Reluctantly Yours Novels & Stories

T O ALL THE RESPECTED MADAM AND SIR FOR MORE UPDATES AND ASTHETICS YOU COULD HER I***A @ elibishopwinters

Sam asked with a smile. I glanced at Cassy and she shook her head no. I quickly went through my list of excuses. If I said no, just flat out, Sam would view me as even more of a challenge. If I said that I wasn't going, Cassy, Scarlett and Don would be upset. If I said that I already had a date, he would probably ask me for a name. I looked at Cassy for help and could tell that she was going through the same list that I was.

Discretion absolute. At the end of the year, she would walk away with enough money to restart her life anywhere she wanted—and Harper Media would remain in her family’s name. Her father had begged her not to do it. She’d agreed anyway. Because there was no other way. Damian slid the contract across the table toward her. Pen waiting. She picked it up with steady hands—she refused to let him see her tremble—and signed. Ava M. Harper. He signed beneath her. Damian A. Voss.

Copyright ©️ 2024 Miss L Writes and Ember Mantel Productions “I don’t even know if this is how it works, but here goes.” Alpha tilts his head. That expression I understand. I’m not making any sense. I can feel my heart breaking and my eyes well up. It’s just words, but they hurt. “I, Kennedy Matthews, reject you, Ryker Tryn as my….mmpf.”

“We’re just here to have a nice day together, and that’s all I’m focused on.” Ryan’s confident expression faltered, replaced by a flicker of surprise. He probably wasn’t used to hearing ‘no,’ but I wasn’t about to be another person he could charm on a whim. He shrugged, trying to mask his disappointment. “Well, if you change your mind, the offer stands.” “Noted,” I said, slipping the card back toward him. He took it reluctantly, but there was a hint of admiration in his gaze, as if he respected my choice more than he’d expected to.

To utter that simple word of refusal could be to hand him an advantage he would not hesitate to exploit. With a heart heavy yet resolute, I inclined my head in a measured nod, the gesture a silent agreement to a pact forged in the crucible of sacrifice. My voice, when it emerged, carried the weight of the world and the echoes of a thousand unspoken thoughts. "Yes," I said, my voice steadier than I felt, "let's go."

I said. Mrs. Finch’s mouth curved without warmth. “My dear,” she said, not unkind, “trouble already knows your name.” Mr. O’Rourke cleared his throat, mercy in motion. “There’s a shipment in the back that insists it wants to be shelved by mood, not author,” he said, half-smiling at my expression. “Think you can talk it into a compromise?” “I can try,” I said, because trying was the only honest magic I owned.

I’ll stay connected—but I won’t be holding conversations or clarifying misalignments during that time. I hesitate before sending it. Then I hit send. Responses arrive quickly. Supportive. Concerned. Curious. No one panics. That surprises me. Someone replies, Thank you for naming this. I didn’t know we were allowed to rest. Allowed. The word catches. We’ve been practicing refusal so publicly that we forgot to practice permission privately. I forward the exchange to him. They’re okay, I write. More than okay. He responds a minute later. Of course they are. You taught them how.

“You’re forcing efficiency.” That night, the exhaustion hit not panic, not fear. The quiet kind that settled into bones. Adrian sat beside me, shoulders heavy. “This is relentless.” “Yes,” I replied. “Because they thought you’d choose relief.” “And instead?” he asked. “Instead you chose resistance with receipts,” I said. He smiled faintly. “Romantic.” I met his gaze. “It is.” Not because it was tender. Because it was mutual. My phone buzzed once.

I rolled my eyes. "If this is about the rent--don't worry. I can cover it." she rubbed the back of my palm, wearing a small smile. "No, I'll find something else." I never liked being a free loader. "Even if you pay it now, I'll refund your money." "Madam Theresa." She said, causing me to roll my eyes. I had never wished for something this bad. The feeling of finally getting what you want at your fingertips and watching it slip away just couldn't settle with me, but deep down, I had given up all hope. All I wanted was to rest and have my problem solved.