Aria’s POVAlice's eyes flashed with rage as she glared at me. My heart pounded in my chest while Victor acted at once, stepping in between us. But before any of us could react further, a voice called out from nearby. “Oh my goodness, is that Aria Everhart?”I turned toward the voice, grateful for
Aria’s POVAs he pulled me closer and gazed more intently into my eyes, I felt myself surrendering to his embrace. A gentle heat began to spread through my entire body, just as my pulse quickened. This is wrong, I was thinking. But somehow, I couldn’t make myself pull away. Victor opened his mouth
Aria’s POV“I told you, I will never betray my friend,” I heard Jessica repeat angrily. “And you can’t make me!”Jessica abruptly ended the call, her frustration evident in the sharp way she slammed the cellphone down on the table. She turned around, her eyes widening in shock when she saw me approa
Aria’s POVI just realized that we were dangerously close to the edge of the roof deck. If the stranger intended to attack or push us over, we’d be in serious trouble. My eyes darted around desperately, searching for a way out. The man was still far from the door leading back inside the building, w
Aria’s POVWe were both getting tired, and we needed to pause for a while. We paused, breathing rapidly. Suddenly, I heard a voice shattering the silence, calling my name. “Aria!” The booming male voice was loud and distinct, but I didn’t recognize it. All I could think about was that this man was
Aria’s POVI hesitated, my thoughts racing as I instinctively reached for the vase again, clutching it as if it were the only thing that could protect me. My gaze shifted between Pierre and the hallway stretching out behind him. My heart was pounding fast again, uncertain whether to trust him, even
Aria’s POVMy breath caught in my throat as I looked up at the man blocking my way. “Excuse me,” I managed to say, trying not to sound afraid. But the man didn’t budge. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on me, as if sizing me up, deciding what to do next. My pulse quickened, and I glanced around, ho
Victor’s POVThe gala was winding down, the ballroom slowly emptying as guests made their way to the exits. I could see my mother still chattering away animatedly. I’d long since tuned her out, though. Her incessant talk about Shane had become a relentless drone in my ears, and I was growing increas
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