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
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
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
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
Ariana's POV “Oh, I’m so sorry!” I stammered, nearly crashing into a waiter holding a tray of drinks. My heels clicked against the white-tiled floor of Silver Foods Restaurant as I rushed toward the private booth at the back. Thirty minutes late. My stomach churned as I glanced at my wristwatch again. I was supposed to meet Daniel at 7:00 PM, and it was nearly 7:30. Why was I running? Well, as ridiculous as it sounds, I was desperate to meet my boyfriend of five years, who’d called me earlier with a tone so cold it sent chills down my spine. “Hey, love,” I’d greeted warmly when I picked up his call. “We need to talk. Meet me at the usual spot.” Before I could ask him what was wrong, he hung up. I had barely caught my breath when I spotted him sitting at our usual table. His broad shoulders were hunched, and he was staring at his phone, oblivious to the bustling restaurant around him. “Danny!” I called, plastering on a smile as I slid into the seat opposite him. “I’m so
Damien’s POV I was in my office, immersed in a sea of documents, when a knock pulled me out of my thoughts. “Come in,” I called without looking up. Alex, my personal assistant, stepped in, holding a phone. “The chairman is calling, sir.” I sighed and took the phone from him. “What is it now?” “You bastard!” My grandfather’s voice thundered before I could greet him. “You called off the engagement? Do you know how hard I’ve worked to secure Logan Group’s reputation? Get to the villa and fix this mess!” The line went dead before I could reply. Typical. My grandfather, the founder and chairman of Logan Group, had controlled every aspect of my life since my parents died in a plane crash when I was a child. The engagement to Cindy, his best friend’s granddaughter, had been decided before I could even spell "marriage." Cindy was everything I despised.Clingy, fake, and self-absorbed. She wanted me for more power, and I had no intention of becoming her puppet. I ended things day
Ariana's POV The pounding in my head was relentless, like a drumbeat echoing through my skull. My eyes fluttered open, and I immediately regretted it. The harsh morning light streaming through the curtains only made the pain worse. I groaned softly, pressing my palm against my forehead, hoping the discomfort would subside. Slowly, I turned my head, and then I froze. Where was I? There, beside me, was a man. My heart skipped a beat as I stared at him. His chest rose and fell rhythmically with each steady breath. He appeared to be in his early thirties. He has strong jawline with handsome features,so relaxed that he seemed completely unaware of the storm raging inside me. He was a stranger, someone I didn’t recognize, yet here I was , lying beside him in his bed. I blinked hard, trying to clear the fog in my mind. The events of the previous night flickered through my brain in fragmented flashes,hazy, distorted memories. I remembered him, but only in pieces.The stranger, the kiss. H
Damien’s POV The sound of the alarm pulled me from sleep. I blinked at the ceiling, disoriented, then glanced beside me. My chest tightened. The bed was empty. She was gone. I sat up slowly, my mind clouded with fragments of last night. Her scent lingered faintly in the air. The sheets were cold and untouched. Why had she leave before I woke up? I remembered last night, but I didn’t have to dwell on it. She was just a stranger, a one-night stand. Nothing more. I forced myself out of bed and into the shower. By the time I was dressed and ready, my mask of indifference was firmly in place. Alex, my secretary, was already waiting for me downstairs, punctual as always. Two hours later, I was seated in the boardroom, surrounded by a dozen executives. “…And lastly,” one of the executives said, signaling the close of the meeting, “The Hortense Group has approached us again. They’re requesting our investment and partnership for their new luxury resort project.” “Hortense?” I as
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