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
Victor’s POVI clenched my jaw, my hand already on the door handle as I turned to Aria. “Get Jasmine in the car,” I said sharply. Aria looked at me, her eyes questioning for a moment, but she nodded. Jasmine, still shaking, clung tightly to her mother. I watched as Aria pulled her close, whispering
Victor’s POVBefore I could process the shock of Dominic's betrayal, a voice broke through the tension.“There you are! We’ve been looking all over for you guys!” Jessica’s voice rang out as she and Fabian appeared, looking very relieved. But that relief quickly vanished when her eyes landed on Pier
Aria’s POVI jolted awake, my heart racing, the remnants of the nightmare still clinging to me. My breath came in sharp, uneven gasps as I tried to orient myself. It’s just a dream. Just a dream. I closed my eyes, pressing my palms to my face and forcing myself to breathe slowly, deeply.But the i
Victor’s POVAs I stepped off the elevator with Jasmine by my side, I couldn’t help but feel proud. She walked with her head held high, her eyes sparkling with excitement at being in her dad’s office once again. This wasn’t her first tour; she loved exploring the space and learning about the ins and
Victor’s POVThe board meeting continued, and the discussion shifted toward expansion plans. I took a deep breath, determined to regain control. “As part of our growth strategy, I propose we solidify our partnership with Velvet Vibe and explore collaborations with other fast-rising retail companies.
Victor’s POV“This is totally absurd,” I repeated, more to myself than to the members whose eyes seemed to be sizing me up. “I have led this company through challenges that would have broken lesser leaders. We’ve made strides in our partnerships and market positioning, and I won’t let my leadership
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