Victor’s POVSitting here with Aria and Jasmine, sharing a simple meal together, I couldn’t help but feel a rare sense of contentment—a feeling I’d missed for a long time. For the first time in what felt like ages, it was like we were a family. We’d taken Jasmine to her doctor’s appointment together
Victor’s POVThomas pulled over a chair without waiting for a real answer to his “Mind if I join you?” His grin was broad, and though I tried to match it, I could see Aria’s subtle tension as she nodded and said, “Go ahead.” She didn’t mean it, but he was already settling in, looking genuinely thril
Aria’s POVI clutched Jasmine’s hand tightly as Victor and I moved closer, trying to catch sight of what was happening. A familiar voice floated over the murmuring crowd, filled with a tension I couldn’t ignore. I rose on my tiptoes, straining to see over the heads of curious diners gathered around
Victor’s POVI moved closer, inch by careful inch, my eyes fixed on the knife trembling in Samantha’s grip. Her knuckles were white, her shoulders tense and hunched, and I could feel her desperation hanging in the air like a storm about to break. Dr. Levine’s gaze shifted toward me, and for a split
Aria’s POVFabian pulled up to the restaurant just as I wrapped my arms around Jasmine, her small hand gripping mine tightly. I was grateful for his familiar face, his steady presence, even though the concern on his face told me he’d already sensed something was off.“Hey,” he greeted gently, steppi
Aria’s POVThe police station teemed with activity as I walked in, my heart pounding in sync with the echoing footsteps and murmured voices that filled the room. The fluorescent lights were harsh, illuminating rows of desks cluttered with files, and officers moving purposefully from one end to anoth
Victor’s POVI stared at my phone screen, Dr. Levine’s message lighting up in bold letters. The moment between Aria and me hung suspended in the air, and I could feel her watching me. “It’s Dr. Levine,” I said, glancing back up to meet her gaze. “He’s asking where I am.”“Oh!” Aria let out a small,
Victor’s POVThe officer excused himself, and as he walked away, I felt Aria’s hand slip into mine. Her fingers laced through mine instinctively, and I gave her hand a gentle squeeze, feeling that calm, anchoring warmth that only she seemed to bring.Dr. Levine watched us, his eyes softening. “Tonig
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