ARIA’S POVThe new project with Nathan and his team has begun, and I'm required to be on-site every day. While there's a sense of fulfillment in being part of this exciting venture, Adam's constant presence grates on my nerves. He doesn't need to be here, yet he shows up daily, and I know it's because of Nathan. My frustration grows each time I see him lingering around, and I can't shake the feeling of being watched or scrutinized.Adam silently stalks my every move despite not being needed at the meetings. I wonder if he doesn't have any other business to attend to rather than coming here, sitting, and doing nothing while Nathan and I do our jobs.His constant presence feels like an unnecessary weight, a reminder that he’s more interested in monitoring us than focusing on his own responsibilities. It’s baffling and annoying, leaving me questioning his motives and the real reason behind his persistent attendance.Nonetheless, I am thoroughly enjoying my work time with my elder brother
ADAM’S POVI just can’t stand looking at Aria and Nathan enjoying each other’s company; their laughter and playful banter slicing through me like a knife. Each shared smile and moment of connection between them feels like a betrayal, fueling the fire of envy burning within me.The intensity of my emotions is overwhelming, a searing pain in my chest that makes it hard to breathe. I feel a profound sense of helplessness, as if I’m on the verge of being consumed by the flames, my jealousy threatening to turn me into ashes.This is not the time to keep enduring these stabbing pains. If I want my Aria back, I need to act fast before anyone else takes her away from me forever. Determination surges through me, pushing aside the bitterness and insecurity.It's time to take control, to fight for her with everything I have. I can't afford to lose her, not now, not ever.I know I should have told her about my findings, but would she have believed me? No, she would have rolled her eyes in disbelie
SOPHIA’S POVAdam found out about my past and the baby! Losing this cursed baby was a relief for me. Firstly, the baby had become a hindrance due to the number of months that doctors would confirm during my check-up, and I could no longer take any risks.I had thought that I would barge into Adam’s house and make Aria lose her baby as well, but to my shock, she said that she was never pregnant in the first place. When I had the miscarriage, I had thought that any evidence in the future wouldn’t stand because once the baby was gone, then how would Adam conduct a DNA test to even find out the truth?But once again, I didn’t succeed in my plan. I wonder how Adam found out about the CCTV footage and that night when he was drugged, and nothing happened between us. Of course, it must be Aria messing everything up as usual.Every time I get close to the finish line, she wins the race. The exasperation builds within me as I realize that Aria's interference has once again thwarted my efforts.
ARIA’S POVI can’t stop thinking about Adam and what he had to tell me, but then, I decide to push him to the back of my mind. I need to stay focused on my plan and not let his words distract me from my goal.I zap through the TV channels, feeling bored and somewhat stressed, thinking about all the recent upheavals in my life. The constant stream of images and sounds does little to distract me from the turmoil brewing inside.I'm not in the mood to read anything, and I really don’t know how I should spend this day since no one is at home. The emptiness of the house only amplifies my sense of restlessness and isolation. All of a sudden, my phone rings and it’s Stella. She calls at the right time and I’m glad she is on the other line.“Hey, girl! What’s up?”The energy in her sweet voice brings back the glee, lifting my spirits and momentarily banishing my boredom and stress. Her cheerful tone is a welcome contrast to the dullness of the day.“I’m bored! Good you called me.”“Let’s meet
ARIA’S POVWe were in no mood to shop. Today, the mall seemed kind of boring as well, and I spot no new collection. The lack of excitement in the air mirrors our own disinterest, and the absence of any intriguing finds dampens our spirits further.“Should we head to the bar instead? I’m bored here.”Finally I tell Stella because she seems far from fascinated of being here.“Thank God! Yeah! I want to get out of here and have a few drinks.”We giggle our way to the parking lot, for the first time, empty-handed. Despite the lackluster shopping trip, the camaraderie between Stella and me brightens the mood, and we share a light-hearted moment as we make our way back to the car.We reach to the very famous bar in the area, Cheers & Chill. As we step into the bar, the warm glow of dim lighting envelops me, casting a cozy ambiance over the space. The faint hum of chatter and laughter fills the air, mingling with the clinking of glasses and the soft melodies drifting from the speakers.The a
ARIA’S POVI don’t give them any time to think. With full determination, I charge at them, my movements swift and decisive. My focus is solely on protecting Stella and putting an end to their harassment once and for all. As I close the distance between us, adrenaline propels me forward, ready to confront them head-on and defend what's right.The dimly lit bar provides the backdrop for our confrontation, the air thick with tension as the other patrons look on in surprise and alarm.With a swift movement, I lunge towards the nearest assailant, aiming a precise strike at his midsection. His surprised grunt fills the air as my fist connects with his abdomen, momentarily winding him and giving me an opening to press forward. Before he can fully recover, I pivot to face the next attacker, my movements fluid and controlled.The sound of groans and curses fills the space as the altercation intensifies. Each blow I deliver is met with resistance, but I refuse to relent, fueled by the need to p
