With a nod, she walked out of the room, leaving her personal effects behind. She didn’t say that she believed I could save her and her job, but by leaving behind her pictures and awards, the same message was still conveyed. My determination swelled. Whoever was responsible for Aria’s trouble w
Joe’s POV Joe continued to worry about his mom while at school the next day. He was determined to help her, however he could, but he wasn’t sure where to even begin. He could get her something? Like on Christmas or a birthday, everyone loved having gifts to open. Joe sure did. But he didn’t have
Joe followed William into the boy’s bathroom so they could have a few extra minutes to talk privately. Joe was determined not to stay long though, not wanting to get in trouble for being late to homeroom. He didn’t know what to think about the half-brother comment. Liam was William’s dad. Joe want
Aria’s POV “You don’t have to look so skeptical,” Logan said. “I can assure you that I am being genuine.” I didn’t want to throw my friendship with Logan, but it was still difficult to reconcile what I thought we were compared to what we actually were, with Logan only pursuing me in friendship o
Liam’s POV Sophia was not an easy person to track down. She should have been home, spending time with William, but once again at dinner time, William was home alone with a sitter, neither of which had any idea where Sophia was. I stayed to have dinner with William, not wanting him to eat alone.
As she strutted toward me, I realized it needed to be at least once more. “Have you finally changed your mind about us?” she asked, her words slightly slurred. Her breath reeked of alcohol. In response, I lifted my phone and played the recording. Her voice filled the speakers, each word diggin
Aria’s POV The question blindsided me. I had no idea how to answer. Deep down inside of me, the honest answer was yes. I still had feelings for Liam and probably always would. But did that mean I would never have feelings for anyone else? While Logan was asking me about my feelings for Liam, I’m
Aria’s POV I walked back into the headquarters later that day, after lunch. By then, the press conference had cleared up. Liam had texted me, telling me to come straight to his office the moment I arrived. Many of my co-workers stopped me on my way. “Oh, Aria, we are so happy to have you back!
Liam’s POVI watched my phone as it rang, seeing Joanna’s name on the screen. After talking with the investor, and already receiving texts from the others that mirror his opinions, I had next to no desire to answer this call and speak with Joanna herself.And after what she said on television… She p
Aria’s POVI sat on the couch between Liam and Joe, with William sitting on the other side of Liam, watching as the interview was about to air on television.I’d been nervous, even up to a minute ago, but now I only felt numb. I had no idea what was about to happen, but in this moment, I had nothing
Joe’s POVAfter school the next day, William and Joe are supposed to go to the bus and take it home, but they sidetrack, heading downtown instead. Using one of the kids at school’s phone, they already texted Isabelle their plans, asking her to pick them up. They didn’t stick around to see if there w
Aria’s POVIt was the easiest question of my life. “Of course I do. I love Liam very much.”“Then that’s really all you need,” Jackson said. Seeing I was about to dismiss him, he hurriedly continues. “Listen, I know it sounds cliché, but it’s the honest truth. Does it matter what anyone else thinks?
Liam’s POVI stared at Joanna, as the dread crept up inside of me. She was clearly trying to intimidate me though, as if hoping to see if I’d buckle under pressure, and I absolutely refused to give her that satisfaction. So I rallied myself, standing straighter, and told her plainly, “I won’t be int
Liam’s POVWho the hell did this guy think he was, coming into our home and attacking Aria like that? The interviewer Craig had a bad attitude from the start, but I’d been willing to overlook all of it for the sake of the actual interview. To even get the crew here, I’d had to call in some favors. I
Despite that look, the first half of the interview seemed to go alright. Liam and I introduced Joe and William, and the kids talked for a bit about how much they loved us, as well as some of their favorite pastimes.“I want to be a racecar driver when I get older,” William said. “Just like my dad.”
Aria’s POVThe producer suggested that we start with the full family interview as we eased into things, so, after the crew set up the cameras in lighting in the living room, we sat down.The interviewer, the reporter from the station Liam had called a favor into, kept us waiting for a while, as he s
Aria’s POVUnder my ear, I heard the quick pulsing of Liam’s heart, hammering in his chest. Glancing up at him, I was surprised to find his eyes a little wide. Then, I realized the implications of what I had just said.“I didn’t mean it like that!” I said quickly, blushing hard.I wasn’t ready for s