Category: Twisted Love by Ana Huag

AVA “I kicked your ass.” “You did not kick my ass,” Ralph grumbled. “You got lucky with that last punch.” “It’s all right.” Alex adjusted his shirt sleeves, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of triumph and amusement. “Every student eventually becomes the teacher.” “Boy, I’ll knock you upside the head if you don’t stop talking nonsense.” Despite his gruff words, Ralph was smiling. “What did I say about arguing […]

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THE FELLOWSHIP ENDED WITH A GRAND EXHIBITION ATTENDED BY THE MOVERS and shakers of London’s art world. The exhibition took place in Shoreditch, and every fellow had their own section in the pop-up gallery. It was exhilarating, nerve-wracking, and utterly surreal. I stared at my little slice of heaven and the people passing through it, dressed to the nines and examining each piece with what I hoped were admiring eyes. […]

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ALEX LIVED UP TO HIS PROMISE-SLASH-THREAT OF SHOWING UP EVERY. Single. Day. He was there in the morning when I left for my fellowship, usually with a vanilla latte and blueberry scone—my favorites. He was there to walk me home after my workshops. Other times, especially when I was with other people or exploring the city on the weekends, he was less conspicuous, but he was there. I felt his […]

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I LOVED LONDON. I loved its energy, the posh accents, and the anticipation that I might sight one of the royals any day. I didn’t, but I could, though I reassured Bridget she’d always be my favorite royal. Most of all, I loved that it was a fresh start. No one knew me here. I could be whoever I wanted, and the creative spark I’d lost in those dark weeks […]

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TWO AND A HALF MONTHS LATER “You look like shit.” Ralph sank into the chair opposite mine and appraised me with sharp eyes. “Haven’t ‘cha heard of a skincare routine?” I didn’t look up from the screen. “Carolina!” The door to my office opened, and my assistant poked her head in. “Yes, Mr. Volkov?” “How the fuck did he get in here?” I gestured at Ralph. “He’s on your approved […]

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Bridget convinced Rhys not to tell the palace what happened in Philadelphia. I didn’t know how, because Rhys was such a stickler for the rules—even if telling the truth meant getting himself in trouble, since Bridget had been kidnapped on his watch—but she did. The press also never picked up on the real story. Other than a small item about an “accidental house fire that resulted in the death of […]

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TWO MONTHS LATER Bridget convinced Rhys not to tell the palace what happened in Philadelphia. I didn’t know how, because Rhys was such a stickler for the rules—even if telling the truth meant getting himself in trouble, since Bridget had been kidnapped on his watch—but she did. The press also never picked up on the real story. Other than a small item about an “accidental house fire that resulted in […]

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I WATCHED AVA LEAVE, MY CHEST HOLLOW, MY EYES BURNING WITH A foreign, pent-up emotion. I wanted to run after her and snatch her out of Bridget’s arms. To fall to my knees and beg her forgiveness for the unforgivable. To keep her by my side for the rest of our days so nothing and no one could hurt her again. Except I couldn’t, because I was the one who’d […]

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THE NEXT HOUR PASSED IN A BLUR. THE POLICE AND PARAMEDICS ARRIVED, peppering me with questions and medical checkups and lots of somber looking faces. I endured them all, my answers flat and robotic. By the time they finished, I wanted to crawl into my bed and never get out—if I could bring myself to move. “Ava?” Bridget placed a tentative hand on my arm. “The police said we can […]

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MY WORLD CRASHED DOWN TWO WEEKS AFTER MY UNCLE’S VISIT. I was driving to work when I received a call from Ivan “requesting” I visit him ASAP. He’d been suspiciously quiet since he was dethroned as CEO, but I knew why. I also knew why he’d asked for a visit—I’d been expecting it. I called my assistant and told her to cancel the rest of my meetings for the day […]

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