ADAM’S POVI am relieved that Aria is no longer with Ethan. The thought brings a brief moment of satisfaction, but it quickly dissipates as I turn my attention to my own pressing issues. My company is facing a financial problem, and it is my responsibility to investigate it. The weight of the situation hangs over me like a dark cloud, a constant reminder of the precariousness of the business I have worked so hard to build.I dive into the company’s financial records, poring over every detail with meticulous care. The numbers don’t add up, and a sense of dread builds as I dig deeper. The discrepancy is significant, and I cannot ignore it. My mind races with possibilities, but the truth is far worse than I imagined. I discover that the missing money is due to my mother. She has been taking funds from the company for her own personal use.The realization hits me like a punch to the gut. I feel a mix of betrayal, anger, and disbelief. My mother, someone I trusted implicitly, has been siph
ELODIE’S POVI am furious, seething with anger at my own blood, my son, Adam. The lie I had to tell him burns in my mind— I said I spent the money on male escorts, knowing full well I don’t need any man. The truth is far more humiliating.Ever since Eva left, I’ve been filling my days with kitty parties and gambling, desperately trying to stave off the crushing loneliness. But luck has not been on my side, and I’ve lost more than just money. Some of my most precious jewelry, family heirlooms, and symbols of my past, have slipped through my fingers in my futile attempts to win.As I sit alone, I replay the conversation with Adam over and over. His words cut deep, his decision to ban me from the company fund stinging like a betrayal. After losing Eva, now I’m losing my financial security too. No retirement funds, no safety net. The enormity of my situation crashes down on me, a wave of regret and frustration threatening to drown me.How I regret treating Aria like a maid, dismissing her
ARIA’S POVAfter Ethan gets closure from his previous relationship, a new chapter begins for both of us. We start spending more time together, finding solace and companionship in each other's presence. Our outings become a regular occurrence, a blend of casual meet-ups and shared activities.Stella joins us from time to time, adding her own vibrant energy to our gatherings. It feels good to be surrounded by friends who understand and support each other, creating a bubble of positivity and joy.“You guys are getting addicted to rock climbing way too much!”“Thanks to you, Stella.”“Yeah, Aria has been telling me how you’re the one who suggested her to be here, so why complaining now?”Stella burst out laughing. Many times, she has privately asked me if I am not interested in being with Ethan as we both look great together, but I’ve told her that we are just good friends and there is no need to go beyond.“We’re both happy as friends.”“Ugh!”Adam's absence at the rock climbing is a rel
ARIA’S POV“The big news is that I’ve decided to launch you as well at my event.”Julien sits across from me, his eyes alight with excitement as he shares his plans for the upcoming event. I sip my coffee, trying to focus on his words, but my mind is a whirl of emotions.Julien proposes that I showcase one of my recent works at the event. His suggestion catches me off guard, filling me with a mix of pride and anxiety. He wants to launch me as an emerging artist, proud that I’ve been his student. Despite my recent creative strides, I struggle to see my work worthy of the same space as his masterpieces. Although pride swells within me, there's an underlying current of doubt.My hands tremble slightly as I set my cup down. I tell Julien about my reservations, explaining that I’ve only completed one piece and the second one remains unfinished. I try to explain my reservations, telling him that I have only completed one piece and that the second one remains unfinished. I hope this will det
ARIA’S POVI show Julien my artwork, heart pounding in my chest as I unveil the pieces I have labored over. His eyes light up with genuine admiration as he takes in my latest creation. He is visibly impressed, and his approval sends a warm rush of pride through me.“Wow! This is a masterpiece, indeed.”“Thank you.”Julien tells me that the event is in two days and assures me that everything will be ready. He suggests that we announce the unfinished piece at the event, promising it will be showcased in the upcoming exhibition. His enthusiasm and meticulous planning leave no room for doubt in his mind.I nod in agreement, but inside, a storm brews. The thought of displaying my work as a novice for the first time is overwhelming, especially under the banner of Julien Montclair, who has already made a significant name for himself.Nonetheless, the weight of this responsibility is immense, and my apprehension grows with each passing moment. I have been in the public eye many times, but alw
ARIA’S POVThe day of the event, The Horizon Art Gala, arrives, and everything is meticulously prepared. Julien has kept his plans close to the chest, but tonight, he will reveal the surprise he has been keeping from the media and the public; me and my artwork, "The Abyss," an abstract piece that captures the depths of human emotion.As the evening unfolds, I can feel the familiar heat of the spotlight. The chosen gown by both Ethan and Stella is a deep midnight blue, with intricate silver embroidery sparkles under the light. It hugs my figure in all the right places, flowing gracefully to the floor. The off-shoulder neckline adds an elegant touch, and the subtle slit in the skirt gives a hint of daring.The fabric feels luxurious against my skin, a reminder of the significance of the event. The silver heels and delicate jewelry—dangling earrings and a simple bracelet that complement the embroidery.My hair is styled in loose waves, cascading over my shoulders, and my makeup is just r
ARIA’S POVJulien stands frozen, stunned by Elodie's abrupt shift in demeanor. Her earlier façade of sophistication and grace crumbles, revealing a raw, unfiltered version of herself. The art gala, once filled with murmurs of admiration and cultured conversation, falls into a tense silence. Those nearby gasp, their shock palpable in the charged air. Elodie's words hang heavy, a stark contrast to the refined setting.I don't hold back. The frustration that's been simmering within me boils over. The pretense, the sheer audacity of it all, ignites a fire. I address Elodie directly, my voice steady but laced with indignation. I question the point of her presence at this prestigious event, highlighting the absurdity of purchasing art without an ounce of genuine interest or understanding. My words cut through the pretense, exposing her for what she truly is—someone who deems art as worthless yet tries to impress her circle with a veneer of sophistication.“I really don’t know what are you d
ADAM’S POVAmidst the chaos, I push through the crowd, my heart pounding as I see my mother and Aria locked in a volatile clash. The onlookers are entranced, their expressions a mix of amusement and shock, relishing the unexpected drama unfolding at this prestigious art gala. Determination fuels my steps as I close the distance, my mind racing to comprehend how things spiraled out of control so quickly."Enough!"I shout, my voice cutting through the cacophony. Both women freeze, their attention snapping to me. My mother’s eyes widen in surprise, then narrow in a familiar look of defiance. But she knows me well enough to understand that I won't tolerate her whims any longer. Her gaze falters, and she takes a step back, the tension in her posture betraying her reluctance.First, I turn to my mother, my voice laced with frustration and confusion."What's going on here?"I demand, but she remains silent, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her refusal to speak only fuels my irritation. Sh
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