“Good day,” I greeted casually and walked past Mr. Zane Winchester.“I expected more than a ‘good day’.” I did not want to respond because I didn't want to. However, I needed to set the rules straight.“Excuse me, Mr Winchester. What else was I supposed to say?” I said as I turned back around.Throwing up his hands in exasperation, “Stop calling me Mr Winchester! I am your father!” He whisper-yelled.“You stopped being my father six years ago when you heard I got divorced and had nowhere to go to. Yet you didn't reach out.” I spat, venomously.He flinched and took in a deep breath shakingly while massaging his temples. “Aria, I'm sorry that I didn't reach out to you. I also had my reasons.” He mumbled.My heart tightened, and I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping not to say anything too harsh because I'd regret it later on. “Whatever your reasons were, I hope it keeps holding you down because I'm doing well without you.”I took a long pause before finishing my statement. “Everyone thinks I
I looked like a deer caught in the headlight and my mind raced with different questions. ‘How did he know where I was shooting?’‘What do I tell Zion.’‘Who do I tell him it's from?’“Aria? What are those?” He questioned again.My heart raced and I didn't know what to say “Ummm…it’s a package.” I mumbled.“I am not dumb. From who?”“Just a crazy fan that wanted to express her love for me,” I chuckled nervously, hoping he wouldn't see through my lie.“Do I have to be worried about some crazy fans snatching my fiance or do I need to step up the game?” He mused, tapping his chin.I laughed heartily and strode in his direction to embrace him while squeezing the card lightly and chucking it in the bin. We walked together hand-in-hand back to the set.Johnny walked in our direction and stood in front of us, staring at our joined hands. It wasn't exactly a secret that we were in a relationship but his stare still made my cheek ting with a red shade.“Wow, I didn't peg y’all for the public d
|Aria's POV|Patience was a virtue.But that doesn't exist in my dictionary right now. My gaze flickered at Zion and the boys. He was going to drive me home but with the situation right now, I had to change my mind.I clutched my bag and walked in their direction. Their heads turned in my direction as they heard the soft clank of heels on the marble floor.Zion’s gaze roamed around my body, and he quickly dropped what he was holding and strode towards me.“Babe, are you okay?” he questioned.“Y-yes I am,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. Clearing my throat, I gave him an apologetic look. “I need to go home now. I would have loved to go home with you, but an emergency came up.”He gripped my shoulders. “Are the kids fine? Is there anything I can do to help?” He muttered.My eyes stung with tears at how concerned he was for my kids, “They are fine. I just need to check up on them.” I assured him.He pecked me on the lips and instructed me to call him when I got home. I walked
|Aria's POV| It's been two days since I got the text from Ace Kings. How he got my number is still a puzzle, but I don't doubt his connection. However, I immediately blocked the number.Ticking my fingers nervously, I looked outside the tinted windows as the scenery passed in a blur, but I was nervous. It's Saturday morning, and I'm heading to Zion’s place to officially get introduced to his family as his fiancé.The thought of not being accepted by his aunt scared me, but I was determined to make her like me. After all, it was not as if her opinion really mattered. But I heard how rude and unintentional she can be with her words, so I'm just hoping we get along. For Zion’s sake.After clarifying things with Brianna the other day, I felt safer with her and treated her like a friend of mine. Penelope was also glad when I reported the situation to her and Brianna confessed that the car was a gift from Ace for her twenty-first birthday.Before long, I was driving into Greggor's mansion.
