Aria’s POVIt was the last night of the photography exhibition, and the celebratory party buzzed with life. Laughter rippled through the crowd, punctuated by the occasional pop of a champagne cork, as people shared stories about their favorite moments from the past month. I should have felt proud a
Aria’s POVI stepped out onto the patio, breathing in the crisp night air as it swept through the open space. The party behind me faded into the background, and for a moment, I simply stood there just enjoying the quiet. The cool breeze felt refreshing against my skin, a welcome contrast to the chao
Aria’s POV“Jasmine!” Victor said with a warm smile, stepping forward as our daughter wriggled in my arms, eager to jump into his. I let her go, and she rushed into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck.“I didn’t know you were coming!” Jasmine said excitedly, squeezing him tight.Victor lo
Aria’s POV“Uh,I think I’ll just stay with Jasmine,” I finally managed, trying to push the sudden rush of emotion aside.With a quick smile, I leaned down and playfully tickled Jasmine, eliciting a cascade of giggles from her. “Don’t you want to dance with Mommy?” I teased, and she squealed, bouncin
“Just admiring the art,” I replied, forcing a smile, though I felt anything but at that moment. “Which you’ve seen… what? A hundred times?” He was teasing me, but he also looked concerned. I could tell that he knew I wasn’t being completely honest. “Uh, yes,” I answered quickly. “Since they’re tak
Victor’s POVAs I rushed toward the source of the noise, adrenaline coursed through my center. I couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding in my gut, especially after Aria had confided in me about her unease. She shouldn’t feel vulnerable, not in a place like this—especially not with me here.There wa
Victor’s POV“I’ll check outside quickly and get back to you as soon as possible,” I told Aria, locking my gaze onto hers. The fear in her eyes twisted my gut.“Okay,” she replied, trying to sound and look okay. There was fear in her eyes, but she was trying to control it. “I’ll continue searching f
Aria’s POVPanic flooded through me as I wiped away my tears, the need to find Jasmine eclipsing every other thought. I couldn't let fear take control. “We have to keep looking,” I said in a firm voice. I took a deep breath and stood up, shaking off the dread that clung to me like a heavy shroud.J
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
Victor’s POVThe new location was a damn ghost town. An old diner stood alone at the edge of the road, its flickering neon sign barely casting enough light to illuminate the cracked pavement in front.Samuel and I sat in the car, staring at the building through the windshield. "This place is dead,"