Victor’s POVI wondered what my mother’s agenda was this time. With her, it was never just plain dinner. Something was always up. I opened the door and was greeted by the warm, familiar smell of home-cooked meals.“Victor, you're here!” Shane's voice rang out as she came into the hallway, her face
Aria’s POVI’ve had enough. Five years… Five years of enduring such humiliation and belittling by Victor and his family, of being treated like a nobody. And even after five years, he still believed that I was the one who’d taken those stupid naked photos of us to blackmail him into marrying me! God
Aria’s POVShane was still chattering away, showing me off. Her voice grated on my nerves. "You see, Aria, I've been working with Victor's company for years while managing my own. I know everyone and everything here," she said condescendingly. "Victor's lucky to have me as a good friend and business
Aria’s POVI emerged from Victor’s company building, feeling unsure of my next move. As I hailed a cab, I found myself giving the driver Jessica's home address. Jessica had been my best friend since high school, but our communication had dwindled. Since I’d gotten married, she had persistently advi
Victor’s POVI grabbed her arm tightly, and I could see she was stunned. I sneered in my mind. I'm sure she regrets it. Maybe she'll start begging me to forget what she said.But then, to my surprise, she attempted to wrench her hand away. "I'm not your possession. Not anymore, Victor."Behind her,
Aria’s POVI sat on the couch, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt, lost in my thoughts. My hand, which held my phone, was trembling. I was trying my best to be brave, but I was also scared and uncertain of the future. I honestly still hadn’t thought about where to go from here. Why does Victor have
Aria’s POVI glanced at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time. It was 11 o'clock, and Victor was exactly an hour late. My fingers drummed impatiently on the polished mahogany table in Atty. Parker's office. “He demanded I be punctual all the time,” I muttered, my voice edged with frustrati
Aria’s POV“What does this have to do with Shane?” Victor's voice cut through the silence, sharp and accusing.I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to remain calm. “Victor, just sign the agreement. We don't need to drag this out.”Victor's eyes narrowed as he leaned forward, his tone condescending. “Sh
Aria’s POVLucciano’s smile widened as he noticed the subtle shift in my expression. “Yes, you’ve found yourself an ally in me—for now. But remember, Aria, alliances are built on trust and value. I have no time for people who squander opportunities.”Victor, seated beside me, leaned forward slightly
Aria’s POVAbandoned? Shane’s no longer under anyone’s protection?Victor’s expression mirrored my disbelief, though he masked it quickly. “You’re saying Shane has been left to fend for herself?”Lucciano leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him as he studied us. “That’s precis
Victor’s POV“Right this way,” the staff member said, his tone brisk but polite as he gestured toward the elevator. I placed a hand on the small of Aria’s back, guiding her forward. Her steps were hesitant, and I could sense the tension radiating off her. My own pulse thrummed with anticipation—and
Aria’s POVThe room for the luncheon was grander than I’d imagined, an opulent space bathed in soft golden light that glinted off crystal chandeliers. Classical music played in the background, adding to the atmosphere of quiet sophistication. It felt like stepping into a different world once again—o
Aria’s POVI woke up to the late-morning sunlight streaming through the cracks in the curtains, the warmth on my face coaxing me out of a deep, dreamless sleep. For a moment, I lay still, blinking against the light.Something felt different.The weight of exhaustion was gone, replaced by a lightness
I turned, gasping for breath, and there they were—those piercing eyes again, watching me, burning through me. The shadowed figure stepped closer, towering and faceless, its voice a guttural whisper that sliced through the air: “You’ll never escape.”My chest tightened, the air around me growing heav
Aria’s POVI stretched out on my side of the bed, positioning myself as close to the edge as I could without falling off. My back was turned to the other side, the empty space where Victor would soon be. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing my body to relax even though my mind was a whirlwind of nerves.
Victor’s POVI’m so glad we’re calling it a night already. It’s been such an eventful day here at The Mirage Casino. And I’m even more glad that Samuel’s not staying with us in the suite. Samuel’s jaw visibly tightened, but he held his tongue, his composure barely intact. “I’ll call you tomorrow,”
Victor’s POVI stepped forward, my hands raised in a gesture of calm. “Troy, listen. We’re not here to hurt you, and we’re not here to force you into anything you don’t want. We just want to make a deal.”Troy’s eyes narrowed, his breath coming in shallow gasps as he glanced between us. “What kind o