Aria’s POVI sank into the plush comfort of my couch, the exhaustion of the evening finally catching up with me. Victor had finally gone home upon my insistence. He has to rest too, after all, or he’ll be the one to get sick next. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. I rose, the faintest trace of a smile t
Aria’s POVA few days later, I was back at Velvet Vibe, immersing myself in what I was passionate about — creating new scents. The studio was a sanctuary of creativity, filled with the rich aromas of various fragrances. I was especially excited about a new project: a perfume for men.As I mixed and
He smiled, and I noticed the way his eyes never left mine, a look of genuine interest and care shining through. “You always have a way of making things feel… personal. That’s what I love about your work.”His words made me pause. The sincerity in his voice struck me, and I felt my heart skip a beat.
Victor’s POVI stared out the window as the car rolled through the familiar streets toward my mother’s house. She’d been calling nonstop since the gala, playing her usual role of the neglected mother. “You never have time for me anymore, Victor,” she’d said on the last call, her voice sounding emoti
“Am I?” I snapped.She shrugged as if none of it mattered. “I have better things to do than sabotage your little projects or go after your no-good ex-wife.”I wasn’t buying her act. She always played innocent, even when she was knee-deep in trouble. I remembered clearly how she used to throw Aria in
Samuel’s POVI stared into my coffee cup, watching the steam curl up lazily, as I waited for my private investigator Jason to arrive. We’d agreed on this meeting in a low-key coffee shop, far from prying eyes.When Jason finally showed up, I could tell from the grim set of his jaw that the news wasn
Samuel’s POV“You can't be serious,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “All of this—just to take Victor down?”This woman wasn’t just driven by ambition—she was consumed by it. Her words echoed in my head. Take over Victor’s company. That’s what all this had been about. Not just business, but a personal ve
Aria’s POVAfter a long day at work, I gathered my things, eager to finally head home. It had been a productive day, but I was exhausted. Just as I reached for the door, Victor appeared, his face grim.“Aria, wait,” he called, making me pause. There was a tension in his voice that sent my heart raci
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