ARIA’S POVAs I leave the office, my mind is swirling with thoughts about Adam. Neal had called earlier, sounding both annoyed and baffled, telling me that Adam had reached out to him. Adam had the nerve to ask Neal to convince me to return his calls.He claimed they were urgent, but I knew better than to believe his desperation. It’s just like Adam to try every possible route to get my attention. His persistence doesn’t surprise me anymore; it frustrates me. He has always been this way—relentless, never taking no for an answer. But this time, it feels different. It feels intrusive, even manipulative.When I finally get home, I head straight to my room and lock the door behind me, needing a moment to myself. As I sit on the edge of my bed, the memories of the past weeks start to flood back. I’ve tried so hard to bury them, to focus on the present and not let the past weigh me down, but now they’re all coming back, vivid and unavoidable.I think back to the plane crash and the terrifyi
ADAM’S POVI walk into my house after work, and the silence feels like a punch to the gut. Everything seems darker, quieter, and colder without Aria here. Her presence filled every corner with warmth and life, and now, without her, it’s just an empty shell.I try to distract myself by turning on the TV or flipping through a book, but nothing holds my attention. It’s hard to believe that just a few days ago, we were here together, laughing and planning for a future I thought we could have. The days without her are long, but the nights are even longer.I thought I could adjust to life without Aria, but I was wrong. Every little thing reminds me of her; the smell of her perfume that still lingers in the hallway, the half-empty bottle of wine we never finished, the soft hum of the fan she always insisted on keeping on. I haven’t even been able to change the sheets on our bed; her scent still clings to them, and I can’t bring myself to wash it away.I spend my nights lying there, staring a
ARIA’S POVToday is proving to be an absolutely atrocious day. I can't understand why our company name is being dragged down in the stock market. Just yesterday, we were ahead of everyone, performing as usual with strong numbers. This kind of fluctuation is so unusual and unexpected. I try to keep calm, but my frustration grows with each passing moment. I don’t want to bother my father about this just yet, but it seems I have no choice but to take action and get to the bottom of this.First, I call Mario, my assistant. He’s always been reliable in crises, and right now, I need someone I can trust to handle this situation. I instruct him to dig into what’s going on and to investigate why our stocks are plummeting so drastically. Mario, ever the professional, assures me he’ll get on it right away and find out what’s causing this sudden nosedive.“Miss Wilson… I’ve got really bad news. We need to get together for an urgent meeting, please.”“Alright. I’ll be there in a moment.”Just as M
ARIA’S POV“Now I understand why Adam was warning us every time.”When I speak to my dad, he immediately brings up Adam. My stomach twists at the mention of his name. According to my father, Adam had warned him days ago about this very situation. I am completely baffled by the revelation. How did Adam know about this before any of us did? Why didn’t he come to me directly? My father goes on to explain that both our company and Adam's had started to take a serious hit in the market around the same time, but Adam and his team managed to turn things around and steer back to success.Now, I'm beginning to piece things together. I recall how Adam had seemed unusually preoccupied with business matters recently, his demeanor tense and focused. At the time, I thought he was simply stressed about some big deal, but now I see it might have been something more serious.“It’s the Mitchells. They want revenge.”My father continues, saying that Adam had confided in him and my brothers, suggesting t
ARIA’S POVAfter what felt like an eternity of tension and uncertainty, I finally met with Adam. The atmosphere between us was thick with unspoken emotions, but we both knew that this meeting wasn't about our personal grievances.“Thanks for seeing me, Adam.”“I’m here for you any time, Aria and you know it.”It was about something much larger—something that could destroy everything we had worked for if we didn't act quickly. We sat across from each other, not as former lovers or even friends, but as two individuals united by a common enemy.Adam wasted no time in getting straight to the point. He warned me about the Mitchells, his voice carrying the weight of experience and caution. His expression was grave as he explained that the Mitchells were relentless in their pursuit of vengeance, driven by the belief that we were responsible for Ethan's disappearance at sea.It was a belief so deeply ingrained in them that no amount of reasoning could sway them. They were convinced that we ha
ADAM’S POVWhen Aria calls me, it is as if the world pauses for a moment. The sound of her voice, though formal and distant, still carries the weight of all the emotions I have been suppressing. I can tell she is trying to keep things strictly business, but even so, I am overwhelmed.This is the first time we have spoken since everything fell apart, and it takes all my strength to keep my composure. She has figured out what is happening. The sudden and brutal drop in the stock market value isn’t just a random fluctuation—it is sabotage. Aria has always been sharp, and I am not surprised she has connected the dots.“I have to come because matters are getting worse.”We arrange to meet at my office, and the atmosphere is painfully formal when she arrives. Her posture is stiff, her words carefully measured. She thanks me for “accepting to meet her,” as if we are nothing more than business associates.The barrier between us is evident; a thick and impenetrable wall that keeps any semblanc
ADAM’S POVWhen I receive the latest update about the Mitchells' plans, a cold wave of anger surges through me. They are digging deeper, trying to unearth any piece of dirt they can find on Aria. Their goal is clear; to destroy her reputation, drag her name through the mud, and make her life unbearable.This isn't just about business anymore; it's personal, a vindictive attempt to break her spirit and leave her with nothing.The news is disturbing. They plan to paint Aria as a gold digger, someone who has manipulated her way from nothing to becoming a billionaire. According to their twisted narrative, she has used men as stepping stones to climb the ladder of success, deceiving and discarding them once they have served their purpose. The thought of Aria being portrayed this way, of her hard work and integrity being twisted into something so vile, fills me with rage.But that isn’t the worst of it. The Mitchells are also looking into her relationship with Ethan, insinuating that she ha
ARIA’S POVAfter what Adam tells me, I keep reflecting on it. The Mitchells are blaming me for Ethan's loss. Perhaps they’re right. I shouldn’t have gone to Hawaii with him. I should have gone alone, and no one would have gotten hurt. The weight of guilt presses on me, and I can’t shake the feeling that I made the wrong decisions.Suddenly, my phone rings. It’s Adam calling again. This time, I think I should pick it up. However, to my astonishment, it’s not Adam on the line but someone else. A bartender.“Miss… Can you come over as soon as possible?”He claims that Adam is at the bar, completely drunk. Since they had no one else to call and found my number in his favorite contact list, they called me.“He’s muttering ‘Aria’ a lot and can’t even stand on his feet.”The bartender’s voice is filled with concern as he describes Adam's state. He’s in a really dilapidated condition, barely able to stand. The news hits me hard, and I can’t ignore it.“Thanks for calling me. I’ll be there soo
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