ARIA’S POV As the wine soaks into my dress, a surge of shock and disbelief course through me. How could they stoop so low? But as I glance at their faces, twisted in a mix of horror and surprise, a smirk tug at the corners of my lips. They had expected anger, outrage, perhaps even tears, but instead, they found me revelling in the chaos they had wrought. I refuse the offered tissues from the other ladies nearby, my resolve steeling as I meet Eva and Sophia’s gazes with defiance. I am not going to let them see me falter, not now, not ever. This is my moment, my special day, and nothing—not even a splash of wine—is going to ruin it. But beneath the surface, a simmering anger bubbles, not at their attempt to sabotage me, but at the audacity of their actions. How dare they try to tarnish this day, this moment that I have worked so hard for? In that instant, the laughter and applause of the crowd fade into the background, replaced by the pounding of my heart and the rush of adrenaline
ARIA’S POV Adam is appalled at my guts. Before, what used to be said to me in public, I used to be very submissive. Now, things have changed. As he puts it, I have changed. It is a total transformation and the breaking of the shackles. The woman who stands before him is more adamant and resilient. “We’re in public and you can’t keep quiet, Aria?!” I see it in Adam's eyes—the expectation for me to conform, to play the role of the submissive one while Eva emerges victorious. It is a script he is all too familiar with, one where I remain silent and compliant, allowing others to dictate the terms of my existence. “Do I care what you think about me or expect from me?” Adam seems frustrated, arguing with me. He is giving up and I am loving it. I shall do my best to hurt him at each and every occasion I get. I am sparing no one. At that moment, Regis approaches me, removes his jacket and covers the stain on my dress. Yes, the dress is black, but the marks are already showing. It is lik
ARIA’S POV Leaving the party amidst stunned silence, I can't shake the sense of satisfaction knowing that Eva is finally getting what she deserves. Adam's silence in the aftermath of my confrontation with her speaks volumes, a tacit acknowledgement of his inability to defend me against his own family. With Regis by my side, we leave it all behind us, not once looking back. But today, as I face a new day, the weight of my circumstances bears down on me. Despite my desire for independence, I am tethered to a reality where my autonomy is limited by the terms of my marriage. Adam's decree regarding my salary serves as a constant reminder of the power dynamics at play, a stark contrast to the illusion of equality we are meant to uphold. As much as I yearn to break free from these constraints, I am ensnared by the tangled web of obligation and expectation that surrounds me. I am completely absorbed in my thoughts, when Regis enters my room. Lately, he has been coming all the time, to ch
ARIA’S POV Stella's happiness at having me join her company is palpable, and her suggestion to meet later at her shop fills me with a sense of excitement. It is not just about discussing work—it is about embracing this new chapter in my life with style and confidence. The prospect of buying new clothes adds an extra layer of anticipation to our meeting, symbolizing a fresh start and a chance to reinvent myself. I eagerly agree, looking forward to the opportunity to not only talk business with Stella but also to explore the possibilities of my new wardrobe. With a renewed sense of purpose, I make a mental note to prepare for our meeting, eager to make the most of this opportunity to align my professional aspirations with my personal style. As I hang up the call, a surge of excitement runs through me. It is midday, and there is still so much potential in the day ahead. Without wasting a moment, I grab my bag, keys, and head straight to Stella Newton's boutique. The anticipation of
ARIA’S POV Eva and Sophia's disdainful stares cut through the air like knives, their raised eyebrows and judgemental scrutiny leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable. It is as if they see me as nothing more than a piece of garbage to be discarded, their contemptuous gazes stripping away any semblance of dignity or self-worth. Despite their attempts to belittle me, I refuse to let their negativity tarnish my spirit. I stand tall, chin held high, refusing to be diminished by their petty cruelty. In their eyes, I may be nothing more than a target for their derision, but in my own eyes, I am strong, resilient, and worthy of respect. As I meet their stares with unwavering resolve, I silently vow to rise above their toxic behavior and prove them wrong. Their opinion of me may sting in the moment, but I refuse to let it define me. I am more than their judgement, more than their scorn—I am a force to be reckoned with, capable of achieving greatness despite their attempts to tear me down.
ARIA’S POV “You should just let me fix them!” As I sense Stella's frustration mounting, I find myself empathizing with her predicament. Eva and Sophia's relentless attempts to provoke reactions and incite drama are both tiresome and predictable. It's clear that they thrive on chaos and conflict, revelling in the discomfort of those around them. But I refuse to play into their game. I refuse to give them the satisfaction of seeing me lose my composure or stoop to their level. Instead, I choose to rise above their petty antics, refusing to allow their negativity to dictate my actions or emotions. With a sense of resolve, I take a deep breath and remind myself that my dignity and self-respect are far more valuable than any temporary satisfaction gained from engaging with Eva and Sophia. I refuse to let their toxicity poison my spirit or derail my sense of purpose. In the face of their provocation, I remain steadfast in my commitment to maintaining grace and composure. By refusing to
EVA’S POV I recall that day when things turned upside down for me at the event. “What did you do?” Adam asks me after he checked the security footage. He is livid, his fist clenched tight like he is about to hit me. He has never been this harsh to me. Now he yells at me for that lowly ex-wife of his! In a moment of carelessness, I had messed up with Aria. Desperate to avoid the consequences, I had tried to shift the blame onto Aria. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. It seemed that my brother was becoming more discerning, especially after Aria's departure. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. My attempts to manipulate and deceive might no longer be as effective as they once were. Without Aria around to serve as a convenient scapegoat, my brother was no longer falling for my tricks so easily. It was a sobering awareness, one that forced me to confront the consequences of my actions. Perhaps it was time for me to reassess my approach and consider the true value of
ARIA’S POV I can't believe my eyes! Adam, here at the store? The shock is mirrored on Eva's face as she registers the unexpected presence of her brother. I stand frozen in place, unable to move, while Stella, with a knowing look, seems to grasp the situation perfectly. Eva rushes to her brother like an eager child anticipating an ice cream treat, her excitement palpable as she reaches out to him. “Adam?” Eva was going to hit me when Adam arrived and his glance shifted from Eva to me and back to her. “Were you going to hit Aria?!” Despite my satisfaction in Adam witnessing his sister's behavior first-hand, I remain indifferent to his attempts to defend me. Therefore, I take a step back, disengaging from the situation and showing no interest in Adam's involvement. Stella holds me by the arm, whispering, “You’re divorced now… Don’t run away.” Absolutely. Why should I step back? There is a surge of satisfaction coursing through me, knowing that Adam has finally seen his sister'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