Emily’s POVI sit in the police station, the atmosphere heavy with tension. Maira is beside me, fidgeting in her seat. Chief Markson stands across from us, typing on his computer. “Okay, let’s see what we can find on Sebastien,” he says, looking serious.“Please, hurry,” Maira pleads. “He has to know something about Aria. He was with her last.”Markson nods and clicks a few buttons. The screen shows a spinning circle. “Just a moment,” he says. After what feels like forever, he turns to us. “I’m running a background check now.”“Great,” I say, trying to sound hopeful. “He has to be in the system.”The atmosphere grows more tense as the seconds pass. Finally, the screen pops up with a few results. “Okay, here’s the file,” Markson says. He looks closely, but his expression shifts from hope to confusion. “Wait... this can’t be right.”“What is it?” Maira asks urgently.“There’s nothing. No records of this guy at all. It’s like he doesn’t exist,” Markson replies, shaking his head.“What d
Aria's POVI hear the voices but they seem far away so I drift closer.“Please, it’s not what you think,” one voice pleads. It sounds like my mother.“Enough!” another voice barks. It’s deep and authoritative. “We need to stick to the plan. It’s the only way.”I feel confused and scared as I watch shadows move along the walls, blending into one another. I try to reach out, but my feet feel frozen to the ground.“They can’t keep her forever,” says another voice, almost a whisper. “She’s not ours. It was part of the deal. We must stick to our end. It was not meant to be this way.”My heart races. What deal? What are they talking about?The whispers grow louder, more intense. “Once she is old enough, we can let her go,” a voice finally says, and my stomach drops. “We only have to take care of her until then.”I scream, a sound caught in my throat. “No! This can’t be true!”Suddenly, the room spins, and I see flashes of a contract, names scrawled out, my name, and that of my parents. A de
Aria’s POVI wake up to loud beeping. It pulls me from sleep. My eyes are blurry, and I blink at the bright lights above. I look around and see Maira and Emily sitting next to me. Relief washes over me, but fear grips my chest.“Oh my God, Aria!” Maira gasps, rushing to my side. “You’re awake! We were so scared!”Emily pushes her hair back and wipes her eyes. “We didn’t know what happened. We thought you wouldn’t wake up.”I feel tears rolling down my cheeks. “I— I thought I would die. I thought I would never see you again,” I say, my voice shaking.Maira hugs me tightly. “You are safe now. We are here. It’s okay.”Emily leans in closer. “Can you tell us what happened? Please?”I take a deep breath. I think about how to answer, but my heart races. “It was just... a random fan,” I say quickly. “Just a crazy random fan who took me.” I hope they believe me.Maira looks at me with narrow eyes. “A fan? That sounds weird. Are you sure?”“Yes! Just a fan who got too excited,” I insist, forci
Emily's POVAs I sit beside Aria, I look at her, trying to understand. There’s a hint of fear in her eyes, and it makes me worried. I glance at Maira. We both know something is off. Aria tells us that it was just a random fan, but I wonder if there’s more, and the way she brushed it off while trying to make us happy… All the more reason to be suspicious.“Uh, Aria?” I say hesitantly, wanting to know more. “What about Sebastian? How is he doing?”Aria’s expression changes a little. “He went home,” she replies quietly. Her gaze drops, avoiding ours.Maira furrows her brow. “Home? But is he okay? Did you guys finish your date?”“Yes. He took me for a walk in the park but left me there to attend to urgent business. He left after a while,” Aria responds, her left brow twitching.Maira and I stare at each other in disbelief. Aria had one telltale which over the years, no one had told her hit when she lied, he left brow twitchesI exchange a glance with Maira. Something feels wrong. “Did he
As soon as Maira and Emily leave with the doctor, a surge of energy fills me. I need to talk to Sebastian. I know I shouldn’t, but I feel this sense of urgency pushing me forward. While I was unconscious, I had a lot of dreams but I had to confirm just one thing.“Excuse me! Can I get my phone?” I call out to the nurse, who is passing by.She hesitates for a second. “Just a quick call, okay? You need to rest.”“Please, it’s important!” I insist.She nods slowly and brings my phone over. The moment it’s in my hands, my heart races a bit. I scroll through my contacts until I find Sebastian’s number. I take a deep breath, steadying my nerves, and dial his line.It rings once, twice, and then he picks up. “Hello?”“Hello, Fixer,” I say, keeping my voice smooth even though I feel a rush of anger.He laughs, a playful sound that sends a shiver down my spine. “It took you long enough to call, Aria. I was starting to think you forgot about me.”“Forget you? Not a chance,” I reply, trying to k
