DONNA MITCHELL’S POVEvan and I were filled with a mix of emotions when we learned that Aria would be at the fashion show. We felt a strange pull to be there, almost as if it were fate bringing us to the same place. Of course, we had another reason for attending—the brand Ethan and I built together was being showcased, and in his absence, it was our responsibility to be there.Everyone knows that we are grieving the loss of our only child in the Pacific Ocean and we can be excused not to attend the event. But let’s be honest— the real reason we couldn’t resist attending was Aria.Everyone knows that we are grieving the loss of our only child in the Pacific Ocean and we can be excused not to attend the event.Every day without Ethan has been a slow, torturous descent into despair. The pain of losing our son is something that never dulls. It’s a wound that festers, a constant reminder of what could have been if things had gone differently, and somehow, in our grief, we have latched onto
ARIA’S POVAdam seems to have returned to his usual self, and I can't help but feel relieved. The weight that had been pressing on him recently seems to have lifted, and his smile has found its way back into our everyday moments.It's like a dark cloud has finally passed, letting the sunlight shine down on us once more. I'm convinced now that the envelope that arrived that day must have been about some business matter. Whatever it was, it’s behind us now, and he appears more at ease, more present.In a surprising yet delightful turn, Adam has decided to take me on a getaway to a Victorian estate in the Great Northern Catskills. The thought of escaping the city, just the two of us, sends a thrill through me.“Aria, pack your stuff. We’re going to have a great escape.”“Ha! Ha! Sure, love. Escape is the right word.”It's like we're stepping back into our honeymoon phase, a fresh start for us to rekindle the passion and intimacy that I treasure so much. The past few weeks have been a whi
ARIA’S POVReaching him, I place my hands on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palms. His skin is warm and firm, and I can feel the tension in his muscles as I slide my hands down his torso. I love the way his body reacts to my touch, the way he shivers slightly as my fingers trace the lines of his abs. I lean in close, my lips brushing against his ear as I whisper, feeling his breath hitch in response.I guide him back toward the bed, our bodies pressing together as I push him gently onto the soft mattress. He looks up at me, his eyes filled with anticipation, and I smile, a slow, seductive curve of my lips that I know drives him wild. I crawl onto the bed, straddling his hips, and I can feel the heat radiating from him.Taking my time, I begin to move, rocking my hips slowly against his, feeling the delicious friction between us. Adam’s hands come up to grip my waist, his fingers digging into my skin as he tries to control himself. But I want him to lose con
ADAM’S POVWhen I say I don’t want this life with Aria to come to an end, I mean it. Last night, she blew my mind in ways I never expected. This side of her— one I’d never seen before, has driven me completely crazy. She was bold, confident, and completely in tune with what I wanted and needed. I can’t help but feel like this weekend getaway to the Victorian estate was the best idea I’ve ever had. Being here with her, away from all the noise and chaos, has brought us closer than we’ve ever been. It feels like we’re back in our honeymoon phase, rediscovering each other in new, exciting ways.This morning, as I watch her across the breakfast table, I can’t help but notice the soft blush on her cheeks. She’s still glowing from last night, and it makes my heart swell with happiness. She’s smiling shyly, a smile that reaches her eyes and lights up her whole face. I love seeing her like this—happy, content, and at ease. It’s a look I haven’t seen often enough, and it fills me with a deep se
ARIA’S POVWe are finally home, feeling refreshed and happy after our weekend getaway. Adam is in such a good mood, and it's heartwarming to see him this way. It's been a while since I've seen him so carefree and genuinely content. I can't help but hope this new chapter in our relationship continues like this, filled with joy and tenderness.“Adam! Enough now.”This morning, Adam left for work, but not without a lingering reluctance. He didn't want to leave me, and we ended up kissing so much that I had to remind him he'd be late if he didn’t go soon. It felt like he wanted to savor every last moment with me before stepping out the door, his words echoing in my mind about how he just didn’t want to leave. It's moments like these that make me realize how deeply he cares, how much he wants to be here, with me.After he left, I went about my day with a lightness in my step that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I hummed to myself, lost in the pleasant memories of our trip, feeling truly happ
ADAM’S POVAs soon as I enter our bedroom, my heart sinks. Aria is in a state of complete devastation, her body slumped against the couch, face buried in her hands. Panic surges through me as I take in the scene. What has happened? Just this morning, she was so cheerful, so full of life. Now, it’s as if the light has been snuffed out of her, and I have no idea why.I rush over to her, my mind racing with fear and confusion. Her shoulders are shaking, and I can see that she has been crying, her body wracked with silent sobs. She looks so small, so fragile, and my chest tightens at the sight of her in such pain. I call out to her, trying to reach through the fog of whatever has taken hold of her.“Aria! Aria!”I say, my voice trembling. But she doesn’t respond. Her head is in her hands, and she doesn’t even seem to hear me. I reach out, placing a hand on her shoulder, but she flinches away from my touch, as if I’ve burned her.I don’t know what to do, and I feel utterly helpless. My min
ARIA’S POVWhen I wake up, the first thing I feel is a dull, throbbing pain in my head. It takes me a moment to gather my bearings, to remember where I am and what has happened. As I blink away the blur of sleep, I see Adam sitting beside me, his face etched with concern.He reaches out to me, his hand trembling as he tries to wrap his arms around me, to comfort me, but I pull away sharply, the memories of everything flooding back all at once.I see the hurt flash in his eyes, the way his mouth falls open slightly, as if he has been struck by a physical blow. However, I don’t care. Not anymore. My chest feels like it’s going to explode with the anger boiling up inside of me.“How could you? How could you lie to me for all this time?”How could he let me believe that everything was fine, that we were okay, when all along, he was hiding the truth from me? The betrayal cuts deep, and I can’t hold back the torrent of words that come rushing out.I confront him, my voice shaking with a mix
ARIA’S POVAs I arrive at my dad’s house, dragging my luggage behind me, I feel a wave of exhaustion wash over me. I can barely keep myself upright, the weight of everything that has happened pressing down on my shoulders.The moment I step inside, my dad looks up from his spot on the couch, his eyes widening in surprise. He’s completely taken aback, his usual calm demeanor replaced with concern as he sees the state I’m in. Nathan and Neal are also there, lounging in the living room, and their expressions quickly shift to worry the moment they see me.I don’t even have to say a word before they are all on their feet, rushing over to me, their faces etched with anxiety. They’re asking me questions, one after another, their voices blending together in a chaotic blur.“Why is your face so ashen?”“What happened, Aria?”“What’s with the luggage?”Their concern is obvious, and for a moment, I feel overwhelmed by it all. I’ve been holding everything together for so long, trying to keep up t
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