Reflections Series by A.L. Woods

RaquelI live my life by one rule: fight to survive.I don’t like people; I don’t like my job, and I definitely do not like the broody man I’m interviewing.I’ve built up these walls to keep me safe, Sean’s presence in my world would only complicate things.He wouldn’t know what to do with me if I came with an instruction manual–because women like me don’t get the happily ever after.He might just be the one to break the mirror of my fragile identity.And if I’m not careful? I’ll let him... moreRaquelI live my life by one rule: fight to survive.I don’t like people; I don’t like my job, and I definitely do not like the broody man I’m interviewing.I’ve built up these walls to keep me safe, Sean’s presence in my world would only complicate things.He wouldn’t know what to do with me if I came with an instruction manual–because women like me don’t get the happily ever after.He might just be the one to break the mirror of my fragile identity.And if I’m not careful? I’ll let him.SeanI live my life by one rule: family is everything.I do this for the money; I don’t care about flipping houses, and I don’t like being interrogated about it by this wannabe Hemingway.But I can’t deny my immediate attraction towards her, it fills my mind with what if’s–and I only just met her.Raquel doesn’t know what she wants, but I know what she needs.I’m ready to give her it all.Even if she needs to hate me first. less

SeanI want all of her; the consequences be damned. I don’t care about the baggage, the fear, the hurt.I’m determined to prove that I’m different. That this all-consuming energy between us is a once in a lifetime kind of love that would burn forever if we let it.I’d give her the life that she deserves.But she keeps digging into a dark secret that’s bigger than me, bigger than us.I can’t protect her from the truth.No one can... moreSeanI want all of her; the consequences be damned. I don’t care about the baggage, the fear, the hurt.I’m determined to prove that I’m different. That this all-consuming energy between us is a once in a lifetime kind of love that would burn forever if we let it.I’d give her the life that she deserves.But she keeps digging into a dark secret that’s bigger than me, bigger than us.I can’t protect her from the truth.No one can.RaquelI don't believe in 'happily ever after', my upbringing didn’t allow me to be that naïve.Not until him.For the first time in my life, maybe I deserve forever.But before I allow myself to fall into fantasy, I need answers so I can let go of my past.They say the truth sets you free…This truth shattered me. less

RaquelIt’s all a lie. After everything he promised, after everything we went through.He lied. I’ll never be willfully blind to the truth again.Sean’s no better than the rest of them, no matter what he says. He ruined us. He ruined me.And I let him. So, I’ll do what I do best...Run.SeanIt was a lie of omission. I didn’t do it to hurt her; I did it to get closer to her. I’m not like them, and I’ll do what I can to make it right. Raquel wants to run away from us, run away from me... moreRaquelIt’s all a lie. After everything he promised, after everything we went through.He lied. I’ll never be willfully blind to the truth again.Sean’s no better than the rest of them, no matter what he says. He ruined us. He ruined me.And I let him. So, I’ll do what I do best...Run.SeanIt was a lie of omission. I didn’t do it to hurt her; I did it to get closer to her. I’m not like them, and I’ll do what I can to make it right. Raquel wants to run away from us, run away from me. I’ll chase her across the country if I have to.I’ll get her back.’Cause there’s only one thing that drives me…Love. less