions had cut deep. He wasn’t angry... he was hurt. And that hurt made me feel like the worst kind of person.So even though I barely closed my eyes all night... even though it was Saturday and my body screamed to just curl up under the sheets and disappear ... I dragged myself out of bed at dawn. My brain might have begged for rest ... but my conscience wouldn’t shut up.If I didn’t fix this soon... I would lose him completely.I showered... threw on one of my softest robes, tied my hair into a messy bun, and walked downstairs. The house was still half asleep...