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 POV“Aria? How are you doing?”Well, I can’t even respond to that and he senses how upset I already am.“I’m sorry… It’s all because of me again.”Adam calls me, his voice heavy with regret and apology, his words tinged with sorrow and remorse. He acknowledges that his recent actions might have sparked the rumors and media attention, even though he firmly believes he wasn't in the wrong.“I’ve tried to calm things down, but to no avail…”He describes his futile attempts to control the press, lamenting the relentless pursuit of sensational stories by blogs and free press. I sigh softly, trying to convey reassurance that I am prepared to take care of the situation calmly and confidently.“Don’t worry about it, Adam. I can handle it on my own.”“Still… And I want to tell you something, please listen to me.”During our conversation, Adam recounts his version of the events at the bar. He tells me that in fact, when he went to the washroom, he heard someone taking my name, in the nex
ARIA’S POVAfter enduring weeks of relentless media scrutiny and damaging rumors, my father finally proposes a decisive step forward. He suggests revealing my identity as his daughter to the world and taking legal action against those who have slandered us.“Aria, now it’s time to announce to the world that you’re my daughter. They keep tarnishing our reputation.”“But, Dad…”At first, I hesitate, feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of stepping into the harsh spotlight in such a public manner. The thought of exposing my private life to the scrutiny of millions fills me with a mix of anxiety and reluctance. My father’s proposal to reveal my identity and confront the rumors head-on is daunting, to say the least.My dad approaches me, clasping my hand in his, trying to dissipate the anxiety gnawing at me. His smile is reassuring and his touch is tender. I sigh, yet, the turmoil inside me doesn’t die down so soon.“You know I’m nearing my retirement.”Of course, my dad needs to retire. He
TONY’S POVI hang up the call with Aria, a heaviness settling in my chest. My manager, Harry, stands beside me, exuding confidence.“I’m telling you. A whore like her can’t become wealthy overnight. From a poor to rich?”He believes there’s no way Aria could have amassed her wealth on her own, implying that a woman couldn’t achieve such success so quickly. His words, dripping with sexism, irritate me, but I push that aside. There’s a bigger issue at hand.“Yeah, I know… She refused to disclose anything about her relationship with Dave Wilson.”“Which whore will tell that she is being fucked by a billionaire? Besides, she must have slept with other men to climb the ladder faster.”Aria being linked to Dave Wilson, the richest man in the country, brings a wave of anxiety crashing over me. If Aria truly is his mistress, then parading around with me is foolish and reckless. The idea that Dave Wilson might find out and retaliate against me gnaws at my nerves, making it hard to think straigh
ARIA’S POVOn the day of my father's company anniversary, the anticipation in our household is apparent. Dad had made a surprising announcement, one that left me both astonished and nervous; he would publicly acknowledge me as his daughter at the event. It's a step towards recognition that I never expected, especially given the turmoil that is crashing over us.In the lead-up to the event, my family insists I take some time off to relax and unwind. But boredom sets in quickly, and before long, I find myself scrolling aimlessly through TikTok. It's a lazy afternoon when I stumble across a live shopping session. The instant gratification of clicking, buying, and engaging with the host captivates me. One purchase leads to another, and soon I'm on a spree, buying things I don’t even need. The thrill of it is intoxicating. But as my virtual cart fills up, I lose track of the amount I’m spending.Before I know it, I’ve made so many extravagant purchases that the news picks up on it. My splur
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