|Penelope’s POV|Beep Beep BeepThe annoying sound of a machine was a constant reminder of the dilemma we were in. My hands hovered on Aria’s caller ID and a sob escaped me as I realized that her phone was beside her, and she couldn’t pick up. She doesn’t ever let me ring her twice before she picks up her phone.But the phone has been ringing, yet she couldn’t pick up.How did it all happen?I remember how panicked she was that morning that she was going to be introduced as Zion’s fiancé to his aunt. I had assured her that she would do well because you couldn’t resist Aria’s charm, unless you are just a hater.I was trying to investigate a client’s background when I received Zion’s call, which was a very strange thing. I mean, the only time we really engaged in each other’s business was when it was related to Aria, but apart from that, I don’t have strong relationships with my friends' boyfriends.He told me I needed to beg Brianna to stay over and sent me an address. On getting th
|Aria’s POV|We are currently going to my house, which I was told I bought with my own money, but everything feels strange and just there.That was until I heard that I had memory loss. However, I was assured that it would all return with time.But how could I feign love for children I can’t remember having?‘How can I be their mother when I don’t even remember them?’I saw how broken those two people— Penelope and Zion felt when they heard that. The conversations that day were:“You guys seemed upset about the memory loss, is it really bad?” I asked. A bitter laugh escaped Penelope before she answered, “Yes, it is! You don’t even realize you have a best friend and a fiancée…” She paused, her voice trembling lightly. “More especially your children! They’ve been asking when you’d bake cookies with them.”Today would be the day I would be discharged. Although it feels good to be out of the hospital, that means I would be thrown into my former life. A life I don’t remember living. A li
If you were asked to describe hell? What would you describe it as?Well, mine is the past two weeks. It was two weeks since I was discharged from the hospital and I later found out that the kids were playing the birthday prank on me and Brianna had supported the silly prank because that was the ultimatum they gave her or else they wouldn’t eat.Although, I would say the universe probably knew it wasn’t fair and had been slowly returning little memories. I remembered that their birthdays were on the sixteenth of June. Also, I spent the last weeks with the kids, doing whatever they wanted.I enjoyed every part of our activities. I didn’t know if it was because it was our routine, or if I was falling in love with my kids all over again.Penelope and Zion also didn’t leave my side, and they were helpful. I would say my life is pitiful because I was informed that I would be going onto the set for the first time after my accident.Zion shoved his head inside and whispered “Babe, are you r
|Aria’s POV|'Is this how I would keep living a purposeless...unproductive life? Would I continue being a shell of my old self?'That was all I thought as I marched away from the set to God knows where.Over the weeks, I’ve seen movies I've participated in, and I've realized that I love acting. But is this where it all stopped?What if I never regain my memories?‘Will I just be a ghost haunting my own life—trapped in a body that no longer felt like mine?’As I turned to my side, panic surged through me when I saw the car barreling towards me, its headlights blinding. My heart raced as I realized that I had only moments to react. I shut my eyes and held my head before the resounding screech of tyres sent me into another coma, but the car stopped just before it could hit me.The car door opened with a force that almost knocked it down. “What the fuck is wrong with you, woman? Do you have a death wish?” “I’m sorry,” I mumbled. ‘The universe is always so fast to grant my bad wishes.’
|Aria’s POV|I shouldn’t have brought her back here…My knees buckled, and I gripped the window bars to steady myself, barely stopping myself from collapsing. My chest rose and fell in shallow gasps as panic crept up my throat. The room felt too small like the walls were folding in on me, stealing the air from my lungs.How did I end up leading the lions to the monkeys’ safe haven?“Aria.”Brianna and Penny flanked my sides and supported my weight, but all I could see were my dreams shattering in real time. The children I’ve struggled to keep off social media and away from public hate—are now exposed because of my foolishness.“No—no, please,” I choked out, shaking my head frantically. “Keep them away from my kids.”“They can do anything they want to me, but they can’t harass my kids,” I whimpered.“Ria, please calm down. Ace’s security is already working to get the fans away from the house,” Penny reassured.“H–how? How did they get to know my house?” I asked, fearing the answer I al
|Aria’s POV|Ace balanced Zoe on his hip, and she grinned toothily. Her cheeks had slightly thinned over the few days spent at the hospital, but her skin was slowly regaining its tint, and she no longer complained of her stomach pinching her.“Miss Aria!”We all turned, and my smile widened when I saw Dr. Alexander standing outside his office, his door slightly ajar. I wouldn’t lie—he’s been a remarkable help to us these past few days.Walking toward him, I gave a small nod. “Yes, Dr?” I answered politely.“I just wanted to remind you—make sure she takes her meds regularly. Make it compulsory, until I say otherwise,” he advised with a firm but kind tone.I bobbed my head, feeling my chest warm with gratitude. “Of course, trust me. I will do just that,” I assured him with a soft smile.He gave a curt nod and turned to step back into his office.I turned back to Ace and Zoe, and we all walked outside together. My feet froze for a moment when I spotted nearly fifty burly men and women in
|Aria’s POV|“Richard, I don’t give a fuck about what your selfish self says. I am not getting married when my best friend’s life is falling apart!” Penny’s voice exploded through the thin bathroom door.I winced and pressed my ear tighter against the wall. Her tone was wild with fury, her anger like a pulse you could feel through the drywall. I had followed her when I noticed her mood shift after that call. She’d been dodging the number for hours.Ace was with the baby. His personal doctor was almost here—despite me telling him it wasn’t necessary. But, being Ace, he had waved me off and declared, “These rookies shouldn’t even have their licenses if they can’t fix a sick child instantly.”Inside the bathroom, Penny raged on.“I’m telling you now—don’t call my bluff,” she warned darkly. “If you go through with this stupid arrangement, I swear I’ll crash your net worth in the first month alone.”A pause. Then a cold scoff.“Oh, that’s not all. I could name ten thousand other ways to ru
