Damien’s POVAs soon as I reached where Grandpa was waiting, his scolding began."Damien, how dare you? When I told you to get engaged, did you not understand what I meant? Do you have any idea what this will cost the company? Our partnership with Cindy's father who is also my best friend in case you’ve forgotten, is on the line! You're jeopardizing both business and friendship! A disgrace! That’s what you are! Now the shareholders are panicking, the scandal is still unresolved, and instead of fixing things, you pull this reckless stunt by getting engaged to someone else instead of Cindy?"I met his furious gaze, unfazed. "You told me to get engaged to whoever I wanted, and I did exactly that," I replied firmly."No! No, Damien, you didn’t do what I wanted. You did what you liked and put the company in danger!" he roared. "If the shareholders withdraw their investments, how do you think we’ll continue to prosper? The alliance between Logan Group and Cindy’s father’s company is what br
Ariana’s POV Sitting in the car, I couldn't stop shaking. The humiliation from earlier clung to me like a second skin, each cruel word echoing in my head. My fingers trembled slightly as I clenched my dress. How much more did Daniel want to take from me? I gave him five years of my life—five years of love, loyalty, and devotion. And this? This was what I got in return? A soft sigh left my lips, and my gaze flickered toward Damien. He was staring at me, his expression unreadable, but there was something in his eyes that made my chest tighten. Did he really just defend me back there? Was this the same man who had been nothing but cold and distant toward me? It was almost hard to believe. Before I could dwell on it further, Julie burst into the car, her face red with fury. "Oh my God, Ari! Did that bastard and his bitch really do this to you?" she demanded, her voice shaking. "What else does he want? You gave him everything—you even gave him your body! And this is how he repays you?"
Ariana's Pov The events of yesterday still lingered in my mind as I made my way down the stairs. I had woken up feeling drained, surprised that it was already 8 AM and that Martha hadn’t come to wake me. How sweet of her. She must have known how exhausted I was.Dressed in a pair of shorts and a crop top—something comfortable for the day—I walked toward the kitchen, only to find it empty.Where did she go? I wondered, glancing around.I was about to head toward her room when a deep voice behind me made me pause."She asked for a leave. She won’t be back until next month."I turned around and saw Damien standing near the window, watering the flowers. The sight of him made my breath hitch. The memory of yesterday's kiss flashed through my mind, making me uneasy. Even though I knew it was just for show, the urge to ask why he had done it gnawed at me. There were plenty of ways to convince the media without actually kissing me.As he walked toward me, I couldn't suppress the question any
Ariana’s POVI followed Charles into his office, my eyes widening slightly as I took in the sophisticated space. So, he’s the CEO of the company? Wow. He looks so young for such a powerful position.“Please, have a seat, Miss Ariana,” Charles said, flashing me a friendly smile as he gestured toward the chair opposite his desk.“Oh, thank you.” I settled into the chair, shifting slightly to make myself comfortable.“Would you like something to drink? Coffee, juice, wine?”I shook my head. “No, I’m good, thanks.”“You sure?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.“Yes, of course. But I appreciate it.”Charles leaned back, clasping his hands together. “So, I happened to stumble upon one of your designs on your website, and all I could say was—‘fantastic.’” He smiled. “The design is truly unique, and I’m glad you agreed to sell it to us. What I’ll need you to do now is sign this contract, input your account details, and add your signature.” He pulled out a file and placed it in front of me.I took
Ariana’s POVThe moment Julie walked in, I spotted her right away and waved. She made her way toward me, her expression playful as always.“You’re thirty minutes late, girl,” I said, pretending to be mad.“C’mon, Ari, I’m sorry! I just decided to grab some groceries on the way,” she replied, pouting cutely.I rolled my eyes, unable to stay fake-mad at her. “Just sit already,” I said, motioning to the chair across from me. “So, what do you think we should order? They’ve got this funny-looking pork dish,” I said, flipping through the menu and pointing at the image. “And there’s also noodles, tofu, fried rice…” I paused and glanced at her for a second.Julie bit her lip—again.“Okay, I know that look,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “Who’s the guy?”“Ari!!” Julie shrieked, then burst into laughter.I smirked. “C’mon, spill the tea already. You’ve bitten your lips more than ten times since you got here. I bet they’re bleeding by now,” I teased, leaning in to take a closer look at her lips.“S
Ariana's POV"H...hi," I said hesitantly, my voice coming out softer than I intended.Damien stood near the entrance of the villa, his gaze locked onto mine. There was something in his eyes—anger, maybe—but I couldn't quite tell. His face was impassive, yet his sharp blue eyes held a fire I wasn’t sure I had ever seen before.I was about to brush past him and head inside when his voice stopped me."You're late. It's almost 8:30 PM," he said, slipping one hand into his pocket while the other flicked at his watch.I scoffed. "Last time I checked, there wasn’t a rule saying I couldn't come home whenever I wanted. And you need to learn how to mind your own business ." My tone was laced with defiance as I stepped forward, intent on walking past him.But before I could take another step, I felt his hands on my waist. My breath hitched as he pushed me gently—yet firmly—against the wall.My heart pounded."Do you really think so?" he asked, his voice a low whisper, the warmth of his breath br
Ariana’s POVI had just finished my bath and walked downstairs. As I stepped into the living room, I glanced around, expecting to see Damien, maybe reading his journal or watering the flowers like he usually did. But he wasn’t there. The house felt empty, and I wondered where he could be.I moved toward the flowers by the window, the ones Damien always took care of. Bending down, I inhaled their fresh scent, a small smile forming on my lips. I could almost picture him standing here, watering them with that serious look on his face.Realizing what I was doing, I quickly straightened up and shook my head. What am I even thinking?I walked to the dining area, my eyes landing on the empty table. A sigh escaped my lips."God, I really miss you, Martha," I muttered. If she were here, she would’ve made breakfast by now.My phone beeped in my pocket. I pulled it out and checked the screen.An alert from yesterday's design sale.My eyes widened, and excitement bubbled up inside me. I jumped up
