ARIANA'S POV
I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. But there was nothing to see. I was enveloped in thick darkness, and my head was pounding furiously. I tried to lift my hand to my temple, but it wouldn't budge. Panic set in as I realized my hands and legs were tied.
I tried to remember where I was and what was happening, but my mind was a jumbled mess. Fear crept in, crawling up my spine like icy fingers. I was trapped, helpless, and alone.
Suddenly, Rob's face flashed in my mind. I had come here to find him, to save him. The memory sparked a surge of adrenaline, and I struggled against my restraints. My hands and legs thrashed wildly, but they wouldn't give.
ROBERT'S POVI woke up to the sound of my mother's gentle voice, calling me from the doorway of my room. "Robbie, breakfast is ready." I groggily got out of bed and made my way to the dining room. The table was laid out with a feast, but my stomach was churning with anxiety. Ariana had been missing for three days now, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that had settled over me."Mom, I'm not hungry," I said, trying to push the plate away.Elizabeth Stone looked at me with concern. "Robbie, you need to eat something. You can't keep going on like this."But I couldn't bring myself to take a bite. How could I eat when Ariana was out
ARIANA'S POVI looked up, and shock spread through my entire body like wildfire. The legs belonged to Odette, her raven black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of night. Her piercing green eyes stared down at me, cold and calculating, devoid of any humanity. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I stuttered out her name, my voice barely audible."Odette... why?"I couldn't believe this. I knew Odette did not really like me but to this extent? She couldn't be this evil.“Why? Is someone blackmailing you?” I could not comprehend why this. I had never liked Odette, she made my skin crawl but could she really have d
ROBERT'S POVMy outburst left my parents stunned, their faces etched with confusion and concern. "What do you mean, Robbie?" my mother asked, her voice laced with worry. "What's going on?"I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I knew the contents of the envelope, and I knew I had to reveal the truth. "I need to talk to you both alone," I said, turning to Edward. "Can you give us a few minutes, Edward?"Edward nodded and excused himself, leaving us alone in the sitting room. I gathered my wits, becoming the mature and in-control Robert Stone I knew I had to be. I couldn't let my father dictate my life anymore. I was Chicago's youngest billionaire, and it was time I took charge.
ROBERT'S POVI was taken aback when Jenkins announced Dr. Joshua's arrival. What was he doing here? I had always seen him as a rival, vying for Ariana's attention. And now, he was here? He was the last person to see her before she went missing, Ariana had gone to see him before being driven home by the chauffeur. I had gone in search of him at Graceland but had been told by his front desk officer that he was on leave. Part of me wanted to meet him in anger but I controlled myself and asked Jenkins to send him in, my mind racing with questions and doubts."Who's this fellow?" My dad asked."A doctor", I replied curtly.As Dr. Joshua entered, I cou
ROBERT'S POVMy world came crashing down as the detective's words sank in. "A body...a woman's body...not sure if it's Ariana." I felt like I was suffocating, like there was no air left in the room. I lunged at Detective James, grabbing him by the collar, my eyes blazing with desperation."Where is she?" I demanded, my voice hoarse with fear. "Take me to her, now!"My father and Dr. Joshua rushed to calm me down, trying to pry me off the detective. "Robert, listen, we need to stay calm," my father said, his voice firm but gentle.But I couldn't calm down. I was beyond reason. I had to see Ariana, and I had to know if she was alive.Detective James, still looking uneasy, explained how they found Ariana. "She was abandoned in an alley, barely conscious. We think she's been there for hours, maybe even days. She's in critical condition, Robert."I felt like I was going to collapse, my legs trembling beneath me. My vision blurred, and my breath caught in my throat, making it hard to breath
ROBERT'S POVBefore I could comprehend what was going on, she slipped back into oblivion. I felt like I had been punched in the gut. I stood up, my mind racing, my heart sinking."What…what…what just happened?" I stammered, but no one answered. I began to yell, demanding an explanation. "What's going on? Why doesn't she remember me?"Josh moved close to me, trying to calm me down, but I wouldn't be reasoned with."Get the docto
ARIANA'S POV I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was in a hospital room, but I had no idea how I got there. My mind was foggy, and my body ached all over. I tried to remember my name, my family, my life...but everything was a blank slate.As I looked around the room, my gaze landed on a little boy with big brown eyes and curly golden hair. He was staring at me with a mixture of confusion and concern. But as our eyes met, something sparked inside me. I remembered him. I didn't know who he was or our relationship, but I knew I loved him deeply."Nate?" I called.
ROBERT'S POVI rushed forward, but Margaret was already on the floor. I was alarmed and disoriented, unsure of what to do. I quickly called Josh on the phone, and he guided me through the steps to revive her.As Margaret came to, she began to lament. Her voice was heartbreaking and cut through my heart like a knife."Robert, you can't let this happen to us. Vanderbilt Holdings is our legacy. You can't fail me."I felt trapped, unsure of what to do next. My desire was to hold Ariana close, to hug her tightly and never let go. I missed her like mad, but how could I hold someone who didn't even know who I was?