Aria’s POVFive Years LaterThe soft light filtered through the large, floor-to-ceiling windows of my perfume studio, Velvet Vibe, casting a warm glow on the shelves lined with glass bottles of essential oils and extracts. The air was filled with the delicate, intoxicating scents of rose, sandalwood
Aria’s POVBefore I could respond to Samuel’s question, the waiter arrived with our two giant pizzas. The sight of the golden-brown crust and bubbling cheese was enough to momentarily distract everyone. Jasmine’s eyes lit up, and she eagerly reached for a slice.As we dug in, savoring the delicious
Aria’s POVAs we stood there, alone in the quiet hallway, the future seemed to hang in the balance. My heart raced, and the question of whether I was ready to face the changes ahead—or to stay with what I had come to cherish—felt overwhelming.Samuel broke the silence with a soft chuckle. “You know,
Aria’s POVFive years. Wow. It’s been a very long time. Jessica and I wheeled our suitcases through the crowd at the airport, and my heart pounded with each step closer to the exit. Memories of Victor and the life I’d tried to leave behind flooded my mind. Jasmine clung to my hand, looking both ne
Aria’s POV“Jessica, look at this,” I said, my voice tinged with disbelief. I pointed to the screen where Thorn Enterprises' logo was prominently displayed.Jessica glanced over and raised an eyebrow. “Wow, that’s unexpected. I didn’t realize Thorn Enterprises could be involved in something like thi
Aria’s POVThe scent of fresh lavender and cedarwood lingered in the air as I shuffled through the accounts for the month. Our perfume studio was almost ready to launch in the U.S. market, and I felt a surge of excitement with each passing day. As I typed in the final numbers, the buzz of activity o
Aria’s POV“I’ll be professional about this,” I finally said to Jessica, though my heart seemed to be ripping my ribcage apart. “I won't let my past with Victor get in the way of my decision-making. If he wasn’t in the picture, I’d probably go through with this meeting. The opportunity is too big to
Victor’s POVI hung up the phone with a satisfied click, feeling the familiar rush of a successful negotiation. I’d just secured a lucrative deal with a major partner, and it felt like another brick in the wall of my empire. Leaning back in my leather chair, I glanced at the stack of documents on my
Aria’s POVThe laughter in the room was easy, flowing like music that hadn’t been played in far too long. It was the kind of afternoon I had only dreamed of during those long, uncertain nights. One filled with light, warmth, and peace.But what caught my eye most wasn’t the cake or the wine or even
Aria’s POVThe sun filtered gently through the sheer curtains, casting golden stripes across the kitchen floor. Outside, the wind rustled the trees in soft waves, the kind of quiet that used to feel like a luxury—but now, it felt like a miracle.I stood barefoot by the open window, sipping tea, watc
Aria’s POV"There they are! By the dock!"The shout tore through the air like a whipcrack. My heart jumped."Get down, Jasmine!" I hissed, pulling her low into the hull of the boat.More frenzied shouts followed, echoing from behind the locked boathouse door. Then came the unmistakable sound of spli
Aria’s POVThe tunnel walls closed in the farther we ran, the air thick with dust and something ancient, something forgotten. The flickering light from my phone barely illuminated the path ahead as Jasmine and I rushed forward, our footsteps echoing off the stone.We had no idea where we were going—
Victor’s POVThe moment Greco grabbed my mother’s arm, I saw red.Alicia struggled against Greco’s grasp, her body twisting as she tried to wrench herself free. But his grip was unyielding—ironclad. His smirk darkened, turning into something twisted, dangerous."You always were stubborn," Greco murm
Aria’s POVI grabbed Jasmine’s hand and pulled her close, my pulse hammering as I ran toward the secret door. My fingers fumbled with the hidden latch, my breath short and uneven. Come on, come on—Click.I shoved the door open just enough for us to slip inside before sealing it shut behind us. The
Victor’s POVThe moment the man at the far table shifted, my entire body went rigid. One second, he was still, the next, his hand dipped into his jacket.A gun? A knife?I was ready to move. One wrong twitch from him, and I’d take him down before he could even stand. My pulse pounded in my ears as I
Aria’s POV"Are Jasmine and I the real targets?" I whispered to myself, the thought chilling me to my core.No. That was silly. I was being paranoid.I shook my head, trying to dismiss the fear that had settled like ice in my veins. The bodyguards said they needed to secure the cabin, and logically,
Aria’s POVI stared at my phone, my fingers gripping it so tightly that my knuckles ached. Still nothing. No calls. No messages. The meeting had to be happening now, but I had no idea what was going on.I tried dialing Victor again. Straight to voicemail. Samuel? No response either.A pit of dread s