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
Aria’s POVI gripped the steering wheel of my second-hand car tightly, the leather smooth and firm beneath my fingers. The engine hummed with a dependable purr, its performance proving that even used vehicles could be quite reliable. Even though I could probably afford to purchase a brand-new car,
Aria’s POVI was engulfed in a haze of confusion and frustration. The drive back to our apartment seemed interminable. I could barely focus on the road, my thoughts consumed by the image of Victor with that woman and child. Jasmine’s animated chatter about her day at school was a distant murmur in
“Of course, no worries.”Jasmine was still bubbling with energy as she recounted her day. “Mommy, Miss Thompson read us a story about a magical unicorn! And then we made rainbow paintings,” she said, her eyes wide with excitement. “I made a rainbow that’s as big as the sky!”Jessica leaned in, her i
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