Life Series Hearts Novels & Stories

"What we need. Specifically. Particularly. Non-replicably." Cyrus held them, the terror that was subsiding, the presence that was replacing it, the love that was not conditional on survival but was absolutely, desperately, specifically invested in it. He felt Arthie's heart rate through the racing suit, the residual elevation that was normal, appropriate, the rhythm that was regular, the life that was continuing. "Your rate," he murmured, the doctor that was always present. "At Eau Rouge. One-sixty-five. Above threshold."

Triplet personalities emerged quickly: ✔ Lucas — Protective and thoughtful ✔ Adrian — Curious and adventurous ✔ Theo — Sensitive and artistic The twin girls mirrored one another emotionally but expressed themselves differently: ✔ Sofia — Quiet, observant, deeply empathetic ✔ Isla — Outgoing, expressive, fiercely loyal One night after finally settling seven children into sleep, Harper collapsed onto the living room couch beside Emery. “We officially run a small civilization,” Harper joked weakly. Emery laughed softly, brushing Harper’s hair from her face. “But it’s ours.” ⸻ 🤝 Arc Four: Rowan & Vanessa — Support Network Strengthens

"We're using each other. You want power, I want the Alpha seat. That's all this has ever been." Her face hardened. "And Elena? What is she?" "She's the only woman I've ever loved." I turned and walked out without looking back. Elena’s pov I lay on the narrow bed, staring at the ceiling while the healer adjusted the IV in my arm. The medication burned going in, something to slow the artificial heart's rejection, to buy me a few more weeks. It wouldn't cure me. My phone buzzed. I shouldn't have looked. I knew I shouldn't have looked. But my hands moved on their own, and then I was staring at the photo Lydia had posted.

“I wоuldn’t suggеst this if I didn’t think it wаs the best thing for you. Lylah’s daughter is everything Veronica isn’t. Shе’s genuine, cаring, and—” “And сompletely unfamiliar tо me,” I cut hеr off. “Mоm, this isn’t just sоme casual decisiоn. We’rе tаlking аbout mаrriаge. Нow cаn I commit tо spеnding my lifе with sоmeone I’ve nеvеr еvеn spoken tо?”

Vincent haunted me—even in the sunlight. Nick leaned forward, arms resting on the table. “You’ve been quiet.” “Just soaking it in,” I said softly. He nodded but didn’t look convinced. “You can talk to me, Lisa. About anything. Even if it’s… messy.” I looked down at my drink. “It’s not that simple.” “I know. But I’m still here.” There was something in his voice that made my chest tighten. He really meant it. He wanted to be the one I turned to. But how could I explain that my heart was trapped between gentle warmth and consuming fire? That Vincent’s cruelty lit something inside me I didn’t understand?

But the whole time, she was all he could see. I had trusted the institute's lies in my last life and delivered my sister into their hands, only to watch her die in agony. In the end, Victor had died for me. When his eyes met mine now, all I saw was hatred. "Anya is your sister. Do you even realize what you're doing? I've never met a woman in this world as vicious as you! Do you even have a heart?!" He had always been so gentle, yet the words he threw at me cut like knives.

"I just hope it hits hard enough to shatter you into pieces," Instead of anger, her face broke into a sweet, almost innocent smile, the contrast jarring. Then, her eyes locked onto Archie's, her voice taking on a softer, almost wistful tone. "Take care, ex. All the best. You'll know the truth one day, and maybe by then, it'll be too late; your heart will already be in pieces."

I swallowed hard, unsure of how to navigate the complexities of my heart. "What should I do?" I asked, my voice tinged with confusion and longing for guidance. His response was simple yet profound, "Break the rules." The words hung in the air, a gentle nudge to challenge the boundaries I had set for myself, to embrace the unknown and confront my fears head-on.

Lennox said softly as he sat on the chair behind Alaric. “You really do love him, don't you?” Lennox asked. Alaric's hand wrapped tightly around the knife's handle with a silver blade. “Yes…” Alaric paused. He closed his eyes and pictured Adrian's face once more. A new rush of tears flowed from his eyes, and his lip trembled. “I love him more than I've ever loved anyone, or anything,” his voice trembled. “I love him more than life itself,” Alaric said as he turned, sat down, and leaned back against the railing as he drew the knife up and placed it over his heart.

Chapter Thirty The room is sterilized, bathed in cold fluorescent light that is not even remotely comforting. I sit on the uncomfortable chair beside Simeon's bed; my heart still races from all the things that had taken place. My eyes stick to his small, pale face, so still beneath the white sheets. The beeping of the heart monitor keeps me attached to the fact that he is alive, that he's still breathing.