"So you were the breadwinner for your family," Arya deduced from Olivia's response."Yes, that's right. I support my house, my husband, and my children," the woman expressed, feeling a bit embarrassed because the conversation was heading in a direction she didn't want. She didn't want them to get the wrong idea about her and her life.Arya responded with a simple surprised look and a slight "oh" as a brief comment. It wasn't because of a lack of interest; it was because Olivia's situation reminded her so much of her life five years ago."Okay, I have to go now. I'll be here tomorrow morning, and once again, thank you very much for the opportunity," she said excitedly, with a big smile on her face.Arya liked the energy and positivity that Olivia projected despite her problems. That's what she needed for her son, someone who radiated energy and good things."Thank you, too, for accepting the job. I know it might be a bit challenging, and it's not that my son is disobedient, but it's ju
That night, Arya packed most of her belongings and returned to her apartment. Ayden didn't agree with how she wanted to handle things, but he gave her the benefit of the doubt. She wanted to do it this way for the sake of their relationship, and he would accept the consequences without hesitation."I really don't want you to do this," he confessed, embracing her."I'm sorry, I acted hastily," Arya said. "But that doesn't mean I love you any less, or that I regret it. We have a wedding to plan, remember? Sooner or later, I'll be back here with you."Arya caressed Ayden's face, cupped his cheek, and then drew him closer to kiss him."I understand... I love you, Arya."The handsome man held her even closer, making the kiss more passionate, more needy, as if saying goodbye. Arya lost track of time. She needed Ayden not only as her partner but also as her man.She had spent her life without having sex; it wasn't a priority while she was studying. Then she met him, and practically had a chi
It was the 6:00 AM alarm that woke her up. Quickly, she took a shower and got ready for her long day. When she was about to leave, Robin woke up."Hey, good morning!" he greeted sleepily. "I didn't know you were coming today. Did you finally set the alarm?"Arya looked at him confused. "I don't know what you mean, but I'll be staying here. It's late, I have to go. See you tonight."Arya grabbed her bag and left, leaving Robin very confused. "Yes, goodbye!" he called out so his friend could hear him.Arya stepped out onto the street and noticed one of Ayden's cars waiting for her."Good morning, Miss Harley," greeted the designated bodyguard, Harry Staton. "I'm Harry Staton, your new driver and assigned bodyguard."Arya felt her personal space being invaded, but with Gerard's death and the uncertainty about finding the culprit, none of them were sure."Pleased to meet you, Harry," she replied, shaking his hand. "Please, call me Arya."Harry, who couldn't be more than thirty-five, smile
Arya felt her entire world turn upside down upon hearing that voice and imagining who it belonged to. Silence hung on the phone line."Is that Arya?" the voice asked again."What do you want?" Arya responded curtly with another question. There wasn't an emotion that could accurately describe what she was feeling at that moment. She was conflicted, excited, annoyed, and nervous – a whirlwind of emotions."I shouldn't be calling you. Mom doesn't want us to bother you, but... she's dying," the voice on the other end explained."I know, but she means nothing to me," Arya replied disdainfully. "Honestly, I don't know why you're looking for me.""We didn't even know you existed," Destiny confessed. "It was just a week ago that our mother called us to confess the truth. I understand you weren't at home, that you were using a different identity, is that correct?"Arya fell silent for a moment."Look, I don't know what your mother told you, but she sold me to her lover's wife," she explained b
Arya wanted to talk to Ayden about her brother and her father, but she didn't know how to broach the subject. It was very difficult for her to discuss her family, knowing the truth of her existence. This did not leave Arya on good terms with her father, quite the opposite. He wanted to blackmail her biological mother with photos; it's clear that he was never a good person.For years, she had imagined that the reason her family was not doing well was that her father had lost his job. To some extent, that was true, but the real reason was what she didn't know. Now, at twenty-seven, she perfectly understood why her brother blamed her for being the one who had ruined the family.Two days had passed since Arya had decided to go visit her father and brother. She didn't want her father to find out until she had gone. But there was a problem: the new driver was loyal to Ayden, and of course, he would tell John as soon as he found out where she was going."Today, I'm going shopping with Robin.
Arya was stunned by Ayden's confession. She couldn't believe he thought Robin could be capable of such a heinous act. But that wasn't the main issue; it was that he hadn't considered her.She was tired of it, the lack of communication, the mistrust, him continually excluding her from important matters out of fear."Take me home," Arya demanded, getting into the car, clearly upset.Ayden was surprised by her reaction. He had expected her to confront him and say harsh things, but instead, she simply requested to be taken home.He got in the car immediately, and John began the drive."Arya, I can explain..." Ayden started."I don't want to talk now," she interrupted, annoyed, and turned to look out the window.The journey felt like an eternity for Ayden, as he didn't know what to expect. Arya, on the other hand, was making decisions in her head.When they arrived at Ayden's house, it was lunchtime. However, they went straight to the bedroom.As soon as they entered, Ayden tried to hug he
"Good heavens... what are we going to do?" Robin inquired, deeply concerned. "This is serious, Arya, very serious. They're watching your son.""I know, I know. Don't pressure me," Arya said with mounting panic.She finished opening the box and found several more photos of all of them, even Ayden entering his company and Arya walking down the street.With the photo in hand, she went in search of her phone. She had to inform Ayden about what had just happened. She dialed his number, but it went straight to voicemail."Darn it, his phone is off," she informed her friend. "No, come on, I have to make sure they're okay.""What if we call the police?" Robin suggested.Arya considered it for a moment but knew the police considered Ayden a suspect."Let's go. Call a taxi," she said, trying to reach Ayden, but he kept sending her to voicemail. "We need to take the box with us. Put on gloves and place it in a bag. I'll go change."She wanted to call the house, but she didn't have the number for
Arya lay sleeping, resting, while Ayden was working on a new contract for more bodyguards. It was ten o'clock, and she hadn't awakened yet, even when her boyfriend, now her ex-fiancé, tried to convince her brother to come home."It's not a game, Mark. Someone killed our father, and now we're all threatened," Ayden reminded him with sorrow. "Please, just let my security team protect you.""For what? To ease your conscience?" Mark asked angrily. "This is your fault. That crazy woman you got involved with and her father, they must have done it. She probably couldn't stand that you didn't choose her, so she killed Gerard in revenge. I'm not going along with this and playing happy families just because you feel guilty," he said, raising his voice. "Oh, and do me a damn favor. Don't bother me again."Mark hung up, feeling victorious, knowing his brother was suffering because he couldn't control everything as he was used to."Damn you, Mark!" Ayden shouted, extremely angry.Arya woke up at t