Gabriel’s POVStanding at the altar, I kept my gaze fixed ahead, refusing to look at her. Aria. The woman who, in a matter of hours, would legally become my wife.How did I get here? A marriage to a stranger, orchestrated by my grandmother, Helen. The same woman who’d built this empire with her bare hands and who, now in her twilight years, thought she had the right to rearrange my life like one of her elaborate dinner table settings.This wasn’t a marriage. It was a transaction, plain and simple—a desperate bid to protect the family’s estate, legacy, and God knows what else. And Aria? She was just as much a pawn in this as I was. A woman drowning in debt, dragged into this mess because she was the "solution" to Grandma’s prophecy that only I, married to her, could secure the future.I resented her for it. For agreeing to this circus. For being here now, dressed in white and looking like someone I should care about.The officiant’s voice broke through my thoughts, dragging me back into
Mexico City, Three Years Ago9:45 PM, The Gran Palacio BallroomGabriel tugged at the cuffs of his black wool double-breasted peak lapel tuxedo, more out of habit than necessity. Around him, the glittering ballroom buzzed with conversation, the kind of polished, calculated talk he had grown used to over the years.This was his world: annual galas, endless schmoozing, and deals that shaped skylines. As the CEO of the largest real estate firm in San Francisco, being here was less about choice and more about duty. Tonight, the focus was on expanding their footprint into Latin America, but Gabriel’s mind was far from the logistics of skyscrapers and property lines.“…we’re better off delaying the deal until the second quarter,” Jonathan was saying, his tone calm and practical.Gabriel nodded absently, barely processing the words. His attention had shifted the moment he heard an arresting, velvety voice. It wasn’t loud, not enough to disrupt the steady hum of conversations around them. But
Up close, she was breathtaking in a way that caught him completely off guard. Her caramel-toned skin seemed to glow, its warm undertones hinting at her roots, and her sharp jawline added a refined edge to her beauty. Her full lips, unadorned but naturally inviting, were set in a faint pout, as though she was lost in thought.Her dark eyes were deep and almond-shaped, framed by thick lashes that gave them an almost hypnotic quality. They had a richness to them, a kind of smoldering intensity that made Gabriel feel like they could see straight through him.The way her hair framed her heart-shaped face made every feature more striking, from the proud curve of her nose to the delicate arch of her brows.She wasn’t just beautiful; she was arresting. Every angle, every detail seemed carefully crafted to demand his attention. She had a quiet elegance about her that felt natural, not rehearsed, and it only made him more curious.He suddenly realized he’d been staring too long.Gabriel barely
Gabriel sat by the large windows in his penthouse, staring out at the city lights without really seeing them. He’d bought the place as a home base for his trips to Mexico, a convenient spot for work as his company expanded into Latin America. His phone sat on the table beside a half-empty glass of wine, untouched for the last hour.He paced the length of the room, one hand in his pocket while the other ran absently through his hair. Restless energy coursed through him, unusual for someone so composed. He glanced at his phone for the third time in the last five minutes, the screen lighting up to show nothing but the time. No messages. No calls.Antonia had only taken his number, promising to call when she felt ready. It had seemed like a good idea at the time, but now, the waiting was driving him crazy.The hours since the gala felt like a blur. He hadn’t been able to shake the memory of her. The way her voice carried a subtle warmth, the elegance in how she carried herself. She wasn’t
Gabriel woke up earlier than usual and his thoughts were entirely consumed by Antonia. She was on his mind more than he cared to admit. It was foolish, he told himself, to be this excited about someone he’d only just met. And yet, he couldn’t help it.The way they’d connected, effortlessly, as though they had known each other much longer than a few hours. He wanted to see her again. Needed to.He had already made plans, of course. It was in his nature to go all out for something he cared about, and he cared about impressing her. He didn’t want to take her to some stuffy restaurant or an overhyped bar. No, he wanted her to remember this day. Something that felt special.He could have asked Jonathan to handle everything for him, but it would be exciting to do it himself. There was something personal about taking control of the plans. That way, he’d feel more connected to it. He wanted to be part of the process, to have the satisfaction of knowing that every little piece had his touch on
Antonia’s eyes fluttered open, her body still warm and heavy from the night before. Her bare back rested against his chest. His arm rested possessively around her waist, holding her close, as though even in sleep, he didn’t want to let her go. The faint scent of cologne and the lingering warmth of their naked bodies told the story of passion that had unfolded just hours earlier. His breath was soft and steady against her neck, and for a moment, she simply lay there, relishing the quiet intimacy of the moment.Antonia turned her head slightly, careful not to wake him, and let her gaze linger on his face. His features were relaxed, almost boyish in his sleep, and it made her smile. For all his intensity the night before, he looked peaceful now, as though the weight of the world had been lifted.She shifted a little, careful not to disturb him too much, but his arm tightened around her waist instinctively. His lips brushed her shoulder, and a low murmur escaped him."Morning already?" h
