LOGINJELENAI should walk out. I tell myself this over and over again, chanting the command like a desperate mantra inside my own mind as I try to force my limbs to move, trying to command my body to turn around, but nothing I do works.It is happening all over again. Just like that horrific moment when I caught Alice and Aaron together, my mind frantically commands my body to go into flight mode, screaming at me to run out of here, to find safety, to escape the blinding humiliation of what is happening right in front of me. Yet, despite the alarm bells blaring in my head, I am completely rooted where I stand, my feet feel like they have been cemented into the floorboards and my face burns with a hot, agonizing flush of shame, but I remain utterly paralyzed and unable to move a single muscle.Now that I have crossed the threshold and stepped fully into the room, the thick, heavy smell of sex hits me like a physical wall, clogs the back
JELENAReality always finds its way back as once Sarah finishes helping me wash up, I step out of the bath.She immediately wraps a thick towel around my body before quietly leading me back into the bedroom.Freshly washed, I feel considerably lighter.Almost human again while I dry myself, Sarah busies herself preparing everything else and by the time I look toward the bed, my movements come to an abrupt halt.A delicate piece of lingerie has been carefully laid across the black sheets and beside it rests a silk robe, my cheeks instantly warm.Of course.Tonight is my wedding night, I almost forget or perhaps...I simply choose not to think about it as neither option makes the reality any less intimidating, Sarah walks toward me with the outfit in her hands."My lady..."I gently shake my head."I can manage from here."She pauses then nods respectfully, I quickly slip into the lingerie before covering myself with the robe, feeling only slightly less exposed than before.Once I am pr
JELENAThe thought of virginity suddenly crosses my mind.That is... if the owner of this body is still a virgin.The realization instantly sends a wave of heat rushing to my cheeks and my face blooms with embarrassment, and I fight the urge to bury it in my hands.I cannot believe I am standing in a room filled with so many people while my thoughts wander in this direction.Jelena, get yourself together already.I force myself to breathe normally, silently praying that no one can somehow read the ridiculous thoughts racing through my head and not long after, we finish eating.Calhoun abruptly rises from his chair, and the entire room follows suit almost immediately, everyone standing and the synchronized movement startles me for a second before I notice him extending his hand toward me.Without hesitation, I slip my hand into his and his fingers close around mine, firm but neither warm nor comforting. They simply hold me because they have to.Without saying a single word, he leads me
JELENAIt is finally time for dinner, and we are all ushered into a massive banquet hall unlike anything I have ever seen. Crystal chandeliers hang from the impossibly high ceiling, casting warm golden light across polished marble floors and long tables stretch across the room, covered in luxurious fabrics embroidered with silver and gold threads. Every place setting is flawless, from the sparkling crystal glasses to the gleaming silver cutlery.The entire hall radiates wealth, power, and authority, I am grateful for one thing, I haven't had to run into any more members of my family.Aside from exchanging polite greetings with a few people I assume are powerful Dukes and nobles, the guards have made sure no one approaches our section. They stand like statues around us, silently ensuring that no guest crosses the invisible boundary surrounding the bride and groom.I'm thankful for that, the last thing I need tonight is another confrontation with the people who abandoned me so easily.W
JELENA“I-I'm sorry, but I have to use the bathroom,” I say immediately, having absolutely no idea how to answer her question.The words leave my mouth before I can think them through.Without waiting for a response, I excuse myself and make my way toward the restroom, desperate for a few moments alone. My mind is already spinning from everything that has happened since waking up in this strange body and every conversation only raises more questions than answers, and pretending to be someone I'm not is proving far more exhausting than I imagined.As soon as the bathroom door closes behind me, I grip the edge of the sink and stare at my reflection, a face that still isn't mine stares back.I splash cold water on my face, hoping it will somehow steady the storm inside me.Who exactly am I now?Who poisoned this woman?How long have I truly been asleep?Most importantly...Why was I brought back?None of it makes sense but after taking a slow breath, I straighten my dress and force my ex
JELENAThe moment I step out of the bathroom, the room erupts into controlled chaos at least ten women are waiting inside.Some stand beside racks of dresses and others arrange jewelry on velvet-covered tables.A few carry trays filled with flowers that glow with faint silver light and the moment they see me, they immediately bow."My Lady."I freeze for half a second.Right.Apparently, I am important here, Andrea quickly moves beside me."Everyone, my Lady is ready."Ready is certainly not the word I would use, maybe a little touvh of onfused, lost but mostly terrified.Those seem far more accurate yet somehow, the women begin working around me with incredible efficiency.One starts brushing my hair and another examines my skin.A third carefully measures my wrist before fastening a bracelet made from white crystals that seem to contain tiny stars, I keep quiet observing and
JELENA“Do you, Daniel Jonah, take Mary as your lawfully wedded wife?” the preacher asks.Standing at the altar is a proud-looking Daniel beside the most beautiful bride I have ever seen, Mary.The church is decorated with elegance, every detail carefully planned to pe
JELENA“I don't have anything I want to talk to you about,” I say vehemently.The look he gives me when I finally chance a glance up at him almost knocks the breath out of my lungs, he definitely knows what he is doing and also knows I can never resist that look.Those soft eyes and calm expression
JELENADad clears his throat, and immediately, all attention in the room shifts to him as the subtle clinking of cutlery on plates halts mid-air, and even the low hum of conversation dies down, replaced by a tense silence that blankets the entire dining hall.“Aaron, can you repeat what you said to
JELENAMy heart still hurts even though it has been a whole week since I caught Alice and Aaron tangled together at his house and the tears have not stopped since that day.You would think catching them cheating would make it easier to let go, easier to hate him, easier to move on, but somehow the







