Once Upon a Marriage

oi

c felt like it was vibrating through

n, Ava kept up a steady stream of chatter

't like my dress," she said, rolling her

genuine la

o doesn't like

rowing her hands up in mock

r drinks. As we waited, I glanced around the club, m

even more attractive. Every detail about him- his piercing grey ey

d by good-looking men, nudged me

see that man?

he breathless tone in my voice. My e

nvisible string, he began

ed, grabbing my arm.

ey focused eyes, a hint of stubble, and a calm expression, as

mooth, laced with confidence.

yself to remember how

letting my name roll

name for a be

t from the alcohol. The way he looked at me

"I just got an urgent call-i need to leave.

her. My instincts told me to go, but the al

her, trying to sound compo

tly, a knowing look in h

st... be car

t in his stare, something that made me feel di

or maybe it was the need

bout you," Mike observed, a fa

rds feeling loose and unfamiliar on

, his voice dropping to a murmur.

now this man, but the confidence in his tone, the

lightly touch my arm, a small, intimate

e wit

d me to the dance floor. He kept his hand at the

felt natural, as if we've

elf leaning into him, my fingers

g my back. His eyes never leaving mine, as though he was sav

is voice a warm whisper against my ear. "I

ack, hardly recognizing th

is hand drifting up to cup my jaw. I could feel the heat of h

was a gentle kiss, but as i melted against him, he deepen

unding. "You... you're crazy" I managed to say,

, his thumb gr

you want

ore i could say anything else, he kissed me again

, igniting something deep within m

at me with a smile that was bo

" he said softly, his

st for one night, I wanted to let go, to lose myself in him. We left the cl

¤¤

e, I had barely slept, the sou

g, taking in the unfamiliar surroun

asp

nd something else I couldn't place. I tried to sit up, m

etail on the chair across from the bed-a dark, sleek watch,

And that definitely wasn't an item i

ng room? Activities from

But as soon as I walked out of the hotel, I was met by the flashing cam

ns came fas

you know abou

ose Lucian to you

of your workah

p inside. My first instinct was to push through or

yself to breathe. "Why should I be the one hiding? I couldn't let them paint me as a

this," I began, my voice calm but sharp, "but

, and I could see the reporters

voice steady, "but Lucian's choices and Jennifer's decisions don

tepped forward, holding her microphone closer. "

d into a small,

ret putting so much into your marriage?

stion, feeling the sti

erupted again, begging for more. Without anot

through the paparazzi