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 POVAria’s reaction to my announcement about Miranda was… not what I’d expected.She had stared at me for a moment, her expression hard to decipher, before finally saying, “That’s good, Victor,” in a tone so neutral it felt like a wall between us. She’d gone back to her cake, and the conver
Victor’s POVAs I drove home, Shane’s screams replayed in my mind, each word sharp and venomous. I didn’t doubt that she meant them as a warning. Even in cuffs, she exuded defiance, her belief in her invincibility unshaken.But she was wrong. This time, she wasn’t going to wriggle her way out of it.
Aria’s POVThe smell of fresh coffee hung in the air as I leaned back in my chair, taking a much-needed break from the endless emails and product planning. My desk was cluttered with notes about the perfume series, but my focus kept slipping to last night.Victor’s words. His warmth. That kiss on hi
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