I forced a smile, setting my glass down on the desk. “Just the usual…” “I’ve been working here for a long time, Victor…” she began, her eyes seemingly drilling a hole into mine. “We’ve done plenty of projects together and… I just… I want you to know that I truly admire you, how you work, how you ha
Aria’s POVI ran, my heels clattering against the marble floor. Victor’s voice echoed behind me, calling my name, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. My vision blurred with tears, the image of Miranda in her underwear—standing so close to Victor—burned into my mind.How could this be happening?I re
Aria’s POVI didn’t hesitate. The nanny was in the house, anyway. I grabbed my coat, my keys, and bolted out the door. My heart was pounding, the rush of adrenaline making my hands tremble as I started toward my car.Jessica. What if it happens again? The thought hammered in my mind, relentless and
I turned to Troy, my body instinctively moving to shield Jessica. My voice was sharp, protective. “What are you doing here, Troy? You have no right—”“I know,” he said quickly, stepping back, his hands raised in a gesture of surrender. His face was drawn, his eyes tired. “I just came to apologize. A
Victor’s POVBreakfast this morning had been awkward, to say the least.Aria was there, which was something. She had stayed, though her eyes showed distance and exhaustion, and her responses to Jasmine’s cheerful chatter felt forced. She talked to me a little—polite and distant, as if she were holdi
Aria’s POV“That was an excellent call, Harper,” Dr. Miller said, his voice carrying over the buzz of the lab. He stood at the workstation, reviewing the batch log with an approving nod. “Using the substitute stabilizer from the reserve stock—it saved the entire production line. Well done.”Harper’s
Aria’s POV“Oh, hey, Samuel,” I said, trying to keep my voice light and casual. But there was no denying the awkwardness that hung between us. The last time we’d seen each other, we’d been alone in that hotel room—him in nothing but his boxers. A misunderstanding, yes, and one orchestrated by Mirand
Victor’s POVThe scent of garlic and rosemary filled the kitchen as I placed the last dish on the table. The chef I’d hired for the evening was quietly packing up in the background, leaving the space tidy and serene. I’d insisted on helping with the prep—not because I had any grand culinary skills,
Victor’s POVConfusion, anger, and apprehension swirled inside me, an unyielding force I couldn’t contain. I had no idea what I was walking into, but I knew one thing—I needed answers.As we pulled up in front of my mother’s house, I saw the glow of light through the living room window. She was stil
Aria’s POVThe revelation settled over us like a looming storm cloud, dense and unrelenting. Antonio Greco wasn’t just some powerful mafia boss—he had been the one controlling Shane. That alone was unsettling enough. My mind spun as I connected the dots. Shane had spent years trying to tear down Th
Victor’s POVThe moment we stepped into The Mirage, the air seemed to constrict around us. It felt as if we were being watched every step of the way.Overhead chandeliers sputtered in their golden glow, illuminating the velvet walls in fractured patterns, as if the very light was hesitant to linger
Victor’s POVWhen I arrived home, I found Aria in the garden, staring off into space, her arms wrapped around herself as a cool evening breeze swept through. The soft rustling of leaves was the only sound, the usual laughter of Jasmine absent. I knew she was in the playroom with the nanny, giving Ar
Victor’s POVI wasn’t going to let Aria face this alone.The moment I left our last conversation, I knew I had to take action. If there was a leak in my company, I needed to root it out myself. I refused to let this drive a wedge between us. She had to see that I was on her side, that there was no r
Aria’s POVI paced the length of the lab, arms crossed tightly over my chest, while Jessica sat on the stool near the counter, watching me with concern. The vials of stolen work still sat between us, a silent testament to the treachery lurking in our midst, waiting to be exposed.“We need a plan,” J
Aria’s POVI inhaled deeply, the familiar scent of essential oils and raw ingredients filling my senses. The lab was silent except for the soft bubbling of beakers and the occasional scribble of my pen as I jotted down notes. I was alone, and for now, that was exactly what I needed.My hands moved w
Victor’s POVThe last two days had been filled with tension—an invisible wall that had settled between Aria and me. I thought we were making progress, slowly finding our way back to a place of trust, but now? Now, she was pulling away again, and I had a feeling it wasn’t just about us this time.The
Victor’s POVThe atmosphere in the hallway was heavy as the last of my team exited the building. Some of them had walked out stiffly, their expressions betraying their frustration at being searched. Others had been more understanding, nodding when I explained that Velvet Vibe’s security procedures w