Forever After All

by Catharina Maura

It’s not surprising that he doesn’t recognize me. After all, I’ve changed a lot since I was fifteen, in more ways than just physical. My entire life has changed. I’m far from his little brother’s carefree friend.

I’ll still be a reminder of the guy that stole his fiancée and severely damaged his company at the same time.

This… this is all I’ll ever have of him. Stolen moments. I’ll take them, and I’ll put them under lock and key, to be treasured, to brighten my darkest days. If this is all I’ll have of him, I’m going to make it count.

I finished reading and now I'm after other books by the author. On her site there's a reading order for all her books and the first is 'Stolen Moments' and now I'm thinking bout it. (yes I come to read all my highlights after I finish the book)

my mind flashing back to the countless tasks waiting for me; my mother’s endless demands, my grandfather’s ridiculous requirement for marriage before he’ll let me take over the company that I’ve worked myself to the bone for.

Tell me three good things that happened to you today?” she asks, startling me out of my thoughts.

My therapist told me to write 3 things I'm grateful in the day. Feel like I should go back to it.

I’d wish for genuine happiness, Diana,” I tell her honestly. For a while, I thought I had the happiness I craved, but I was proven wrong. I shake my head, feeling lost for just a single moment. “What about you?” She smiles, but her smile is bittersweet. “Health,” she says. “Good health for everyone I love.”

Yeah, I definitely wouldn’t forget you, Diana.”

HAHAHAHAHA so cliche but I soooooo love it <3

I don’t think that’s a good idea, Alec. But it was good to see you. I’m glad you’re doing well.” I freeze and stare at her in disbelief. Less than a handful of people call me Alec, and never in public. She’d have to be close to my family to know my nickname. “What did you call me?” I ask, anger running through my veins. “I’m sorry. I have to go,”

and u know in your soul... it's time to go hihihihihi

Eight years. My mother has been in a coma for eight years now, and I’m the only one who still believes she’ll wake up one day. I can’t help but feel like it’s a race against the clock. It’s become a question of what will run out first, the money that keeps her alive, or my mother’s remaining health.

A year after my mother fell into a coma, my father managed to get her doctors to declare her brain-dead so he could get remarried. The day he married my stepmother was the day our insurance company informed me they’d stop paying for my mother’s treatments. I didn’t think much of it then, being a Rousseau, but I should’ve known. I should’ve seen the signs before it was too late.

such fucked up relatives, Elena

I even would’ve played nice if my stepmother hadn’t asked Dad to stop paying for Mom’s medical bills.

BITCHH bet she's behind more

My stepmother has her claws in him so deep, she’s got him convinced that all I’m doing is wasting money on a lost cause. I barely recognize Matthew anymore. I left home as soon as I turned eighteen, but he stayed.

if you do, know that there’s no shame in doing what it takes to keep someone alive.”

that's very... well, specific, Idk....

Vaughn’s

Jennifer got engaged,” he says, sounding pained. “To Matthew Rousseau. They picked a wedding date already. They’re doing a low-key secret wedding in the Bahamas next year… on June 20th.”

June 20th. The day she was supposed to marry me. It can’t be a coincidence. She clearly picked that day intentionally; another way to stab me in the heart and twist the knife like the vicious bitch she is. Jennifer is the one I thought was different. The first girl that didn’t seem to be after my money, that saw me for who I am, and not what my name is. I was wrong. Oh, so wrong.

I stare at the picture of Jennifer and me, both of us smiling. It’s a reminder of what happens when I allow myself to fall in love, and how much of a weakness love truly is.

No,” Matthew says. “Can’t you see she doesn’t belong here?” he adds, turning up his nose.

omg what a jerk... shit

I pick myself up off the floor. I’d sell my soul to keep my mother alive—so if I have to, I can and will sell my body, too.

Why am I thinking it'd be easier to sell my soul than my body?

I’m giving up on the girl I used to be back when Lucian and Alexander were a part of my life.

My shoulder brushes against Alexander’s arm, and suddenly I’m stopped in place, his hand on my wrist, his grip tight. “Elena, is it? That’s right. Elena Diana Rousseau. I guess you didn’t lie, but you weren’t honest either.”

Where is she? Elena Diana Rousseau. I saw her walk into your club a few minutes ago. What is she doing here?” Vaughn pauses. “Fuck. It’s her?” he asks. “Yes.” “Alexander, someone called me to say Matthew’s sister was going to show up. I thought I was doing you a favor, man. Fuck. I sent her to John. Conference room eight. You’re not going to like this.”

oh shit

I don’t know what you’re doing here, or what has caused you to be in these circumstances. What I do know is that you’re coming home with me.”

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA omg, oh lord

Part of me is ashamed of how I treated her. How unreasonable I was, and how very much out of control I felt when I saw her sitting there, that defiant look on her face. She has no idea what she almost got herself into, no matter how much she may have tried to convince herself otherwise. Unwarranted possessiveness surges through me as I think back to the look on her face when I made her come.

awnn he's such a conflicted person, if he only used a bit of his world of money to go to a therapist...

