Novel & Cerita Twice Short

Daniel nodded. “Then phase two begins now.” Lucas raised his glass of juice like champagne. “To making Damian Cross dance without even knowing the music has changed.” Aria lifted her chin, expression composed and powerful. “No,” she corrected softly. “To making him dance to our music.” The room went quiet. Then they all exchanged determined nods. Phase Two: Activated. Daniel had barely stepped out before the room went quiet again. The kind of quiet that only existed between two people with too much history.

I swallowed the sob stuck in my throat, took a deep shuddering breath and tried to make my legs hold me upright even though they wanted to give out completely. I did not know how long I stood there. Minutes maybe or house. I only knew that I was alone. Betrayed again for the second time but this hurts way deeper. I’m also carrying something that no one in this room would ever respect or care for. The baby kicked again and for the first time, despite everything, I let my lips twitch in the tiniest almost invisible smile. Maybe the world had betrayed me but this tiny life had not. This tiny life had no idea what kind of kings had made it exist and had no concept of the hatred amd betrayal arou

The crowd hushed, and for that single moment, I felt the world hold its breath. This was love: simple, pure, and unbroken. Around me, the air hummed with music. The twins stood proudly at the front, dressed in deep royal blue, the color of Fiato royalty. Their eyes gleamed with pride and emotion as they watched their sister walk toward her future. They had built a kingdom, fought wars, and won impossible battles, but this, I knew, was what mattered most to them. As the vows began, I sat beside a few of the girls, our hands linked in quiet awe. I felt the rhythm of their hearts through our bond, each of us touched in different ways.

“But remember, Lady Elowen. Second wives don’t get to rewrite the story. They only get to accept the ending.” Elowen held that gaze for one long moment, then turned slightly - just enough to show she was aware of the dais and the court beyond it. The banners fluttered faintly with the movement of air through high doors. The sound of distant bells - announcement bells, ceremonial bells - threaded through the hall, low and inevitable.

not once but twice… To be continued...

Twice. But still no reply.

“Say it again.” “I love you.” He slammed into me again, groaning, and holding my body like it was the only thing keeping him grounded. We came together that time, our bodies locked and hearts racing. He collapsed beside me, both of us gasping, our skin slick and sticky with sweat. No words were spoken, just the sound of two hearts that knew they’d gone too far. But fuck, it felt too good to regret. Hours passed and the sky outside darkened, which dimmed the room and I woke first.

Like they couldn’t tell if she was still the person they were supposed to follow. She didn’t blame them. Trust dies in stages. First, people question you. Then they hesitate. Then they rewrite the story in their head so they can live with turning away. She stopped in the middle of the floor. “Maya,” she said, her voice slicing through the murmurs like a clean scalpel. Maya turned. “Yes?” “I need the internal media briefings. Everything scheduled for the next two weeks. Including off-the-records.” “Of course.” “And Maya?”

Emily did not catch up to me. But it was only a matter of seconds—no sooner had I gotten into the car than she rushed out the door. She chased after my vehicle for a long time. Only when she was completely exhausted did she finally stop, switching instead to calling my phone over and over again. I didn't answer. Yesterday, we had already gone to get the divorce certificate. I had told her that today we would hold the wedding first, then register the marriage afterward—double happiness in one day.

A crushing pain twisted through my abdomen, making me curl up and tremble. My nails dug into the cracks in the wall, and with difficulty, I asked, "What did you feed me?" She put on a sweet smile and slowly said, "Medicine. Made for miscarriage. Ten minutes later, your second child will turn into mush and bleed out from your lower body." Her sharp laughter filled the room. I was leaning against the headboard, shivering, but my eyes were on the knife on the fruit platter. Cecelia was still bragging. "My baby comes in five months, while yours will turn into a pile of mush. You're a failure who can't even protect your chil—"