Forbidden Hearts

forbidden hearts WHITLOCK FAMILY SERIES CORINNE MICHAELS contents Preface Author’s Note Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Epilogue Bonus Scene Books by Corinne Michaels Acknowledgments About the Author Forbidden Hearts Copyright © 2023 Corinne Michaels All rights reserved. ISBN ebook: 978-1-957309-13-2 ISBN print: 978-1-957309-14-9 No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written consent of the author. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or publisher. Cover Design: Sommer Stein, Perfect Pear Creative Editing: Ashley Williams, AW Editing Proofreading: Julia Griffis, Virginia Carey, & ReGina Kaye Photographer: Wander Aguiar Model: Andrew Biernat dedication To all the girls who trusted their hearts to some asshole who broke it. May you find the one who cherishes you for diamond that you are. Oh, and to the guy who broke mine—suck it. Dear Reader, It is always my goal to write a beautiful love story that will capture your heart and leave a lasting impression. However, I want all readers to be comfortable. Therefore, if you want to be aware of any possible CW please click the link below to take you to the book page where there is a link that will dropdown. If you do not need this, please go forth and I hope you love this book filled with all the pieces of my heart. Click here to find any CW for this book author’s note Thank you for purchasing Forbidden Hearts. I truly hope you enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Forbidden Hearts utilizes American Sign Language through the story. For better ease of reading, it is not written in proper ASL format. ASL is different from written English with it’s own rules and structure. Most of the time, my characters will speak aloud at the same time as they sign. There are no clear rules on how to format sign language and I went back and forth with how to do it. In the end, I chose quote marks and italic. As always, I do my best to write situations and characters the best possible. Any discrepancies are mine alone and based on my experiences or those who I consulted with. I want to address the d/Deaf writing in regards to Olivia specifically. The D/DHH community is so diverse and it is honestly a spectrum - no deaf/hard of hearing individual is the same. Everyone has a different experience, whether it's the medical diagnosis/aspect or the community aspect. I consulted with many people and there was diversity among those people to which I used my best judgment in writing. Olivia was born deaf, therefore, she would identify as Deaf (capitalized). I use this several times even though we are not in her point of view. Some members of the D/DHH do not choose to capitalize the word, some do. I am always striving to learn and do better, and hope that the Deaf representation is seen with compassion and understanding as well as bringing awareness to what some may experience. As for her schooling, being that she lives in a very rural area, Olivia would not have the access to some of the resources that should be afforded to her. I do note (very briefly) some of her struggles one ASHER “All her clothes are here, and I didn’t leave anything at my place, so there should be no reason to use the key, but it’s here just in case. The numbers for her pediatrician, audiologist, speech pathologist, and occupational therapist are all listed in the binder,” Sara, my ex—if you can call her that since we never dated—says as I make faces at Olivia, my daughter. “You should consider moving her to the room next to yours and giving the nanny the upstairs, but I’m sure you’ll ignore that suggestion. There’s also a bag with her school supplies. I put some of her favorite snacks in another bag as well as some other—Asher! Are you even listening?” I turn to Sara, making sure Olivia can still see my lips. “Yes, I’m listening. Yes, I know all of this. Yes, I will make sure Olivia goes to school, brushes her teeth, puts pants on, and eats.” “And the room?” “I’m not moving her room. She loves her room more than the one at your house.” Sara doesn’t look amused by my response. She turns to Olivia and signs while speaking the words so I can hear, which is what we do whenever having a conversation with Olivia. “Your father is a turd. Make sure he doesn’t miss your appointments and follows the schedule in the binder.” Olivia smiles. “I love you, Mommy. I will take care of him.” “Hey, I am a grown-up who can take care of everything,” I sign and speak back. They both laugh. “Sure you are, Ash. Now, this binder has everything. I worked hard on it, so please make sure you follow it.” She’s absolutely nutty with her demands for perfection and detail. I’d much rather let things go with the flow. She’s always been this way though, which is why we are much better