ARIA’S POVI know after this incident Tony wouldn’t dare try anything again. And indeed, Tony keeps a low profile for a while, which nearly makes me lose my patience. The waiting gnaws at me, consuming my thoughts and emotions.I need to see him make a move so I can set my plan in motion. Each day that passes without him making any overt attempts feels like an eternity, and I can feel my grip on the situation slipping.The anticipation is unbearable, filling me with a mix of frustration, anxiety, and desperation. The tension builds with every hour of inaction, leaving me on edge and increasingly desperate to regain control. The uncertainty is maddening, and I am constantly battling the fear that I may never get the chance to expose him.Ultimately, Tony invites me to dinner, and despite my reservations, I agree. It's crucial to maintain a façade of normalcy and composure, especially in light of Adam's recent actions. I need Tony to remain unsuspecting while I carefully strategize my n
ARIA’S POVTony takes me to the proposal venue, a breathtakingly beautiful garden illuminated by twinkling fairy lights. The pathway is lined with rose petals, leading to a gazebo adorned with lush flowers in full bloom.The soft glow from lanterns hanging from the trees casts a romantic ambiance, and a small fountain nearby adds the soothing sound of trickling water. Hidden among the foliage, I spot the strategically placed cameras, their lenses glinting in the low light. The setting is picturesque, almost surreal, designed to be the perfect backdrop for a grand romantic gesture.The hidden cameras strategically placed around us, confirming my suspicion that Tony is live broadcasting this event. A quick check of his Instagram confirms it; he’s posted, “I’m proposing to Aria!”The realization that our private moment is being exploited for public attention fuels my anger, but I maintain my composure, determined to see this through and execute my plan.I smile inwardly, sending a quick
ARIA’S POVTony's face pales as he realizes the gravity of the situation. He must have assumed I was angry about Mrs. Katarina's sudden appearance, and now he scrambles to explain himself. His words tumble out in a desperate attempt to assure me that there's nothing between him and the widow, that her appearance was unexpected and unwelcome. But I cut through his stammering with a calm assertion."I invited her here."The tension in the room is palpable, heightened by the live broadcast streaming to countless viewers. Tony, usually composed and confident, now appears flustered, his eyes darting between me and the camera. I hold up my phone, scrolling through the incriminating messages. Each swipe brings forth another piece of evidence, another damning revelation of his intentions."You tried to pressure me into marriage by doing all of this."I continue, my voice steady but laced with accusation, then telling him that I was one step ahead of him. I display a text where I ask Tommy to
ARIA’S POVTony's face twists with fury as the judge reads the verdict. I watch him, unmoved. He stands up abruptly, ignoring his lawyer’s attempt to calm him, and yells across the courtroom.“You think this is over, Aria? I won’t let you off this easily!”His voice echoes, drawing gasps from the crowd. The judge’s gavel slams down, sharp and final, and Tony is immediately slapped with another contempt of court charge.Tony grimaces with hate and fury, but I really don’t care about him. He deserves punishment for the wrong he has done and I am not intimidated by him.I keep my face composed, but inwardly, I feel a sense of grim satisfaction. Tony had always thought he could walk all over people and charm his way out of trouble. Definitely not this time.As the court clears, Tony is dragged away. I gather my things, preparing to leave, when I feel someone moving towards me. I turn and see Adam. He calls out, his eyes pleading as he rushes to catch up.“Aria, wait!”The courtroom had been
ARIA’S POVThe night is cool as I drive toward the dinner event, my thoughts still swimming from the chaos of the day. The evening ahead promises elegance and business discussions, but my mind is elsewhere. As I make my way through the city streets, something feels off. There’s an eerie quiet that makes my fingers tighten around the steering wheel.Out of nowhere, a loud crash jars my car forward. My head snaps back as I grip the wheel tighter, my heart pounding. I slam on the brakes and pull to the side of the road. For a second, I'm in shock, unsure what just happened. I glance into the rear-view mirror and see the offending car behind me, its headlights glaring.I step out of my car, heart racing, ready to confront the reckless driver. But when I turn and see who it is, my stomach drops. Tony. The man who had sworn revenge on me after losing everything in court. He escaped prison. My instincts scream at me to run, but I hold my ground. I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing fea
ARIA’S POVI watch Tony’s car disappear into the darkness, but I can’t let him get away. Not after what he has done. I feel a surge of adrenaline take over as I jump into my car, my foot pressing hard on the gas. The engine roars to life, and I tear down the street, my eyes locked on the fading tail-lights ahead of me. I’m not letting him slip through my fingers. Not tonight.My car—a sleek, powerful machine, one of the finest, most expensive vehicles money can buy—eats up the distance between us in seconds. I don’t care about the cost or the damage. All that matters is stopping Tony before he can disappear for good.Tony’s car is old, falling apart—just like his life. He’s swerving erratically, trying to lose me, but I’m relentless. I press harder on the gas, my grip tight on the steering wheel as I close the gap between us. Then, with a calculated flick of my wrist, I swerve and slam my car into his with a deafening crash.The impact is brutal. My car is built like a tank, and Tony’s
ADAM’S POVWhen Aria finds out that Tony has escaped prison the same way Tanya did—through some inside help—she is furious. It’s not just that both of them managed to slip through the cracks of a system meant to hold them accountable; it’s that someone on the inside is betraying their duty. She doesn’t waste any time.Immediately, she reports the person who helped Tony, ensuring they pay for what they’ve done. Aria doesn’t let things slide, especially not when someone undermines the justice system. She has fought her whole life to get where she is, and no one is going to get away with this.I admire her strength, how she takes control of the situation, but I struggle to express it. I want to show her I care, but my words always seem to come out wrong. As we sit in her living room, I blurt out, “Look what kind of man you got, Aria!”The moment the words leave my mouth, I know I’ve made a mistake. I’m not trying to insult her, but Aria’s expression hardens instantly. My heart skips a bea
ARIA’S POVThe shift in how people treated me was palpable. Almost overnight, I went from being just another face in the crowd to someone who commanded attention and respect—or at least the appearance of it. It was astonishing and, frankly, a little disconcerting. The same individuals who had once looked down on me, questioned my abilities, or outright dismissed me were now flocking to me, eager to curry favor with someone they now perceived as powerful.Walking through the corridors of my father’s company, Wilson Paragon, was a surreal experience. People who had once sneered or ignored me were now all smiles and politeness. Their sudden change in behavior was so transparent, and while it was flattering in a way, it also felt disingenuous. The whispers of "she's here because of her father" echoed around me, similar to the skepticism I had faced when I first arrived at Neal’s company. Back then, they had assumed I was there because of a romantic relationship, not because of my capabili
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