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
Victor’s POV“Hi!” Jasmine exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement. She put down a red block and stood up, her little hands brushing off imaginary dust from her skirt. “You’re back!”“Yeah,” I said, glancing around the room. “Where’s your mom and Aunt Jessica?”Jasmine shrugged with a small
Aria’s POVI burst into my office, and the sight that met me stopped me dead in my tracks. There was Victor, of all people, crouched on the floor beside Jasmine. My heart skipped a beat as I saw the scene before me: Jasmine, looking thrilled and proud, and Victor, appearing earnest and serious.Oh,
Aria’s POV“Boy, that was close,” Jessica whispered to me as we hurried out of the building. It was a good thing the rain had already stopped, and so it was easy for us to cross the parking lot to our car. As we got into the vehicle, Jessica added in a hushed tone, “Next time, it won’t be as easy.
Aria’s POVThe soft sound of waves greeted me as I stepped inside the cafe, my sneakers making a faint scuff against the weathered wooden floorboards. The place was tucked away from the usual tourist spots, a hidden gem nestled on a secluded stretch of beach. Outside, the sun was just beginning to
“You were right, I was already pregnant when we got divorced,” I told him truthfully. “It’s just that… I didn’t want to stay with you just for the sake of this baby. And I wasn’t sure how to tell you too.” Victor’s eyes widened, confusion and shock flashing across his face. His hands, which had bee
Aria’s POVThere, I’ve said it. It felt like a heavy, splintered shard had been pulled from my chestWe both sat there, the enormity of what I had just revealed hanging between us, creating a silence that was almost suffocating. The atmosphere felt charged, as if the very air around us had shifted,
Victor’s POVI stood outside my mother’s door, holding Jasmine’s hand as I knocked twice. She shifted beside me, her fingers fidgeting with her sweater.The door opened, and Alicia stood there, surprise flickering in her sharp blue eyes as she took in the sight of us.“Victor,” she said, then her ga
Aria’s POVI swirled the glass vial in my hand, watching as the pale amber liquid coated the sides before settling again. The scent profile still wasn’t quite right, but I was close—so close I could almost taste it.The Velvet Vibe lab was quiet except for the soft hum of the air filtration system a
Aria’s POVI watched Victor, his face an impenetrable mask, his hand still holding mine. My heart ached for him, but to my own surprise, I felt something else too—pity for Alicia. For years, I had harbored resentment toward her, believing she had always looked down on me, dismissed me as unworthy o
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