ADAM’S POVI am sitting in my office when my assistant bursts in with such urgency that I turn my head in astonishment. He doesn't even bother knocking.“Boss! Did you hear this? Aria is being disgraced online.”He tells me that a photo of Regis and Aria having dinner at a restaurant has gone viral and that this is why we have been divorced. Moreover, the rumors speak about Neal Jackson and Aria’s link up. My blood boils as he narrates everything to me. He even tells me that reporters have reached Jackson Paragon to pester Neal and Aria.I can imagine what Aria is going through.“Who’s spreading those kind of rumors?”Assuming he will leave to investigate, I direct my gaze back to the documents. However, he leaves me baffled when he reveals that Eva and my mother are the ones behind the rumors. I did ask them to retrieve Grandpa’s antique piece, but not in this manner—not by hurting Aria. I've hurt Aria too many times already, and now they are both adding salt to her wounds. Guilt wa
ARIA’S POVI want to call Adam and blast him over the phone for tarnishing my reputation, but then I decide to stay silent on the subject. He might be doing this to provoke me into calling him first and agreeing to all his demands, but I'm not going to let that happen. I refuse to give him the satisfaction of thinking he's in control.Suddenly, my phone rings. It's Eva. As I pick up, her familiar giggle filters through the line, a sound that sends a shiver of irritation down my spine. I brace myself, knowing exactly what’s coming next. Her tone is dripping with amusement, a prelude to whatever condescending remark or veiled threat she’s about to make.“Are you returning back Grandpa’s antique piece or not?”Her voice is laced with a mocking tone that instantly makes my blood boil. The smugness in her question is palpable, as if she believes she holds all the power. If she thinks she can intimidate me into submission with her threats, she's sorely mistaken.Anger and defiance surge thr
ARIA’S POVIt's high time to host a press conference and clear up all the rumors that have been circulating about Neal and me for the past few days. The falsehoods and gossip have gone on long enough, and it's time to set the record straight.This situation requires a direct and decisive approach, and addressing the media head-on is the only way to present the truth and put an end to the speculation.As we reach the conference room, reporters from countless channels are gathered, eager and expectant, as if this sensational news is going to earn them a lot of money. The buzz of excitement and the flashing cameras make it clear they are anticipating a major scoop.I have to be honest; I start feeling claustrophobic as the room is packed with reporters. They don't even bother to maintain a distance, swarming around like a pride of lions hunting their prey. The intensity of their presence is overwhelming, and I can feel the pressure mounting.“Have you both decided to announce your weddin
ADAM’S POVAs I realize that Eva is behind spreading those rumors, I feel a surge of anger coursing through me. How could she stoop so low? The betrayal cuts deep, and I can't shake the sense of disbelief that someone I once considered family could betray me in such a way.Without a moment's hesitation, I head home, my mind racing with thoughts of confrontation and retribution. Eva's actions have ignited a fire within me, and I'm determined to extinguish it once and for all.As soon as I walk into Eva’s room, I find both my mother and her glued to the television, where a live press conference is just beginning. The tension in the room is palpable, and I can feel my anger simmering beneath the surface as I watch the screen. It's clear that whatever is being said in that conference is significant.Eva and my mother spot me as I enter the room, but instead of immediately unleashing my anger on them, I find myself drawn to the television screen. My eyes fixate on the broadcast, where I se
ARIA’S POVAfter such a hectic week and a tough time with the press today, I'm relieved by how effectively Neal cleared up all the rumors. Additionally, the launch of our collection has become the talk of the town, generating a buzz that far exceeds our expectations.Dad, Neal, Nathan, and I are gathered around the dining table, the atmosphere buzzing with joy and excitement as we celebrate our recent success.The clinking of glasses and the sound of hearty laughter fill the room, creating a warm and festive ambiance. We share stories and reminisce about the journey that brought us here, each of us savoring the sweet taste of accomplishment.Neal and I exchange a proud glance, acknowledging the hard work and dedication that have paid off. Nathan chimes in with his usual humor, keeping everyone entertained and light-hearted. My father, beaming with pride, raises his glass for a toast, his eyes shining with happiness.However, my dad suddenly asks me who is the one who has been spreadin
ARIA’S POV I pause for a moment, pondering why he wants to meet me in person instead of simply stating his intentions over the phone.“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Adam.”The mere idea of encountering Adam floods me with an overwhelming sense of dread and discomfort. The thought of facing him in person fills me with a profound reluctance, as if every fiber of my being recoils at the prospect.It's not just a matter of inconvenience; it's an emotional aversion rooted deep within me. The thought of being in his presence stirs up a torrent of emotions—anger, resentment, and perhaps even a tinge of fear.I find myself struggling with conflicting desires, torn between the instinct to avoid him at all costs and the nagging curiosity to confront whatever it is he wants to discuss.“I want Eva and my mother to apologize to you face to face.”Do they ever bother to extend an apology? It feels as if Adam has completely lost his grasp on reality. The notion of them admitting fault or express
ARIA’S POV“How dare you call my daughter lowly?”Elodie intervenes, jumping to Eva's defense as if on cue. Didn't I expect that? She starts emphasizing how kind they were to me when I had nothing, portraying themselves as my saviors during my lowest moments."We took you in and treated you like family."She declares, her voice dripping with self-righteousness. Now, according to her, I've transformed into a bully, using my wealth to lord over them. The hypocrisy is infuriating. How conveniently she overlooks their own behavior, the manipulation, and deceit.The double standards are astounding, and her attempt to rewrite history only makes me more resolute in standing my ground.“Oh really?! You both treated me worse than the Millers’ maids. Do you suffer from amnesia or something?”My sneer leaves all three of them baffled. I begin listing all the wrongs they did to me; making me hand wash their clothes, iron them, set the table, litter around the house, and then ordering me to clean
ADAM’S POVAs I listen to Aria recounting all the wrongs done to her by Eva and my mother, a profound sense of shame washes over me. How could I have allowed everyone to trample on her like this? Who treats their wife in such a despicable manner?The weight of guilt settles heavily on my shoulders as I realize the extent of my negligence and complicity in allowing Aria to suffer. Each accusation from Aria serves as a painful reminder of my failure to protect her, and I'm overwhelmed by a surge of regret and remorse.As Aria points out, I bear the blame for everything that has transpired. Since Dad's passing, I've endeavored to fulfill the role of a father figure to Eva, assuming responsibility for her well-being.However, in my efforts to protect and provide for Eva, I realize that I may have inadvertently spoiled her. She's grown accustomed to valuing material possessions over people's feelings, and I can't help but feel a pang of guilt for my role in shaping her character.Despite m
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