Susan's POVI stand in front of the mirror, adjusting my top as I prepare to head out for another event. My phone buzzes, and I see a message from Chloe. I pause, my fingers hovering over my smart screen. Chloe is abroad, but she never misses a chance to check in, especially with everything happening back home.“Hey, Susan! How’s the fame treating you?” her message reads. I roll my eyes.“It’s great, thanks for asking! Busy with modeling and acting roles,” I type back, trying to keep the tone light. I don’t want to let her know I’m annoyed.“Glad to hear! Don’t let it get to your head! Remember who your real friends are!”“Of course I do!” I reply, my annoyance creeping in. Chloe is always so dramatic. I finish typing and toss my phone to the side.I step out, ready to shine. Everything is going perfectly. I’m gaining more followers and more gigs, and the spotlight feels wonderful. But a lingering sense of anxiety ticks at my mind; I can’t shake it off. It’s like Chloe is watching fro
Caleb's POVI walk into the house just in time to catch the end of Susan’s frustrated sigh. Of course, I had heard the monologue she had been having but that was not what I was going to talk about for now. She looks like she’s having a rough day, clinging to that pillow like it’s her best friend. “Where have you been?” she asks, eyes narrowing slightly.I let out a casual laugh, trying to lighten the mood. “Oh, just saving the world, you know? How was your day?” I kneel in front of her and gently take her feet in my hands. The moment I touch her, I can feel the tension dissolve a little.“It was long,” she says, a pout creeping back onto her face. “So long. Everyone expects me to be on fire all the time, and I’m just not.”I nod, rubbing her feet gently, trying to coax away the stress. “You know what? You are on fire. Like, a campfire,” I say, grinning as I try to lighten the mood more. “The cozy kind, perfect for roasting marshmallows.”She chuckles, but it’s still a small smile. “A
Aria’s POVI lie in the hospital bed, staring at the sterile white ceiling, trying to piece together my memories. The beeping of the machines is rhythmic but jarringly annoying. It’s hard to believe I’m here, all alone, when just a short while ago, I was on an island that felt like paradise. I can still remember the warmth of the sun, the laughter, and Sebastien’s smile, check that, The Fixer. I thought I fell in love. Now it feels like a cruel joke. I should have never even gone on that stupid vacation. I screwed up big time.Just as I start to close my eyes and surrender to sleep, my phone buzzes loudly. I jump, startled, and grab it from the table beside my bed. The screen lights up with the name of my agency. Cringing, I answer it. They were the last people I wanted to deal with but I had no choice. Also, couldn't they reach Maira?“Hello?” I say, feeling weary.“Aria! It’s Leo,” he says, sounding very urgent. “We need to meet with you as soon as possible!”“Why didn’t you call M
Sebastien’s POVI rush into Aria’s room with Chloe, Maira, and Emily following closely behind me. The moment we enter, I see her sitting up in the hospital bed, her eyes wide and frantic. The sight sends a jolt of fear through me.“Aria!” I call out, moving quickly to her side. As soon as she sees me, her expression softens, and she visibly calms Down. What was she so frantic about?“Sebastien…” she breathes, her voice shaky. “Are you okay?”I kneel beside her bed, looking into her eyes. “I’m completely fine. Just worried about you.”Relief crosses her face, but then it crumples as tears start to spill from her eyes. “I thought… I thought Caleb was going to kill you next!” she sobs, her hands gripping the sheets.Anger rises in my chest as I hear her words. I reach out, carefully wrapping my arms around her. “Shh, it’s okay, Aria. You’re safe now. I’m here. You’ll be okay.”Her crying intensifies as she nestles into me, and I hold her tightly, wanting to comfort her as best as I can.
