CHRISTIAN ( TABOO ROMANCE) Sanctified Love Chapter 1: The New Director

Sophia's pov I haven't step foot in Grace Community Church for eleven months. Not since the funeral. Not since I buried my husband Marcus and our stillborn daughter on the same gray October afternoon.Today was Sunday. The bulletin said they hired a new choir director. Pastor Williams thought live music might bring back the congregation that had dwindled during the pandemic. I came because my sister Isabella wouldn't stop calling until I did.The sanctuary felt smaller than I remembered. Wooden pews that needed refinishing. Stained glass windows that let in too much light. Twenty people scattered across seats meant for two hundred.Isabella grabbed my arm when I walked in. "You came. I'm so glad you came.""Don't make a big deal out of it.""I won't." She pulled me to a pew near the front. "But I am glad."The organist started playing. People stood. I stood because everyone else did but my mouth stayed closed during the hymn. The words felt wrong in my throat. Empty.Then the choir d

Chapter 2: First Practice

Sophia's pov Diana left after ten minutes with some excuse about an appointment. The way she looked at Vincent before she walked out made my stomach tight. Like she owned him.Vincent sat at the piano running through scales."When did you stop singing?""Eleven months ago.""The same time you stopped coming to church." It wasn't a question. He already knew."Yes.""Do you want to talk about why?""No.""Okay. We don't have to talk. We can just sing."He started playing a hymn I knew from childhood. His voice came in first, showing me where to enter. I opened my mouth but nothing came out."It's okay. First time back is hard.""How do you know?""Because I had a first time back too. Two years ago. I couldn't sing for almost a year.""Why not?""I lost someone. Someone important. Singing reminded me of them. So I stopped.""What changed?""I realized not singing hurt more than singing did. The pain was there either way. At least with music I felt something other than empty."His words

Chapter 3: Sunday Coffee

Sophia's povI didn't sleep for three nights. By Sunday morning I'd decided not to go to church. Not to meet Vincent for coffee. Not to hear whatever excuse he'd prepared.But at nine thirty I was in my car anyway. Because some part of me needed to hear him say it.Vincent was already at the piano when I walked in. He looked up and smiled like nothing was wrong. Like I hadn't spent three days imagining him in hotel rooms with strangers.The service passed. I didn't hear Pastor Williams's sermon. Just watched Vincent's hands move across the piano. Those hands that had given me tissues on Wednesday. Those hands that had touched people for money.When it ended, Vincent caught my arm."Coffee? There's a place two blocks over."I should say no. Walk away. Go home."Okay."The coffee shop was small. We sat in the back corner. Vincent wrapped his hands around his cup but didn't drink."You know.""What?""About New York. About what I did." He looked at me. "I can see it on your face.""My si

Chapter 4: The Truth About Diana

Sophia's povI watched from across the street as Diana got out of her Mercedes. She wore a red dress that probably cost more than my monthly salary. Vincent's whole body went rigid when he saw her.They talked. Diana moved closer. Put her hand on his chest. Vincent stepped back. She followed. Even from this distance I could see him shaking his head. Saying no to something.Diana pulled out her phone. Showed him something on the screen. Vincent went completely still. Then he nodded. Got in the passenger seat of her car.They drove away.I sat there for ten minutes trying to figure out what I'd just seen. A landlord doesn't touch her tenant like that. Doesn't show up at nine pm on a Wednesday. Doesn't make someone get in her car with whatever was on that phone.Thursday I couldn't focus at work. Kept checking my phone like Vincent might text me an explanation. He didn't.Friday morning Pastor Williams called me into his office. I work at the church library three days a week cataloging t

Chapter 5: Crossed Lines

Sophia's pov I stared at the text for twenty minutes before calling Vincent. He answered on the first ring."Did you tell Diana where I live?""What? No. Why would I?""Because someone just texted me to stay away from you."Silence on his end. Then, "She must have followed me to your house.""That's insane.""That's Diana." Vincent exhaled. "I'm sorry Sophia. I shouldn't have come over. I didn't think she'd—""Save it. I'm not scared of her." I wasn't sure that was true but saying it out loud helped. "But we need to deal with this before it gets worse.""I don't know how.""I do. Meet me at the library tomorrow. Noon. Bring every text, email, anything you have from her.""Sophia, you don't have to—"I hung up.Tuesday morning I called in sick to work. Spent three hours researching extortion laws and blackmail cases. Most of what I found wasn't helpful. Vincent was right. Diana could claim everything was consensual. That he owed her legitimate business debt.But the breaking and enter

All Chapters of Collections of Desiree : Chapter 51 - Chapter 55

CHRISTIAN ( TABOO ROMANCE) Sanctified Love Chapter 1: The New Director

Chapter 2: First Practice

Chapter 3: Sunday Coffee

Chapter 4: The Truth About Diana

Chapter 5: Crossed Lines