“That’s not enough,” I told him. “Aria…” “I need more,” I said. “Unless you can promise to love me, I see no other way forward for us.” He’d never be able to make that promise, and we both knew it. Lucian had already told me he didn’t know how he felt about me. After overhearing his phone call
Aria’s POV I was worried about Piper, but I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye to Julia and Harold. After all, my curiosity over what Lucian might say was only part of the reason I came tonight. My main priority had been to say farewell to his parents, knowing this would likely be the last time
Aria gestured toward the door. “We have to go now, Jasper. There’s no time for games. Piper works at the hospital. If she needs me, that’s where we have to go.” “The hospital…?” I felt like my brain was offline, all of my thoughts still enamored with her. “Yes,” she said, giving me a flat look.
Aria’s POV Aria knew enough about Caleb, the war hero, to know that this group were his children and their spouses. I’d never interacted with them. They’d always kept a wide berth from me, but we’d seen each other at parties. Granted, it was from across the room, but we still recognized each other
Maybe that was just one more mistake I’d made. “If you will excuse me, I would like to speak to Dr. A privately about this. Jasper,” I said, remembering him at my side. “Please stay here.” “But –” “This is a private matter.” He huffed like a petulant child but agreed, “Fine.” “Thank you,”
Aria’s POV To my surprise, as I exited the office with Piper, still disguised as Dr. A, and suggested going down to see Caleb in the coma ward, Jasper was the one who agreed the readiest. The others, Caleb family, seemed confused at my needing to be involved beyond this point. “I just want to ke
“I think I’d better go with Jasper,” I told her. “He’s been patiently waiting all this time.” And we needed to talk. At Cathy’s nod, I turned away and walked with Jasper down to his car. Once we were safely inside, he started the engine, turned to me, and asked, “How in the world has Lucian not fo
Aria’s POV The next morning, as I headed into the office disguised as Dr. A, I was still no closer to deciding Caleb’s fate. There were many things to consider, pros and cons for both sides. No matter what, I couldn’t be hasty and make the wrong choice. The newspapers, somehow, already, caught w
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