ARIA’S POVThis crazy woman has been bragging about her master plan all along, but it only makes her look more like a psycho. She’s been reveling in her twisted scheme, detailing every step with maniacal glee, convinced it showcases her brilliance. To me, it only highlights how deranged she really is.“Instead of them thinking you’ve been kidnapped, they’ll now believe you’re the villain!”What? What is she even talking about? Kidnap? Villain? This is insane. She’s been spouting off about her master plan, throwing around words like "kidnap" and "villain" as if we're in some kind of crime fiction. Her wild eyes and manic grin make her look even more unhinged. My mind races, trying to make sense of her madness. Why is she doing this? What does she want from me?Tanya snickers as she delivers her lines, her eyes gleaming with twisted satisfaction. Then she lets out a screeching laugh, the sound so piercing it feels like it might burst my eardrums. The malevolent joy in her voice chills m
ARIA’S POVAs soon as I hear Regis choose Tanya over me, the words echo in my mind, a wave of disbelief and betrayal washing over me. Before I can even begin to process the gravity of his decision, the rope holding me off the cliff is suddenly cut.I feel a sharp jolt as the tension releases, and I plummet towards the ocean below, my heart pounding in my chest. The wind rushes past me, and all I can think about is the cold, unforgiving water waiting below.How can Regis choose to harm me? How can he choose Tanya to live and me to die? The questions swirl in my mind, intensifying my fear and confusion. I trusted him, believed he would save me. How could he betray me like this?I hurtle through the air, the wind whipping around me, a mixture of fear, disbelief, and desperation consuming my thoughts. The sensation of free-falling into the unknown abyss below fills me with a gut-wrenching dread, every second stretching out into an eternity as I brace for the impact that awaits in abyss.A
ARIA’S POVOn my way to the hospital, I can't stop thinking about Regis. How could he choose Tanya over me? Moreover, he never came back for me. What kind of game is this? Did he actually believe that I would kidnap Tanya and stage everything, trapping him in this twisted plot?Doubts and questions swirl in my mind, and I struggle to understand how everything could have gone so wrong.Those thoughts make my heart grow cold.I am still wondering how Adam reached the place to save me. All these questions are bugging my mind so much. How did he know where to find me? Why was he there? The confusion and uncertainty gnaw at me, adding to the turmoil already brewing within.“How did Adam reach there on time to save me?”I finally ask Neal and all he says is that I should take rest and not to think about all these things for now.“But, tell me, how did you track me?”“Regis informed me.”“What? Regis?”I can't believe my ears when Neal tells me it was Regis who discovered my whereabouts from
ARIA’S POVJust then, I hear Adam’s voice.“I’m fine, Aria… Thanks for asking about me.”I blush, unsure of why, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on me. Neal remains silent, his expression unreadable, though it seems he isn't pleased either with Adam’s presence or maybe because of some other issue.If Adam hadn’t reached me in time, I might have ended up in the ICU. However, when I opened my eyes and saw him performing artificial respiration, I felt a strange mix of emotions.We hadn’t been this close in a very long time. As he worked to save my life, I couldn’t help but wonder if he felt a certain satisfaction in that moment, a rekindling of something from our past. The intimacy of the situation, despite its urgency, brought back a flood of memories and complicated feelings.At that same time, Regis barges in, looking panicked.“Aria! Oh, thank God you’re alright. I got so scared!”Without giving me a chance to speak, Regis rushes to explain himself. His words tumble out in a mi
ARIA’S POVAfter I shouted at Adam and Regis, even Neal exited the room. I think I must have been too irritated and loud for them to handle, prompting them to leave me alone. But their behavior was too much. I can't believe they would argue like children in a hospital room.I expected more from Regis, at least. His composure and maturity usually set him apart, but today he was just as heated and impulsive as Adam. The scene left me feeling exasperated and disappointed. I needed peace and support, not bickering and drama.As the silence settles around me, I feel a mix of relief and exhaustion. Maybe now I can gather my thoughts and find some clarity amidst the chaos they've left behind. I ask myself where Tanya is. This kind of woman shouldn’t escape, because based on past experience, she'll surely try another stunt.I don't have the energy for all this drama anymore. Tanya's manipulative schemes have put me through enough, and I can’t afford to let her continue wreaking havoc in my li
ARIA’S POVI sigh, relieved that this episode is finally over. However, I have another issue now.“Neal, I don’t want to stay here. Can you take me home?”I ask, my voice weary but determined. Since I am alright now, there’s no use for me to sleep in the hospital when I can enjoy the comfort of my home and be with my family. The sterile environment of the hospital only reminds me of the ordeal I've been through, and I long for the warmth and familiarity of home.“I’ll make the arrangements right away.”“Thanks.”Neal kisses me on the forehead and hugs me tightly, his relief palpable, as he whispers, his voice filled with emotion."I'm so glad you're safe and sound."As we prepare to leave, I feel a sense of calm wash over me, ready to go home and leave this harrowing experience behind.As we exit the hospital and settle into the car, I find it strange that neither Adam nor Regis are around. Their absence feels oddly conspicuous, given the intensity of the events that just unfolded. A
ARIA’S POVAfter my conversation with Neal the previous night, I've been thinking a lot about him and Stella. I've always found them to be a great match. They are two of my favorite people, and I would do anything for them.The thought of them being together fills me with joy, and I hope their relationship blossoms into something beautiful.Neal requested me to discreetly find out what kind of dates and events Stella likes, without making her suspicious. I need to keep the conversation casual and natural.The next day, I meet up with Stella for coffee. As we chat, I steer the conversation toward fun activities and favorite outings. At first, I have to make it look like I am the one who will go on a date.“I’ve been thinking of going on a date or something.”“What?! Are you serious? With who?”Stella is very excited for me and her face glows.“What’s the most ideal date to you?”"Outdoor adventures, cozy dinners, hiking, parties, or a day at the beach or maybe something artsy or cultur
ARIA’S POVHelping Neal set everything up for Stella feels like a mission filled with purpose. As soon as he asks for my assistance, I throw myself into the planning with enthusiasm. We need a venue that’s both intimate and elegant, somewhere that will make Stella feel special and cherished.After a bit of searching and a few phone calls, we settle on a charming boutique hotel with a beautiful private dining room. The staff are more than happy to accommodate our request for a private party, promising to keep the real purpose a secret.The next few days are a whirlwind of preparations. Neal and I coordinate everything down to the smallest detail. We order roses—red, pink, and white—to decorate the room. I know Stella loves roses; they’re her favorite flower.The florist understands our vision perfectly, promising a breathtaking arrangement that will set the perfect romantic tone. Neal and I also choose delicate fairy lights to add a touch of magic to the setting, making the room glow s
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