No… Elena?” She wraps me in a tight hug and I squeeze back just as hard, holding back tears yet again. I can’t remember the last time someone hugged me like this, yet today two people have held me close. “Sofia,” I whisper, as though saying her name out loud will wake me up from this nostalgic dream. Sofia kisses the top of my head and tightens her hug.

oh god I'm gonna cry AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

The layout of this entire floor has changed,” I murmur in surprise. Alexander pauses and looks back at me. “Yeah. Two years ago, we renovated most of the house. Lucian, my parents, and I each have separate quarters now. They’re all still in the same building, but they’re essentially different apartments.”

I selfishly wanted more of that. I wanted more of the Alexander who actually saw me as a woman, and not the awkward teen that followed him around everywhere. I wanted to be more than the little sister of the man you hate.”

Elena, I want you to marry me.”

it's just getting started noooww

She’s no doubt remembering the way our mothers used to joke about their children getting married. I always wondered who they imagined her getting married to, me or Lucian. I guess the decision is out of their hands now.

hm... i bet u two hahhahahah

If I have to marry, I’d rather marry someone who owes me. Your family background is good enough, and you’re bound to inherit your mother’s shares, so you’ll be able to increase the Kennedy family’s wealth and influence. Besides, my mother has always loved you, so I know you’ll fit well into our family.”

Oh, he’ll care,” I whisper, “and you will belong to me. It’s not just your body that will be mine, Elena. It’s your every thought, your every dream. Your entire future is mine.”

Surprisingly, I don’t like seeing the fight leave her eyes. I don’t enjoy getting my way, watching her give in. That’s a first.

So long as you guarantee you won’t ever restrict my access to her or limit the amount of money I get to spend on my mother’s care, I’ll marry you, Alexander. Use me as a pawn in whatever stupid rich-people-game you’re playing. I don’t care. If you help me save my mother’s life, I’ll be whatever you want me to be.”

Why the hell would you marry her? You’re thirty. She’s twenty-three, you pedophile.

uuuuuuuuuuuuu age gap <3

I look at him with barely contained resentment. He’s just like every other man in my life—revelling in my helplessness. I hate that I’ve been reduced to this, yet I have no other choice. If I want to save my mother’s life and provide her with the care she needs, I’ll have to be whatever Alexander asks me to be.

Tonight is all you have to change your mind, Elena. Tomorrow afternoon, I’m making you my wife. Instead of selling your body at Vaughn’s, you’ll be selling it to me. Think it through carefully, because from tomorrow onward, you’ll be mine.”

I nod and swallow down the lump in my throat. This feels so wrong. What have I done? What was I thinking?

just keep breathin and breathin and breathinnnng

we’re going to stage an entire relationship. We’ll go on high profile dates, I’ll publicly propose to you, and we’ll have a grand wedding ceremony on the 20th of June.”

My heart breaks even as I force a smile onto my face. I was terrified that all he’d be able to think about when he sees me is Matthew. But it’s worse. When he looks at me, it’s Jennifer he sees.

All I am is a tool to get to her, to rattle her, to hurt her. Even now, when it’s me that bears his last name, it’s her he thinks of. It will always be her.

It’s been over a year since they broke up, yet he still has a photo of the two of them. Is this what he looks at before he goes to bed, is she still the first thing he sees when he wakes up?

part of me hoped I’d someday have a family of my own. A husband that loves me, a home filled with laughter and happiness. I won’t have any of that now that I’ve sealed my own fate. I can’t have romantic notions. I can’t have hope. Alexander has been clear from the very start, and I can’t delude myself into thinking he’ll love me one day. I can’t set myself up for heartache.

my father and brother can turn their backs on me, then so can Alexander. I need to remember that.

I’m glad that the one he married is you, but at the same time I wanted more for you. This isn’t what your mother would want for you, either. Alec has been through a lot, and I’m not sure he’ll even be able to give you a chance. I hope he does, Elena. I really hope he does. If anyone can mend his heart, I think it’ll be you.”

“You two wanted Alexander and me to end up together?” I ask, disregarding her other words. “Not me and Lucian?” She smiles. “Of course not. Lucian and you are incredibly incompatible, for numerous reasons.”

ruefully.

husband that adores me.

BUT U TOLERATEEE ITTTTT

I saved my mother’s life, but I gave up my own in return. I have no regrets. If given the choice, I’d do it all over again—but that doesn’t mean that I don’t mourn the dreams I’m giving up on. It doesn’t mean I don’t wonder what I might be missing out on.

“Just trying to cheer you up. You seem stressed.” He shakes his head. “Didn’t we agree you wouldn’t interfere with my private life? This isn’t a real marriage, Elena.”

JERKKKK

He collapses on top of me and turns us over so I’m lying in his arms, both of us panting. His arms wrap around me, and he holds me tightly.

I love these moments so damn much