Novel-novel oleh sharonoreoluwa40

Aria's POVThe maids had this deadpan expression as they strapped me into layer upon layer of satin lace and jewels I had never wanted before. Their whispers were rough gales meant to frighten me, and while I knew this, it felt rather cold to me when their words fell like ice on my skin."You will be with Adam this evening." One of the hissing maids leaned forward with the warning note, just adding "Has he not warned you about him?" for spice.I kept a blank face and mouthed an assent, without letting them detect that they had intimidated me. No show of weakness was allowed; I needed strength without fear. But under those words, their crawlings commenced."He won't stop until you're sorry," they preached, "once he begins" The empty room reverberated with those after they had left. I clenched my fists and told myself that I had seen far worse because *it was just another trial from our Aria: get through it, earn his trust, and pocket what you came for*.As the guard came to clear roads

Aria's POVI was trying to comprehend Jasmine's lifestyle when a man accosted me in the corridor. He looked suspiciously natural, with a curious look that was both friendly and interrupting. As he approached, there was something possessive in his stance."Jasmine." His voice was a whisper and heart-achingly familiar. "I was worried about you."I forced a polite smile, but his eyes made me uneasy. "Thank you, but… I'm fine. Things have just been… complicated.""Complicated?" He scowled. "Jasmine, you tried to kill yourself instead of being with Adam. You should have told me if things were that bad."I gasped in surprise. That was what they believed?"Aadam is my fiancé," I said carefully. "We… we need to keep things… professional."His eyebrows creased in confusion and annoyance. "Jasmine, don't you remember what we agreed? This temporary marriage with Adam was the plan."Temporary? My mind reeled, though I couldn't show my confusion. I swallowed hard, trying to talk like Jasmine."Dav

Aria's POV (Now in Jasmine's Body)Today was the most anxious day I ever had. I wake and continue reminding myself repeatedly: I am Jasmine now, not Aria. This new reality is peculiar and challenging. But I also think Adam can be the key to my revenge.I wake up at dawn to the thud of heavy steps approaching the door. Adam is here, and I can tell he is mad even before his arrival. I struggle to stop myself from shaking where I'm standing.The door creaks open and Adam steps in. His blazing anger-flecked eyes traverse the room."Jasmine!" he thunders. "Do you realize what you have done?"I speak as clearly as I can. "I did not try to kill myself, Adam."He taunts. "Pushed?" he growls, his voice rough. "That's a good alibi, don't you think?"I look away. "It's the truth. I was pushed by someone who did not want us to marry."Adam looms over me so close that I can feel his anger. "Why should I trust you, Jasmine?" he demands.I cross my arms and respond firmly, "I don't require your trus

Aria's POV (in Jasmine's Body)I slept on a gold, warm-lit bed and the soft sound of crystal. My lids fought to rise above a ceiling bearing sparkling chandeliers and furniture that had gold adorning them hanging from above. I remained still for a short while, trying to soak in the lavish surroundings. A pounding headache pounded at the rear of my head, and I was relieved to find that my skin was unburned…though my mind remembered the fires that had consumed my former life. The feelings were alien and synthetic, as though I'd been rebuilt in someone else's body.I yawned, and this odd looseness in my arms. The warmth of the fire had given way to numb ache, reminding me that even if I were rescued, something essential had changed. My head wobbled as I struggled to piece together answers: Which room was this? Where was I? The softness of the bed and muffled rustle of silk drapes testified to decadence and luxury.. just the reverse of the stark realities I'd known."Jasmine?" a soft, unc

Aria's POVI'd wished the hurt would be erased by bringing her into being. I'd lied to myself that she'd be a redo…a tabula rasa at something actual, something true. It is foolish, perhaps, but to have her, the small clench around my thumb, a small flame of hope glowed within me.I steadied myself, grasping her, not quite breathing with hope and fear. I could barely think that it was happening—she was here. I prayed that as soon as Alex saw her, he would understand. Perhaps even acknowledge that we were not to be kept from him. She was his daughter, after all. That must mean something.But when he arrived at the room, his demeanor said it all. His eyes were icier than ice—darker than I ever had managed to recall them before. He regarded her as some kind of creature that he could not even hope to understand, turned, and gave me an even greater disdain."Is that your grand design, Aria?" he scoffed, the sound of his voice piercing through the quietness like jagged pieces of broken glass