Awake my Heart

Dear Readers,

I wanted to take a moment to share that Awake my Heart is no longer on Inkitt. The edited version is available through Kindle Unlimited. Due to the exclusive rights associated with this platform, I am unable to offer the entire book for free at this time. However, I invite you to enjoy the first few chapters, which are available to give you a taste of the story and its characters.

I am truly grateful for your ongoing support and interest in my work. If you’re looking for more reading material, please don’t hesitate to explore my other free titles.

Thank you once again for being such wonderful readers!

Warm regards,

The Elusive Authoress

Anna

The house was quiet. I walked quietly over the wooden floor, each step making the empty rooms feel heavier. I dropped my bag by the door and paused, listening. Nothing. No Dad’s usual buzz of frustration from grading papers, no sound of laughter from the living room.

The smell of fresh linen and faint perfume moved from the back of the house. I followed it, tiptoeing carefully not to disturb the peace.

Nancy sat at her sewing machine, sunlight reflecting from her strawberry-blonde hair, turning each wave into a thread of gold. Freckles dotted her nose and cheeks, as soft as cinnamon, and her green eyes, calm and steady, watched the needle move along the fabric. She gave a small, reserved smile when she noticed me behind her.

The room smelled faintly of fabric and pins, with that sharp metallic tang from the scissors. She paused for a second, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, then went back to the dress. Every seam, every fold—it was obvious she’d put so much care into it, like the fabric itself had a story.

“Hey, sis,” I said, leaning over to plant a quick kiss on her cheek. Her eyes met mine, sparkling in a way that said more than words ever could.

I looked at the chair next to her. My wedding dress lay there, the lace bodice gleaming. I swallowed hard.

Nancy’s hands lifted slowly, signing: Do you want to try it on?

“Yes,” I said, kneeling to lift the dress. The silk slipped through my fingers. Lace clung delicately to where shoulders would be bare, the silky skirt flowing. “Perfect,” I said.

She leaned back slightly, eyes bright, biting her lower lip as she watched me. No sound. But somehow, I could hear her.

“You’ve outdone yourself,”

She smiled, tilting her head, and it felt like the room exhaled with her.

Nancy signed quickly, her hands moving with the grace I had always admired. “I managed to change the venue to a child-friendly one that can accommodate twenty kids and their parents.” she signed, her green eyes lighting up.

“You did?” I asked.

She nodded, a small, proud smile tugging at her lips. “And it has a play area for the kids.”

“That’s wonderful,” I said, stepping forward to hug her.

The knock at the door pulled me away.

When I opened it, three familiar smiles greeted me—Veronica, Tatum, and Chloe, my bridesmaids.

“Hey, ladies! What a surprise,” I said, hugging them one by one.

“We came to check on the bride,” Chloe said, her voice bright. “Do you have everything ready?”

“Yes, come inside. I want to show you something,” I said, leading them down the hallway. The sunlight caught the sequins on the dress hanging over Nancy’s chair. I lifted it carefully.

“Wow,” Chloe and Tatum chorused. “Where is it from?”

Nancy glanced at me, a slight shrug in her gesture. “I made it.” she signed.

“Your sister?” Chloe’s eyebrows shot up. “I didn’t know she could sew!”

“She does have a few clients,” I said, smoothing a crease from the fabric. “She’s struggled to break into the industry, but she recently landed a job at a big wedding planning firm.”

Chloe leaned closer to examine the stitching. “Wow… she’s talented.”

“Please, put it on—we need to see!” Tatum added.

I stepped into the dress, and the moment the fabric settled around my body, their mouths fell open.

“You are going to be the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen,” Chloe breathed. Tatum nodded vigorously beside her.

But Veronica remained silent, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. She hadn’t said a word since she arrived, and now her gaze lingered on me, sharp and slightly cold.

“Well,” Veronica said finally, her voice clipped, “if I hadn’t pursued Michael first… it would’ve been me in that dress.”

I froze. My hands hovered over the bodice, unsure where to look.

“Are you serious?” Chloe stepped closer. “You may have liked him first, but Michael chose Anna. Why are we even on this topic? It’s not like she stole your boyfriend.”

