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Sixty-Seven
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2023-07-15 16:35:32Related chapters
Fallen Apart Sixty-Eight
ARIA'S POVThe days ran by so fast and it was already two days to my wedding. Everything starting from the hall to the wedding dress down to the cake was ready. All I needed was for my family to be there so that the day could be a joyous one for me.One problem I had was Dave, he had been off lately. He was closer to me these past few days but yet so distant. I could tell that a lot was going through his head and it was disturbing him but every time I asked, he said it was nothing. Out of concern, I went to Nixon to ask if he knew what was going on but he claimed it was the stress of the company and all the wedding plans that was affecting him. I wanted to believe that too but I couldn't. Dave was hiding something from me and I couldn't guess what it was.Feeling frustrated about the whole thing, I sighed and stepped out of the shower before wrapping a towel around my body and head. I walked into the room just in time for my phone to light up with a notification. I checked it and a sm
Last Updated : 2023-08-07Fallen Apart Sixty-Nine
ARIA'S POVThe ringing tune was all I could hear as I tried to call Xavier. I had been calling him since that morning but he didn't answer nor did he see the need to call me back. That night I tossed around the bed because the next day was my wedding day and I couldn't reach my brother. One part of me was pissed that he might miss my wedding and the other part was scared something might have happened to him, and there was no way of finding out because I couldn't reach him. I had already lost my parents to the cold hands of death, I wouldn't be able to survive it if anything happens to my brother too.I gave up on calling him and threw the phone on the bed. Climbing down from the bed, I made my way out of the room toward the kitchen. When I got there, I went straight to the fridge and opened it to take a bottle of water. I rested my back on the counter as I opened the bottle and downed the entire content in one go.A sigh escaped my lips as I trashed the bottle. I was about to walk ou
Last Updated : 2023-08-09Fallen Apart Seventy
ARIA'S POV"Do you want to do this?" Savannah asked as the car moved closer to the cathedral where the ceremony would be taking place."It's the only way." I sighed and leaned into the car seat with my eyes closed. Dave and his family deserved what I was planning to do to them. They took me and my family for fools and thought they could pay off their wrongdoings with money. I knew I couldn't do much harm to them but I would do what I can do maybe that way I could get a little sense of satisfaction.The car stopped at the cathedral and guards opened the door for me to climb down as Savannah helped me with my gown. My heart thudded in my chest as I stared at the entrance of the cathedral. "It's time." The wedding planner said to me as she led me to the entrance of the cathedral with my bridesmaids which consisted of Lena, Summer and Michelle standing in front of me. When the doors were pushed open, they walked in one after the other as their entry song began to play. The door was clo
Last Updated : 2023-08-10Fallen Apart Seventy-One
DAVE'S POV"Aria!!!" I yelled as I watched the car drive away from the cathedral. I stood there dumbfounded as my brain tried to register what happened.She left.Aria rejected me.Why? We were doing perfectly fine, what could I have done wrong? Or Does she knows the truth? The rate of my heartbeat increased tenfold at the thought of Aria finding out about what I did. She would never forgive me and I might end up losing her forever. No, there was no way I would let that happen. It might seem selfish of me that I was still keen on keeping her by my side after what I had done but I couldn't help that I'm in love with her and I can't imagine her being with someone else. I hope against all hope that there was a different reason that Aria left. It would be possible and easy to sort it out better than her finding out the truth about what I did."Dave, what going on? Why did Aria leave?" He asked and I remained quiet. "Will you say something?" He yelled at me."What do you expect him to s
Last Updated : 2023-08-14Fallen Apart Seventy-Two
ARIA'S POVXavier stopped the car in front of Lena's house and I wasted no time in getting out of the car, packing my flowing gown in my hands. "Aria, wait up," Savannah called from behind me but I ignored her as I took the key under the flower vase and unlock the door. I ran into my room before anyone could catch up with me. The moment I locked the door behind me, I fell to my knees and I cried my eyes out. All the memories of Dave and I flashed through my mind like a movie, making my heart ache more. Never in the world would I have imagined that Dave would hurt me like that. It all finally made sense why his parent accepted and why they were rushing the wedding preparation. It was because of what he did. To think that Dave and his family were planning to trap me in marriage and blind me from the truth that was right in front of my eyes fuelled my heart with hatred towards the Mendez family."Aria, are you okay?" Xavier's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Please just open the door,"
Last Updated : 2023-08-22Fallen Apart Seventy-Three
DAVE'S POV TWO MONTHS AGOI glanced at my wristwatch from time to time, tuning out of the discussion at the meeting that was being held at our company's branch in Pittsburgh. Left to me, I would've sent someone else to the meeting because the next day was my one-month anniversary with Aria. I had prepared a lot of things to celebrate the day and I didn't want anything to delay and ruin the day, but thanks to the branch manager, who insisted that it was important that I was here, I might end up stuck here for the night. "Mr. Mendez," a voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I glanced around the room to see everyone giving me a confused look."I'm sorry, you were saying?" I leaned off my seat, placing my elbows on the table in front of me."It seems you are in a hurry, why don't we reschedule the meeting to another convenient day?" The branch manager that was sitting on my right said."That would be so much appreciated." My lips stretched in a smile. "In that case, I'll take my leave.
