Novels by Skylar Vandler

DEMETRIAFive Years Later…I still remember the time Marion promised to build our home on this land. A home for the kids and us, close to his parents. A place where we grow together. A real family.Now, out of ten acres, two acres of rolling green stretch around me, our home sitting right at the center like something out of a magazine. Tall windows, warm stone, soft wooden finishes… a mansion, yes, but somehow still ours. Still full of fingerprints and crayons and little shoes abandoned in hallways. From the balcony, I can see the golf path that leads straight to his parents’ house — a five-minute ride on the little family-sized cart the kids love to drive too fast. On the other side, the stables shimmer in the morning sun, horses grazing lazily. And behind the house, my favorite part: the garden. Wild, bright, and stubbornly thriving… just like us.Some days it hits me all at once. How far we’ve come.When Marion handed me the deed to the building in Beverly Grove, I cried like a ch

MARION“You couldn’t wait for us to say our goodbyes, husband?” Demetria teased, her arms circled my neck as I carried her up the jet’s stairs.I smirked, staring at her pretty face. “Marcel will inform them when they notice our absence. Right now, I need you all to myself.”We left the wedding venue in a whirlwind, eager to escape the world and have these first stolen moments alone. Now, as we boarded the jet on our way to our honeymoon in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, I couldn’t help the grin spreading across my face. Finally, my wife, entirely mine, and the thought of exploring every inch of her body set my mind alert.The air hostess stepped in gracefully. “Welcome aboard, Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield. Everything is ready for your flight.”“Thank you,” I said, giving her a nod. “We can take off now.”She smiled and turned, and I added, “Please inform the team not to disturb us unless it’s time to land.”Demetria’s lips curved into that mischievous smile I adored. “Wow, bossy even in the

DEMETRIAWedding Day…It was finally here. My wedding day, in the last week of January. It felt like a dream someone dipped in gold. The morning had been a swirl of makeup brushes, hairpins, perfume, and nonstop giddy squealing from my bridesmaids. At some point, Anastasia had shown me the breaking news alert about Paula’s death splashed across every media outlet.I’d only blinked, nodded, and whispered, “I already knew.” And I was at peace. Nothing—absolutely nothing—was going to cast a shadow over my good day.Now, I was finally seated in the back of the long white limousine, my dress flowing around me like clouds, Anastasia beside me in her silk gown, with Amanda and my bakery girls in shades of blush filling the rest of the seats. They were all chattering, buzzing, glowing with joy for me.Anastasia nudged me with her elbow, wiggling her brows dramatically.“So, Mrs. Almost-Whitfield… how are you feeling?” she teased.I laughed, pressing a hand over my racing heart.“Like I’m flo

DEMETRIAThe energy buzzed with excitement as everyone congratulated us. Desserts were passed around, something I didn’t know my bakery team had planned, adding to today’s big surprise. Across the room, I noticed my father approaching, his arm linked with his new lady, both smiling warmly in our direction.I stepped forward as my father reached me, his face lighting up. “Mija, I’m so happy for you,” he said warmly, pulling me into a firm hug. “You’ve grown into a strong, wonderful woman. And Marion… take care of her. Always.”I smiled, feeling the pride and love in his voice, and nodded. My father then introduced his lady beside him. “And this is someone special I want you to meet,” he said. I hugged her briefly. “It’s lovely to meet you,” I murmured, and we laughed softly.Curiosity bubbled up. “Dad… when did you arrive? How did you know about today?” I asked, glancing between him and Marion.He tilted his head toward Marion, a small smile playing on his lips. My brows furrowed, and

MARION“Marion… what’s going on here?” Demetria laughed nervously, turning in a slow circle as she took in every familiar face. Her eyes widened even more when they landed on one person in particular. “Papa… you’re… what? How—?”Demetria blinked hard, like she was making sure she wasn’t hallucinating. Everyone chuckled—my parents, Marcel, Stephen, and his wife, Cyprian, Mikhail, Amanda with her whole bakery crew, and Anastasia’s husband. The room buzzed with warmth and excitement.Her dad lifted a hand in a soft wave, the woman beside him smiling politely. “Hi, mi princesa.”“Okay… what’s going on?” she demanded, hugging the bouquet tighter to her chest, her voice a blend of confusion, wonder, and the beginning of happy tears. She turned to glance at Anastasia, and I used that opportunity to kneel in front of her. She gasped when she saw me in that posture.“Mar—”“Wildfire,” I said, feeling every heartbeat echo in my chest as I knelt there. Demetria’s breath caught, her eyes wide a

DEMETRIA“Okay… girl, I see you. It’s superb, better than mine. I love it for you,” Anastasia said when I showed her my new car in Marion’s underground garage, the one he gifted me after the accident.Now we’re on our way to God-knows-where, since she and Marion both told me to relax and enjoy the day.“Yeah, that’s Marion, always fulfilling his promises. Today’s gifts were straight off my Pinterest board,” I said with a smile, recalling each one.“That’s a billionaire showering his woman,” she teased, giving me a side-eye before pulling out of Marion’s building. “And because I’m your best friend, I get to tag along while he spoils you today.”“So, you still won’t tell me where we’re going?” I asked, leaning back in the passenger seat.“Deme!” She laughed, shaking her head. “I know you hate surprises like this. We’re almost there, you’ll see.”We pulled into West Hollywood, and Anastasia parked with a smug little smile that told me she’d been dying for this moment.I blinked up at the

