Sophia Ellie and Philip stared at Kieran and me for a few moments since we were still standing too close to each other. Her eyes flickered towards my neck, but she couldn’t see anything thanks to the dim light and my soft, blond locks that were let down freely. Upsetting my pregnant sister with the truth about her future brother-in-law was the last thing I’d want if she didn’t already have her own suspicions. And Kieran never really tried to hide his bigotry towards us. “Why are you so giddy?” I asked, catching Ellie’s eyes, pretending I did not know what was happening. A diversion was always the best strategy, and it worked like magic. As soon as that question was out, Ellie’s face lit up with a smile that showed how happy she was. “We have something to tell you,” Ellie mused. I didn’t miss her small hand searching for Philip’s and his finding hers. “Yes, we have an announcement to make, and as you two are the most important people in our lives, you deserve to be the first to kno

Sophia Ever since I woke up, I had one thing on my mind - what could Kieran possibly want from me? Whatever it was, if it meant he would let Ellie live peacefully with the man she loved, I was ready to listen and set aside everything that transpired between him and me. My feelings about Kieran were conflicted. I hated him from the deepest pit of my soul. I hated who he was and what he represented, and I hated him for being a threat to my sister’s future. I hated how he acted and what he considered me to be. I hated his violence and arrogance. However, I could hardly wait to see him today. While I was getting ready, I chose to wear a turtleneck, the only one I had in my closet. I detested the restricting feeling it gave me, but I had to hide bruises that formed on my neck, and the weather could still justify wearing such a piece of clothing. Ellie went to her class, after which she would have lunch with her fiancé, and I stayed home. Alone. ‘I’ll have to get used to this,’ I thoug

Sophia Days passed, and things were not getting any easier for me. Physically, there was nothing wrong, and I couldn’t complain. In fact, I was more rested and energized than I had been in so long. Maybe even since we escaped that night from our burning home years ago. But mentally, I was a wreck. The fear that would settle into my every pore each time I thought about Kieran’s evil master plan to destroy the relationship between my sister and me got me good. Was I wrong to doubt Ellie like this? Absolutely yes. But I couldn’t do a thing to stop it. Kieran King was adamant about destroying the trust we had in each other. He would not think twice about using his own brother to accomplish his goals, and in this case, his goal was I. Why? I had no idea, and I failed to understand his motives, no matter how much I thought about it. I hadn’t seen him since we had talked in his office, and I thanked God for that. I had no wish to meet him because I didn’t want another surprise like the o

Sophia “Do you, Philip King, take here present Eleanor Howard to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?” The priest asked the question. “Yes,” Philip’s resolved answer echoed off the church walls. “And do you, Eleanor Howard, take here present Philip King to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?” “Yes,” Ellie’s voice chimed, thick with happiness. “Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace?” Priest inquired the present, and my head automatically snapped to the right, towards the place where Kieran stood. His eyes shone with a demonic glint, and I swallowed hard, praying to God and all invisible forces that existed or not t

Sophia “I’m not going back with you,” I stated with all the courage I could muster, looking him straight in the eyes. That statement deserved me a blank stare. “Get in the car.” If I ever thought of him being angry with me before, I was wrong... so very wrong. “Sophia.” My name rolled off his tongue, making my breath hitch for more reasons than one. “I won’t ask again.” “No, Kieran. I want my life back. I want to work and support myself with that work. I want to make new friends, go out, and maybe even travel now that I have a chance to think only about myself. I want to be selfish for a change!” I snapped. There. For a reason I could not explain, I told him everything I was hoping to get with this move I made. And it irked me like nothing else in the world that I couldn’t hold my tongue and keep my plans to myself. Kieran seemed to have lost his patience with me. He grabbed my forearm forcefully, his strong fingers boring into my muscles. My struggles were in vain because he was