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 POVVictor’s name flashed on my screen again, persistent, and this time it felt like a lifeline I wasn’t sure I should grab. My heart raced as my mind spun in a dozen directions at once.I stopped for a moment, torn. I wanted to tell him. He was Jasmine’s father. He had a right to know. But w
Aria’s POV“Jasmine?” I whispered, my voice cracking.She looked up, her big eyes meeting mine, as if she hadn’t just been missing, as if I hadn’t been frantic with worry. “Mommy!” she called out, a wide grin spreading across her face. She waved the ice cream cone in the air like it was the most nor
Aria’s POVA sudden gust of wind howled through the trees, sending a chill down my spine. I squeezed Jasmine’s hand tighter, feeling the eerie stillness of the night settle around us like a heavy blanket. My heart raced once more. “We need to go home now, Jasmine,” I said softly, trying to keep the
Victor’s POVI had never felt more terrified in my life than when I saw Shane with a gun pointed at Aria and our daughter, Jasmine. The image seared into my mind, my heart racing as I rushed toward them, desperation fueling my every step.“Shane, put the gun down!” I shouted, my voice trembling but
Aria’s POVI whipped around just in time to see Pierre sprinting toward us. My heart sank, dread curling in my stomach. “Pierre, stop!” I screamed, but he kept charging ahead, eyes locked on Shane, a determination in his stride that terrified me.Shane’s grip tightened on the gun. “Get back!” she ye
Shane’s sobs filled the air, broken and ragged, and for a moment, it felt like time had frozen. Pierre stayed beside her, his hand on her shoulder, whispering calming words that seemed to fall on deaf ears. I held Jasmine tightly against me, her small body trembling in my arms, but my own breath had
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