Novel & Cerita Nora Roberts Lost Bride Series

The motion was practiced, like he'd done it a thousand times. Nora didn't know what other people's first meet-the-parents experiences were like. But the Cross household felt... easy. After dinner, Derek called Adrian into the study. Vivian pulled Nora onto the couch. "Nora, wait here. I have something for you." Nora expected a welcome gift. She didn't expect this. Vivian came back downstairs with a stack of red and green booklets. Property deeds. She pressed them into Nora's hands. "Bride price and address-change gift. These are all near your hospital. Pick whichever you like and move in."

She didn’t want to add to Kingsley’s pain. Kingsley silently opened the file back up and started reading. ***** Lucas and Rose lived together for a long time, and when Rose was about thirteen years old, Lucas met with Ursa Hewitt, working as a manager in one of his clubs. They started interacting, and soon Lucas married Ursa, and he took his daughter, Vanessa Hewitt, in. Vanessa was a few months older than Rose, and at first everything went well.

Rutherford, typically the strong, silent type, suddenly seemed far more interested in his cufflinks. "We'd like you to find a bride for our son," Mrs. Rutherford said. Calm as you like, as if she hadn't just asked me to find the most stubborn man alive a bride. "Wait... I'm sorry, what?" I blinked. "You want me to 'find' a bride for Ethan Rutherford?" "Yes," she continued nervously, "Ethan's not exactly... cooperating. But he's agreed to this arrangement as long as we keep it discreet."

Inside the bedroom, Larisa closed the door and carried Gaby onto the bed. “You must be sleepy. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I promise we’ll return to that house.” Larisa laid Gaby down and held her until her daughter fell asleep. She closed her eyes and whispered, “I won’t lose you again, Roby. Once was enough.” Her mind drifted back to the past. Larisa remembered everything so clearly. When Roby decided to marry Natasya, Larisa’s world collapsed. She stood far from the wedding hall, staring at the bridal car decorated with white flowers. Her hands trembled. Her chest felt tight. Tears streamed down her face without stopping.

“When you were born, Dad and Marco loved you. Too much. They swore you’d be their little princess.” “I didn’t allow it.” Her eyes glittered with madness. “I’m the princess of this family. You were a threat.” “So I pulled out Mom’s oxygen tube after her surgery.” “I made them think she died because of you.” My knees nearly buckled. “What…?” “You… you killed Mom?” “She was innocent!” “So?” Valentina shrugged. “And I’ll take the rest of your life too.” “Today’s wedding is only the beginning.” “I’ll show you what real despair tastes like.”

She excused herself, leaving me alone once again. I switched on the television, and every channel seemed to be talking about one thing. "...the wedding of billionaire CEO Liam Kingsley and his mysterious bride, Nora Quinn..." Photos from yesterday flashed across the screen. I quickly changed the channel. But it was showing the same thing. I switched the television off completely. My phone interrupted my thoughts. Rose. I answered immediately. "Nora!" She almost screamed through the phone. "I miss you already." "I miss you too." We chatted for a while before she suddenly lowered her voice.

“Doesn’t this make you happy? After everything… after we’ve lost whatever we had, I actually fell for you.” Nora steadied herself, her shock fading. Her gaze turned cool again, laced with mockery. “And what’s that worth, Travis? Your so-called feelings… are they supposed to be some kind of prize?” This time it was him who couldn’t answer. “Six years ago, the Yates dragged me back out of nowhere,” she continued, her voice calm but cutting. “I married you without even knowing who half of them were. Do you have any idea what I felt going into that marriage? Or the despair that finally drove me to give it up? You think I divorced you just so you could eventually start liking me?”

Rock gritted his teeth as he swiped her hand away. “Hmm…” Nora sighed, “You got married to your secretary secretly. Now, she’s nowhere to be found. I don’t know what happened, but I know your ex-wife Rose had something to do with it. Look into something thoroughly before making a decision sometimes. Don’t be like an ancient king that believes lies from his cabinet members more than trusting his close allies and family members.” Nora said as she stood up. “I will see you next time, Rock Figo.’ She said as she walked away, while Rock stared confusedly at her receding back.

Nora said, looking at Rebecca’s reflection in the mirror. Rebecca replied in a low but calm voice, “If you’ve already succeeded in getting Samuel, you don’t need to keep confusing me about it.” Nora fell silent for a moment. “I just want you to know that you’re just a stand-in bride.” “Yes, I am the stand-in woman. I’ve fulfilled my role well for a year. Now I’m returning my position to you,” Rebecca replied in a flat tone. Nora didn't respond. She merely glanced at Rebecca with a sharp look, then returned her gaze to the mirror.

Chloe watched her friend, unable to find the words to comfort her. Among their circle—Chloe, Lyra, and Summer (who was currently abroad)—Nora had always been the strongest, the most grounded. A top graduate from the National Military Academy, Nora had been a rising star with a brilliant career ahead of her. She had given all of that up to marry Nicholas and become a full-time mother. Everything Chloe knew about self-defense, marksmanship, and racing, she had learned from Nora. Seeing this warrior-woman reduced to tears over a cheating husband felt like watching a monument crumble.