Last Updated : 2023-08-28Fallen Apart Seventy-Four
LENA'S POVI stood at the entrance of my apartment with my hands shoved into my black fur jacket as I watched Aria bid farewell to Xavier and Savannah with a forced smile on her face. The vibration of my phone in my pocket made me tear my eyes away from them as I checked the caller to be Nixon.It had been two days after the wedding, and I hadn't talked to Nixon since then. I had a lot of questions in my head but I didn't know how to bring up the conversation which was why I refrained from calling him or picking up his calls.A sigh escaped my lips as I pressed the green button. "Hello.""Lena," he called and I could sense the shock in his voice. "How are you doing? Why have you been ignoring my calls?" "Nothing. I just needed some space." "Why? Did I do something wrong?" He asked with confusion laced in his tone."I'm not sure about that yet." I didn't want to jump to conclusions and act wrongly toward him when I still hadn't confirmed his involvement in the case. Dave was his bes
Last Updated : 2023-08-30Fallen Apart Seventy-Five
NIXON'S POVLena's words rang in my head as I walked back to my office. Of all the reasons for Aria to leave Dave, I could never have imagined that it would be because he was responsible for her parent's death. It even hurt me the more that Lena believed I was involved.As I entered my office, I sat on my chair and the picture frame of Dave and I sitting on my desk was in my line of sight. Staring at the picture of Dave and I smiling at the camera after our college graduation made me realize that I shouldn't blame Lena for not trusting me in that case. If Dave was truly involved as they claim and he had told me about it, I would have been forced to keep quiet. Dave is my best friend, there was no way on earth I would sell him out knowing it would ruin his entire life and I was sure that was why he was scared to tell anyone too. But wait, I shouldn't jump to conclusions without hearing Dave's side of the story. Even if he was responsible for their death, something must have happened.
Last Updated : 2023-09-01
Latest chapter
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Twenty Five
I took her view and entered the room. The view that my eyes chanced upon, a woman sitting at the brink of the bed and burying her face in her hands, had revved up my heartbeat; she lifted her head and looked at me. There was surprise as well as confusion in Aria's gaze."Dave…what are you doing here?" she asked, tremulous her voice.I stepped closer to her, and my heart went out to her. "Aria, please, don't do that. We have to talk. You had to know how much I love you, and we have got to do this together. Please don't make this mistake. Don't decide without you talking to me," she said.She stared into mine, her own already welling with water. "I don't know if I can do this, Dave. I'm scared… so scared."."I know you are," I said, my voice cracking as the emotions spun their way inside of me. "But I'm scared too, Aria, scared to death of letting go of you and our child. We can face this together. I love you and will be with you no matter what. Please just allow us a chance."She tremb
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Twenty Four
DAVE'S POVThe reports lay on the desk as my eyes looked at them without really seeing. It was two weeks ago—the night that had unleashed all my emotions with Aria. She hadn't been returning my calls or texts, and every time I tried to find her, the doors closed in front of me.It was as if that had been such a welcome distraction from the growing pit of dread deep in my stomach—one which it was easy to leave my focus on. Therefore, I just thought that probably Aria needed some space and time to think, and I gave it to her. But the days were beginning to slip into weeks; the chasm between us began to feel impossible to cross.I was just about to get into the other useless read-through of the reports when the shaking of my door broke with a knock. Before I could get a chance to answer, Nixon walked in, a sad look across his face."Dave, we have got to talk," he said, shutting the door.I rose to my feet; missed a beat in my heart. Nixon never did drama so whatever his news was, it had
Fallen Apart part 2: Chapter Twenty Three
Returning to Chicago was very much like stepping into the storm all over again. The city was the same—booming and ruthless; only I was different now. The sojourn at Pittsburgh had poured in a new perspective and a brief sabbatical from the storm that life was getting transformed into. Onwards, as I pushed open the doors and jumped into the office of the magazine, all my lugging from the past came back and sat on my shoulders again.I virtually wore the broadest smile ever as I greeted colleagues around, with their eyes to my back, and whispers trailing down the hall. News about Jax did travel fast, and however much I wanted to act like I did not hear the murmurs, they were impossible to ignore."'Did you see him? Jax is still in prison…Isn't she the one who used to go out with him?"Yeah, apparently she's trying to steer clear of any more drama. Who can blame her?"The two prattled on, voices droning in my ears as I looked down, burying myself in my work. I had the art of evasion of
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Twenty Two
