Aria’s POVI glanced over at Jasmine, who was sitting on the floor nearby, carefully arranging her markers in neat rows. The soft sounds of her quiet focus created a sense of calm, offering a small reprieve from the weight of Mar’s words.I turned back to him, my curiosity getting the better of me.
Aria’s POVThe brushes moved gracefully between my fingers as I studied the final touches on the canvas before me. The painting had evolved into something I hadn’t initially envisioned—a lighthouse standing tall and steadfast, surrounded by a mesmerizing swirl of colors that seemed to represent the
Aria’s POVMy heart thudded in my chest as I stood frozen in the darkness. Suddenly, I remembered everything that we had experienced and witnessed inside the Mirage Casino. I remembered how Shane had looked at me. Could this be Shane, seeking revenge?No, I told myself. That’s ridiculous. The build
Aria’s POVMy heart pounded as I reached for the door handle. With a shaky breath, I turned it, bracing myself for whatever lay on the other side.The cool night air greeted me as the door creaked open, and I stepped cautiously onto the terrace. My flashlight’s beam darted around the space, but ever
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
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
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
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
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