Vera’s POVI drive with purpose, focusing on the road ahead. The sun sets in the distance, casting long shadows across the highway. In the back seat, Susan, Michael, and Elizabeth sit, their expressions a mix of confusion and fear. I can feel their eyes on me, wondering what’s going to happen next. Just what had those three idiots done to piss off the boss?“Where are we going?” Michael finally asks, breaking the tension in the car.“It’s just a little place outside the city,” I reply, keeping my tone light. “Sebastien wanted me to take you somewhere safe.”Elizabeth glances at me. “Safe from who? And this car is so small and dimly lit. Also, could you turn down your music? It's very annoying.” Tch. Whiny bitch.I chuckle softly. “You’ll find out soon enough.”As we drive further out of the city, I spot an abandoned area up ahead. “Perfect,” I think to myself. I turn onto a side road, and soon, I stop the car in a deserted lot surrounded by overgrown grass and dilapidated buildings.“
Sebastien's POVI sit in my car, gripping the steering wheel tight, the engine humming as I watch Caleb's house from across the street. I had him tracked down when I left the hospital. I know he's back home, and now it's time to confront him. The police might not want to act, but I won't wait for them. The bastard had to pay for what he did.After a few minutes, I take a deep breath and step out of the car. I walk up the driveway, my heart pounding with each step. The door stands slightly ajar, and I push it open. The house is dimly lit, and I can smell something foul in the air."Caleb!" I call out, my voice echoing through the empty rooms.I hear movement in the back, and I quickly make my way toward the sound. As I round a corner, I see him -Caleb leaning against the wall, a lazy grin spreading across his face."Well, look who finally decided to drop by!" he says mockingly."Cut the crap, Caleb. I know you ordered the hit on Aria," I say, my voice deadly calm.His expression shifts
Aria’s POVAfter lunch with the girls, I quickly board a cab back home.“Well, more like Sebastien's place,” I murmur to myself.Soon enough, I get there and I get out of the car.As I walk towards the door, I remind myself to stay aware of my surroundings. The mansion’s surroundings are so quiet. Sebastien said something about having ghost staff. In other words, they were barely seen. There wasn't a soul in sight.But just as I reach the door, I notice something strange. A red light shone across my stomach. I freeze, my heart racing. What is that?I open my mouth to call out, “Sebastien?” But before I can say anything, there’s a loud crack. A sharp pain jolts close to my heart, and everything goes black.---Sebastien’s POVThe alarms blare, cutting through the calm of the afternoon. I jump up from my desk, my heart racing. “What the hell?” I mutter as I sprint toward the door.I fling it open and rush outside. “Aria!” I shout, panic gripping my chest. She was lying down crumpled on
Aria’s POVAfter our conversation, I grab my phone and dial Sebastien's number. My hands tremble a bit as I wait for him to pick up."Hey, it's me," I say when he answers."Aria! Where are you? Are you okay?" he asks, his voice tight with concern."I'm fine, but I need to let you know I won't be available for the rest of the day. I have some things to handle.""Things? What kind of things?" His tone sharpens, and I can hear the protective edge in it."I'm with Emily and Maira. We're just... sorting stuff out," I reply, trying to keep it casual."Sorting stuff out?" he presses. "What kind of sorting?""Mmmm, I can't talk about it right now," I say, feeling a rush of guilt."Where exactly are you?" he asks, his voice lowering as if he knows I'm not being entirely honest."Just at my friends' place," I say, hesitantly.Before I can respond, Emily reaches over and snatches the phone from me. "Sebastien!" she says into the receiver, her tone firm. "Listen, buzz off for now. Aria needs a br
