ADAM’S POVWhen we finally touch down at the hospital, a team of doctors and nurses is waiting, ready to take over. They move quickly, transferring Aria from the helicopter to a gurney and rushing her inside. I try to follow, but one of the doctors gently but firmly holds me back, telling me they need space to work. I watch as they wheel her away, her hand slipping out of mine, and I’m left standing there, feeling more helpless than ever.But as the hospital doors close behind her, I can’t shake the feeling that this is far from over.The waiting room feels like a suffocating void, filled with an oppressive silence that weighs heavily on all of us. The usual hum of the hospital, the distant beeping of machines, and the soft murmurs of medical staff moving about seem distant, muted by the overwhelming anxiety that has taken hold. Time feels suspended, each minute dragging on for what feels like an eternity.Neal paces back and forth across the room, his footsteps echoing sharply agains
ADAM’S POVI approach Aria's room with a mixture of relief and dread. The doctor's words echo in my mind—her situation is under control, but she hasn't regained consciousness yet. The fear of what I might see grips me, but the need to be near her is stronger.As I step into the room, the first thing I notice is the quiet, almost reverent atmosphere. The soft beeping of the machines and the gentle hum of the air conditioning are the only sounds, creating a strange, serene environment.Aria lies on the hospital bed, her head heavily bandaged, a stark contrast to the softness of her features. The bandage wraps around her head, hiding the wound that caused so much fear and pain, but even beneath the layers of gauze, she looks peaceful. Her skin is pale, but there’s a certain calmness in her expression, as if she’s merely sleeping, far removed from the chaos that brought her here.Despite the situation, she still looks beautiful, a beauty that seems untouched by the ordeal she’s been throu
NEAL’S POVThe anxiety gnaws at me, growing sharper with each passing hour. Aria still hasn’t woken up. Every time I glance at the clock, I’m reminded that it’s been fifteen hours since the doctor told us she would regain consciousness in three or four. But there she lies, still and silent, her head wrapped in those white bandages. It’s unbearable.I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards Adam for everything he has done. If it weren’t for him, I shudder to think what might have happened. But then there’s the frustration, the anger bubbling just beneath the surface. Dad’s decision to announce that reward—it feels like a reckless, thoughtless move now. Sure, he was desperate, but it brought more danger down on us than we could handle. Those pirates wouldn’t have come after us if not for that reward, and now, Aria’s paying the price.“My Aria…”I hear my Dad sobbing in the corner. He must be blaming himself for his move.“She’s still not up… Oh, Lord.”Nathan is s
ADAM’S POVAria slowly opens her eyes, blinking as if trying to clear a fog from her mind. Relief washes over me, but it's tinged with a deep anxiety. Her gaze finds me, and something in her expression softens, almost like a flicker of recognition. But instead of calling out for her brothers or dad, she beckons me closer. This is unusual—she's always been closer to them, especially in moments of vulnerability. But now, it’s me she’s reaching for, her eyes searching mine for comfort.I step closer, feeling a mix of hope and dread. She doesn’t look angry or upset, but there’s a strangeness in her demeanor, something that doesn’t quite fit.“A-dam…”Her voice is soft, almost tender, as she whispers my name, and for a moment, I dare to believe that everything will be okay. I reach out and she manages to form some words.“When are you taking me home?”“Soon, love.”“I want to go home.”While I am glad that she’s responding, I am puzzled at her insisting to go home with me, instead of with
ARIA’S POVThe moment I open my eyes, a dull, throbbing pain radiates through my head, like a relentless drumbeat. My vision is blurry, and for a few seconds, I struggle to piece together where I am and why. The sterile smell of antiseptic and the faint hum of medical machines bring an unsettling sense of déjà vu. My surroundings feel familiar, yet distant, like a place I've been to before but can't quite place.As my vision begins to clear, I see Adam sitting beside me, his presence a steadying force amidst the confusion swirling in my mind. Relief washes over me at the sight of him, as though he’s the only thing tethering me to reality. The pain in my head intensifies as I try to remember how I ended up here. I grasp at memories, but they slip through my fingers like sand. I know Adam and I have just been married. I can still picture our wedding day—the way he looked at me, the way I felt so safe and loved. But everything after that is a blur.Although for some reasons, the wedding
ARIA’S POVThe silence in the room is almost suffocating. As I lie there in the hospital bed, the pain in my head throbs with a relentless rhythm, each pulse a reminder of something I can’t quite grasp. My thoughts are scattered, disjointed, like pieces of a puzzle that refuse to fit together. I don’t know how long I’ve been here or why I’m in this hospital, but seeing Adam by my side when I opened my eyes brought an unexpected sense of relief.I remember that we had just been married—that’s the last clear memory I have. The joy, the promises, the sense of a future filled with love and happiness. But then… nothing. A blank space where the days—or weeks?—should be. Now, I’m here, and everything feels off-kilter. The room is quiet, the kind of quiet that makes you feel like something is wrong. Neal, Nathan, and Dad are here too, their faces drawn with worry, their eyes filled with an emotion I can’t quite name. It’s almost like they’re afraid of something, but what?When I ask them what
ARIA’S POVAfter our conversation, Adam gently requests that I rest, reassuring me that they’ll all be back later today. His voice is calm, soothing, and I can tell he’s trying his best to keep me comfortable.“I’ll be staying with you tonight.”When I ask if he’s sure, because I’m starting to feel a little better, he simply nods and says he wants to be with me.“OK… Thanks.”There’s a warmth in his eyes, a tenderness that makes my heart swell. It’s so sweet of him to stay, and I feel a wave of gratitude wash over me.“We’ll also stay with you, so that Adam can go home.”Neal, Nathan, and Dad chime in, letting me know that they’ll take turns staying with me until I’m discharged. Their words are comforting, their presence even more so. I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful people, all of whom care so deeply for me. As they take their leave, I find myself sinking back into the bed, my eyes growing heavy. The exhaustion is overwhelming, and before I know it, I’m drif
ARIA’S POVDays turn into a blur of cautious routine, where the pain in my head diminishes but never fully disappears. It hovers at the edge of my consciousness, a constant reminder of what I cannot access. My brothers, Nathan and Neal, and my father take turns staying with me, their faces a mixture of concern and forced optimism. They are trying their best to keep my spirits up, but something feels off, like a puzzle missing its final piece.There’s an odd tension in the room whenever Adam is mentioned or when he comes by. They exchange glances, as if communicating something they don’t want me to pick up on. It’s subtle, but I notice. It’s in the way Nathan’s eyes dart away when I ask about Adam, or how Dad’s voice grows quieter when Adam enters the room. Even Neal, usually so straightforward, seems to be tiptoeing around something. It’s as if they’re hiding something from me—or perhaps from themselves.Then there’s Adam himself. I miss him deeply, especially at night. His absence be
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