ADAM’S POVGeorge has been urging me to go out for a drink with him and the other boys, even though I'm not in the mood at all. My thoughts are consumed with Sophia and Aria, and I can't stop thinking about Nathan Wilson, who, I believe at this time, must be doing his best to court Aria.Thinking about both of them, makes my blood boil.Then, that effin nightmare of the other day, with Aria and my uncle in a lovemaking scene had to add to my already perturbed mind for some days now.As a matter of fact, George practically forced me to come here, dragging me to a place I have absolutely no desire to be.“Chill, Adam! Who knows, you might get lucky with one of those hot chicks staring at you, over there.”These supposedly attractive girls which George is referring to are not what I need. All I crave is Aria.“Not interested!”My mood is already sour, and George has been getting on my nerves, oblivious to what I've been through. If I were to reveal the truth about Sophia, perhaps he'd eve
ARIA’S POVAs soon as Neal found out that Stella and I were in the hospital, he rushed over and stood at the entrance, his face pale and eyes wide with fear. His usual calm demeanor was replaced with a frantic energy, and his hands were trembling slightly.The sight of his sister and girlfriend in such a vulnerable state seems to overwhelm him, his worry etched deeply into his features. He runs a hand through his hair, a clear sign of his anxiety, and his voice wavers as he asks if we are okay. The relief in his eyes when he sees that we are safe is palpable, but the lingering fear and concern are still evident.Just as his eyes fall on Adam, Neal stops at nothing to charge directly at him, his words sharp and laced with accusations."This is all your fault, Adam! Why is it when Aria gets hurt, you’re always around?!"His voice is filled with a mix of anger and desperation, each word striking like a blow. The tension between them is visible, and Neal’s usually composed exterior crumbl
ARIA’S POVLydia’s tears dry up as she slowly turns away, ready to leave the hospital room. Her steps are hesitant, burdened by the weight of everything she’s confessed, and by the knowledge that she might be walking out of Ethan’s life forever. There’s a palpable sense of finality in the way she carries herself, like someone resigned to their fate.But just as her hand reaches the door, Ethan calls out her name.“Lydia.”Everyone freezes for a moment. Lydia stops in her tracks, her back still turned, and I can see the subtle rise and fall of her shoulders as she takes in what just happened. The room is tense, filled with emotions that swirl and collide like waves in a storm, but the sound of Ethan’s voice cuts through it all.“Who told you to leave?”He tells Lydia that he wants to give their relationship another chance.The words hang in the air, a shockwave that ripples through the room. I glance at Ethan’s parents, who stiffen at the unexpected declaration, but they remain silent,
ARIA’S POVAs soon as Ethan gazes at Lydia, her face crumples, tears welling up in her eyes, most likely because she knows she is about to lose him. The weight of everything she has done, both in the past and more recently, seems to crash down on her. Her vulnerability is unmistakable, and it’s clear that she fears this might be the end of whatever she and Ethan had built together in this strange in-between space where his memory had been absent.Ethan’s expression hardens as he processes the reality of the situation. He’s upset, and it's easy to see why. For weeks, months even, his parents had believed him to be lost, possibly dead, while Lydia kept him hidden from the people who loved him most. His emotions are a swirl of confusion, betrayal, and anger as he turns to Lydia, waiting for an explanation. The air between them grows thick with unspoken accusations, the kind that don’t need words to make their impact.Lydia’s sobs grow more frantic as she tries to defend herself, her voic
ARIA’S POV“I’m not here to take Ethan from you… We’re just best friends. Nothing more.”“What?”“It was just a charade at your engagement.”All of a sudden, the nurse informs us that Ethan has woken up. My heart races as I see the reaction from everyone around me. Without wasting a second, we all rush into his room. Ethan’s eyes are open, and the first thing he does is call out to his parents.There’s a moment of palpable relief as his mother and father rush to his side, elation lighting up their faces. They hold him close, their hands trembling with emotion, and for the first time in a long while, they seem to have a piece of peace back in their lives.But what stands out most is that Ethan doesn’t even look at Lydia. Not once. Her presence, once central to his confusion, seems to fade into the background. She stands near the door, frozen, her eyes glassy with unshed tears as she watches the reunion. I don’t know whether it’s fear, regret, or sadness that’s written on her face, but
