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
Victor’s POVI glanced at the clock. It was late, but the gears of my mind were still turning. I had work to do, and I needed to channel my energy into it. I needed to ensure that Velvet Vibe knew they had made the right choice in agreeing to the meeting.I reached for my phone and dialed Phil’s num
Aria’s POVThe sleek glass door slid open with a soft whoosh as Jessica and I stepped into InnovateTech Solutions. The office was not too big but impeccably stylish—modern furniture with clean lines, walls adorned with minimalist art, and a palette of cool blues and grays that gave it a fresh, profe
Aria’s POV“We’re thrilled about the possibilities,” Emma said, her eyes shimmering with excitement. “This is the perfect opportunity for our company too to market our digital products more. And of course, the perfumes you create can continue to be out in the market for sale even after the exhibitio
Victor’s POVConfusion, anger, and apprehension swirled inside me, an unyielding force I couldn’t contain. I had no idea what I was walking into, but I knew one thing—I needed answers.As we pulled up in front of my mother’s house, I saw the glow of light through the living room window. She was stil
Aria’s POVThe revelation settled over us like a looming storm cloud, dense and unrelenting. Antonio Greco wasn’t just some powerful mafia boss—he had been the one controlling Shane. That alone was unsettling enough. My mind spun as I connected the dots. Shane had spent years trying to tear down Th
Victor’s POVThe moment we stepped into The Mirage, the air seemed to constrict around us. It felt as if we were being watched every step of the way.Overhead chandeliers sputtered in their golden glow, illuminating the velvet walls in fractured patterns, as if the very light was hesitant to linger
Victor’s POVWhen I arrived home, I found Aria in the garden, staring off into space, her arms wrapped around herself as a cool evening breeze swept through. The soft rustling of leaves was the only sound, the usual laughter of Jasmine absent. I knew she was in the playroom with the nanny, giving Ar
Victor’s POVI wasn’t going to let Aria face this alone.The moment I left our last conversation, I knew I had to take action. If there was a leak in my company, I needed to root it out myself. I refused to let this drive a wedge between us. She had to see that I was on her side, that there was no r
Aria’s POVI paced the length of the lab, arms crossed tightly over my chest, while Jessica sat on the stool near the counter, watching me with concern. The vials of stolen work still sat between us, a silent testament to the treachery lurking in our midst, waiting to be exposed.“We need a plan,” J
Aria’s POVI inhaled deeply, the familiar scent of essential oils and raw ingredients filling my senses. The lab was silent except for the soft bubbling of beakers and the occasional scribble of my pen as I jotted down notes. I was alone, and for now, that was exactly what I needed.My hands moved w
Victor’s POVThe last two days had been filled with tension—an invisible wall that had settled between Aria and me. I thought we were making progress, slowly finding our way back to a place of trust, but now? Now, she was pulling away again, and I had a feeling it wasn’t just about us this time.The
Victor’s POVThe atmosphere in the hallway was heavy as the last of my team exited the building. Some of them had walked out stiffly, their expressions betraying their frustration at being searched. Others had been more understanding, nodding when I explained that Velvet Vibe’s security procedures w