Aria’s POV“Hold on tight, Jasmine!” I shouted over the clatter of the kiddie roller-coaster as it rattled up the first hill. The wind whipped through my hair, making me laugh despite my initial hesitation. Jasmine’s squeals of delight mingled with the clamor of the ride, and for a moment, the worri
Victor’s POVI walked into my favorite café, the one just a few blocks from my office, looking forward to a peaceful, relaxing brunch. I’d been dreading the thought of another dinner with Samuel, a topic my mother usually brought up whenever I was here. Thankfully, today she hadn’t mentioned arrangi
Aria’s POVI paced around my studio, the soft radiance of pendant lights casting a warm halo over the polished wooden floors. The rich, floral notes of Resilience Bloom, Creative Spirit, and Unbreakable wafted through the air, mingling in a symphony of scent that seemed to reflect the very essence
Aria’s POVI returned to my work on the perfume, carefully blending the ingredients. The scents were coming together beautifully, but my mind kept drifting back to Jessica. I needed to make sure everything was on track for the exhibition.“Jessica, while I’m working on this, do you think you could s
Aria’s POVVictor looked up from the pot he was stirring, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. “Hey, Aria. I’m sorry for the surprise.”“You cook?!” I asked in bewilderment. It was so unheard of that it was the first thing that I blurted out at that very moment. He chuckled. “Well, you could
Aria’s POVI glanced at myself in the hallway mirror, smoothing a stray strand of hair that had escaped my otherwise perfect updo. My reflection stared back at me with a carefully composed smile that hid the swirling nerves beneath. I adjusted the lapels of my blazer, reminding myself that it wasn’
Aria’s POV“If it isn’t Aria Everhart who’s still madly in love with her ex-husband,” Shane let out, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Are you here to reconcile with him? To try and convince him again to give you a second chance?”I wanted to point out that I’d been the one to file the divorce in the
Aria’s POVVictor was waiting when I entered the conference room, his sharp suit perfectly tailored, as always. His gaze flicked up from the papers in front of him, and for a moment, I felt like the air in the room shifted. He smiled, that same disarming smile that had once made my heart race.“Righ
Aria’s POVLucciano’s smile widened as he noticed the subtle shift in my expression. “Yes, you’ve found yourself an ally in me—for now. But remember, Aria, alliances are built on trust and value. I have no time for people who squander opportunities.”Victor, seated beside me, leaned forward slightly
Aria’s POVAbandoned? Shane’s no longer under anyone’s protection?Victor’s expression mirrored my disbelief, though he masked it quickly. “You’re saying Shane has been left to fend for herself?”Lucciano leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him as he studied us. “That’s precis
Victor’s POV“Right this way,” the staff member said, his tone brisk but polite as he gestured toward the elevator. I placed a hand on the small of Aria’s back, guiding her forward. Her steps were hesitant, and I could sense the tension radiating off her. My own pulse thrummed with anticipation—and
Aria’s POVThe room for the luncheon was grander than I’d imagined, an opulent space bathed in soft golden light that glinted off crystal chandeliers. Classical music played in the background, adding to the atmosphere of quiet sophistication. It felt like stepping into a different world once again—o
Aria’s POVI woke up to the late-morning sunlight streaming through the cracks in the curtains, the warmth on my face coaxing me out of a deep, dreamless sleep. For a moment, I lay still, blinking against the light.Something felt different.The weight of exhaustion was gone, replaced by a lightness
I turned, gasping for breath, and there they were—those piercing eyes again, watching me, burning through me. The shadowed figure stepped closer, towering and faceless, its voice a guttural whisper that sliced through the air: “You’ll never escape.”My chest tightened, the air around me growing heav
Aria’s POVI stretched out on my side of the bed, positioning myself as close to the edge as I could without falling off. My back was turned to the other side, the empty space where Victor would soon be. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing my body to relax even though my mind was a whirlwind of nerves.
Victor’s POVI’m so glad we’re calling it a night already. It’s been such an eventful day here at The Mirage Casino. And I’m even more glad that Samuel’s not staying with us in the suite. Samuel’s jaw visibly tightened, but he held his tongue, his composure barely intact. “I’ll call you tomorrow,”
Victor’s POVI stepped forward, my hands raised in a gesture of calm. “Troy, listen. We’re not here to hurt you, and we’re not here to force you into anything you don’t want. We just want to make a deal.”Troy’s eyes narrowed, his breath coming in shallow gasps as he glanced between us. “What kind o