ARIA’S POV“I’m not letting you take Ethan from me.”Lydia sits next to me, vulnerable in a way I’ve never seen before. She begins speaking softly, revealing her regrets and the reasons behind her actions. She admits that her past choices were driven by greed and a hunger for wealth, and that those choices led her to hurt Ethan and her ex-fiancé. She speaks of how, after fleeing to Arizona to escape the wreckage of her old life, she found Ethan on the shore, lost and helpless. In that moment, she says, she saw not the man she had wronged but someone she could help. Someone who needed her.It’s difficult to fully believe her, but something about her story rings true. The way she talks about Ethan and her past mistakes feels raw and genuine, not the calculated coldness I once associated with her. She explains that when Ethan didn’t remember anything—not his name, not his family, not even his old life—he still remembered her.“We’re meant to be together. Else, he wouldn’t have landed her
ARIA’S POVWe’re all seated in the waiting area of the hospital, the sterile smell and bright lights only adding to the tension. Ethan’s parents, sitting across from me, glance in my direction every so often, their frowns deepening as if my mere presence is an offense.It’s not the first time I’ve seen that look on their faces, and it probably won’t be the last. But what baffles me is how they’ve chosen to forget about Lydia entirely. She’s sitting in the corner of the room, arms folded, her face pale and tight with worry. I can’t tell if she’s genuinely concerned for Ethan or if this is all just another one of her well-rehearsed acts.I lean back in my chair, trying to process it all. At least the Mitchells had realized that their son had lost his memory before I even had the chance to explain. It was painfully obvious—his reaction when he saw them, the way his body gave out from the shock.He fainted because it was too much for him. Yet, here they are, acting like I’m the villain in
ARIA’S POVLydia seems to sense that she’s outnumbered. She glares at us for a moment, then steps aside, opening the door fully. We enter the house, the air thick with tension. I glance around, spotting the packed boxes in the corner. They were planning to leave, just as I suspected.I spot Ethan standing in the living room. He’s casually scrolling through his phone, but the second he looks up and sees me, there’s a flicker of recognition in his eyes. I hold my breath, waiting for some kind of reaction. But then, his parents step in behind me, and that’s when everything changes.Ethan freezes. His phone slips out of his hand and clatters onto the floor, but his gaze is locked on his parents. I can practically see the gears turning in his mind, as if something deep inside him is suddenly being unlocked. His face goes pale, and his eyes widen in shock.And then, just as quickly as it all hits him, Ethan stumbles back, clutching his head. He takes a few shaky steps before collapsing to t
ARIA’S POVI sit in my car, my eyes on the house as the night falls deeper. All the windows are dark, the curtains drawn, and not a single sign of movement inside. It’s almost midnight, and it doesn’t look like Lydia and Ethan are going anywhere tonight.Still, I can’t afford to take any risks. If I leave or let my guard down for even a second, who knows what they might do. Maybe they’ll sneak out in the early hours, slip away when no one is watching.But exhaustion is catching up to me. The rented car is spacious enough, well-equipped for a long night of waiting. I’ve pinned my location for the people I’ve summoned here—they’ll call when they’re close. I settle into the seat, finally allowing myself a moment to rest. There’s no harm in taking a quick nap while I wait.I drift off, my mind a swirl of thoughts and plans. Every scenario plays out in my head; confronting Lydia, pulling Ethan out of there, making sure he’s safe. It’s not peaceful sleep by any means, but it’s something.Ho
ARIA’S POVMy stomach churns with hunger, but the idea of stepping away from my spot, even for a moment, feels out of the question. I’ve been sitting here, fixated on the house, watching every movement behind those walls. It’s like Lydia and Ethan are carrying on with their perfect little life, while I’m stuck out here, trying to figure out what to do next.I have moved too far now to catch their conversation clearly, and their voices aren’t as loud as they were before. On top of that, before they notice me, I have to make sure I keep my distance.The sight of them earlier, packing boxes, moving around like they’re planning to skip town, is enough to make my blood boil. I can’t let that happen.I need to eat, I need to think, but there’s no way I can leave the area, not even for a second. They could take off, and I’d have no idea where they would go. If I lose track of them, it could be the last time I ever see Ethan. The thought alone makes my heart race.Then, I spot a kid in the di
ARIA’S POVI got the address and I head directly to the place to spy on Ethan and Lydia. My first step is to observe the surrounding and checking on their movements.“Aiden, love. Shall I keep this in the bag?”“Yes, baby.”She is addressing him as Aiden, and I roll my eyes in exasperation.As I watch from my hidden spot, I can barely contain the rage boiling inside me. Ethan, living a normal life with that deceitful witch, Lydia, like they’re some kind of perfect couple. How can he not see through her lies?My heart races, each second feeling like an eternity. She’s manipulating him, keeping him trapped in this farce, and it’s beyond infuriating. Ethan’s family has no idea he’s even alive, and meanwhile, he’s here, with her, under this disgusting illusion of love.But then something changes. I notice a flurry of activity at their house. Boxes. Bags. They’re packing up. My eyes narrow, and I feel a sudden rush of panic. This isn’t just spring cleaning or a casual weekend trip—they’re