Victor’s POVI raised an eyebrow. Then, to her bewilderment, I smiled. She had just given me the opening I needed for more revelations. “Is that so?” I asked, leaning forward slightly. “I didn’t realize you were still so confident in that claim.”“Yes!” Shane insisted, her voice now obviously filled
Aria’s POVThe scent of hay and earth hung in the air as we stepped into the petting zoo. Soft bleats and gentle snorts echoed around the small barn, where goats and lambs roamed freely among the visitors. Jasmine held my hand tightly, her eyes bright and wide with excitement.“Mommy, can I feed the
Aria’s POVI looked up at Victor, remembering something else that I heard about. “Is it true that you got help from Samuel?” My tone was filled with shock because this collaboration was just so unlikely. Victor met my eyes, nodding. “Yeah. I know we haven’t exactly been on the best terms in the pas
Victor’s POVAs I watched Jasmine giggle and pet the bunnies, a smile tugged at my lips. This was what I wanted—a peaceful moment with my daughter, without the stress of work, without the tension of the past. She was happy, and Aria and I were… well, we were here together, and that was something.I
Aria’s POVI sat by the window, cradling a cup of coffee in my hands, the warmth seeping through my fingers. Dinner was done, and I had the place to myself—a rare moment of peace. Yet, as I stared into my coffee, my mind wandered back to that day at the zoo.It had been weeks since Victor, Jasmine,
Aria’s POVWhen I opened the door, the world seemed to tilt for a second. Standing on the porch was Troy—but not the Troy I remembered.He looked nothing like the clean-cut, confident guy who used to make Jessica laugh until she cried. This Troy was disheveled, worn out, and desperate. His once neat
Aria’s POV“I’m not leaving until I talk to Jessica,” Troy growled, stepping forward. His voice was cold, hard—so unlike the easygoing man I once knew. He was practically seething now, the tension rolling off him in waves. I planted my hand on the door, gripping it so tightly my fingers began to hu
Aria’s POVI managed to wriggle free, my heart beating like crazy. But Troy’s body was now wedged in the doorway, and he was too strong for me to just push him out. “Please, Troy,” I pleaded, forcing my voice to remain steady. “Let’s talk about this another time.”He ignored my request, his voice r
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