Aria’s POVA knock on the door startled me to my feet. It was late– past Joe’s bedtime. I couldn’t imagine who would think to come at this hour.Pulling the front door open, I was startled to find Liam on the otherside. I could see the exhaustion in his eyes, but there was something else too—a deter
Aria’s POVInviting William over after school has become second nature at this point. What started as a few casual afternoons where he tagged along with Joe has turned into something more regular.Sophia’s either late or doesn’t show up on time to pick him up, so it’s almost like William’s become a
"I don’t know, Logan," I say, glancing down at the papers scattered across my desk. "I need time to figure things out."He stands up, smoothing out his shirt. "Tell you what—let me take you out this weekend. No pressure, just a chance to make up for some of the things I got wrong. What do you say?"
Liam's POVI pace the office, glancing at the clock. It’s late, and my assistant should have been back with an update by now. This investigation—it’s taking longer than I expected, and the lack of progress is grating on me.There’s something off about Joe’s birth records, something that doesn’t add
As the evening winds down, the two of us find a quiet corner away from the crowd.Aria’s leaning against the wall, looking thoughtful, and I can’t help but notice the way the dim lighting casts a soft glow on her features."You’ve been quiet tonight," I say, stepping closer. "Everything okay?"She g
Aria’s POVI sit at a corner table in the café, drumming my fingers on the wooden surface. I’ve been here for fifteen minutes already, nursing a lukewarm cup of coffee as I wait for Sophia.It’s been long enough for my frustration to build, and the longer I wait, the more certain I am that this conv
---Later that evening, Logan pulls up in front of my house to pick me up for our date.I’m still fuming from my earlier encounter with Sophia, but I push it aside as I climb into his car, giving him a small smile."Hey," he says, glancing over at me as he pulls away from the curb. "Everything okay?
Aria’s POVThe hum of voices around me barely registers as I take a sip of my iced tea, trying to focus on the conversation at hand. I’m in the middle of a lunch meeting, nodding politely as the person across from me discusses project deadlines and client demands.The restaurant is bustling, and my
Joe remembered all the lessons about stranger danger. He knew they shouldn’t accept things from people that they didn’t know or trust.Even accepting this pie was probably a bad idea, though Joe thought that so long as they stayed in the diner, it would be okay.He kept glancing at the door.William
Aria’s POVIn our search for the children, we traveled along the roads to the park. There, I searched the kids’ favorite play areas: behind the slide, around the swings, near the seesaws and the jungle gym.William and Joe were nowhere to be found. Likewise, I saw no evidence that they had been here
Joe’s POVWhen William told Joe he was leaving, Joe knew he couldn’t let William go alone. The world was a dangerous place, and William was far too confident about things. Plus, with how William was talking, he sounded like he wasn’t planning on coming back.Joe hoped to convince him differently.So
Aria’s POVFor most of the day, I did my best to avoid Liam, but it was difficult. He seemed to be doing the same, giving me the space I requested, yet every once in a while, we’d find ourselves entering the same room or hallway, or going the same way toward the stairs.There was an awkward moment o
Aria’s POVBitter thoughts of Markus made me feel sick, but I pushed those dark feelings away and turned off the television again. With Markus gone, he could never hurt anyone ever again. He couldn’t haunt or stalk us.Liam might have already made his choice, but at least the children and I would be
Liam’s POV“Isabelle, I just need to talk to Aria,” I said, pleadingly. “If you just tell me where she is –”“Then you’ll continue to bother her.” Isabelle, arms crossed, glared at me in open disgust and distain. “She told me what she saw. And it makes me feel a thousand times worse, for having told
Liam’s POVI took my own car to Mr. Peters’ office. Several times on the route, I nearly turned and drove home instead, desperate to talk to Aria. Once, I stopped so long at a red light that Joanna called me on the phone.“Your father is dead, Liam. You have an obligation to him now. Aria will still
“I’m so sorry,” Isabelle said, her face downtrodden, her own make staining streaks down her face. We must have looked like quite the pair. It’d be laughable if my heart wasn’t so very heavy. “I totally misread the entire situation. When I saw that ring…”“How could you think anything but what you di
Liam’s POV“I don’t care what you think, Joanna,” I said coldly. With everything going on, now she wanted to threaten me? Didn’t she realize that without Aria, I had nothing left to lose? “With Markus gone, I have no reason to stay in this relationship.”“We had an agreement,” Joanna said. Her anger