Never Say Forever

By Trisha Fuentes

A Second Chance Romance Under the Hollywood Spotlight

 

Phoebe Connelly, a beacon of kindness in the cutthroat world of Hollywood, finds her seemingly perfect marriage to the captivating bad-boy actor, Clark Connelly, crumbling under the weight of his infidelities.

 

Must Phoebe walk away and rebuild her life, or can Clark redeem himself and rekindle the flame of their once-passionate love?

 

Never Say Forever is a captivating tale of a love that faces the harsh realities of betrayal, the fight for self-discovery, and the enduring power of second chances. Will the glittering lights of Hollywood blind them to what truly matters, or can they rewrite their love story under the warm tropical sky?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ardent Artist Books
• Release date: Aug 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798227360182

Trisha Fuentes

I’ve been writing romance that sparkles with a whole lot of heat lately.   What do I consider sparkly?  That tickle in your tummy and that smile on your face when reading an amusing book.  I love to write fun, fast romance with witty leading ladies’ getting that gorgeous, sexy, yet lovable guy that doesn’t take months to finish.  Happily Ever After with a little bit of love angst in between.  Whether you yearn for Historical or Modern, I always have a novel for you!  Rejoice Romance Reader…

Book preview

Never Say ForeverTitle Page

Never Say Forever

Copyright © 2024 by Trisha Fuentes

All rights reserved.

Book Cover and Formatting by Trisha Fuentes

trishafuentes.com

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Published by

Ardent Artist Books

www.ardentartistbooks.com

AAB

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contents

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

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

The Family Fix

The Surprise Heir

Jealousy Never Looked So Good

About Trisha

Also by Trisha Fuentes

one

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI

CURRENT DAY

Phoebe Connelly sat across from her soon-to-be ex-husband and held her head high with every ounce of dignity she had left.

She looked into his icy blue eyes, once filled with love and tenderness, now cold and distant. The room seemed to shrink around them, the walls closing in as the weight of their crumbling marriage pressed down upon her fragile heart. Phoebe’s fingertips trembled as she held onto the edge of the mahogany table, her knuckles turning white with the strain.

The air was heavy with unspoken words, a silence so deafening that it threatened to suffocate her. Glimmers of memories flickered in her mind like dying embers. The laughter they once shared, the stolen kisses under moonlit skies, and the promises made in whispered vows—now reduced to mere ashes of a love that had burned too bright but faded too soon.

Phoebe fought back tears that threatened to spill over her lashes, determined not to let him witness her vulnerability. She had come prepared for this final meeting, fortified with layers of courage and resilience.

No, don’t shed a tear! Don’t allow that scoundrel of a man to get the better of you!

Phoebe glanced away from his rudeness and tried to focus on a spider that scampered across the hardwood floor. Her lawyer was going over the particulars of their divorce proceeding, and she’d rather be under a palm tree.

They were in Port-au-Prince for a quickie divorce—her ex-husband’s agent’s idea—as she would have instead gone through the average wait time in the United States. But Clark Connelly was in a hurry—no doubt wanted to marry that bitch Dina pretty fast—and smoothly talked his way into getting what he wanted. A first-class seat from Florida to Haiti, a week’s stay in the finest hotel overlooking the ocean, and twenty grand a month until she remarries for alimony.

In their early thirties, Phoebe had tied the knot with the scoundrel immediately after college. He was pursuing Theater Arts while she was striving for her degree in English. She often accompanied him to his auditions until he secured roles in several commercials. These brief appearances attracted the attention of a prominent talent scout, and she played a crucial role in kick-starting his cinematic career. Today, Clark is a top-tier celebrity who commanded a minimum of ten million per film.

Clark’s newfound fame was a double-edged sword that brought a whirlwind of tension and challenges. As his star rose higher in the sky, so did the expectations and demands placed upon him. The dazzling allure of Hollywood’s glitz and glamor had cast its spell on Clark, forever changing the dynamics of his romantic and family relationships.

First and foremost, his romantic life bore the brunt of his newfound celebrity status. Clark had always been a hopeless romantic, but now he was caught in a tumultuous storm of desires and temptations. His high-profile status made him an irresistible target for countless admirers on and off the silver screen.

Everywhere he turned, there were stunning models, talented actresses, and influential producers vying for his attention. The allure of fame enticed him to indulge in fleeting flings, leaving broken hearts in his wake.

His agent thought it best to lie low while the formalities were signed to avoid unwanted publicity.

Having no children, she was thankful for the dog she got custody of; otherwise, what did she have to exhibit as a product of their fifteen-year union? All assets were under his name, and he requested she stay home to oversee their household. It was quite the task, being his wife, managing his social calendar, wardrobe, and even nutrition – it would be interesting to see if the new Mrs. Connelly could handle such responsibilities.

Phoebe was furious as she thought about the latest mistress, the one going by the name Dina Denise. This was the fifth woman she knew who had been involved with her husband. It was a ridiculous name, perfect for a porn star.

With a heavy sigh, Phoebe pushed herself away from the conference room table, drawing Clark’s eyes finally away from his attorney’s focus. As she sighed, Phoebe’s mouth tasted like the stale coffee she had sipped on throughout the meeting, the bitterness lingering on her tongue.

As she neared the window, Phoebe’s fingers grazed the sleek surface of the pane, tracing invisible patterns on its calm exterior. The view beyond beckoned to her like a siren’s call, promising an escape from the suffocating atmosphere of the conference room. She pressed her forehead against the transparent barrier, feeling its chill against her skin.

She could feel his presence inching closer, like a looming shadow creeping behind her. The glass pane framed her reflection, capturing the anguish across her face as she battled the turmoil.

You got what you wanted, Clark’s voice echoed again, cutting through the silence like a serrated blade. She breathed deeply, trying to anchor herself amidst the storm raging within her heart.

As Clark’s voice invaded her thoughts, his words felt like poisoned arrows piercing her fragile resolve. The bitter taste of resentment coated every syllable he uttered, each laced with a nasty blend of anger and frustration. She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms as she fought against the urge to unleash her pent-up emotions.

Phoebe dropped her eyes towards some pigeons gathering around a bell tower several hundred feet away. The view was spectacular on this gloomy, hot day—she just wished she were in a better mood. Did I? She quietly let go.

Phoebe’s gaze lingered on the pigeons as they gracefully swooped around the bell tower. Their freedom seemed to