“Hey, Rose, Jeff is looking for you,” Mike said, his free arm slung over my shoulder as he nursed a fancy drink.“Oh, I’ll be right back.”“So, what’s up, Ari?” Mike asked. “Or should I say, sister…”“Mike…”“I’m so happy for you, Ari.” He kissed my forehead. “I know I warned you before, but I see how much Orlando has changed. Hoping for the best for you two.”“Thanks, Mike.”“Don’t thank me yet. Look, I don’t know what future holds, but I can tell he would never hurt you like Brian did. I know that much.”Before I could respond, the music stopped, and I saw Jeff climbing over a table. My eyes widened. Oh, my God! This is it. My phone. I patted down my hidden pockets, finding my phone in a hurry, not wanting to miss this beautiful moment. I’d been waiting for this for what felt like forever.The crowd parted, clearing the path for Rosie as the lights dimmed. Two spotlights illuminated the couple as Jeff laughed nervously. Someone handed him a mic. “Rosalinda…” Jeff breathed. “I’ve bee

Nine days had passed, and three days since our conversation. A lot had happened, and I was happier than I’d been in a long time. I never knew just a few days was enough to take my mind off certain things. But in truth, I was never over the crush on Orlando. It felt right in every sense. Sometimes, I thanked my fate for bringing Brian into my life. If it wasn’t for the heartbreak, Orlando wouldn’t have felt the need to get closer.Isabel was removed from the property, and everyone was back to normal after that. The wedding date drew closer. While Brian poked his head in my mind once in a while, all I felt now was shame and anger at myself. I was furious for not seeing through his facade. Shameful for trusting him and for allowing him to jerk me around.I had no way of knowing. Even moving in again with my parents was temporary. I was going to move out as soon as I found a job, which I already had with Orlando’s recommendation.A smile broke past my lips at the thought. This morning, he

Brian Schultz“Brian…that’s too much carb. You have to be fit for our wedding.”My jaw clenched as I glared at Alana before pulling the bowl closer. “Stop telling me what to eat,” I hissed under my breath as she looked around the table, smiling sweetly.“Others are listening.”“Then you should just shut your mouth and concentrate on your food.” There was only so much a man could take. For the third time today, she made me question my decision to marry her. Maybe I should’ve waited. But it wasn’t like I had a choice.Alana turned her attention to her friends, chatting while I shoveled my favorite chicken casserole into my mouth. It had been a week since I’d had proper food. She tried to control every aspect of my life, which I didn’t appreciate.“Here is your dessert, sir.” The waiter placed the delicious chocolate mousse in front of me.“I think you brought the wrong order. We ordered fruit salad.”“That’s my order.” I cut her off.Her face changed, not that I gave a damn about it. I

The wedding was perfect in every sense. Tears of joy streamed down my cheeks when Enrique kissed Chiara. The setting sun cast a golden shadow on the couple, and the photographers utilized the moment to capture the moments that would be remembered forever.Warm lips graced my bare shoulder, and I turned to meet Orlando’s stormy gaze. We moved aside, and I stayed by his side as he greeted the guests, introducing me to them.The function was a blur, and my cheeks ached with all the smiling I’d been doing that evening. We shared our first dance together, and I couldn’t help but admire how delectable he looked in his white suit.“That was such a wonderful moment.” Mike’s mom burst into tears.“It was.” Orlando smiled down at his aunt.“I’m so happy for you both.” She hugged me. “Ari and Rosa are my darlings. Take good care of her, Orlando. I don’t want to see any more tears in her eyes.”Orlando’s face tightened. Mr. Frisby was right on time for the rescue. He pulled his wife away with a w

“Arianna, wait!”What did he want now? No matter how much I avoided him, he was determined to get me alone. Last night, he knocked at my door until I threatened to scream and wake everyone in the house. My heart used to ache for him. Now, the only emotion I felt for him was disgust.“What the fuck do you want?”His handsome features cringed. “Please…I want to talk.”“I told you there is nothing left to say.”“There is…please, let me explain.” His expression was pained. Though it shouldn’t bother me, it tugged at my heartstrings. “All I’m asking for is a chance to talk. Please…”My fingers reached to massage my temples as I considered his plea. “Okay, and after that, you should stop bugging me.”“I promise.”“We’ll talk tonight.”“The same spot.”“Fine.” I didn’t wait to see the relief flooding his face. My thoughts were on Orlando. His cell phone had been switched off for the past three days, and it had been driving me crazy. I was restless and restrained myself from calling Enrique.