ARIA’S POVI'm busy packing with a heavy heart, my emotions in turmoil. It's only because of Grandpa that I'm willing to go through with this. Just then, Mario calls me to share his findings.I listen intently as Mario dives into the details of his findings. His voice is steady, but the weight of his words fills me with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. He explains each point meticulously, unraveling a web of information that paints a clearer picture of what's been happening behind the scenes.Every revelation, every piece of evidence he shares, adding to my growing understanding of the situation. My mind races as I try to absorb it all, feeling a complex blend of anger, betrayal, and determination.“She paid these guys to tamper with the brakes, Miss Cook. Shouldn’t we press charges?”Well, to press charges is a great idea, but at the same time, this matter is so sensitive that I don't intend on taking a wrong step.“Okay, Mario. Thanks for informing me, but wait for some time and I
ARIA’S POVSuddenly, the door bursts open. My brothers, Neal and Nathan, accompanied by my dad, storm into my room with a sense of urgency. Their faces are etched with concern, mirroring the worry in their eyes as they hurriedly approach me.Neal's hand clutches mine tightly, while Nathan's brows furrow with anxiety and they speak in unison.“Aria! Are you okay, my little sister?”Thereafter, my dad's voice trembles slightly as he asks if I'm okay, his fear for my well-being palpable in the air. Their presence fills me with a rush of emotions—gratitude for their concern, relief at their arrival, but also a pang of guilt for causing them worry.“I’m fine…”I'm engulfed in their embrace, feeling overwhelmed as I realize I've narrowly escaped death. The warmth of their arms around me offers a sense of safety and comfort, grounding me in the reality of the moment. In their embrace, I find solace, gratitude, and an overwhelming sense of relief.“I know who did this to you!”Neal's anger is
ARIA’S POVFinally, I move back to the Millers' residence. I'm welcomed by all the maids who used to look down on me and treat me as if I were inferior. This time, they bow and don't even dare to look me in the eyes.It's strange how people can change when they know about your status or how the man of the house treats you. Their sudden shift in behavior is a big reminder of the fickle nature of respect and the impact of perceived power and status.As I step inside, memories of the past flood my mind; the ill-treatment, the taunts, the pain, and the humiliation that have scarred me mentally and physically over the years. Every corner of the house seems to echo with the ghosts of those bitter experiences, reminding me of the struggles I've endured.“Welcome back, Aria.”Adam's husky voice pulls me back to the present. He looks much better now that he's been discharged from the hospital. Seeing him like this brings a wave of relief, and the guilt that's been weighing on my heart dissipat
SOPHIA’S POVI'm flooded with a mix of disbelief, frustration, and resentment. How could this situation have unfolded? First, Adam displaces me from the guest room to accommodate Aria, a move that already stung my pride.Then, he orchestrates the removal of Eva and Elodie, effectively clearing the way for Aria to take center stage in our lives.Adam has only informed me that after what happened to Grandpa because of me, I should move out of his residence as soon as possible. That wrinkly had to lose his memory just when I had revealed crucial information about Aria and Adam’s divorce! Only this part got erased from his shit memory.Adam has decided to bring this scum in his house to take care of him. But what I don’t understand is why Eva and Elodie have been moved out as well. Mother and daughter are unreachable and the suspense is killing me.PING!!!“Miss… You won’t believe this! Aria is back and she’s pregnant with Adam Sir’s child.”What the heck?! It’s a text from the maid I hav
ARIA’S POVI am in the library, engrossed in one of my favorite books, when Regis bursts in. His face is flushed, and it's clear something has happened.“Aria… Why have you moved back in here?”Regis’ question baffles me. I had completely forgotten about the last time he confessed his feelings for me, and I hadn't responded. Regis seems panic-stricken. I can see how worried he is, thinking that I’ve patched things up with Adam.“Calm down, Regis. Have a seat first and let’s talk about it.”Regis does as told, but he looks so impatient. I begin narrating the whole incident to him; how Adam risked his life to save mine after the business dinner party, Adam ending up being unconscious and then Sophia coming to visit when Grandpa was with Adam. I emphasize on the fact that Sophia is the cause for Grandpa’s condition.“Saving you is one thing, but you coming back to this house is another.”Regis is right, but I am sure when I explain everything to him, he will understand. I take a deep bre
ARIA’S POVEverything has been pretty calm at Adam’s residence. Grandpa’s condition remains the same, but he continues to pamper me with his sweet words and affection. Without Sophia, Elodie, or Eva around, I feel more at ease in the house.I've settled into a routine, and every morning before I leave for work, I reassure Grandpa that everything is going well and that I enjoy my job. He seems to have forgotten that I no longer work at Adam’s firm, so Adam and I maintain the façade by leaving together each day.Despite this, I miss driving my own car and hate the daily car rides with Adam. I feel that we are getting closer than before, and it’s quite disturbing. The proximity brings back memories and emotions I thought I had buried. Each ride feels like a test of my resolve, making it harder to maintain the distance I need from him.A day ago, the seat belt got stuck, and I couldn’t pull it. To my astonishment, Adam leaned in close, grabbing the seat belt from behind me. He managed to
ARIA’S POVAfter a hard day at work with all those projects and meetings, Adam’s driver picked me up to drop me home—his house—I can’t call it my home. Adam has informed me that he has some very important meetings to attend and that I shouldn’t wait for him.This guy! These days, he’s been acting like he really is my husband. The irony is that when he was, he didn’t care, but now that he isn’t, he does. It’s infuriating and confusing, leaving me torn between anger and a flicker of hope.As I step in, the house looks quiet and empty.“Where’s Grandpa?”“He’s at the hospital for his checkup, Madam.”Even though the maid addresses me as ‘madam’, I can sense the insincerity in her tone. She's been rude to me countless times before when I lived here. I nod politely and head to my room without looking back at her.Yet, I can't shake the feeling that she may be frowning at me or feeling disgusted. It's a reminder that despite the title, I'm still an outsider in this house.After dinner, just
ARIA’S POVSophia's reckless behavior leaves me incredulous. If Adam hadn't intervened when he did, who knows what harm she might have inflicted. Her actions reveal a disturbing disregard for the safety of those around her, especially considering her condition. The fear of what could have happened sends chills down my spine, making me realize just how dangerous and desperate she is.Even though I'm not injured, Adam rushes both of us to the hospital, insisting on a check-up because of the blows. His concern is evident, and while I appreciate his vigilance, the whole situation feels surreal. As we head to the hospital, I can't help but feel a mix of relief and lingering anxiety over what just happened.As Adam drives, Sophia's relentless chatter fills the car. Despite the tense atmosphere, she seems determined to keep talking, her words slicing through the air like knives.“Aria? Are you fine? Is your baby alright?”What the hell? How did she even find out about my ‘baby’? This baby si
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