All Chapters of BRIDE FOR A YEAR : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

FLAVIA'S POVAfter Louis left that morning, looking pale and weak and far too stubborn for his own good, I knew I couldn’t sit still anymore. He was going crazy... hurting himself over something I caused... Over something that wasn't true and if I didn’t do something soon, he would drop dead before he ever realized how perfect he already was.No more excuses. No more hiding.I wiped my tears and marched to the dining room where the uneaten breakfast still sat cold ... “Please clear this up,” I told Alison, trying to sound calm even though my heart was a mess. “And make me something I can take to Mr Frederick’s office for brunch. For two. Something light but delicious. Maybe … creamy mashed potatoes with grilled chicken breast and sautéed vegetables. Oh, and pack it neatly... with plates, cutlery, napkins, everything. I am going out with it.”The maid blinked... a little startled by my sudden energy, but quickly nodded. “Of course, ma’am. I will have it ready soon.”“Thank you.” I exha

LOUIS'S POVThe lights were dim... The air was thick with vanilla and something sweeter ... her perfume. The room flickered with candlelight... gold shadows moving across the walls like they were breathing.And then there she was.Flavia.Sitting on my bed like a sin wrapped in silk ... a sheer robe barely grazing her thighs, dark hair tumbling in soft waves around her shoulders. Her eyes met mine ... calm, confident, but hiding that quiet storm that always found a way to tear through me...By the left, a small table for two waited ... dinner, wine, rose petals scattered across the floor like some sort of dream I wasn’t supposed to touch...“Hey.” she said softly... voice dipping low.My hand tightened on the doorknob... “You...” I swallowed hard. “You are in my room.”She smiled ... that slow, devastating smile that could disarm a kingdom. “You came home early. Just like I asked.”I stared... pulse hammering against my throat. “And you said you would show me…”“I remember.” Her voice

LOUIS'S POVMy phone kept ringing... That name... burning on the screen like a curse.Emily.I froze. My pulse spiked. Every muscle in my body locked tight. It had been months. Almost four months since she vanished... two weeks before the wedding. And now her name was glowing on my screen like nothing ever happened.“Are you gonna pick that up?” Tommy asked, brows pulling together when I didn’t move.“No.” The word came out low, flat. I stared at the phone until the screen dimmed and the call died.. Then I grabbed it and tossed it onto the desk like it was infected...Tommy frowned. “Who was that?”Before I could answer, the phone started ringing again... Same name. Same ghost. Same punch in the chest.Tommy leaned forward, picked it up, and squinted at the screen... “Emily? What the hell? Emily?”“I don’t know,” I muttered... “I didn’t even know her number was still saved.”Tommy’s expression darkened. “Since when has she been calling?”“This is the first time,” I said quietly. “She

FLAVIA'S POVI stood there staring at the decorations ... the flowers, the candles, the damn string quartet in the corner ... and only one question came to mind.What the hell is going on here?The room was too pretty. Too intentional. It looked like something straight out of a romantic movie scene, not an event-planning consultation. My pulse stuttered as I later eyes on the guy that stepped out.Jaz leaned close, whispering, “What’s going on here? Who’s that guy?”My mood instantly got ruined as I stared at the man standing near the table, his grin was too smug for comfort. “That’s Carter,” I muttered...Before Jaz could reply, I took a few steps forward until I stood just a few feet away from him... “What’s this about, Carter? Why am I here?” Then it hit me, and my voice hardened. “Actually, I think the real question is ... why are you here?”He smiled, hands in his pockets, like this was all some elaborate joke... “Relax, Flavia. It’s good to see you again.”“That’s not an answer.

FLAVIA'S POVThe mall smelled like perfume, leather, and temptation... Shopping bags swung from our hands as Jaz and I made our way down the final aisle... laughing at how ridiculous our haul had become...“I think we should stop now before we empty the card,” I said, glancing at the mountain of bags balanced on the trolley.Jaz snorted. “We can’t empty the card, Flavia. That thing is bottomless. But you are right... we should probably go. We have bought almost everything. Even things we don’t actually need.”I giggled. “You are not wrong. I have got enough clothes here to last me months.”We both burst out laughing, the kind of tired, satisfied laughter that only came after hours of reckless shopping. We started pushing our overflowing trolley toward the checkout counter, still chatting about what to wear for the fundraiser...Then I saw it... a pair of dark jeans and a pale blue polo displayed on a mannequin. My steps slowed.“Oh my God, Jaz,” I whispered, tugging her sleeve... “I h