“I know you would return, Amira.” The words reverberated on Ember's mind, sending unexplainable shivers down her spine. She wasn't Amira, but still, her heart lurched forward as if her name had just been called. As though her arms have minds of their own, she hugged Sister Anne back with equal warmth, feeling that for the first time in her life, she felt like she found her way back home.Ember was certain she and Sister Anne had never had the chance to meet before. Yet, she was caught off guard by the strong and undeniable connection she had with the old woman as though she'd once played a big role in her life.Upon letting her go, Sister Ann framed her cheeks with her thin and wrinkly fingers. “I waited for you for twenty-years… I couldn't believe you're finally here….” She murmured under her breath with tears in her eyes. “I know I'm not wrong for making that decision two decades ago.”“Do you know who I am?” Ember looked at Sister Anne with hope in her eyes. Could this be perhaps th
For a fleeting moment, Ember almost believed Elizabeth. But after seeing her crocodile tears, she realized her mother was lying. Call it instinct or intuition, she knew she was keeping secrets to herself and no matter what she's not sharing it to anyone.Her mother was doing it on purpose — for her own personal gain.Elizabeth had crushed her last hopes in ever finding her biological parents. Now that the only person who knows about her just told her a straight out lie, it would be difficult to ever trust her again, thinking everything she says was nowhere near the truth.Ember was desperate but she couldn't force mother because once Elizabeth made up her mind, she always stood by her decisions.She's back to square one, and she didn't even know who to ask so she could find out about her past. If only her adoptive father was alive, things would be much easier for her. When he was still alive, only her father treated her well. Though Ember was not his favorite child, he expressed how he
Ember swallowed the lump in her throat. Her eyes momentarily closed as she suddenly became aware of emotions surging inside her. She couldn't explain what she felt but she was certain of one thing, she was jealous even though she didn't have the right to. She is just Icen's secretary and yet, she couldn't stop how she felt after seeing him with another woman.Telling herself to stop being jealous is like preventing herself from breathing.With difficulty, she forced her eyes open and that's when she saw the woman released Icen from her tight grasp and looked up to him. “I love you, Clayton.” She mumbled under her breath with tears in her bright green eyes.Who was this woman? She couldn't help but ask herself. Slowly, the woman leaned closer to lay a kiss on his lips but before she could even witness their lips touch, Ember immediately left the room.As she closed the door behind her, she became aware of the ache in her chest. She had never reacted like this way before to any man, n
“I didn't know you were an orphan, Ms. Heart.” Alexander spoke with a frown scrunching his forehead.She wasn't the type to easily open up with anyone but there was something about Alexander that made her feel she could trust him with her secrets. “I discovered I was adopted just recently.” A sigh escaped from her lips. “Mom had been furious because I'd done something she didn't like and she spilled the truth at the spur of the moment.”“That must have been so devastating…” He lowered the wine glass on the table and sighed, “I can't imagine growing up and suddenly learning that my father and mother were not my biological parents. It will make me question my whole life and wonder where my real parents have been all this time.”“Exactly,” Ember replied. She was surprised how well he summed up what she felt in just a few sentences. “You said it so well, Mr. Lockhart.”“I assume you came to the orphanage to find information about your parents?”Ember nodded her head. “I'm surprised how wel
The second Icen Clayton Blackstone stepped into the room, Ember Heart knew he was trouble spelled in thick capital letters. His name had always been associated with scandal, and he had a lengthy history of affairs known to last for a month or less, thus earning him the name ‘Heartless Prince,’ and even worse, ‘Heart Ripper’. Yet, none of the articles she read had ever cautioned her about his magnetic sexual allure. Ember had seen drop-dead gorgeous men at the party, but there was something about Icen that compelled her to give him a second look even though he wore a masquerade mask. With the stately grace of a king, he walked through the hotel's grand entrance, towering over every male in the room. His magnificent black tuxedo, which he carried well in a dignified stance, made him stand out as he strode toward the waiting crowd. The music abruptly stopped, and the din of conversation subsided in his presence. Men looked up to him with envy and respect. Women stared at him with he
Ember asked the waiter for another refill. ‘Last glass,’ she promised herself as she savored the sweetness of wine in her tongue. She briefly checks the time on her wristwatch. It was late and she should go back to her hotel suit to pack her things because she's flying to another city tonight. Upon finishing her glass, she rose on her bar stool. As she glanced up, she saw trouble headed on her way. It spelt ICEN in bold, capital letters. Ember realized she needed to get away before he got to her. But her silly legs won't move. Her feet seemed to be nailed to the floor. She finished her quick prayers just in time he pulled into a stop. He towered over her. Ember looked like a dwarf next to him, even with her heels on. She tried to flee, but his massive frame stood in her path like a wall. Biting her lips she slowly lifted her gaze.Breath hitched in her throat at the pair of exquisite eyes, the bluest color she'd ever seen.Icen Clayton Blackstone captivated her from a distance.
Ember felt as though they had met before.The way they dance aches with familiarity. Even the sweet scent of his manly perfume swept her with an unexplainable nostalgia. Weird but she also felt with a striking awareness that it wasn't the first time he held her in his arms. “I'm Thunder Steel's fiancee, I mean ex-fiancee.” She replied. For a second, her voice quivered.Icen tensed in response.She felt the moment it happened and something urged her to look at him, and what she saw made her freeze.His eyes didn't just look cold, but Ember swore she saw a hailstorm in them at the mention of her ex-lover's name.Why? Ember inwardly asked herself, wondering if the two had some kind of history.“I see. I remember you now.” He replied after a brief pause. His eyes shifted to her face, recognition shone in them as they looked at her. “The lady dubbed by tabloids as Cinderella. The one lucky woman Thunder Steel had fallen in love with.” He murmured. “That explains why you looked familiar.”
Her jaw fropped to the pristine white floor. She was so shaken by his unexpected admittance that she was unable to say a word. After staying silent for a long while she pulled herself together to as ask him the question that had been bothering her inside. “Do you have kids with her?” Under normal circumstances, she will never have asked such personal question. But the words were already out. Perhaps it was the drinks that gave her the strength to try. “Thank goodness we don’t.” He replied, Something that resembled relief flashed din his eyes. “But why?” She was prying too much in his private life but she can't seem to stop now. Her stubborn mouth couldn’t stop talking. “Because she attempted to murder me on our honeymoon night.” He hissed. Ember froze.Ember immediately sensed his fury and was swept by instant regret. She fell into silence. Her gaze lowered to his shoulders. What kind of woman would do that to her husband? She thought while her chest throbbed painfully.Could i