Gabriel sat behind his large, polished desk, flicking through business proposals with the occasional furrow of his brow. Jonathan, seated across from him, shuffled through papers, checking the details of an upcoming meeting. The steady hum of the office felt normal, but there was an odd energy in the air today.Every now and then, Gabriel would glance up from the documents, a small smile tugging at his lips. It wasn’t much, a brief curve of his mouth, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. But it was enough for Jonathan to notice. Gabriel wasn’t usually so distracted. Not when he was buried in work.Jonathan raised an eyebrow. He’d worked with Gabriel long enough to know that something was different. The man wasn’t easily moved by much, and yet, here he was, smiling to himself like a teenager in love. Jonathan shifted in his seat, trying to make sense of it. He knew Gabriel had been seeing Antonia for a couple of months now, but was this really the cause of his strange mood?He didn’t as
One Year LaterIn the span of a year, Gabriel’s world had become a love story written for Antonia. The once self-assured, business-savvy billionaire was now a man who revolved around her, every decision tinged with her presence. Antonia had seamlessly become a part of his life—his family adored her, his friends admired her charm, and his staff spoke of her kindness.Over the months, Gabriel had put her name on properties, an apartment in Miami, another in Mexico, and shares in one of his smaller businesses. She had gained access to his accounts under the guise of helping him organize his life, funding personal projects, and even donating to causes close to her heart. To Gabriel, she was a partner in every sense. He was utterly convinced that she was the woman he would marry.Despite their growing closeness, there was one person who still doubted Antonia, which was Jonathan. Gabriel’s closest confidant and right-hand man had spent the past year quietly observing her. Every time he voic
Gabriel’s POVDominic’s update came in like clockwork.Aria had taken the promotion. No hesitation. No second-guessing. She thought it was luck. The right place, the right time, the perfect opportunity falling into her hands. And why wouldn’t she? That was the world I wanted her to live in. A world where doors opened for her effortlessly, where she could step into the future she deserved without ever knowing whose hands had cleared the path.Her brother’s scholarship had come through. Full ride. Mentorship, books, everything covered. Another twist of fate in her mind. Another reason to believe life had finally started working in her favor.I leaned back, exhaling slowly. She was happy. She was thriving. And for now, she was safe.I should have been satisfied. I should have let it be enough. But it wasn’t. It never would be. I still wasn’t breathing right.Because I wasn’t there. Because I wasn’t the one she was coming home to at the end of the day, the one she was smiling at when she
Aria's POVThe walk to work was peaceful, the kind of morning that made me grateful for this change. The air was crisp, the streets quieter than what I was used to, and for once, I didn’t feel like I was constantly racing against something I couldn’t see.Lennox & Co. Publishing was not the biggest publishing house in the country, but it was reputable, respected. It had an impressive catalog of bestsellers, a growing influence in the industry, and most importantly, a work culture that wasn’t suffocating. Here, creativity thrived. Ideas were encouraged, not dismissed. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I was in a space where I could breathe.As I pushed through the glass doors, the familiar hum of morning activity greeted me. The scent of coffee lingered in the air, blending with the faint aroma of paper and ink. Editors and assistants moved around with purpose, some already deep in conversations about manuscripts and market trends.I had barely settled at my desk when I h
GABRIEL’S POVLetting her go was supposed to protect her. That was the only reason I did it. I told myself that if I walked away, if I created enough distance, she would be safe. But it had been two months, and I was lying to myself if I thought I had ever truly let her go.I wasn’t there with her. I wasn’t beside her when she woke up or when she fell asleep, but I still knew everything. Where she lived. Where she worked. Who she spoke to. What time she left her apartment in the morning. What time she returned. The smallest details of her life reached me because I made sure they did.It wasn’t about control. It was about protection.Aria thought she had a fresh start. A new city. A new job. A life away from me.But there was no such thing as away when it came to her.I knew everything.I knew she had gone back to Colorado, back to the only family she had left. I knew she lived in a small apartment a few blocks from her workplace, in a neighborhood that was safe but not safe enough for