YULIA“Why the long face? Someone stole your cat?” Adeline quipped, eyeing me over the rim of her paper coffee cup.I pouted. “No.”“Then what is it?” she probed.“Kendrick texted me yesterday that he had to catch an emergency flight this morning.” I frowned at my phone. “I've called him twice and sent a couple of messages, but he hasn't answered.”“Hmmm.” She smirked knowingly. “So you're worried.”“Of course!” I whisper-yelled, mindful of the other students scattered around the university café.Adeline laughed. “Relax… He probably hasn't landed yet, or he's still in the meeting. You know what his job is like.”“I know.” I stared at my untouched latte. “I just wish he'd let me know he got there safely.”“He will.”“I hope so.”She reached across the table and lightly nudged my arm. “He hasn't given you a reason to doubt him, has he?”“No.”“Then stop overthinking.”I sighed, peering at her. “Is it bad that I miss him this much?”Adeline burst into laughter. “Yes!”I rolled my eyes. “

KENDRICK“You couldn't even wait for me to tell you I made it back?”Her voice was the first thing that softened the edge of my day. I hadn’t realized how tightly I’d been holding everything together until she picked up, and suddenly I wasn’t thinking about reports, logs, or the endless noise of work anymore—just her.I could hear her grin even through the phone. I let out a quiet chuckle. “Jude already told me.”Her laugh followed instantly, light and familiar. “Of course he did.”“He called five minutes ago.”“So that's why you're calling?”“Partly.”“And the other reason?”“I miss you,” I replied without hesitating.There was a small pause on her end, like she hadn’t expected me to say it that directly. Then her voice softened in a way that always got under my skin. “I miss you too.”Silence settled between us, but it wasn’t empty. It was comfortable. Familiar. The kind that didn’t need filling.“Any updates?” she asked quietly.I exhaled softly before I even answered. “Nothing ye

YULIABy the time Adeline and I left the apartment, the sun was beginning to sink over London, painting the sky in streaks of orange and soft pink. A cool evening breeze made me zip up my jacket as we walked toward the car waiting outside. Jude greeted us with a polite nod before opening the rear door. I still wasn't completely used to having someone drive me everywhere, and judging by the amused look Adeline sent my way, neither was she.“Your chariot awaits, Mi lady,” she teased.I rolled my eyes as I climbed inside. “Don't start.”“Oh, I'm absolutely starting.”I laughed despite myself, and the drive to Bella Roma passed with easy conversation.The restaurant was already buzzing when we arrived. Warm lights hung from the ceiling, soft Italian music drifted through the room, and the scent of garlic, basil, and freshly baked bread filled the air. Jude escorted us to the entrance before quietly stepping back outside.“I'll be right here when you're ready to leave, Miss Adley.”“Thank

YULIAThe weekend didn’t feel like something that ended. It felt like something I was still inside of.Even when I was back in my room at university, even when the campus noise started bleeding into my thoughts again, there was still Kendrick in the back of my mind. His voice. His hands. The way he looked at me made me feel like I was the only thing in the room that mattered.I kept catching myself smiling for no reason, then immediately stopping like I’d done something wrong. Because now there was something else underneath it all.That message.Enjoying your weekend?It should’ve been easy to ignore. Easy to laugh off. But it wasn’t. It sat in my chest like a weight I couldn’t shake. I turned my phone over on my desk for the fifth time, like maybe if I stopped looking at it, it would stop existing. It didn’t work.I exhaled slowly and leaned back in my chair.Friday had felt perfect. Too perfect, maybe. Like everything had finally settled into place. Kendrick and I had spent the nigh

KENDRICKOne moment, Yulia was smiling, curled against my side in front of the fireplace. Next, her brows drew together, and a small frown appeared on her face.I sat up slightly. “What's wrong?”Before she could answer, the phone lit up again. This time, she went still. I watched her face go into shock as she stared at the screen.Something tightened in my chest. “What is it?” “I think…” Her voice came out small. “I think you should see this.” Slowly, she turned the phone toward me. I took the phone from her hand.The sender was an unknown number. First, it was a text: Enjoying your weekend? Then, another text. This time, a photograph.My jaw clenched instantly.It was a photo of her in a dimly lit restaurant, leaning in toward me. The angle was off, making it look more intimate than it actually was. Close enough to be dangerous if someone wanted it to be.Yulia looked up at me fast, like she was searching for my reaction more than the image itself.“What if they post it?” she whisp

YULIA“You’ve missed me that much, huh?” I teased as Kendrick closed the door behind us and immediately started kissing my face.“So much,” he grunted, trailing kisses along my jaw.“I missed you too.” I smiled when he finally pulled back enough to look at me. “But I’m hungry, so feed me. Now.” I pointed a warning finger at him as I pulled him toward the dining room.He laughed. “Alright, let me feed you.” Before I could take another step, he tugged me back against him and settled his hands on my waist. “Then I can have you for dessert.”His gaze swept slowly over me, hunger flickering in his eyes. “You look beautiful, Peaches.”Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Thank you,” I murmured.A satisfied smile tugged at his lips as he guided me toward the dining room. The weekend already felt better just because I was with him. After dinner, we settled in the living room, on the floor as we got comfortable. Kendrick pulled my shirt over my head and I pulled his off, and then his hands were on my w