ADAM’S POVA few days before we went for the court proceeding, I was reviewing the case files of Brad and Jared when my mother called me.“Where have you sent my daughter, Adam?!”My mother always calls me at the wrong time and I know I can’t avoid her. I should be ready for her lecture!Every time I try to discipline Eva, my mother interferes and ends up pampering her even more. In fact, when I had sent Eva away, I hadn't informed my mother of her whereabouts. My mother kept on demanding that she sees Eva.Of course, I understand their strong bond and how inseparable they are, but it's frustrating to see Eva evade responsibility time and again. Their closeness shouldn't excuse her from facing the consequences of her behavior. It's disheartening because I want to see Eva grow and mature, but her continual reliance on our mother to bail her out only perpetuates the cycle of irresponsibility.“Regis told me you sent her to some jail! Tell me why.”Ah, Uncle Regis had to interfere once a
ARIA’S POVI am summoned to the police station to give my statement. As I look at Eva behind bars, a mix of relief and resolve washes over me. Her puffy face and teary eyes meet mine, but I maintain a stoic expression.Inside, a storm of conflicting emotions churns—disappointment, frustration, and a sense of betrayal. Eva must be shocked to see my indifference, perhaps realizing for the first time the consequences of her actions. The silence between us speaks volumes, echoing the rupture in our relationship caused by her choices.Adam is also present when he shouldn't be. However, his focus right now is solely on me. It's strange, but I'm not going to be swayed or impressed by his actions.“You didn’t need to be here, Adam.”“It’s okay… I’m here for you. Are you alright?”I roll my eyes at him. This time, Eva hasn’t managed to slap me or harm me. She wouldn’t dare anymore. I refuse to give her the satisfaction of affecting me like that again.“Your sneaky sister wouldn’t dare to hurt
ARIA’S POV“Please Aria, don’t do this to us…”I believe it's payback time now, and I won't back down in ensuring Eva is punished for all her crimes. In the past, I've tolerated too much; disgrace, a life of servitude, and countless insults. Now, it's time for justice.I don't usually take pleasure in seeing anyone at my feet, but witnessing Elodie in this state brings a sense of vindication. Her collapse, a mix of shock and despair, finally mirrors the pain and humiliation I've endured for so long.For once, I feel a surge of satisfaction. This is my moment of retribution, and I won't step back now.“The bullets have already been fired, sorry.”My words shatter her ego and crush her hope, starkly reminding her that humans should never be taken for granted. As I watch her crumble, I reflect on the countless times I've extended forgiveness, only to have both mother and daughter seize every opportunity to undermine and belittle me.Each insult, each act of disgrace, and every instance o
ARIA’S POV“I remember everything now.”Adam and I exchange bewildered glances. While the revelation brings a sense of relief, we are also fearful that Grandpa could experience another trauma. The conflicting emotions of hope and concern weigh heavily on us as we navigate this delicate situation.“I’m sad to hear that Adam and you are divorced and he’s with someone else.”He feels ashamed that Adam made Sophia pregnant and cheated on me while we were still married. Grandpa, as usual, is apologetic for all of Adam's mistakes, and he looks at me intently as he speaks. His remorse is clear, and his eyes convey a deep sense of regret and concern. It's clear that he's struggling to reconcile the actions of his family with his desire for peace and resolution.“Grandpa… There’s no other woman, nor any child. She’s gone already and the child wasn’t mine.”Grandpa turns his gaze towards Adam as he speaks to him in a soft tone. Adam's voice is gentle, filled with a mix of concern and reassuranc
ARIA’S POVSince Eva refuses to mend her ways, I have no choice but to take this step. I drag her to court, realizing she will never learn her lessons otherwise. Having a mother like Elodie, who constantly shields her from the consequences of her actions, makes it even more difficult for Eva to behave responsibly. It's time to hold her accountable, not just for my sake but for her own growth as well.“Please, Aria, I’m begging you… Save my daughter.”“Sorry, nothing is in my hands, anymore. If you had been a good mother, she wouldn’t have ended up in jail.”Elodie finally gives up. I am relieved that neither Grandpa nor Adam interfere in my decisions or the court proceedings, despite Eva and Elodie begging them. Their unwavering support in letting justice take its course is a comfort amidst the chaos.As Eva claims, jail hasn’t done her any good. Her face is dull, her eyes are puffy, and she’s in a terrible state. Well, she should have considered the consequences before getting involv
ADAM’S POVI am invited to a business party and I know Aria will be there too. I’m excited at the chance to finally be with her, and this time, I’ll do my best to win her back. I believe I’ve been too silent lately and haven’t shown her that I’m still trying to pave my way through.Aria always said that the dark gray evening attire suits me best. So tonight, I'm going to wear her favorite outfit. It should do the trick.This tailored dark gray evening suit, impeccably fits to accentuate my stature. The suit exudes elegance and sophistication, complemented by a crisp white dress shirt and a silver neck tie. With every detail meticulously chosen, from the cut of the suit to the shine of my shoes, I radiate confidence and charm as I prepare to impress Aria at the business party.Once I reach the venue, I meet the host who immediately introduces me to the person who seems to be the star of the party. Guess who! Nathan Wilson.“We meet every single day the the lab, but nice to meet you her
REGIS’ POV“Poor chap! He still doesn’t know that we are siblings.”“Let him think what he wants to think. I really don’t care. We don’t need to clarify anything either.”“Aria is right… In any case, this is the best revenge.”Aria, Nathan, and I are at the party, having a good time as usual. We were just discussing his frequent visits to Wellington Enterprises whenever Aria and Nathan are together, and it seems my nephew is still determined to impress Aria.“Hi, everyone.”Talking about the Devil, he appears. Adam, like a puppy, sticks close to Aria wherever she goes. Adam has lost a valuable person while chasing something less precious, and now it might be too late for him. Once, I was his competition, but now it seems he's added Nathan to his list. The jealousy burning inside him makes him believe that Nathan and Aria are dating. He's always been immature, and it looks like he still is.Adam's attempts to come between them or vie for Aria's attention are quite amusing. I'm sure Ada
ARIA’S POVAfter the business party, I was overwhelmed by what Nathan and Regis did for me. Their gestures touched me deeply, yet the scrutiny of so many eyes left me apprehensive, fearing I might end up in the headlines once more.Adam, on the other hand, was completely baffled when he witnessed both Nathan and Regis laying their expensive jackets on the wet ground to protect my precious sheepskin leather shoes from the rain.I never expected them to go to such extremes for me, but I truly appreciated it. Adam has never treated me with such care, and I could see the horror on his face. It must have been a shock for him to realize that there are men who would do anything for me, something he could never have imagined.I hope he learns—not for me of course, but for the future wife he may choose.Anyways, I need to push thoughts of Adam out of my mind at any cost. Every encounter with him is like reopening old wounds, and I'm exhausted from seeing him after the divorce. The frustration a
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