ARIA’S POVNow that things between Adam and me seem to be on stable ground, another worry starts to creep into my mind—Adam’s business. The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions, from rediscovering our love to uncovering painful truths about the plane crash.But just as I thought we were settling into a new normal, I begin to notice signs of strain in Adam. He’s been distracted lately, his brow furrowed in concentration or worry whenever he thinks I’m not looking.One night, I wake up and realize that Adam is not beside me in bed. The room is silent except for the faint ticking of the clock, and the absence of his warmth makes the night feel colder. I slip out of bed and wrap a robe around myself, padding softly down the hallway to his study.The door is slightly ajar, and as I push it open, I see him sitting at his desk, his face buried in his hands as he massages his temples. Papers are scattered everywhere, a testament to his mounting frustration.“Adam?”I call soft
ADAM’S POV“Adam?”As Aria steps into the study, I can feel the weight of her gaze on me. She approaches quietly, her presence a gentle reminder of the support she constantly offers. I’ve been carrying the stress of the business's decline, trying to shield her from the chaos that seems to have taken over our lives. But I can’t hide my exhaustion. My fingers are massaging my temples, trying to push away the headache that’s been growing worse with each passing day.Aria sits down beside me, her hand resting lightly on my arm. She’s always been observant, and I know she’s noticed the strain in my posture, the dark circles under my eyes from sleepless nights spent worrying about the future. I’ve been doing everything I can to stabilize the business, but nothing seems to be working. It feels like I’m fighting an invisible enemy, one that’s systematically tearing down everything I’ve built.In my mind, I replay the events of the past few weeks, trying to pinpoint where it all started to go
ARIA’S POVAfter my recovery, I find myself restless and eager to get back to work. I need something to occupy my mind, something to distract me from the constant whirlwind of thoughts that plague me since the accident. But every time I bring up the idea of returning to work, Adam and my family members gently discourage me. They remind me of the doctor's orders, insisting that I need to take time for myself, to rest and recover fully from the head injury.They mean well, I know that, but they don't understand how staying idle like this is slowly driving me crazy. My thoughts keep circling back to the gaps in my memory, to the pieces of my life that I can't quite put together. I feel like I'm grasping at shadows, trying to make sense of something that just slips through my fingers. The frustration of it all is unbearable.Adam, always trying to find a way to help, suggests I focus on my paintings instead. He reminds me that I have some unfinished pieces that I could work on. It’s a goo
ARIA’S POVI decide to visit my dad, hoping to find some comfort in his familiar presence and maybe even some answers to the questions that have been haunting me. When I arrive at his house, I find him in his study, deeply engrossed in a stack of reports spread out on his desk.His brow is furrowed in concentration, and I can see the tension in his shoulders. It seems that he, like Adam, is facing some business-related issues.From the papers scattered across his desk, I catch glimpses of financial statements, market analyses, and project timelines. It’s clear that something isn’t going according to plan. I can tell that the numbers don’t look good, and the furrowed lines on his face confirm my suspicion.He seems to be facing a downturn in the business, just like Adam. Perhaps it's a broader market trend or some kind of industry-wide issue that’s affecting both of them. Either way, the sight of my father so stressed over his work worries me.Despite his obvious concerns, Dad looks up
ADAM’S POVI sit in my office, surrounded by the remnants of what was once a bustling, successful business. The silence is deafening, broken only by the rhythmic clicking of my pen against the desk. My mind is a whirlwind of confusion and anger. I can't believe what's happening. I mutter, almost pleading with the empty room."This can’t be happening. Not now, not after everything I've put into this."In just a week, everything has fallen apart. Projects that were supposed to secure my business’s future have been yanked away without any explanation. Contracts are suddenly terminated, and prospective clients have vanished. It feels like everything I've built is crumbling before my eyes, and I’m left grasping at the pieces, trying to hold them together.I grab my phone, my hands trembling slightly as I dial my assistant’s number. Each ring feels like an eternity, stretching out the already unbearable tension. When he finally answers, his voice is tight with concern."Any updates?""I’ve
ARIA’S POVThe days seem to stretch endlessly, and the nights feel even longer. Lately, Adam has been distant, his mind consumed by the relentless pressures of his business. I understand it’s because of the stress he's under, but it still hurts. We’ve stopped going on dates, his meals have become sparse, and the intimacy we once shared has dwindled.Tonight, I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands. I want to remind him of the life we share outside of work, to help him unwind and forget about the mounting pressures that have been driving him to the brink. As his wife, it’s my responsibility to offer support and comfort, to ensure that business doesn’t overshadow our personal lives.I spend the afternoon preparing a special dinner, something I know he’ll enjoy. I make his favorite dishes, setting the table with candles and soft music to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. The scent of the meal fills the house, and I hope it will be a comforting escape for him.When Adam walks thr
ADAM’S POVThe morning light filters through the blinds, casting a warm glow over the office as I step inside. The contrast between the hectic, cluttered state of my workspace and the calm, clear-headed feeling within me is striking. Last night with Aria has reignited something in me—an energy and clarity that I desperately needed. I feel a renewed sense of purpose and determination as I sift through the day’s reports.These days, I need to be at the office. Hence, I prefer heading there to pursue my investigation. It’s best to be away from Aria, since I don’t want her to be worried. The more I delve into the financials and updates, the more I realize the gravity of our situation. It’s not just my company that’s struggling. Aria’s family businesses are also experiencing severe setbacks.It dawns on me that this isn’t just a series of unfortunate events; there’s a coordinated effort to destabilize us. The pattern becomes clear—our common adversary is systematically undermining us, driv
ADAM’S POVThe weight of recent events presses heavily on my mind as I reflect on the current state of affairs. Dave Wilson’s complete focus on Aria has become increasingly apparent, and with it, doubts about his commitment to salvaging his business have grown.While his dedication to his daughter is entirely understandable, I can’t shake the nagging concern that he might have resigned himself to abandoning the company altogether. His actions, seemingly devoted solely to supporting Aria, leave me feeling uneasy about whether he still possesses the resolve needed to fight for the survival of his business.Adding to this worry is the troubling possibility that Neal and Nathan might hold me responsible for the deteriorating situation. The memory of how Ethan’s parents were abruptly sent away from my house due to my frustration still lingers in my mind.At that moment, my priority was Aria’s well-being, and I admit that my desperation to protect her may have led me to overreact. Looking b
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