Aria’s POVThe late afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows of the sleek InnovateTech Solutions building, bathing the modern event space in a soft, radiant light.Models in various glamorous outfits posed and preened under the bright studio lights, while photographers and stylists darted aro
Aria’s POVTurning around, I forced a polite smile. “Hello. I don’t believe we’ve met.”The woman’s smirk widened. “Oh, we haven’t. Not officially, anyway. But I’ve heard a lot about you, Aria.” She seemed to emphasize the last sentence with a sharp, negative tone, which was truly surprising. I too
Aria’s POVAs we settled back into the main event area, lunch concluded and the process of model selection resumed. Fiona and Emma gathered everyone’s attention and outlined the next phase of the process.“We’re about to begin the interviews,” Fiona announced. “It’s important for us to get to know e
Aria’s POVI was shuffling through the stack of documents on my desk, ensuring everything was in order for the meeting. My heart raced at the thought of seeing Victor again, but I took a deep breath, reminding myself that I was no longer the insecure woman he had left behind.Yesterday, we got a req
Aria’s POVI found myself staring at his empty ring finger, suddenly distracted. Wait, he's not married? Then who was that woman with him at Jasmine's school?Victor cleared his throat, snapping me back to the present. “Let's get straight to the point,” he said, his voice regaining its usual confid
Aria’s POV“Helloooo! I’m here!” Jasmine called out, her voice bright and carefree—until she saw Victor. She stopped short, her wide eyes locking onto his.My breath caught in my throat. Panic surged through me as a thousand thoughts raced through my mind. Should I say she’s Jessica’s daughter? Mayb
Aria’s POV“Jasmine… such a beautiful name,” Victor said softly, almost as if he were testing the weight of the words. “How old is she?”My heart skipped a beat. “Five,” I answered quickly, my voice a little too sharp, too defensive. I felt his gaze on me, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at him.
Victor’s POVAs I navigated the familiar streets after leaving the Velvet Vibe office, my thoughts wandered unbidden back to Jasmine. Her face had stayed in my mind, vivid and haunting, despite the briefness of our encounter. I could even hear her voice in my head. I tapped my fingers rhythmically
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