LOGINVICTORIAFour years laterThe air feels different today — softer, lighter, almost unreal.The sun pours gently over the gardens of Valemont estate, painting the marble white and the grass gold.Children run barefoot across the lawn, their laughter spilling through the breeze like music.I am standin
******************************************************************************************CHASEThe music floats across the beach, slow and warm, the kind that makes the night feel softer than it is.Fairy lights sway in the ocean breeze, and laughter ripples through the guests as I stand near the
VICTORIAThe sand is warm under my heels as we walk down the narrow path leading to the beach, the faint hum of waves mixing with distant laughter.My hand rests lightly on my belly, the other laced tightly with Chase’s because I still can’t believe this is real — that he’s this happy, that we are.
I pretend not to notice, but something cracks quietly inside me.On the jet, she wasn’t exaggerating about sleeping. The moment she sits down, she curls up, adjusts the blanket, and shuts her eyes without a word. I sit across from her and just… stare as the engines hum softly, clouds drift past the
CHASE“That’s it. Close that laptop; we’ll be late,” I say, standing from the couch at House of Valemont, telling her for the tenth time, pretending she didn’t hear me.Victoria doesn’t even flinch. Her eyes stay fixed on the screen, the faint light tracing her sharp cheekbones as she scrolls. “One
The entire ride to House of Valemont, I can’t calm down. I keep rehearsing my steps, my greetings, my smile. My mind runs wild with what-ifs—what if nothing’s the same, what if I walk in and everyone stares? What if I can’t do this? but I try to remain strong until we get there.Once we finally arr
CHASEThe morning is almost too perfect—sun pouring its gold rays across the water, the waves glittering as if the ocean decided to show off today. I stand at the balcony, my fresh linen suit pressed, coffee hot in my hand, before I hear a clicking sound coming from the joining door.Ivy staggers t
“Thanks,” I mutter, tugging my dress into place, finding the nearest seat like a woman eager to regain control.Chase follows, lowering himself beside me, as his arm stretches across the backrest behind my shoulders, casual but deliberate.“You don’t have to do that,” my eyes flick to the arm. “Pre
“Will I ever meet them?” My eyes snap open, and I sit forward, studying her, a little surprised. “You want to?”She waves a hand in exasperation. “Well, yeah, Chase. If I’m your fake girlfriend, don’t you think it’s a little weird if I don’t? What if I run into one of them without you there? What do
Ivy is in a crisp white one-shoulder jumpsuit, tailored sharp enough to make Paris jealous, her curves carved into it like the designer had her in mind.A gold watch gleams on her wrist, a matching wide-brimmed hat tipped just enough to shadow her face, black sunglasses hiding her eyes. The only spl







