ARIA’S POVThe dining room is filled with a soft, warm light as we gather for dinner, the scent of roasted vegetables and spices wafting through the air. As we settle into our seats, my father, Neal, and Nathan sit across from me, their faces a mix of concern and anticipation. I take a deep breath, the weight of the past few days pressing on my shoulders.I begin by thanking my father for his trust, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. The memory of Charlotte's betrayal stings sharply, a wound still fresh and raw. My father nods, his expression grave. He used to admire Charlotte for her work ethic and dedication, often praising her in meetings and to colleagues. Now, regret lines his face, a deep sense of betrayal clouding his eyes. The thought of an unpunished criminal working within Wilson Paragon disgusts him.“I can’t believe she murdered her infant!”His fists clench and unclench on the table, the tension evident in his posture. I understand his feelings completely; the
ARIA’S POVIn the aftermath of our decision to sue Charlotte’s ex-boyfriend’s media company, the air around us crackles with anticipation and uncertainty. The legal proceedings unfold, and the tension is palpable. The days are long, filled with meetings and strategy sessions, the weight of our actions hanging heavily on our shoulders.One afternoon, Charlotte’s ex-boyfriend, disheveled and desperate, arrives at our office. His eyes are red-rimmed, and his voice trembles as he begs my father and me to reconsider.“Sir, please… I’ll do anything to get my company back.”The sight of him, once so arrogant and self-assured, now reduced to pleading, is almost surreal. The tables have turned, and the power dynamics shifted dramatically. He’s a pitiful sight, his desperation evident in every word he utters.My father listens, his expression impassive. There’s a cold, calculating look in his eyes, compared to the warmth he usually exudes. I can see the gears turning in his mind, weighing the o
ADAM’S POVAs I wake up to the soft light of dawn filtering through my window, a sense of anticipation fills me. Aria and her family have weathered the storm, and watching her rise from the ashes has been nothing short of inspiring. I’m proud of her success, and there’s a profound relief in my heart, knowing that she’s finally finding her footing again.The nights have been long and restless, my thoughts consumed by her. Every twist and turn in my sleep has been haunted by her image, her strength, her vulnerability. Aria doesn’t say much to me directly, but I can see the gratitude in her eyes, a silent acknowledgement of my unwavering support. It’s a look that warms me to my core, making every sleepless night worth it. She blushes at times when our eyes meet, and the urge to envelop her in my embrace is almost overwhelming.My dreams have been increasingly vivid, filled with the intoxicating fantasy of making love to her. Every encounter with her, no matter how brief or mundane, is ch
ARIA’S POVThe sun is bright in the clear sky as Ethan, Stella, and I head to the rock climbing place, our spirits high with anticipation. It's been far too long since we’ve done this, and the thought of spending time together, scaling the familiar walls, fills me with a sense of excitement and nostalgia. The place is buzzing with the energy of climbers, the earthy aroma of pine and damp moss fills the air as we climb and the sound of encouragement filling the air.Ethan, always enthusiastic and full of surprises, proudly shows off his latest collection from Endurance Edge, specially designed rock climbing shoes. They’re sleek and stylish, a declaration to his dedication and passion for the sport. We all lace up, the new shoes fitting perfectly, and head towards the climbing walls, ready to conquer new heights.“Wow, Ethan! Those are amazing shoes. Thank you.”“I want you both to do the honor.”Today, we’ve also decided to film our session for social media marketing. Ethan’s assistant
ARIA’S POVToday, driven by an instinct I couldn’t quite explain, I found myself at the rock climbing. The moment I saw Aria, a thrill ran through me, her presence filling the space with an energy that was impossible to ignore. My attraction to her has only grown stronger with each passing day, fueled by the vivid, erotic dreams that plague my nights. Or maybe it’s the simple fact that no woman has occupied my thoughts or my bed since Aria left.Aria looks ethereal in her climbing outfit, every move she makes drawing my gaze. Aria is wearing a form-fitting outfit that accentuates her curves and exudes a feminine touch; a sleek, black athletic tank top that clings to her torso, highlighting the natural contour of her waist and the gentle curve of her hips. The top has a subtle sheen, catching the light as she moves about, and features a racer back design that adds an element of style.Her high-waisted leggings in a deep shade of burgundy are designed to hug her legs and accentuate the
ARIA’S POV“Adam! Adam! Please!”His last words echo in my mind. Adam doesn’t seem to respond. This idiot has risked his life once again to save mine and this time. He lies motionless on the ground, his face pale and his body twisted in a way that suggests multiple broken bones. His normally vibrant eyes are closed, his breaths shallow.The sight of him like this fills me with a cold dread, my heart hammering in my chest as I kneel beside him. Blood seeps from a wound on his head, staining the pavement, and the sheer amount is terrifying. My hands shake as I press them to his chest, desperate to keep him with me.Ethan and Stella are frantic, their voices urgent as they call for the paramedics. Their faces are masks of worry and fear, reflecting the gravity of the situation. Every second feels like an eternity, the air thick with tension and the smell of blood. The world narrows to this moment, to the fragile line between life and death on which Adam now teeters.The realization that
ARIA’S POVWe follow the ambulance to the hospital, the ride a blur of flashing lights and wailing sirens. My mind is a chaotic swirl of fear and confusion, every bump in the road jarring my already frayed nerves. When we arrive, the paramedics transfer Adam to the ICU with practiced urgency.He remains unconscious, his face pale against the stark white of the hospital sheets. My heart races, my breath shallow and rapid. Tears blur my vision, and I can hardly believe it—I’m crying. Crying for my ex-husband.Why am I crying for Adam? The question gnaws at me, an unrelenting ache. Is it because he saved my life? Or because I would be the one lying there, broken and bleeding, if not for his selfless act? My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, each one more turbulent than the last. My brothers have always said that calamity follows me whenever Adam is present, but this time, they wouldn't be able to make light of the situation. This calamity is the work of an enemy—a dangerous,
ARIA’S POVWhen my dad, Neal, and Nathan rush into the hospital, their faces are etched with deep worry. The moment they see me, their expressions shift to one of shock and concern. I must look terrible—my eyes red and swollen from crying, tear streaks marking my cheeks. My usually composed demeanor is shattered, leaving me raw and vulnerable.My hair is disheveled, stray strands sticking to my damp face. My lips are quivering, and the dark circles under my eyes are more pronounced against my pale skin. The emotional toll is etched into every feature, making my pain more obvious.Seeing me like this, they refrain from saying anything against Adam. Their usual criticisms are absent, replaced by a shared concern for him and me.“How is Adam?”“What happened?”Neal and Nathan ask in unison. Stella steps forward to explain the situation, her voice steady as she recounts the events leading up to our arrival at the hospital. She tells them about the car, Adam’s heroic act, and the subsequen
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