ARIA’S POVLying in bed, I feel a mix of exhaustion and hope washing over me. The weight of the day presses down on me, yet the thought of Tony by my side provides a comforting reassurance. The journey ahead is bound to be challenging, but knowing that we are in this together makes me feel more equipped to handle whatever comes our way. I close my eyes, allowing a sense of renewed determination to fill me. As I drift off to sleep, I embrace the hope that tomorrow will bring strength and resilience.Nevertheless, I finally feel at ease, the turbulence of the past days settling into a calm acceptance. Yet, a sense of impending dread lingers as the court date for Tania approaches. The uncertainty of what lies ahead weighs heavily on my mind, casting a shadow over the fragile peace I've found.The day has finally arrived when I shall seek justice once again. In the courtroom, I take the stand and testify as a witness. I carefully narrate each and every detail to the court, emphasizing tha
ARIA’S POVThe courtroom scene still lingers in my mind as I leave the courthouse. Tania's menacing words echo in my ears, but I push them aside as Adam approaches me with an urgent look. I am a bit impatient, but I decide to hear him out.We step away from the bustling crowd, and Adam’s expression grows even more serious. He begins, his tone grave."I’ve found something you need to know about Tony."I feel a surge of irritation. I don’t want to hear anything that might ruin the fragile peace I’ve just begun to rebuild. But Adam's concern looks genuine, so I nod for him to continue.Adam pulls out his phone and shows me a series of documents and photos.“Tony was a scammer before he became a model. He used his looks to scam money from rich old widows.”I glance at the so-called evidence coldly. It’s a collection of emails, text messages, and photos showing Tony with various women. My mind refuses to accept it, perhaps because it’s coming from Adam, who has always doubted me in the pas
ARIA’S POVThe next day, when I meet Tony at the café, he seems visibly concerned. My own excitement for our usual meetings is dampened today, as this isn't a typical date but a moment for Tony to provide some much-needed explanations.As we settle down and order something to drink, Tony focuses his full attention, ready for the conversation.“Tell me, Aria. What’s bothering you.”I take another deep breath, feeling the weight of the conversation ahead.“I heard something about you… Something related to your past.”Tony's breath seems to hitch for a second, his face paling and his eyebrows furrowing in concern.Seeing no reaction from him, I feel that I should clarify.“Is it true that you were into old rich widows?”Tony is taken aback by my findings and he asks me from where did I get such news.“Someone claims you were involved in scamming old rich widows before you became a model.”I ask him if there any truth to that, as Adam showed me some evidences yesterday. There’s a pause and
ADAM’S POVI can't believe that Aria didn’t believe a word I said to her, despite showing her the pieces of evidence. But who is to be blamed for this? Only me. My own past mistakes and the way I treated her during our marriage have come back to haunt me. The irony is suffocating. I try to shake off the frustration, but it lingers like a dark cloud over my thoughts.When George invites me to the bar for a drink, I don’t refuse him. I need to clear my mind, to find some semblance of normalcy in the chaos. The bar is dimly lit, filled with the low hum of conversations and the occasional burst of laughter.It’s a familiar, almost comforting scene. I lose myself in the rhythm of clinking glasses and idle chatter, hoping to drown out the turmoil within. The warmth of the setting and the steady flow of conversation offer a brief respite from my overwhelming thoughts.“So, how are things from your end?”George asks me about the latest events in my life, carefully avoiding any mention of Aria
ARIA’S POV“Aria? Uhm… Can you pick me from the police station?”The call from Tony shatters the calm of my evening. His urgent plea to pick him up from the police station sends a jolt of fear through me.“Why? What happened?”“I’m alright, don’t worry. Please just come and pick me up.”Thoughts swirl as I rush to his aid, the drive fraught with worry and unanswered questions about what could have transpired. I am thinking about Tania who despite being in jail, has connections and must have sent someone to attack Tony.I remember how she threatened me in the court and how confident she was about her claims. I can’t think of anyone else bringing more issues into my life or even harm the people associated with me.Arriving at the station, I'm taken aback to find Tony standing with Adam. Tony's bruised face tells a silent story of recent violence, contrasting sharply with Adam's uneasy demeanor. Confusion and concern ripple through me as I take in the scene before me, trying to piece tog
ARIA’S POVStopping at a red light, I steal a glance at Tony seated beside me in the passenger seat, and my heart sinks at the sight of the bruise marring his typically flawless face. The vivid discoloration distinctly contrasts with his smooth complexion, a cruel reminder of the recent confrontation with Adam.Instinctively, I extend my hand, feeling the urge to comfort him. My fingertips brush lightly against the tender skin surrounding the bruise, a gentle gesture infused with concern. Softly, I murmur, my voice tinged with empathy and worry."I'm sorry about this… I had no idea Adam would attack you like that."Tony's eyes meet mine in the dim, ambient light of the car. "It's not your fault."“Have you taken any painkiller yet?”“No.”As these thoughts whirl through my mind, I quickly reach into my bag, rummaging frantically until I find the last painkiller I have. Grabbing the bottle of water from the cup holder, I hand both to Tony. He accepts them without question, his wearine
ARIA’S POVBack at home, the quietness of my apartment feels almost oppressive. I try to distract myself with mundane tasks, but Tony's face keeps intruding into my thoughts. The image of him cradling my cheek stays with me, stirring emotions I hadn't anticipated.I find myself replaying our brief conversation at the red light. His words linger in the air, the unspoken tension between us hanging like a veil. A part of me wonders what might have happened if the traffic light hadn't changed, if we had lingered a moment longer in that charged atmosphere.But reality asserts itself, reminding me of the boundaries between us. Tony is a model, someone whose life is far more glamorous and complicated than mine. I can't help but feel a pang of inadequacy, a sense that I don't belong in his world.However, one thing is bugging me. Knowing Adam, he won’t punch someone without any reason. This is just not his style. As I lie in bed, I think about it long and hard, trying to make sense of what ha
ARIA’S POVThe next morning, I call Tony, determined to address the rumors his friends have been spreading about me. As the phone rings, my heart races, a mixture of anxiety and determination flooding my mind. When Tony picks up, his voice is cold and distant, but I try to keep my voice steady."Tony, we need to talk. I've heard some things that your friends have been saying about me, and I—”“How are you related to Dave Wilson?”Instead of letting me explain, Tony cuts straight to the point, asking about my relationship with my father. The question catches me off guard, and I am stunned into silence. I'm not ready to disclose that I am the daughter of the richest man in the country, and this moment doesn't feel appropriate for such a sensitive revelation.My silence speaks louder than any words could. Tony interprets it as a confession, concluding that I am guilty of whatever his friends have accused me of. His voice carries disappointment and frustration, making it clear that he fee
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