(ARIELLE'S POV) Ashley hesitated, her eyes dropping for a moment before meeting mine again. “No,” she said softly. “I've been trying to reach him, but his line has been unreachable. I intended to go look for him but…" Her voice trailed off, and she squeezed my hand gently. “You were unconscious,
(JARED'S POV) I slowly opened my eyes, and found myself lying on my back. As I looked around, I realized I was lying on the bed, in the bedroom. But something felt off. I tried to sit up, but a sharp headache hit me, and I winced. Still, I defied the pain and sat up, rubbing my temples. Where was
(SOFIA'S POV) I watched Jared dial the number, my mind racing with frustration, and I wished for nothing but to snatch the phone. Why was he still bothering with her? Didn't he realize I'd done him a favor by getting rid of her? Shouldn't he be grateful? I recalled the events that led to this mome
(JARED'S POV) I pressed the doorbell button on the wall beside the door, and waited for a response, but a few minutes later, none came forth. I tried again, but got same unresponsiveness. Confirming my suspicion, I grasped the door handle, and sure enough, it was locked. I mentally smacked myse
(JARED'S POV) I arrived home and hurried inside. As I entered the living room, I was met with the sight of Sofia sprawled on the couch, munching on junks with the TV blaring in the background. I was disappointed at the sight before me. “Sofia, what's going on here?” I asked, picking up the remote
(JARED'S POV) I arrived at the hospital, and hurried into the reception area. A lady was behind the counter and I quickly stated my mission there. “Hold on, i'll check through the records,” the lady said pulling out a large book from a drawer. I nodded and rapped my fingers impatiently on the mar
(JARED'S POV) It was all too much to bear–the painful acceptance of all I heard back in the room. I stumbled through the hospital's hallway, my feet moving involuntarily. Somehow, I found myself in the elevator, descending to the first floor. The mirrors on the wall reflected an image, one that I
(ARIELLE'S POV) The moment Jared walked out, the dam let loose. Tears streamed down my eyes in torrents, and my body shook in unison. It was all too much to rein in. Seeing him had felt like rubbing salt to a fresh injury. So excruciating. “Hey, it's alright. Let it all out,” Ashley whispered, squ
(ARIELLE'S POV) “Surprise!” She exclaimed, her face beaming with smiles as she stepped fully into the room, pulling a small suitcase behind her. My jaw dropped, and my eyes widened. She looked tired from her trip, but her radiant smile masked it well. “Ashley, what are you doing here?” I asked, st
(ARIELLE'S POV) Back in my room at the hotel, I sat in front of my phone that was placed on the bed’s dashboard, waiting for my mom to answer the phone. Excitement coursed through my system like an unending river, and I couldn't wait to share the good news with my loved ones, my mom topping the cha
“I won’t be long in the shower,” he promised as he dashed into the bathroom. I picked up my phone and found a couple of missed calls from Michael Langley. A little frown crossed my face until I realized he might’ve worried after checking on me at my suite. I didn’t owe him any explanations of cours
(ARIELLE’S POV) I was awake—eyes closed, but very much aware of my surroundings. I could feel the gentle early morning breeze dance over my skin as it traveled across the room. The warmth of Jared’s skin against mine, his spring arms wrapped around me like a second blanket, brought back very vivid
(MICHAEL’S POV) I was on a zoom conference call with my strategy team back home when my phone rang. Normally, I’d just ignore it and let it ring out until whoever it was on the other end got the message. But when I looked at the caller ID, I thought better. “Jared. Is everything okay?” I asked my
“That bounce in his step? You’ll only ever find it in a man who’s in love. And you.. your skin has a different glow this morning. Plus you arrived an hour late for our appointment,” Ellen finished with a shrug. “Morning, Dr. Keystone,” Jared nodded as he walked into the room. “Good morning, Mr. Sm
(ARIELLE’S POV) I woke up in his arms, this time, fully aware and hardly willing to break the contact between our bodies. I slowly turned around to look at his face, to be sure none of it was a dream. Jared’s lips stretched in a smile and his eyes peeled open gradually. “Hey,” he said. “Hey,” I e
She opened her mouth to speak, but her words died away in the back of her throat the moment I slid myself into her. It felt like heaven. It felt like returning back to a place I’d vowed never to set foot in, only to realize I’d never really left in my heart—if I was being honest with myself. She
(JARED'S POV) When we arrived at the hotel, Arielle insisted on stopping by her room first for a quick shower and to change her dress. I didn’t object because I thought I could use the time to surprise her with a little culinary adventure. The poor chicken I put in the oven would have fared better