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
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