Aria’s POVIt had been exactly two months since that night.Two months since I had gasped for breath, my body thrashing against the weight of water pulling me under. Since my lungs burned, my chest clenched, my limbs flailed uselessly in the cold grip of the pool. I had never learned how to swim. The moment I hit the water, panic took over, swallowing every rational thought. I could still remember the way my pulse had hammered in my ears, the desperate way I had kicked and clawed at nothing, the helplessness of realizing I couldn’t save myself.Then hands. Strong, steady hands cutting through the water, pulling me up, dragging me toward the surface. Air rushed into my lungs in sharp, painful gulps the moment I broke free from the depths. I had coughed, sputtering, gripping onto the stranger who had saved me as if my life depended on it because it had. I never got his name. Never saw his face clearly through the haze of fear and chlorine-stung eyes. By the time my friends arrived, brea
Aria’s POVTime blurred in Nicole’s apartment. Days and nights folded into each other, indistinguishable. I wasn’t counting them. I barely acknowledged their passing. I simply moved through them, existing in a cycle of forced normalcy.Wake up.Eat when they made me.Sleep when exhaustion became heavier than the ache in my chest.Repeat.The world outside moved on without me. But in here, in the warm cocoon of Nicole’s home, I was frozen in place.I didn’t cry. Not in front of them. Not when Liv cracked jokes that were funnier in her head than out loud. Not when Jenna threw on ridiculous reality shows, hoping for an eye roll or even a scoff from me. Not even when Nicole who was always effortlessly put together, sat cross-legged on the floor in sweats, painting my nails in silence because she knew words wouldn’t fix this.They didn’t let me sink completely.They hovered, filling the space around me with warmth, chatter, and relentless attempts to pull me back into the world.And tonigh
Gabriel's POVMorning comes like a slow, merciless execution.The sheets beside me are cold. The space where she had once been—where her warmth had lingered hours ago—is empty now. I stare at it for too long, my body still, my mind awake but unwilling to move. Maybe if I stay like this, if I don’t breathe too deep, the weight in my chest won’t crush me whole.But reality isn’t kind. It never is.Aria is gone.The realization is a sharp, unforgiving blade. I told myself last night that this was necessary, that this was the only way. I had made my choice. And yet, the silence she left behind feels like a living thing, curling around me, digging its claws in.I exhale through my nose, forcing my body upright. The world will talk. The media will speculate. That’s the least of my concerns.Because as long as Aria is still my wife, she’ll never stop being a target.I knew this the moment I saw the tattoo on the man who tried to take her. The same tattoo Antonia had. The same one I’d seen be
Gabriel’s POVWhen my grandmother died, she left everything to me. The estate, the properties, the businesses—every single thing. Not a damn cent to Ethan. Not even a piece of land to appease him.I should have expected it. I did, in some ways. She was never blind to who Ethan was, never fooled by his charm the way others were. She saw what lay beneath—the recklessness, the ambition fueled by entitlement rather than discipline. She once told me that power, when given to the wrong hands, destroys more than it builds.But even knowing all of that, I still braced myself for the fallout when the lawyer read the will aloud.I saw the disbelief flicker across the faces of those in the room. The unspoken question hanging thick in the air: Why would she do this?I didn’t need to answer. The answer was already there, written in the years of choices she made—choices that led her to place the entirety of our legacy in my hands alone.Ethan’s silence was the loudest thing in the room.For the fir
The call came late at night. Gabriel had just stepped out of the shower when his phone rang, and the moment he answered, I knew. I saw it in his eyes. How the color drained from his face, how his grip tightened around the device as if holding onto it could somehow change what he was hearing.His grandmother was gone.He didn’t say a word. Just stood there, towel slung low on his hips, water still dripping from his hair. I barely had time to react before he turned on his heel and left the room, walking out as if the walls were caving in on him.I followed him to the balcony, where he stood, hands braced against the railing, head bowed. The city lights stretched endlessly before us, but I knew he wasn’t seeing any of it. His shoulders were trembling slightly, his breath uneven. Gabriel never let his guard down—not in public, not in private. But in that moment, I saw the cracks in the armor.“Gabriel…” I whispered, stepping closer.He didn’t move, didn’t acknowledge me at first. Then, af
Gabriel’s POV The moment I read the message, the weight of it settled in my chest like a heavy stone. Sabotage. I sat there for a second, unmoving, letting the words sink in, letting the reality of what it meant register in my mind. Someone had been siphoning money from my company—testing the system, waiting for the perfect moment to take more. And they had done it under my nose. Aria shifted slightly, still fixing herself beside me, but I wasn’t seeing her anymore. My mind had already switched into something colder and sharper. I reached for my desk phone, pressing the button that connected me directly to Jonathan. “Come to my office,” I said. “Now.” Jonathan didn’t ask questions. He never did. A few minutes later, the door opened, and he stepped inside, his expression unreadable, but his eyes sharp, already assessing the situation. He closed the door behind him, waiting. “We have a problem,” I said, leaning back in my chair, my fingers tapping lightly against the desk. Jon