(ARIELLE’S POV)My eyes trailed after Sofia as she rose from the table. The sudden twist of plans had taken a very hard toll on her and I knew she’d gone into the bathroom to pour out her heart. I almost felt bad for her. Almost. But the air in the room was growing unbearably awkward, and I needed
“What the hell do you want from me, Jared?” I snapped sharply. Standing alone with him, I felt a myriad of emotions, some of which I was certain I shouldn’t feel. But my chest was constantly constricting with an undeniable ache. Was it jealousy? I waved it off and squared my shoulders, my chin hig
(JARED’S POV) I looked into Arielle’s eyes intently, my chest rising and falling heavily with effort as the rest of the world went silent around us. She looked at me, her breathing matching mine—barely existent, all withdrawn because of the shock of my outburst. All I could hear were my own thoug
“I didn’t mean that… I didn’t—I wasn’t trying to say it like that,” I stuttered, my voice betraying me. “Nevertheless, you did say it. And it’s okay. We’re done. I’ve come to terms with it and I think you should too.” She took a pause and let out a long deep exhale, her eyes heavy with exhaustion.
(ARIELLE'S POV) As I approached my car, I couldn't help but scan my surroundings, half–expecting to see Ashley lingering nearby. But she was nowhere to be found, and I didn't blame her. With her encounter with Jared earlier, staying back was not exactly a good option. As I slipped into the driver'
“Isn’t it?” he replied with a slight raise of his brows. I stood there, frozen for a moment, the weight of his words sinking in. What was he really asking me? Was this about more than just helping Ashley? I didn't know how to respond, didn't know how to articulate the swirling emotions inside of me
(ARIELLE'S POV) After a complicated, chaotic day, I finally managed to get some barely decent sleep and was ready to start the new day with a solid dose of confidence. No more chaos. No more emotional turmoil! At least, that was the plan… Until... “Explain. This.” That was the first senten
(JARED'S POV) I smirked inwardly as Arielle gave in. I shouldn’t be so quick to admit it, but her reluctant response was like music to my ears. Of course, my real motive was far from what she thought it was. It was far simpler than she could ever guess. I just wanted to be close to her again. T
“Sorry about that. I just wanted to go through everything we have to do first,” Julian explained, earning a little roll of the eyes from his ex-wife. I was glad that I didn’t need to be sedated for the tests they were about to conduct. Something about lying still and unconscious again with no defin
(ARIELLE'S POV) The procedure began with a couple of preliminary tests—blood tests, x-rays and the rest. I could see the outline of Jared’s figure on the other side of the glass barrier on one side of the room. He paced about anxiously and I felt a twinge of guilt for the way I’d spoken to him earl
I let out a tired sigh and figured since it was still a while before dawn, I could try and go back to sleep. I tossed and turned on the bed for what felt like an eternity before the bedside alarm clock began to ring. By the time I shut it off, I realized I’d been rolling about aimlessly in bed for t
(ARIELLE’S POV) I stirred from sleep. I felt the heat of Jared’s naked body pressed against mine and knew without any doubts that everything that had happened was in fact real and not some figment of my imagination. Somewhere in the heat of our escapades the previous night, Jared and I had stepped
I rolled my eyes and tried to rise to my feet. But he pulled me back. “Can I get one more drink? Please,” he said softly. His voice was silky and enchanting, like that of an experienced spell caster and it took all the self-control I could muster to break away from him. “I’ll go check the kitche
(ARIELLE'S POV) A couple of shots later, the air was more loose around us and we were both laughing at a silly joke he’d made. I couldn’t remember what it was but I laughed so hard my insides began to hurt. “I think my intestines just exploded inside,” I joked, and we broke into another round of l
(ARIELLE’S POV.) The room remained silent, all eyes trained on the couple whose eyes were misty in solemn gratitude. I remained lost for words, my tears already rolling down my cheeks, burning hot with gratitude and hope—hope that their procedure would give me the cure I so desperately wanted. Ma
He must have noticed my facial expression because he turned to me, his bespectacled eyes holding surprise. “Don't tell me you don't know them,” he whispered incredulously. I shrugged, they were probably medical personnel just like everyone else in this room beside me and Jared. Like he could read
(ARIELLE'S POV) The rest of the day flew by in a blur. Jared returned from the call, and we spent some time talking, catching up on everything except the looming summit. I called my Mom and Maverick when I retired to my room, and the sound of my son's cheerful voice filled me with so much warmth an