Victor’s POVFrom where I was hiding, I saw the guards haul Troy into the room, his face pale and sullen, his hands restrained but still trembling from the scuffle outside. I could feel his desperation radiate from across the room, an instinctive terror that sharpened the longer he stayed in the pre
Aria’s POV"Where’s Victor? Isn’t he the one who told us to stick together?” Jessica’s voice was barely a whisper, her gaze fixed on the bar in front of her as she clutched her glass with trembling hands. She was obviously still on edge, and was now worried that something could have happened to Vict
Aria’s POVA part of me wanted to suggest calling it a night—this entire evening had already veered into a dangerous direction. But just as I was about to voice the thought, Victor appeared, slipping quietly into the lounge. He looked disoriented, his face drawn and serious, and he seemed to pause w
Aria’s POV“It looks like the night’s just getting started,” I remarked to Jessica, watching as the lounge filled up around us. A live band had taken the stage, their jazzy tunes setting an upbeat yet intimate vibe for the growing crowd. People were chatting, laughing, clinking glasses. More guests
“Yes, sweetie. I’ll be back to pick you up tomorrow,” I reassured her, feeling the warmth of her joy even through the phone. “I just had a little work to do. Are you having fun with Grandma and Grandpa?”“Yes!” she giggled, and I could practically see her bright little smile. “Grandma made cookies,
Aria’s POV“So… What exactly happened earlier?” I asked, hoping the shift in conversation would calm the electricity pulsing through me from Victor’s lingering touch. His eyes, once warm and playful, turned serious as he withdrew slightly with unease. He took a deep breath, glancing down for a mome
Victor’s POVThe glow of the suite felt almost hypnotic as Aria and I shared what remained of the red wine, the silence between us charged with a blend of anticipation and tension. We had already gotten closer to the secrets of this place than I’d expected, and yet, something told me we were only at
Aria’s POV“Isn’t it a little strange that they gave us a suite for free, too?” I asked, glancing down at the extravagant basket of treats. “Maybe Dr. Levine arranged it?”Victor’s brow furrowed as he considered the possibility. “Maybe. If his contact here is as connected as he suggested, they could
Victor’s POVThe laughter started the moment we arrived at the theme park and never seemed to stop. Jasmine darted ahead, pulling us toward the entrance with uncontainable energy, her small hand gripping mine tightly. The park was a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds—twinkling lights, cheerful music
Aria’s POVThe ride home was quiet, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Victor’s hand rested on the gearshift, his fingers brushing mine occasionally. Each accidental touch sent a warm ripple through me, leaving me feeling both nervous and giddy. My heart was still dancing from the events of the night befo
The next morning, The sunlight streaming through the curtains was the first thing I noticed as I stirred awake. As I blinked against the light, memories of the previous night surged back like a wave, crashing over me with startling clarity. My breath hitched, and I sat up quickly, clutching the blan
Aria’s POV"Victor," I murmured breathlessly, barely recognizing my own voice. "Aria," he whispered back, his tone filled with a hunger that matched my own. His lips found mine again, urgent and unrelenting.We stumbled together through the hallway, his hands sliding beneath my blouse, fingertips s
Aria’s POVI jumped from the table, my heart still pounding in my chest, and headed toward the studio door. “Stay here,” I said softly, though my voice wavered with some nervousness and the remaining heat. The air between us still sizzled, making it almost impossible to think clearly.Carefully, I o
When we finally pulled apart, both of us were breathless. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly swollen, and her eyes—God, those eyes—shone with an emotion I didn’t dare put a name to just yet.I rested my forehead against hers, trying to catch my breath as I spoke. “Aria… you’re everything to
Victor’s POVThe entire evening had been a cascade of emotions—love, happiness, nostalgia—and now, standing here, my heart felt like it might burst. I looked at Aria, her expression a mix of hope and nerves as she waited for my reaction. The painting, the bottles, the thought behind it all—it was ov
Aria’s POV“Still thinking of work at this hour?” he teased, his tone light and playful. “Should I be worried you’re pulling me into a midnight brainstorming session?”I glanced back at him, rolling my eyes with a laugh. “Trust me, it’s not that. Just wait. You’ll see.”We reached the entrance of my
Aria’s POVThe party was everything I didn’t know I needed. Laughter rang out like music, echoing through the beautifully decorated terrace. Friends and family filled the space, their joy infectious as they mingled, shared stories, and celebrated together. Even Jessica, who normally claimed she hate