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 POVI stand at the foot of Charlotte's bed, a cold determination settling over me. Her eyes flutter open, and I see the fury burning within them. She knows she's failed. Every breath she takes is labored, a harsh rasp that fills the room. The anger radiates from her, a force that seems to fuel her continued existence. Despite her condition, she clings to life, her resentment giving her strength.“How is our dear Charlotte?”Once more, I ask her how she's doing, my voice calm and steady, masking the turmoil inside me. Her reaction is immediate—a fresh wave of anger and frustration contorts her features. She struggles to maintain her composure, but the realization that all her plans have backfired is written plainly across her face. Her heavy breathing becomes more pronounced, and I can't help but think she's on the brink of slipping into a coma or worse. But before that happens, I am determined to make her suffer for what she's done. She will know the full extent of her failure.
ARIA’S POVThe air in the room is thick with a sense of finality, each sound from the machines a grim reminder of the life slipping away. The beeping of the heart monitor grows slower, more erratic, until it finally ceases, replaced by a continuous, high-pitched tone that signals the end.Charlotte is no more. It's a swift and stark end, and as I stand there looking at her lifeless body, a complex tide of emotions washes over me. There is a sense of justice for the innocent child she killed, a crime she so callously covered up with the help of her journalist ex-boyfriend.Although he wasn’t directly involved in the crime, his complicity in hiding it makes him a partner in her guilt. The thought of the child, gone too soon and silenced by Charlotte’s ruthlessness, stirs a deep sorrow within me. Yet, alongside that sorrow, there is an undeniable sense of peace—peace that God has intervened, that she has been punished, and that I have been saved.The doctors and nurses rush in, their fac
ARIA’S POVFinally, Adam is up. Relief floods through me, but I keep my emotions tightly controlled. He doesn’t need to know how much I’ve worried about him. As I stand by his bedside, I can’t help but notice how pale he looks, the after effects of the blood loss and the injury evident in his drawn features. His eyes, though, are alert, and there's a glimmer of the old Adam in their depths.The doctors bring in his reports, and for the first time in what feels like forever, there’s good news. The scans are clear, and he’ll soon be discharged. A wave of relief washes over me, but I don’t let it show. Instead, I offer a small, composed smile, thanking the medical staff for their diligent care. My family and friends are also visibly relieved, their tense postures easing as they hear the good news.I turn to Adam, meeting his gaze. I say, my voice steady. The words feel insufficient for what he’s done, but they’re all I can offer in this moment."Thank you for saving my life."“As you alw
ARIA’S POVThe next day, when I visit Adam, I find him more alert, his strength returning. His eyes light up as I enter, and before I even settle in, he brings up the topic again.“The doctor says I’ll be discharged tomorrow. So, you’re coming with me home, right?”He asks me, with a persistence that feels almost childlike, about moving in with him. His insistence makes me wonder if the bruise has affected his mind.“Have you lost your mind during the coup?”His chuckle at my remark is soft, but it carries a hint of the old Adam, the one who could always make light of a serious situation.I tell him that saving me doesn’t give him the right to make things difficult for me. His eyes, filled with a blend of amusement and sincerity, meet mine as I ask why he’s so determined for me to live with him. He explains, with an earnestness that’s hard to ignore, that my presence will help him heal faster. Seeing my face, he claims, is the best medicine for his wounds. He adds, almost playfully, t
ADAM’S POVI am alive. The realization dawns on me as I open my eyes, taking in the hospital room around me. The beeping of machines and the sterile scent of antiseptic are a stark contrast to the chaos of the crash, but the sight of Aria sitting beside me is the only thing that truly registers.Her presence is a balm to my frayed nerves. She looks exhausted, her face pale and drawn, with dark circles under her eyes. She looks like she’s been through hell, and it’s clear she has been by my side since the accident. Relief floods through me as I see her safe and sound, a stark contrast to the chaos of the crash.The weight of her gratitude and concern hangs in the air as she thanks me for saving her life. Her voice is shaky, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. I feel a pang of guilt for causing her so much distress, but I also feel a surge of determination.Although I didn’t want to use this moment to press my agenda, I find myself unable to resist. I need her close to me, with me ev