Aria’s POVI slowly wake up, my head pounding and my mouth dry. The sunlight filters through the curtains, and I squint, trying to remember where I am. As my surroundings come into focus, I notice I'm in my room.Thank goodness I made it to bed last night. I sit up and suddenly recall everything I said while I was drunk. My heart races in panic. Did I mention Caleb? I felt so vulnerable, and now the memory stings.I throw off the blanket and rush to the living room. I need to talk to Emily and Maira. As I enter the room, my heart sinks. They are still asleep, curled up together on the couch. Emily's head rests on Maira's shoulder, and they look peaceful.Guilt washes over me. They shouldn't have had to drink with me. I feel like such a burden. Maybe I should sneak out before I wake them.I step quietly toward the door, but then Maira's voice breaks the silence. "Where are you going?"I freeze in my tracks. "Uh, just... out for some air?" I say awkwardly, trying to sound casual."Stop
Emily's POVThe atmosphere in the apartment is lively as we gather around the coffee table to play "Exploding Kittens." The brownies and cookies are laid out, and Maira fills some glasses with wine."Alright, let's get this party started!" Maira says, pouring generous amounts for all of us."I'm ready to crush you both!" I declare, feeling the excitement in the air. Maira glares at me but Aria laughs, picking up her hand of cards. "You think you can beat me? I've been practicing! Ever since the last game! No friggin 'way I'm losing."Maira shakes her head. "Practice doesn't make perfect in this game; luck does!"“Tch. Amateur. That's what you'll say but you'll see baby girl. I'm set out to win!”The game begins. We all giggle and shout as we take turns. I can't help but tease Maira each time she draws an exploding kitten card."Ha! You're out!" I tease, laughing."Shush! This is just beginner's luck," Maira retorts, rolling her eyes dramatically.Aria leans back, sipping her wine. "
Emily's POVI sit at my desk, surrounded by piles of files that seem to multiply every hour. Maira buzzes around me, checking in every few minutes. She keeps the coffee coming, which helps me stay focused on my work.“I really shouldn't have gotten so worked up about Aria and abandoned my job! I could have friggin done both!”“You couldn't and Emily, have you made any progress on those reports?” Maira asks, peering over my shoulder.“Getting there! I’m just figuring out how to present this data.” I scroll through the screen, feeling the pressure of the deadline looming.Suddenly, there’s a loud knock on the door. I look up, surprised.“Who could that be?” I say, glancing at Maira.“Let me see!” Maira rushes to the door, her excitement bubbling over. I hear her gasp.“Emily! Come quick! You won’t believe who’s here!”My heart skips a beat. Who could it be? I rush down the hall and stop short when I see her.“Aria!” I exclaim, throwing my arms around her.“Emily!” she cries, hugging me
Caleb’s POVI'm sitting here in this stupid prison, and the anger is boiling inside me. Aria divorced me—and just tossed me aside like I’m nothing. I can’t believe I thought she loved me. I always knew she was trouble. The moment she started associating with that crazy fixer, it was clear she was a trashy woman. I feel like such a fool. How dare she leave me?!I pace in my cell, fists clenched, imagining what I would say if I ever got out. “How could she do this to me?” I mumble to myself. It infuriates me! I thought we had something special. We had plans for the future—until she decided I was worthless.I pound my fist against the wall, feeling the sting but not caring. “I’ll make her pay,” I vow, my voice low and full of anger. “She thinks she’s so smart, but she doesn’t know who she is messing with. I’ll make sure she pays for this.”Suddenly, an officer walks by, eyeing me warily. “Quiet down, Caleb. You’re not allowed to cause trouble in here.”“I’m not causing trouble!” I snap.