Ariana's POVI slowly opened my eyes. My head ached, my neck was sore, and my body felt weak. Everything around me was dark. My mind struggled to grasp where I was. Then it hit me—I had been injected with something earlier.I tried to move, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. The floor beneath me was rough. I was at the back of a moving van.I forced myself up and crawled toward the door in the darkness, trying to open it. It wouldn’t budge.“No… no… where the hell are they taking me?” I whispered, panic gripping me. My hands shook, and tears welled in my eyes.My phone!Yes! I had tucked it inside the inner pocket of my gown.With weak, trembling hands, I searched for it. When I finally found it, I grabbed it quickly and turned on the screen. 200 missed calls. Damien.I tried to call him back, but there was no signal. Fear surged through me, making my hands tremble even more. I moved to the other side of the van, hoping for a better connection. Nothing.Tears streamed down my cheeks.He
Damien's POV"Ari... run... run... Ari!" I heard myself shouting. My eyes flew open, and I gasped for air. My heart was racing, my body covered in sweat.The sound of beeping machines filled the room. I blinked a few times, trying to figure out where I was. I glanced around and noticed the plastered white walls and medical equipment surrounding me.A hospital room. My whole body felt weak.I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my chest. I groaned, feeling something tug at my hand. I looked down—there was a needle in my vein. My chest ached, and I saw a bandage wrapped around it.Then it hit me. The last thing I remembered was Ariana throwing herself over me while I was getting beaten. Then—darkness.I remembered that Ariana had been kidnapped, and while trying to rescue her, I got shot."Ariana..." I whispered, trying to move again.The door suddenly opened, and Alex walked in. His eyes went wide, and for a second, he just stood there, like he was seeing a ghost."Boss!" he
Julie's POVThe sound of my alarm woke me up, and I groaned, rolling over to shut it off. Today was the day of the interview I had been waiting for. My heart pounded with a mix of excitement and anxiety as I lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling.Taking a deep breath, I forced myself out of bed and stretched. "You got this, Julie," I whispered to myself.I walked to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face to shake off the lingering sleepiness. As I stared at my reflection, I noticed the nervous energy in my eyes. I picked up my toothbrush and began brushing my teeth."Okay, no overthinking," I muttered. "Just get dressed, look confident, and don’t mess this up."After a quick shower, I stood in front of my wardrobe, debating what to wear. Should I go for a formal black suit or something slightly more relaxed? I wanted to look professional but also feel comfortable. After a few minutes of indecision, I finally settled on a white blouse tucked into a navy-blue pencil skir
Julie's POV“Mmmmm, why are you so delicious?” I said, eyeing the last bite of pizza in my hand before tossing it into my mouth. Just as I was about to take a sip of my cappuccino, my phone buzzed.I stood up and walked toward my phone, which was lying on the bed. As I picked it up, I noticed I had a new email. I opened it, and my eyes widened as I read:"Hope this message meets you well. Your job application has been approved, and the interview will take place in two weeks' time. More details will be emailed to you."“Oh my God! My application has been approved by Charlie Designs!” I shouted in excitement, my voice echoing in the room as I jumped on the bed.After I kicked myself out of my old job—thanks to that disgusting former boss of mine who was a molester in disguise—it had been a struggle. Every job I applied to rejected me. I’d almost given up hope on ever finding a decent job again.“I need to tell Ari about this! I’m so happy!” I said out loud to no one, grabbing my phone t
Ariana's POV"And what the hell are you doing here?" Cindy's voice rang out as she walked toward me.I stood my ground, refusing to let her presence intimidate me. "I think I should be the one asking you that," I shot back.She let out a sharp, mocking laugh that made my skin crawl. "You have some nerve showing your face here after what happened to Damien because of you. If I were you, I would’ve disappeared for good. Don’t be a fool, Ariana."Her words hit me like a slap. My fingers curled into fists, but I forced myself to remain calm."Have you been waiting for him to get hurt all along just so you could take advantage of the situation? Driving his car, pretending to be his fiancée, acting like you're already Mrs. Logan while Damien is still in a coma? You have no shame, Cindy." The words spilled out before I could stop myself.Cindy's smile faltered for just a second before she regained her composure. She took a slow step closer, her eyes glinting with something sinister. "Oh, Ari
Ariana's POVThe door suddenly opened, and I quickly pulled my hand away from Damien’s face as if I had been caught doing something I shouldn’t. My heart jumped in my chest, and I turned to see a guard stepping inside."It's been ten minutes. I think you should be done now," the guard said, his tone neutral.I swallowed hard and nodded. "Yeah... yes... I'm done already. I was about to leave," I murmured, taking one last lingering look at Damien’s unconscious face before turning away.With a heavy heart, I followed Alex toward the door, my steps slow, reluctant. The silence between us as we walked back to my ward was thick with unspoken thoughts. Seeing Damien like that—helpless, lifeless and pale made my stomach twist. How long would he be like that? When would he open his eyes? Would he ever? The thought was unbearable.When we reached my ward, I turned to Alex, forcing a small, appreciative smile. "Thank you so much, Alex.""Uh... it’s nothing, Miss," he replied with a slight smile.