Aria’s POV|These past few months, I might’ve gotten used to the white walls and the ever-present antiseptic scent clinging to every corner of this hospital.But nothing could ever prepare me for this—my baby lying there, pale and unmoving in a loose blue hospital gown she’s never worn, her usual glow gone.I sighed for what felt like the hundredth time and resumed pacing the cold tiles. I couldn’t sit still. My eyes were locked on her through the transparent door as the nurses and doctors worked around her. Despite all their efforts, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was failing as a mother.I didn’t know what had happened to her, but it should’ve been me. Not her. She doesn’t even know how to express pain, let alone endure it.My chest clenched painfully at the sight of the tubes hooked to her tiny arms. The doctor had already started speculating it might be poison. Poison. But who could hate my baby enough to do something so vile? What could an innocent child possibly have done t
|Aria’s POV|It’s been three days since the chase on the bridge. I still can’t explain how Zion managed to get us out of that hellish situation and lose the tail, but somehow he did. And for that, I couldn’t be more grateful.I sighed — again. I’d lost count of how many times I’d done that today. My arms wrapped around my knees as I curled up on the sofa, trying to find some sort of comfort in my own embrace. But there was none. Not really.Over the past few days, I’ve cried more than I ever did when Ace divorced me. That was heartbreak. This? This is suffocation. Zion warned me to stay off social media while he and Penelope worked behind the scenes to handle the mess, but I couldn’t help it. I kept scrolling, kept reading the lies people were conjuring up like some twisted fairytale.Do they even realize that celebrities have lives outside of their screens? That we’re just as human as they are? I asked myself for the hundredth time.The house felt too empty. Too quiet. Brianna and Pe
| Gabriella’s POV |“Are you out of your goddamn mind? Haven’t you done enough already? She’s your step-sister, for crying out loud!” Hannah’s voice shrieked through the speaker.I tapped the speaker icon and set the phone on the marble counter beside me, barely sparing it a glance as I applied a final swipe of my Fenty gloss. The golden tone shimmered under the bathroom lights. I admired the effect for a moment before speaking.“I’m just answering their questions, Han. That’s all,” I said coolly, brushing an invisible speck from my sundress.“You know, I’ve been meaning to say this for a while now.”“Oh God, please don’t tell me this is the moment you finally confess your undying love for me,” I deadpanned, smirking at my reflection.“Far from it. You’re a selfish narcissist who never sees herself as wrong. And this latest stunt of yours? It’s going to backfire. You’ll be dragged through the mud, worse than Aria ever was.”I rolled my eyes. “You do realize being nice to her won’t ear
|Penelope’s POV|I've always wanted to be a mom, for as long as I can remember. But not at the cost of my child growing up without a father. I know what it means to raise a kid alone—it’s not for the fainthearted. Watching Aria handle two children on her own, with little to no help, made me admire her strength even more. She made it look possible, but I knew better than to think it was easy.Honestly, my fear of marriage stems from what I saw growing up. My mother nearly lost her mind in hers. My dad made her life hell, always blaming her, causing drama, and then expecting her to clean up his mess like it was her job.And his worst quality? He was a misogynist to the core.My mom only had me before she was diagnosed with severe womb complications. Doctors said she couldn’t have any more children. I suspect I might’ve inherited those complications, but that’s not even the worst part.My father never accepted me. He never saw me as his. He’d proudly tell people, "I don't have a child,"
|Zion’s POV|Pacing around the restroom, I glared at my reflection in the mirror. My jaw was tight, the fury bubbling under my skin like lava ready to erupt.“You weren’t able to take the video down?” I barked into the phone, my voice echoing off the tiled walls. “Our reputation is hanging by a thread, and you’re telling me you couldn’t manage one job?”Matt stammered on the other end, but I didn’t let him speak.“You’ve got five hours,” I snapped. “Get those accounts down, or I’ll cut your paycheck in half. No reason to keep paying you for work you’re clearly not doing. And considering how fat that check is, you better get moving.”“Yes, boss. I’m sorry, we’ll handle it,” Matt muttered.“You better,” I hissed. “Because if you don’t, you’ll be the next name trending—for all the wrong reasons.”I hung up and slammed my fist into the wall. Pain exploded through my hand, but it barely cut through the rage clouding my mind. I stared down at my bruised knuckles, breathing hard.“Hey man, y
Aria’s POV |It’s been two days since I was admitted to the hospital, and today, I’m finally being discharged.Yay.As we walked out of the hospital, I kept my head down, ignoring the nurses who waved enthusiastically at me. It felt less like a warm sendoff and more like mockery. My chest tightened with shame, but Zion squeezed my hand gently, his reassuring smile doing little to ease my nerves.My kids were with Mr. Jimmy, and as much as I missed them, I couldn’t risk being around them right now. I didn’t know what to expect. Some deranged people, disguised as anti-fans, had been dragging me online, demanding that I speak up about the scandal unfolding around me.Some even claimed I wouldn’t dare because I was too busy warming Ace’s bed.In the last forty-eight hours, I’d contemplated breaking up with Zion more times than I could count. Every cruel comment made me question why he was even with someone like me. I knew he was acting unbothered, but he was human. These words had to cut