ARIA’S POVI stand with confidence as the drape falls away from my painting, revealing "The Abyss" to the eagerly awaiting crowd. The room erupts in cheers and applause, a wave of admiration washing over me.“Wow!”“This is what I call art!”The whole hall is immersed in claps, and I can hear the excited murmurs around me, voices filled with awe and appreciation. The overwhelming acceptance of my work by the public fills me with a mix of joy and pride.Julien takes over the microphone, his voice carrying through the applause. He speaks warmly of my work, praising it, and reminiscing about my time as his student. His words are kind and filled with pride, and the cameras flash as he extols the brilliance of "The Abyss."The thrill of the moment is almost too much to contain, but I do my best to remain composed. Every flash of the camera, every cheer from the crowd, is a testament to the hard work and dedication I have poured into my art.Julien then hands the microphone back to me, sayi
ARIA’S POVAfter the event, Julien returned to Paris, leaving behind a whirlwind of excitement and new opportunities. Life, in many ways, has resumed its usual pace, but now there is a palpable difference—a newfound fame that accompanies my every step.My painting from the gala, "The Abyss," sold for an astonishing one million dollars, marking a pivotal moment in my career. This first significant earning from my art fills me with immense pride and determination. The recognition and financial reward validate years of hard work and dedication, solidifying my resolve to continue creating.The impact of this success is far-reaching. Every gallery and art critic now recognizes my name, and invitations to exhibit my work pour in from all over the world. My inbox is flooded with offers from collectors, each eager to own a piece of my soul captured on canvas. The financial stability this sale brings allows me to invest more in my craft, exploring new techniques and ideas.Every time, as I ste
ARIA’S POVJust as I thought the drama was subsiding, an unexpected challenge arises from an old employee, Charlotte, at Wilson Paragon. Her behavior has become a persistent thorn in my side. Charlotte, a relic from the company's earlier days, has been consistently rude and obstructive.Her attitude dates back to a time when I was struggling to secure the contract from Nicholas’ Next-Gen Ventures. Back then, Charlotte, along with several of her colleagues, openly disparaged me, sowing seeds of doubt about my abilities.Now, with a critical project underway that hinges on Charlotte's collaboration, her behavior becomes increasingly problematic. I find myself needing her input and support to move forward, but she refuses to cooperate.“Miss Wilson, I can’t help you on this project at the moment. You’ll need to wait for another three weeks.”“We don’t have three weeks, Charlotte. The deadline is in two weeks.”“Try the other departments.”“They are full with projects.”“So, do you mean t
ARIA’S POVA successful delivery by Mario and me to Next-Gen Ventures earns us our first major award. This recognition is unexpected but deeply gratifying, a proof to our hard work and dedication. The award not only solidifies our reputation but also opens new doors for Wilson Paragon, elevating our status in the business world. Nicholas, ever the gracious collaborator, decides to host a success party to celebrate this milestone, underscoring the significance of our achievement and presenting us with the award.“Congratulations, Aria. You and your team did great!”“Thanks, Nicholas. It was only Mario and me.”“What? Two people only?”I nod, smiling while Nicholas is taken aback. I shall not give credit to an entire company for the hard work and efforts put in by Mario and me, should I? Moreover, the only people deserve to attend the party are only my family members, Mario and I.“Alright, then. See you tonight at the party.”***The night of the success party is a dazzling affair, set
ARIA’S POVThe following days see a flurry of activity as new opportunities begin to pour in. The recognition from Next-Gen Ventures has positioned Wilson Paragon as a leader in our field, attracting interest from potential clients and partners. The success party hosted by Nicholas has done more than celebrate our achievement; it has opened a gateway to a future filled with possibilities.In this whirlwind of success and recognition, I remain focused on my goals. The challenges posed by individuals like Charlotte are mere distractions in the grand scheme of things. My eyes are set on the future, on the projects and collaborations that lie ahead.I encounter her in the corridor, her eyes flashing with unmasked jealousy. Charlotte’s resentment simmers beneath the surface, and it doesn’t take long for her to confront me, her tone sour and attitude hostile.She wastes no time in making her displeasure known, her voice dripping with sarcasm and bitterness. Her words are sharp, intended to
ARIA’S POVFrom my previous experiences with old employees, I know Charlotte isn’t someone who will just lay back and forget about our confrontation. Her grudges tend to linger, and I’m acutely aware that I need to be extra careful around her.Her sudden decision to take a week’s leave comes as both a surprise and a relief. The funniest part is, it feels like she’s hiding her face to avoid the aftermath of our clash. Without hesitation, I approve her leave immediately, a part of me wondering if she’s using this time to seek opportunities elsewhere. If that’s the case, good for her. At least I won’t have to deal with her negativity for a week.“Have a great holiday!”“Ha! Ha! I will, indeed.”With Charlotte temporarily out of the picture, the office atmosphere lightens considerably. The tension she brought with her is noticeably absent, and it feels like a breath of fresh air. I use this time to refocus on my projects and responsibilities, diving deep into the creative and strategic wo
ARIA’S POVCharlotte’s return to the office is marked by a more sour attitude than before. She discovers that the staff members are openly appreciating my contributions to Wilson Paragon’s success, and her frustration is palpable. Her anger spills over into her interactions with her team, and she nearly fires her juniors for no reason. The tension escalates when they come to me to complain about her unreasonable behavior.“Just because we praised you.”“And we accepted to work with you while she was away.”“Uhm… I’ll handle this matter. You carry on with your assignments.”I decide to address the issue head-on. I call Charlotte into my office and suggest transferring her juniors to another department that is short-staffed. However, she refuses, her eyes flashing with defiance.“I’m willing to give them another chance.”She says curtly, emphasizing on the fact that next time, they should only focus on their work and not come to her with stupid talks.Her response is a thinly veiled thr
ARIA’S POVThe next day, there is chaos. As I check the headlines, I nearly faint. "Aria Wilson, AKA Miss Cook, the illegitimate daughter of Dave Wilson and stripper, Susan Cook." I can’t believe my eyes. The words blur as I reread them, hoping it's a mistake. But the headline remains, glaringly real. My heart races, my mind spins, and a sickening dread settles in my stomach.I am still processing the shock when my father, Nathan, and Neal come into the dining room, their faces grave and lined with worry. The weight of the revelation hangs heavily in the air. My father had ensured that after announcing I was his daughter, my last name was changed to Wilson. The official story was that I had been lost as a baby and hence, was carrying the name Cook given to me by my adoptive parents. No one had ever dug deeper into my past—until now. The news about my mother being a stripper feels like a betrayal of the careful narrative we had constructed.Although some had kept addressing me as Aria
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