ADAM’S POVCaught in the intensity of Aria's silent gaze, uncertainty grips me as I fight the urge to repeat myself, to ensure she understands the sincerity of my words. The weight of her scrutiny feels like a judgement, her silence echoing louder than any words could.In that moment, I am torn between the desire to clarify and reassure, and the fear of coming across as insincere or desperate. Each beat of silence stretches on, amplifying the tension between us until it becomes almost unbearable.Ultimately, I realize that words alone may not be enough to convey the depth of my emotions. Instead, I meet her gaze with unwavering honesty, allowing the sincerity of my expression to speak volumes. In this moment of vulnerability, I lay bare my heart before her, trusting that she will see the truth in my eyes.Aria's response lands like a blow, shattering the fragile hope that had begun to blossom within me. Her words cut deep, a great reminder of the irreparable damage that has been done
ARIA’S POVWhen Neal has advised me to set up the meeting with Adam, I was prepared to face any situation that may come my way. However, little did I know that things would turn in this manner.At first, when I had seen Adam stepping into the restaurant, from far, he seemed to be in a great mood. I could see the smile on his face, until he drew close and saw Neal with me.“What’s he doing here?”As he persistently questioned me about Neal's role in my life, a sense of amusement washed over me. It was almost entertaining to witness the torment etched across his face, his inquiries betraying a hint of jealousy and insecurity.“Aria?! Who is he to interfere between us? Is he your new guy?”The sight of him grappling with the possibility of someone else occupying my heart brought a wicked satisfaction, a small measure of revenge for the pain he had inflicted upon me. Did he forget how much I was in love with him and how every time he was close to his Sophia it pained me?He murdered those
ARIA’S POVIn the aftermath of the divorce, a sense of relief washes over me as I realize that Adam and his family are no longer a part of my life. The absence of their toxic presence is a welcome reprieve, allowing me to finally breathe freely and move forward unencumbered by their negativity.As I contemplate Adam's impending marriage to Sophia and the arrival of their baby, I cannot help but feel a twinge of sadness for what could have been. The dream of starting a family of my own with Adam remains unfulfilled, but I refuse to dwell on the disappointment. Instead, I choose to focus on the opportunities that lie ahead, the chance to pursue my own dreams and carve out a place for myself in society.With the weight of the past lifted from my shoulders, I feel a renewed sense of optimism and determination. No longer shackled by the labels and judgements of others, I am free to chart my own course and define success on my own terms.From this day forward, I refuse to be defined by the
NEAL’S POVI have been the CEO of this company for quite some time and I know every staff member inside out. I can read them like an open book. They think that I have not heard the nasty remark they made about my sister and me?I thought that I would continue my speech and ignore those harsh words in order not to spoil my sister’s happiness, but they had to sulk. How dare they? Who do they think they are?I saw how embarrassed Aria was, but she still kept her cool. My sister is the wonderful epitome of patience and tolerance. But as I recall her past, she has been through this so many times in her life that now perhaps she is not fazed by such comments.However, it is my sister—my blood and I feel her pain in my heart.Suzanne is an old employee, yes! However does she deserve this role? No! I had kept this post vacant for months now, but none of them deserved to take the post. Therefore, I stare into Suzanne’s face, clenching my jaw.“Am I still the owner of this company? I don’t have
ARIA’S POVNeal's unwavering support and steadfast defense in the face of opposition speak volumes about the depth of his love and commitment as a brother. In a room filled with skepticism and resistance, he stands as a beacon of strength and solidarity, ready to defend me against all who dare to question my abilities and qualifications as general manager.As he faces off against the dissenting members, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and admiration for his unwavering resolve. His unwavering belief in my capabilities serves as a powerful reminder of the bond that unites us as siblings, a bond that transcends mere words or actions.As Neal announces his impending business trip, a sense of vulnerability creeps over me. The thought of being left alone to navigate the lingering animosity and office politics fills me with apprehension.When she has spoken to me earlier today, I have found her pretty sour. I cannot forget her supposedly words of wisdom.“If you think that you
ARIA’S POV“I usually do this all the time with everyone here and they never object. If you don’t like, then I won’t.”The audacity of this old man! He must have tried it on the juniors and they will not dare speak against him, but I know my place on the organization chart. If he is a project manager then I am the general manager.It is actually fun to see how they are behaving with me because they do not know that I am Neal’s sister. If they had known, perhaps they would have been bootlickers—from what I observed.“The office needs some rules and regulations in place I guess.”As my statement reverberated through the room, I could sense the shock rippling through the assembled individuals.This is my brother’s company and anyone creating issues around here won’t be spared.With a firm resolve, I made it clear that any further disruptions or challenges would not be tolerated. This was not simply a matter of personal pride or ego—it was a matter of upholding the integrity and profession
SUZANNE’S POVIn the midst of what seemed like a routine business gathering, Aria's calculated maneuvering took me by surprise. Her cunning plan unfolded seamlessly, orchestrating a sequence of events that would ultimately lead to my downfall.After we were done at the restaurant, I had no idea what was going with me. Initially, Sam and I had bribed the hotel managers to make sure that when he would see Aria drugged, then he would make sure she reached the hotel room where Sam would have sex with her.However, I did not know why this stupid manager took me instead. Did he get paid a hefty amount to get me trapped instead of Aria? I wondered who paid him to change our plan.What transpired in the dimly lit hotel room was a blur of regret. I had had sex before with that pervert Sam, but that was the worst experience I had ever had. I wanted Aria to experience the same, especially when the oldie was drunk. That was why I had spiked his drink as well.Unfortunately, the plan backfired. Th
ARIA’S POVAfter Suzanne coming to my office and ranting about supposedly the profitable business that Uncle Sam’s company has to offer, I start doubting these two. I see them as just lousy people bent on destroying my brother’s company.I feel that there is more to it. It cannot be that the Whistle Company is giving us good business, but we have still not made any profit. I have checked the ledgers and I find it really fishy. Thankfully I did not disclose to anyone that I am Neal’s sister and I let them trash talk, knowing that sooner or later, I shall catch them.All of a sudden, my desk phone rings. Finally, I get to speak to the old CEO, Mr. Levis who asks me to come and meet him in his office. Hence, I agree and head there.But to my astonishment, the guy is rude right from the start. His tone is curt, almost dismissive, as if he has been inconvenienced by my very existence.He does not even bother with pleasantries, launching straight into a tirade about protocol and my apparen
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