Ariana’s POVI had been lying awake for over four hours, unable to sleep no matter how hard I tried. Every time I closed my eyes, my mind dragged me back to that horrible night.I turned my head to the side and saw Julie sleeping on the hospital sofa. A wave of guilt washed over me. If none of this had happened, she wouldn’t be here. She’d be at home, stretched out on her king-sized bed, sleeping peacefully. But instead, she was stuck here, just to take care of me.I sighed and sat up, reaching for my phone. My screen was filled with missed calls and unread messages—most of them from Charles."Ari, I’ve been trying to reach you for four days now. If you see this message, please call or text me. I’m so worried."I let out a deep sigh and scrolled through my call log. That’s when I saw Damien’s name. The last call he made to me. The one from the night I was kidnapped.A lump formed in my throat, the memories hitting me hard—the way he showed up, risking his life to save me.I used to th
Ariana’s POV "Those bastards!" Julie cursed after the guards dragged us out of the waiting room. Her eyes were filled with anger and worry. "Ari, you need medical attention too. Will you stop being stubborn and get yourself treated? Please, we'll figure the rest out later I promise." she pleaded, her voice shaking. "No! I'm not going anywhere," I cried, my body trembling. Tears streamed down my face as guilt crashed over me. "This is all my fault. I'm so stupid, so stupid!" I hit myself, frustration and despair mixing into one overwhelming emotion. "No, Ari! This is not your fault. Stop hitting yourself, please," Julie rushed forward, grabbing my wrists to stop me. "I put him in danger," I sobbed. "It's my fault!" My chest ached as the words left my mouth. "I have to go in. I need to know if Damien will be okay!" I tried to push past her, desperate to reach the surgery waiting room. "Ariana, no! Come back! Don't do this!" Julie grabbed my arm, trying to hold me back. I fo
Ariana’s POV“No… no… Damien, you’ve been shot!” My voice broke as I fought back the tears threatening to spill.Damien groaned in pain, his body swaying before his knees buckled, and he sank to the ground.Panic surged through me as I rushed to his side, my hands shaking uncontrollably. I pressed my trembling fingers against the wound in his stomach, trying to stop the bleeding, but the warm liquid kept seeping through my fingers.“Ari… run… just… leave me… here… go……” His voice was weak, barely above a whisper.“No, Damien! I won’t leave you… I won’t… I won’t let you die here alone! hey look at me!" My hands cradled his face, forcing him to look at me. “You hear me? We’re leaving together. I’m not leaving you behind.”His breathing was shallow, and his face was growing pale. “Ari… please… go… just run…”“Damien, stop! Stay with me, please… please stay with me.” My voice cracked as the tears finally fell. I looked up and saw my father’s men closing in on us, their footsteps growing l
Ariana's POVI opened my eyes, disoriented. Where was I? My head pounded as I tried to move, only to realize I was tied to a chair. Panic surged through me as I glanced around the dimly lit space—an abandoned factory. I struggled against the ropes, but they wouldn’t budge.Then, a voice cut through the silence."Stop struggling, Ariana. Don’t make things harder for yourself, darling," the voice taunted, stepping closer.I froze. My breath hitched as my eyes met his. My father. The sight of him sent a wave of anger and fear crashing over me."What do you want from me? Why are you doing this?" I demanded, my voice shaking with both fury and desperation."Oh, Ariana, darling, are you crying?" He smirked, taking slow, deliberate steps toward me. He leaned in, brushing a strand of my hair behind my ear."Don’t cry. This won’t take long," he murmured, lifting my chin with his hand."Let go of me!" I spat, sinking my teeth into his skin.He recoiled, hissing in pain. Then, with a flash of an