ARIA’S POVAs days pass, I begin to see a side of Adam that I never knew existed. The man who was once my boss, a figure of authority and professionalism, has transformed into someone entirely different. Perhaps it’s the nature of our relationship now, no longer bound by the formalities of an office.There’s something tender and endearing about the way he looks after me, and it’s a change that I can’t help but notice.Adam stays home most of the time, working from home so that he can be close to me. He is always around, making sure I have everything I need, from my meals to the smallest comforts. It’s as if he’s taken on the role of a caretaker, but with an affection that feels genuine and deep.He’s attentive to my needs, always asking about my hobbies, what I enjoy doing, and what I think about. This is a side of him I never saw when we worked together, and it makes me feel incredibly fortunate to have him by my side.“Aria, I am so lucky to have you.”“So am I, Adam.”Those sweet w
ARIA’S POVHaving my family over for dinner feels like a breath of fresh air. The house is filled with laughter and warmth, and for the first time in a long while, everything seems perfect. Neal, Nathan, Dad, and Stella all seem relieved to see me happy, their earlier worries seemingly eased by the sight of me enjoying myself. It’s a comforting feeling, knowing that they are here with me, sharing in this moment of normalcy after all that has happened.“It’s so nice to see you recovering.”“It’s thanks to Adam and his care and all of your support.”As we settle around the dining table, I find myself reminiscing about the good times I used to have with Stella. I turn to her and tell her how much I miss our shopping trips together, the way we used to spend entire afternoons browsing through stores, laughing over the silliest things.“I miss our shopping spree, Stella… Ha! Ha!”She smiles warmly and tells me she misses it too. Adam, ever the thoughtful husband, immediately suggests that w
ARIA’S POVAdam and I have been planning another date, and he asks me where I'd like to go. Without much hesitation, I tell him that I’ve never been to an amusement park. It seems like the perfect way to spend time together, reliving a sense of carefree joy that I’ve been missing. Adam shows me a few different places, but one in particular catches my eye: Brooklyn Beats.Brooklyn Beats isn’t just any amusement park. It has a vibe that’s both laid-back and thrilling, perfectly capturing the essence of the borough. The moment I see the Coney Cyclone, a modern twist on the classic wooden coaster, I know this is the place I want to go.There's something about the blend of nostalgia and excitement that draws me in. Another attraction, the Graffiti Run, intrigues me with its promise of racing through a maze of colorful street art and graffiti-covered walls. The idea of being surrounded by such vibrant, rebellious energy excites me.I’m all smiles as I share my decision with Adam, and he see
ARIA’S POVJust when I thought our day at Brooklyn Beats had come to an end, Adam has one more surprise up his sleeve. As we walk hand in hand through the park, he suddenly stops and turns to me, a playful smile on his lips.“You forgot about dinner?”Oh, yeah. How can I forget about dinner? We only had light snacks, but I wasn’t expecting Adam to arrange for dinner.I nod eagerly, thinking of how perfect this day has been. But what he proposes next leaves me speechless; "Rooftop Eats."I’ve seen of this place when he had asked me to choose the place for today— a rooftop dining area where the city’s skyline becomes the backdrop to every meal. With diverse food options ranging from classic New York-style pizza to gourmet hot dogs, it’s the kind of place that feels both familiar and special. As we make our way to the rooftop, I feel a growing sense of anticipation. The sun is setting, casting a warm, golden light over everything, and the view of the river and the city beyond is breathta
ARIA’S POVAs we drive back home, the air between us is electric, thick with unspoken desire. The tension has been building all night, and now it feels as though it’s about to explode. Every time our gazes meet, it’s like a spark igniting a flame inside me. I can feel the anticipation building, the way his hand occasionally brushes against mine, sending shivers down my spine.My mind is racing with thoughts of what’s to come, and I can barely keep my composure. The city lights blur as we speed through the streets, but all I can focus on is Adam and the way his presence consumes me.Then, suddenly, he pulls the car over to the side of the road. My heart leaps into my throat as he turns to me, his eyes blazing with an intensity I’ve never seen before. He reaches out, cupping my face in his hands, and before I can even process what’s happening, his lips crash against mine.The kiss is everything I’ve been longing for and more. It’s not just a kiss; it’s a release, a culmination of all th
ARIA’S POVAs the first light of dawn begins to filter through the curtains, I find myself nestled against Adam’s chest, our bodies still entwined from the night before. The warmth of his skin against mine, the steady rise and fall of his breath, and the comforting weight of his arm draped over me create a cocoon of contentment that I never want to leave.I can feel the lingering traces of our passion, the way our bodies fit together so perfectly, and a soft smile tugs at my lips as the memory of the night washes over me.The room is quiet, save for the gentle hum of the world waking up outside. I listen to the rhythm of Adam’s heartbeat, each beat echoing the love and tenderness that we shared in the depths of the night. The intensity of our connection, the way we bared our souls to each other, has left me feeling vulnerable yet completely secure. I feel different—more complete, more in tune with him, with us. The walls that once existed between us have crumbled, leaving behind only
ARIA’S POVAfter breakfast, we head to our room. As the morning sun bathes the room in golden light, Adam and I linger in bed after breakfast, savoring the warmth of each other’s presence. The comfortable silence between us speaks volumes, our connection deepening with every shared glance and touch. Wrapped in his arms, I feel completely at ease, the gentle rhythm of his breathing lulling me into a state of peaceful contentment.But as the minutes pass, I sense the atmosphere shifting. Adam’s touches become more deliberate, his fingers tracing soft patterns on my skin, sending shivers of anticipation down my spine. His gaze is warm and intense, filled with a desire that mirrors the longing building inside me.He leans in, his lips brushing against my forehead in a tender kiss before moving lower, his mouth grazing my cheeks, my jawline, and finally, the sensitive spot just below my ear. My breath hitches, my body reacting to the heat of his touch, the softness of his lips against my s
ADAM’S POVIt's been incredibly challenging to control my desires for Aria. Before the accident, my thoughts of her had been consuming, manifesting in dreams that left me longing for something more. She had been on my mind day and night, and I couldn’t wait to be close to her, to hold her, to feel her against me.However, after the accident, everything changed. Seeing her so vulnerable, so fragile, had made me hesitate. I’ve kept my distance, trying to be mindful of her state, yet I can’t deny the way she stirs something deep inside me—something primal and undeniable. The woman I love is here with me, and I can’t bear the thought of losing her again.But her questions, her doubts—they’ve weighed heavily on me. She thinks I’m not into her, that I don’t want her the way she wants me. It tears at me because I know the truth is so much more complicated. First, she’s been through a traumatic experience, and she needs my support more than ever. And right now, in her mind, we’re married and
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