Veronica’s jaw tightened. “But Anna knew I liked him.”

“Anna liked him, too. You were just vocal about it. In the end, Michael was interested in Anna,” Tatum added, crossing her arms but smiling encouragingly at me.

“Exactly,” Chloe said firmly. “So stop fighting. It’s been so long—I thought you got over it by now.”

“I’m not fighting,” Veronica said. “I’m just saying…”

I stayed silent, my chest tight with awkwardness. Carefully, I slipped out of the dress and handed it back to Nancy, who watched the commotion quietly, her green eyes calm and observant, absorbing every word and gesture without judgment.

The front door creaked open, and I heard familiar voices—low, teasing, overlapping. Dad and Michael, laughing like they’d known each other forever. Curiosity got the better of me, and I stepped into the hallway.

“Hi, Dad,” I said, smiling. He looked tired but happy, shoulders relaxed despite the day’s work.

Then my eyes found Michael. He froze for a split second when he saw me, like all the air had shifted. “What are you doing here?” I asked, though I already knew.

“I came to get you,” he said, a grin tugging at his lips. Before I could even respond, he leaned in to press a warm kiss to my lips. “Dinner. Just us.”

I glanced at the girls who were still hanging out. “I have friends over,” I said, trying to sound casual.

Chloe stepped forward with a teasing smile. “Hi, Mike.”

“Hey,” Tatum added, waving shyly.

Michael’s eyes twinkled as he raised a hand. “Ladies, can I steal my fiancée for a bit?”

“Let me first slip into something better,” I said, turning to the stairs. But Michael was already moving—fast and determined. He grabbed my hand before I could protest.

“Not so fast, sweetheart,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around me. His lips brushed mine again, slow and sure. “I love you,” he whispered, voice low and steady.

I leaned into him for a heartbeat. “Love you too,” but my mind tugged at me. “I have to go now…”

From behind, a scoff cut through the moment. “You two make me nauseous,” Veronica said flatly, rolling her eyes.

I laughed, shaking my head, trying to brush it off, even though a part of me felt irritated. Michael squeezed my hand, tugging me toward him, and I had to smile despite Veronica’s commentary.

*****

After dinner, Michael suggested we take a drive. We drove through quiet streets until we reached a gated community lined with modern, smart townhouses.

“Who lives here?” I asked; curiosity got the better of me.

He gave me a lazy, mischievous smile but didn’t answer.

“Are you seriously not going to tell me?” I pressed, frowning playfully.

“I’ll answer you in a few minutes,” he teased, pulling the car into a space near one of the homes. He got out first, moved around to open the door for me, and gently took my hand in his. “It’s a surprise,” he murmured.

When we reached the door, he unlocked it, and I stepped inside. The interior was beautiful, and spacious—a perfect two-bedroom townhouse shining in soft evening light.

“Wow…” I whispered, turning slowly to take it all in.

“It’s ours,” he said, eyes bright as he watched me.

“What… ours?”

“Yes, sweetheart. Two bedrooms—one for us, and the other for our future little one.”

Tears pricked my eyes, and I threw my arms around him, holding him tightly. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered into his chest.

“We should start bringing in your things,” he said, his hands resting at my waist. “Our wedding is just two weeks away. What do you think?”

“Of course,” I replied, still marvelling at the space.

My eyes went to his desk, scattered with papers. “Working on a case?” I asked, curiously.

“Yep,” he said, smirking. “Representing a wealthy client divorcing his gold-digging wife. Don’t worry—she’ll walk away with nothing.”

I tilted my head, half-teasing. “Do I need to sign an antenuptial agreement too?”

Before I could react, he stepped closer from behind, wrapping his arms around my waist. I leaned into him, eyes still on the paperwork, when his lips trailed my neck.

“You have nothing to sign,” he said, voice low and intimate. “What’s mine is yours, sweetheart.”

Then, with a playful grin, he spun me around. Our lips crashed in a deep kiss that made the world fall apart. He moved us toward the bedroom, his hands warm against my skin.

He eased me onto the queen-size bed, hovering above me, eyes dark with desire. Slowly, softly, he kissed me again.

“I love you, Anna,” he whispered between kisses, his voice thick with hunger.