ARIA’S POVI look at Adam for a long moment, and then I sigh again.“I don’t know, Adam. I just don’t know.”“I want to go on a date with you.”Adam's persistence, his unyielding desire to reconnect, is overwhelming. The way he looks at me, with a mix of longing and determination, makes me uncomfortable. His words hang in the air, heavy and insistent.The absurdity of it strikes me. After everything, after all the distance I've tried to put between us, he still clings to the hope of rekindling what was lost. Does he not see how far we've drifted? How much I've changed? How much we both have?His presence in my room, uninvited, adds to my irritation. He didn't even knock, just barged in as if he had every right to invade my space. I can't help but wonder what gives him the audacity. Does he think that his persistence will eventually wear me down? That I'll just give in because he refuses to let go? The thought is infuriating.I look at him, really look at him, and I see a man who is de
ARIA’S POVThe next day, I wake up in a foul mood, the remnants of last night’s encounter with Adam clouding my mind. It feels as though a storm is brewing within me, and I’m carrying it to work. As soon as I step into the office, the tension in my shoulders is obvious, and everyone seems to notice. It’s not long before my frustration begins to seep into my interactions.The smallest inconvenience sets me off—a missed deadline, a forgotten meeting, or a misplaced file. My voice is sharp, cutting through the usual hum of the office, and I find myself lashing out for no apparent reason.“Why is nobody taking anything seriously here?”My team tries to keep their distance, sensing that today is not the day to push back or ask questions. I can feel their eyes on me, their discomfort evident as I struggle to keep my emotions in check.The day drags on, each minute feeling heavier than the last. My head throbs with the weight of everything I’ve been carrying, and I can’t seem to shake the b
ARIA’S POVAfter another grueling day at work, I come home mentally exhausted, knowing that I need to address Adam about my upcoming trip. The day had been a whirlwind of emotions, leaving me drained and desperate for some peace. As I walk into the house, I can feel the tension between us. The silence that has settled over the past few days is thick and heavy, a constant reminder of the growing distance.Ever since Ethan suggested Maui, Hawaii and mentioned all these incredible places we could visit—the beaches, rainforests, and even the volcanoes, I have been all excited about this new adventure. I find Adam in the living room, his eyes lighting up when he sees me, but I cut straight to the point."I’m planning a trip with Ethan, Adam. I’ll be away for the weekend.”Adam is appalled. But, he just looks at me and to my shock, Adam’s response is anything but what I expected."I’m feeling much better now. I could come with you and Ethan."For a moment, I’m stunned into silence. The shee
ARIA’S POVWhen I mentioned the idea of going to Hawaii, my father and brothers were supportive but predictably concerned about my safety. They knew how much I needed this break, yet their protective instincts kicked in, as always.“Are you sure it’s a good idea?”“Do you want me to come with you as well?”“Guys, don’t worry about me. Don’t cancel your weekend plans for me.”I assured them that Connor would be with me every step of the way, so there was no need to worry. Ethan would be there too, which added an extra layer of security. My father still looked skeptical, but he nodded, understanding my need to escape for a while.With their approval, I focused on wrapping up things at work. It was a busy time, and I needed to ensure everything would run smoothly in my absence. I called Mario into my office, along with a few other key team members, and laid out a detailed plan. We discussed the ongoing projects, potential challenges, and how to handle any emergencies that might arise. I
ARIA’S POVAs I enter the house, weighed down by shopping bags and the lingering warmth of a pleasant afternoon with Stella, I immediately spot Adam in the living room. Lately, it’s become his new routine—parking himself there, waiting for me to come home so he can strike up a conversation or just catch a glimpse of me. It’s both endearing and exhausting. I feel the familiar tension rising in my chest, but I decide to ignore him and head straight for the hallway.“Aria…”But before I can make it out of the room, he calls my name, stopping me in my tracks. I pause, the happiness I felt moments ago fading as I turn to face him. His eyes search mine, looking for an opening to start the conversation he’s been waiting for.“How was your day?”He asks, his tone casual, but I can sense the underlying tension. But I reply shortly, my voice clipped. I don’t want to give him anything more to latch onto.“All good.”“Were you out?”His question is innocuous enough, but the way he asks it makes m
ADAM’S POVOh, Lord! How it tears at me to see Aria like this—so distant, so cold. Every time I reach out, she pulls further away, her eyes filled with anger and hurt. I can't blame her, not after everything I've put her through, but that doesn't make it any easier to bear.Watching her slip through my fingers, day after day, is like watching my entire world crumble around me. She used to be my light, my reason for everything, and now… now she can barely stand to look at me.She's leaving tomorrow, heading to Hawaii, and the thought of her being so far away, so out of reach, feels like someone is dragging my heart out of my chest. I thought I could handle it—I thought I could give her the space she needed, but the closer her departure gets, the more unbearable it becomes. The idea of her being with Ethan, of her laughing and exploring those beautiful beaches without me, cuts deeper than any wound. I should be the one by her side, sharing those moments, not him.My mind is a mess, a wh
ARIA’S POVI haven’t had a good sleep because of Adam. The whole night I tossed and turned, replaying our interactions over and over in my mind. Was he seriously thinking that we would have a romantic encounter?I used to satisfy him in whatever way he wanted when we were married. For him, it was only about fulfilling his desires, as if I were nothing more than an outlet for his needs. He never seemed to care about my feelings, never once asking what I wanted, what I needed. Yet, I gave myself to him—heart, body, and soul—hoping that one day he might see me, really see me, and not just his idea of a perfect wife.I suppose I was naive. Back then, I believed in the fairy tale, that if I loved him enough, if I gave enough, he would change. But people like Adam don’t change, not unless they want to, and I’m not sure he ever wanted to.This time, though, I put a stop to it. It’s the first time I’ve refused him, and it feels like a small victory, a reclaiming of my own power. I’m no longer
ARIA’S POVEthan texts me that he’s outside, and a wave of relief washes over me. I’ve stayed in my room the whole time, deliberately avoiding any chance of running into Adam. It’s been quiet—too quiet, but at least he hasn’t come knocking on my door. That’s a small mercy. I know how awkward it would be if Ethan came inside, so I ask the butler to take my luggage out to the car instead.Just when I think I’ve managed to slip away without incident, I step into the living room and there he is—Adam, waiting for me. My heart skips a beat, but I quickly steady myself. I motion for Connor to wait in the car; I want this moment to be as brief as possible.“I just wanted to say goodbye.”Adam says, his voice calm, almost too calm. I nod, keeping my face neutral.“Goodbye, Adam.”He extends his hand for a handshake, and I reluctantly take it. His grip is firm, but there’s a tenderness to it that catches me off guard.“Take care, Aria. If you need anything, call me.”I pull my hand back quickly
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