Xavier had spent most of the next fortnight within the confines of the house with his baby daughter, little Aurora; mankind could attribute getting associated with the atmosphere of normality amidst these crazed minds in and around people. They made one feel slightly better, anyways. The bright spot in my life was Aurora, Xavier's baby. Her laughter and innocence diverted my mind from that hurricane inside my guts.And Xavier, he never stopped showing up. Either waiting to hold me with all of my words, many, or sitting wordless with me when my words failed. He had wars of his own, his own aches: waiting for Savannah to return, raising Aurora on his own. But it never crossed him from how he was acted at that it was of much miracle to be noble, he quared each new day with that kind of fortitude. I saw and wished I could find it in myself.And suddenly it was one of those evenings where one sat in the porch with the sunset overhead, and this very question was coming alive inside me since
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Twenty one
ARIA'S POVAnd there was the sun, first off, up close, shining warmly but in an absolutely singular, discreet design, wringing and bright out through the blinds and all over my bed. For one moment all was also right in my world; this was just some stupid nightmare. For a brief second, there was a sense that everything in the world was also just fine; it was all just some ridiculous nightmare. But as the fog of sleep thinned, I could see the face of reality coming creaking down upon me.There was the weight of a body beside me and the familiar scent of Dave's cologne in the air. Dread consumed me as my head turned to his, slowly, heart in the throat, lying beside me, still asleep. His face really looked peaceful, quite unlike the trouble that I knew was dwelling underneath.Panic surged through me at the full force of what I had done. As soon as I lay in Dave's bed, in full nudity and all the sheets, it all came back, the way that I kissed him. I had let myself fall into the biggest t
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Twenty
DAVE'S POVDarkness had passed as I finally drove the old Civic through the winding city streets, my brain swirling with thoughts that snaked into a cocktail of feelings, triumph and unease. The news of Jax spread like a wildfire through the grapevine, and much as I loathed to admit, somewhere deep inside me, the thought of his downfall came with a bit of joy. That definitely had to be said: he had it coming. Not half of me, though—there was another that couldn't see past Aria's face in my head when she discovered all that she had been told. What would she do? Didn't she see this as a way to get rid of him and finally turn back to me? Or would she retreat into herself as she had retreated before, only this time even more broken?It was with all that running through my head that I pulled up outside Aria's apartment. I parked the car, opened the door, and let the cool night air do little to settle the restlessness in my chest. I came to her front door and knocked, waiting for her to an
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Nineteen
ARIA'S POV Long before the fallout hit. My phone started going off and never stopped, vibrating out of its cradle the second the story broke. Friends, colleagues, reporters—everyone wanted a piece of the madness. I ignored them all as my heart raced, scrolling through the headlines; each one landed in my gut like a gut punch: “Jax Grayson's Secret Life Exposed!" “Exposé in the Fashion World: The Unimaginable Reality of a Fashion Giant!" "Jax Grayson Probed for Money Laundering!" I felt like throwing up. My stomach somersaulted with the words of the allegations. They had to be wrong. Simply wrong. Jax was one of the good guys, sweet …How in the world could he have held something like this secret from me? From everyone? My hands were shaking as I fumbled with that bar of digits to call Jax, hoping against all odds that there was some kind of explanation; a way that maybe this could all just be a horrible, horrible mistake. But when he picked up, his voice came flat, resigned.
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Eighteen
DAVE'S POV I crossed through the doorway into my office, started pacing, and wondered how to deliver this piece of dynamite to Nixon. My office was quiet except for the humming of air conditioning. Inside my head was a no-man's-land. What I was doing, I felt, was walking a tightrope. One wrong step and everything could come crashing down. But at that moment, thinking of her in Jax's arms, of her being able to smile again the way she used to smile at me, made it resolute, and somehow, I knew I had to go through it. This morning, Nixon was extremely caught up. He had one meeting and call after another, so he was active. Still, I knew that at least I had to try and speak to him before going any further with the plan. He wasn't just a friend; he was my brother-in-law, partner in crime, the one man who could talk me out of any crazy idea I came up with. I inhaled slowly, then walked into his office. The door swung a bit wide, and behind the desk, I could see him buried in some paper
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Seventeen
ARIA'S POVMy phone buzzed, it must have been for the hundredth time that morning. I didn't need to look, though all texts and notifications seemed to come down to the same thing. Well, the rumour mill hadn't stopped since Jax and I got together, but today… Today felt different. You could feel it in your bones, like a storm about to hit just out of sight."I rather reluctantly opened my phone again to scroll through the scores of messages, tweets, and posts flooding my feed. I looked up sheepishly to see what adorned every major gossip website: "New Power Couple: Aria Stephenson and Jax Grayson Romance Heat Up!" with pictures of him and me leaving that wedding together last night.". The photos had captured everything—how Jax used to hold me close and how I'd look at him.But the captions only distorted everything, making what was such close, personal time between the two of us into a public spectacle.The anxiety mixed with impatience surged, upped by apprehension in my chest. This
