Chapter 6  As my elbow slammed against the floor, my face contorted in pain. However, Zachary didn’t even look at me. He was only concerned about Gigi’s condition. Despite all…

Chapter 5  I sneered at the mention of the culprit who hit Marie. That person never showed up, not even once. It was only when I went to the police…

Chapter 4 Author: Perfect Timing Marie’s relatives and I organized her funeral. Perhaps I had cried my eyes dry already, for even when I saw the large grayscale portrait of her,…

Chapter 3 Author: Perfect Timing I didn’t know how to respond to Marie’s question. My resentment over Zachary’s lack of trust in me intensified.  Mustering a forced smile, I replied, “Zachary’s…

Chapter 2 Author: Perfect Timing Once again, the call ended on me.  I didn’t think a few words from Gigi would lead Zachary to misunderstand that it was my mother who…

Chapter 1 Author: Perfect Timing My mind went blank when I got the call from the hospital. My mother-in-law, Marie Palmer, came over to bring my husband, Zachary Lambert, some of…

Chapter 182 “What do you mean?” “I’ve arranged a photoshoot and interview. For both of us.” I blink at him, stunned. “A photoshoot? You mean… like for a magazine?” My mind flits back to all of the magazine covers with Arthur and Selina–the perfect poses, the pretty smiles, the flawless makeup. Arthur nods. “Alpha Monthly. It’s the most respected werewolf publication in the country. We’ll get some good pictures, answer some questions. It’ll be easy, and it’ll boost your image. Controlling the narrative is extremely important this early on. We have to get ahead of the rumor mill.” My stomach suddenly twists. “I’m not very good at that sort of thing,” I mutter, staring at my feet. As Flora, no one cared about my life, only my art. That I could handle; I can talk about my art until I’m blue in the face. But having to sell my personality for the sake of not being despised… “You’ll be fine,” he says gently, placing his hand under my chin to make me look up at him again. “More than fine. You’ll be amazing. Just be yourself–the woman I fell in love with. You were like a phoenix rising from the ashes at the gala, and that was all you. You’ve got a knack for public life without even having to try.” I remember that moment–returning to the ballroom in my new dress, head held high despite everything. It was terrifying but also empowering in a strange way. “This could help with the public perception,” Arthur continues. “And maybe, just maybe, even get my parents to see you in a new light.” I scoff, but…

Iris I scrub the serving dish harder than I should, hardly even noticing as the scrubber leaves scratch marks in the ceramic. The dinner was a disaster. Not just the burnt roast–although that certainly didn’t help–but the whole evening. Leonard and Wendy might as well have worn signs around their necks that read “Your Human Mate is Inadequate.” Every glance, every comment about my “small” apartment, every remark about Miles‘ eating habits… it all added up to the same conclusion: I’m not good enough. Not for them, and not for the public. The front door opens and closes softly. Arthur is back. “Need some help?” he asks, appearing in the kitchen doorway. I shake my head without looking up from the sink. “I’m almost done.” Arthur grabs a dish towel anyway and picks up a rinsed plate from the drying rack. He starts drying it, falling into the familiar rhythm we used to have when we lived together. “I’m sorry about tonight.” “It’s fine.” “It’s not fine. You’re scrubbing that dish so hard you’re going to wear right through it.” I sigh and drop the dish back into the soapy water. “I just… I wanted them to like me. Or at least not actively dislike me.” “They don’t know you yet,” Arthur says, but there’s something off in his voice, something hesitant….

Chapter 8  David glanced at me coldly, “I believe her! She would never lie to me. You’re spreading  rumors about her, and I only learned the truth by questioning her,”…

Chapter 7  She dropped to her knees with a thud, her eyes turning red, crying pitifully, “Why are you still trying to destroy me? I’ve stayed far away from you,”…