Aria’s POV Over the next few days, I met with Lucian a few times while disguised as Dr. A, so that we could discuss and work on our collaborative project. In these early stages, we decided to keep the project confidential. At the time, I only wanted to protect the integrity of the project. It wa
Aria’s POV After Sheila’s outburst, her eyes widened as if she was surprised and appalled by her own lack of decorum. Clearing her throat, she tried to relax her body somewhat, leaning heavily on one leg. The attempt at calmness, however, was not terribly successful. She looked uncomfortable, ev
Aria’s POV Even with him looking straight at me, I knew he wasn’t talking about inviting me. That would be outrageous. No way was that happening. Lucian looked away from me, back to Sheila. His anger was clear in his features: his eyes like icicles, his mouth a hard slash. “I’ve warned you not
Lucian’s POV I often thought about the question Aria asked me in the bar, whether I loved her or not. My answer then had not been satisfactory. But that answer still hadn’t changed. I genuinely wasn’t sure. Earlier in the day, while I had been sitting at my desk at the alpha headquarters build
“With the family gathering coming soon, you must bring Aria,” Mom continued, either not noticing or not caring about my clear discomfort. “It’s the perfect opportunity for the two of you to make up!” “I’ve had a lot on my plate lately,” I said. “But I’ll consider it.” Huffing a harsh breath, Mom
Aria’s POV The news took me a long moment to process. Long enough, it seemed, for Cathy to grow worried. “You okay, sweetheart?” Cathy asked, stepping closer to me. These past two days, I’d started having pregnancy reactions to things. As a Healer, I knew this was an inevitability, but knowing
Lucian’s POV The family gathering was taking place at my parents’ villa. I paced in their living room, back and forth across the carpet. The party was about to start, but Aria hadn’t arrived yet. Ben walked in from outside, shaking his head. Under his breath, he muttered, “Could it really be. Is
Aria’s POV I looked down at my dress, unsure what was wrong with it. Yes, it was more revealing than the conservative dresses I’d usually worn since our marriage, but I wasn’t sure that warranted a look as fierce as the one Lucian was giving me now. Did he think I was embarrassing him? Was I emb
Finding Jasper in this room had been a blessing. He was one of the few friendly faces who I knew would support me around here.Most of Lucian’s family didn’t think much of me at all, believing I never deserved him. Did they still think that, I wondered? Some of the glances sent my way were more pity
Lucian’s POVAria’s presence stunned not just me, but seemingly all of the family. Everyone in the room was looking at her.In the past, Aria had never cared much for being in the limelight. She’d shied away from my side at public events, preferring to always enter slightly behind me.Yet here she w
I nodded my head at him in thanks. He forced a smile for a moment, though it fell quickly.“Oh, there’s Jasper,” someone nearby said.My entire body tensed at once. Turning, I expected to see Aria on his arm. Instead, Jasper sauntered into the house all on his own with his usual excessive swagger.“
Lucian’s POVAs the family gather was at my place, I had to make sure that Sheila was previously occupied and unaware of the event occurring. Giving her my credit card and no budget, I believed myself free from her for the evening.I even had Ben organize a few loyal guards here and there to ensure
Aria’s POVI barely started searching through my dresses when the doorbell rang. Nervous it might be Lucian again, I slowly walked to the door and called through it this time.“Who is it?”“It’s Jasper. Were you expecting someone else?”“I’m here, too, Aria. I’ll let him in,” Cathy said. “If you wan
Aria’s POVOf all the things he might have come here to talk about, I had not been expecting this.“Your family gathering? At Harold and Julia’s?” I asked.“Typically yes,” Lucian said. “But this time, I will be hosting. Would you be able to go?”I frowned somewhat, confused by this request. Lucian
Lucian’s POVAs soon as I asked the words, I realized it was over the line. While Dr. A and I were cordial, we did not have the kind of relationship that would allow for these kinds of questions. She had just saved my father; I needed to be more respectful.I was just tired, under so much stress wit
Aria’s POVRushing down to emergency, I joined the team who was working on Lucian’s father, Harold. I was surprised when I came through the door to hear him yelling.“I told all of you, I’m fine! I don’t need this special treatment! Find someone who is actually sick and help them!”“Sir, we need you
Lucian’s POVAs I sat in my work office at home, I was surprised when the head housekeeper walked in unannounced. Even more so when she slapped her resignation down on the desk.“What is this?” I asked, though I could see clearly from the first sentence of the letter that she was resigning.“For yea