ARIA’S POVJulien’s words bug me a little. While I know I can’t stay too long without anyone, I’m scared of relationships. I’ve never gotten pampered, loved or acknowledge at any given time, yet I continued to burn myself for Adam and other’s happiness. While I’ve learned my lesson, I don’t want to repeat the same mistakes or end up in a worse situation. I am kind of happy with my current life.I cherish my independence and the freedom to explore new projects, each one contributing to my growth. Moving from one venture to another across various fields, I constantly expand my knowledge and skills, relishing the opportunity to learn and evolve every day.We are currently involved in urban redevelopment, and the work is absolutely fascinating. Revitalizing old and underutilized urban areas, as well as creating a new neighborhood within our city, is truly a privilege.Therefore, I have to be near the site almost every day to supervise the work. I've been assigned a small but comfortable o
NEAL’S POVThe recent events that have turned our lives upside down have made me more cautious. Since Stella was harassed and my little sister got into a fight, I have ensured they both have bodyguards at all times. Although Stella had refused, she didn’t know that my men were always around, protecting her and reporting back to me. I love Stella a lot, and I can’t afford to lose her.I haven’t been too open about my feelings because the last time I poured my heart out to a girl, she left me, saying I was too emotional. That experience shattered me, and since then, I’ve kept my feelings guarded when dating. It nearly destroyed my confidence. You’d think a billionaire like me would have no trouble finding women, but it’s been far from the truth for me. The fear of being hurt again keeps me from truly opening up, and it’s a lonely place to be.I completely understand how Aria must be feeling. We are family, and seeing her distant from men, I see myself in her. We’ve both been heartbroken
ADAM’S POVEver since Aria got a new project that doesn’t involve me, I’ve missed seeing her face. If I text or call her, she ignores me unless it's work-related. I don’t want to bug her, but it’s hard. Every time I think about her and Nathan together, I feel a pang of envy.I used to visit Clark’s office even when I wasn’t needed there, just to see Aria’s pretty face. If only I could be with her, I would pamper her every single day of my life. I just need a chance; this time I won’t let her suffer.There are so many things about her I never knew that have recently come to light. Who would have thought that such a talented artist was living in my house? I understand that because of the harsh years she’s been through, she had to abandon her passion for art.She has always sacrificed herself for others, including me. And what did I do? I treated her worse than I have ever treated anyone. I’ve learned that she was really telling the truth about not trapping me into our marriage. Sophia h
ARIA'S POV My husband and boss Adam, is laughing at every joke that leaves the lips of his first love while I watch them through the glass doors that separates his office from mine. I had been dutifully preparing some documents that needed his signature and also setting up his meetings for the day like I have done for 7 years as his secretary but since Sophia’s arrival, I have been unable to get any work done. I feel a pang in my chest every time Adam laughs, almost tearing up at the thought that he has never laughed like that around me. I stare at her slender frame, her lush black hair that bounces back into place even when she throws her head back in laughter and the grace in every of her movements. Sophia is an epitome of feminine grace and every of her features is proof of why Adam has been hung up over her even though they separated years ago. Even though he married me. The dark binds of his office are brought down abruptly, blocking my view of them both and now all I can see i
ARIA'S POV I am speechless for the next few seconds as his words hit me like a freight train. I wait. I wait for his hard eyes to soften with remorse at the harsh words he threw at me but that doesn’t happen. He is glowering at me, nose flaring angrily. “Adam, how…how could you say that to me?” I say, my eyes crossing over to Sophia who is now hiding her own frame behind his tall, muscular one, “In front of her?” “Because it’s the truth!” He yells again, startling me into making a small helpless sound. Adam has never yelled at me. And even though it hurts me to admit that he is truly saying the truth, he has never said it to my face and I never really thought he would. I have always known it yet it hurts to hear it come from him. It feels like a thousand needles are pricking my heart and making me bleed out with so much pain. He runs his fingers through his hair, seeming frustrated. Like he would rather not have this conversation with me. And just when I think it is over, he cont
ARIA'S POV Grandmother’s funeral is being held on a gloomy day, much to my displeasure. I listened to the weather forecast so I could choose the perfect day for the funeral, and according to the forecast, the day is supposed to be sunny and bright just like Grandmother. I feel duped standing by grandmother’s grave with the sky covered in clouds that only worsen the dark and depressing feeling that has settled in my guts since her death. I have cried so much that I have no tears left to shed at grandmother’s grave and now have to wear dark sunglasses to hide how red and puffy my eyes are rather than to complement my black dress. There are a few people hanging around the other graves in the cemetery to pay their last respects to their loved ones and at each grave, there are at least two people; couples holding each other, families comforting each other and even church processions. I am alone, with no one to comfort me since no one else bothered to attend my grandmother's funeral. W
ADAM’S POV I want a divorce. The words circle around my head non-stop. Of all the shits I have had the pleasure of hearing–and trust me, I hear a lot of crap as a CEO–Aria asking for a divorce out of nowhere has to be the worst. I am a man who takes pride in my strength and ability to handle situations no matter how unexpected they are. It comes with the job, yet for some reason, I am unable to utter a single word or move my feet until she gets into the car with my uncle. When I finally come to my senses, she is long gone, leaving me to drown in the pool of shock she created. I am shocked at her audacity; the way she looked me in the eyes as she hit me with those words. Aria’s cold hazel eyes totally betrayed the meek and timid trait that I have only ever known her for. I am equally shocked at myself for actually being affected by it when I shouldn't have batted an eyelash, after all, I never wanted to marry her. The three years of living with Aria felt like I was in bondage creat
ARIA'S POV I’m thankful that Regis doesn’t ask any questions as he drives me back home. He offers to drive me into the compound but I turn him down and wait till he drives off before I sigh and walk into the house. The house is brimming with maids who rush over to me the instant they hear the door open but I raise a hand to stop them all from coming close to me. I am no longer the mistress of the house. I walk past them all to get to my room. Adam and I only share a room when he is looking to satisfy his sexual urges. He crawls into my bed and peppers kisses all over my body till I give in and that is the only time I ever feel wanted by him. As I walk into the room, I refrain from staring at the bed for longer than I should, afraid that the memories of us tangled up in sheets with him buried deep inside of me will break my resolve. And right now, I have only one resolve–to leave Adam for good. I begin to pack while that resolve is still strong, not even stopping for one moment to