Sarah's P.O.VIt's been a few days since that scandal was finally settled. Surprisingly, Adrian has been behaving differently nicer, even. He no longer brings up the past, nor does he ask me to give him another chance. There are no more tantrums, no more arguments. Just silence. A silence that, for now, I am grateful for.When I saw the headlines that morning, I had my doubts about the entire situation. Something didn't sit right with me, so I did some digging. A background check revealed the truth it had all been a trap, orchestrated by Chloe and Lisa to blackmail Adrian. I should have known. When I confronted Chloe, she didn’t even hesitate before demanding money in exchange for telling the truth in front of the media.I wasn’t surprised.But what unsettled me the most was my own reaction. Why did I defend Adrian? It was the perfect opportunity to expose him, to humiliate him in front of the entire world. I could have ended everything and announced our divorce once and for all. And
Sarah’s POVEster’s words lingered in my mind like an unshakable echo."He wanted to keep this hidden, Sarah. We all just want to finish the project so you can finally get out of that marriage with that jerk," she had said firmly, her voice laced with conviction.Her words only added to my growing confusion about Alessandro.On one hand, he had been acting as though I didn’t exist, his cold indifference cutting through me like a knife. On the other, he was helping me behind my back, making sure I had a way out of this unwanted marriage. It didn’t make sense. Why go to such lengths in silence? Why distance himself so much while secretly ensuring my freedom?Was it guilt? Obligation? Or something else entirely?Shoving my emotions aside, I took a deep breath and responded in a steady tone. "We need to inform the Parkers about the project's completion. Once that’s done, we can discuss a date for the resort’s opening."I masked my emotions in front of Ester, unwilling to drag her into my
Sarah POVI gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white as I sped down the road. My heart pounded erratically, the image of Alessandro kissing that woman burned into my mind like a scar I’d never be able to erase. My hand throbbed from the broken glass, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the storm raging inside me.Ester sat silently in the passenger seat, her worried eyes flickering toward me every few seconds. The air in the car was heavy with unspoken words, but I wasn’t ready to speak. If I opened my mouth now, I might break.I blinked rapidly, willing away the tears threatening to spill. I had cried enough for men in my lifetime.I had been foolish.I should have known better.The car came to an abrupt halt as I pulled into the parking lot outside my apartment. I killed the engine and exhaled shakily, staring blankly at my blood-streaked fingers. Small shards of glass were still embedded in my skin, the crimson streaks standing out starkly against my
Sarah’s POVNo single word could encompass the storm of emotions and pain surging through me.What I had witnessed two days ago refused to leave my mind. It replayed like a cruel joke, gnawing at my sanity, and dragging me into an abyss of doubt and heartbreak. No matter how much I tried to push it aside, it lingered like a shadow, taunting me with every waking moment.I thought Alessandro was different. I thought, for once, I had chosen right. But I was wrong—so terribly, devastatingly wrong.I had been blind. Stupid. Too trusting, too open, too easy to break.Ever since I left the restaurant with Ester that afternoon, Alessandro hadn’t stopped calling. The screen of my phone was a constant reminder of his persistence call after call, message after message. His name flashing repeatedly was like salt on an open wound, a cruel reminder of how foolish I had been.I blocked his number, thinking that would be the end of it. But before I did, I saw his texts. We need to talk. Please, Sarah
Sarah POVI was drifting, lost in an abyss where time didn't exist. My mind screamed at me to wake up, to move, to fight but my body refused to obey. It was as if I were trapped in my own skin, paralyzed in a nightmare I couldn’t escape from.Then, a sound. Faint at first. A low hum vibrates through the fog in my brain. Slowly, the world began to seep back in, piece by piece.I became aware of my breathing shallow, ragged. My body felt weightless, yet at the same time, unbearably heavy. My limbs ached as if I had been dragged through the fire, my head pounding like a hammer against a slab of iron.Panic flickered to life in my chest. I wasn’t home. I wasn’t safe.My eyes fluttered open, my vision swimming as I tried to adjust to the dim lighting. The scent of stale wood and damp air filled my nostrils, sending a shiver crawling down my spine.Where was I?I tried to move, but something held me down. My wrists are tied. My ankles were bound.Cold, unrelenting dread slithered through me
Sarah's P.O.VThe relentless pounding in my head throbbed like a war drum, each beat echoing through my skull. My body felt weighted, as though unseen chains bound my limbs. I forced my eyes open, but even the dim light felt blinding. A shuddering breath left my lips as I shifted slightly, wincing at the sharp pain radiating through my body.Something wasn’t right.I struggled to sit up, my muscles screaming in protest. The air was thick with an unfamiliar scent—clean yet cold, lacking the warmth of home. My fingers instinctively travelled to my clothes, still the same ones I had worn to work. Relief flared briefly before an overwhelming wave of panic crashed over me.This wasn’t my room.My breath caught in my throat as I scanned my surroundings, my heart slamming against my ribs like a caged animal. The walls were dark, painted in a shade far too deep for my taste. The atmosphere was suffocating, unrecognizable.Then, the memories came flooding back like a violent tide.Alessandro.
Sarah POVThe city lights blurred into streaks as the car sped through the quiet streets. My hands clenched into fists on my lap, nails digging into my palms. I couldn’t feel the pain. Numbness had taken over, spreading like poison through my veins.Alessandro’s confession echoed in my mind, a relentless torment I couldn’t escape. Every word had been a dagger, cutting deeper than I thought possible. He was supposed to seduce me. Trick me. He had fallen for me, but it didn’t change the fact that I had been nothing more than a pawn in a game orchestrated by my father and his.I let out a bitter laugh, startling the driver.“You okay, Miss?” he asked, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.“Just drive,” I muttered, pressing my forehead against the cool glass of the window.My chest felt tight as if someone was squeezing the air out of my lungs. I had loved Alessandro. God, I still did. But love wasn’t enough. Not when betrayal stood between us like an unmovable wall.The car pulled u
Sarah' P.O.VI don’t think a single word exists that could encompass the emotions swirling within me right now. The pain, the anger, the heartbreak—it all felt too overwhelming, too suffocating. My mind was a battlefield, my heart a shattered mess, and no matter how hard I tried to suppress my thoughts, they kept resurfacing, tormenting me relentlessly.What I witnessed two days ago still haunted me, replaying in my head like a cruel joke. It was as if life had decided to mock me, to remind me of my foolishness, of my gullibility. How could I have been so blind? How could I have been so naive to believe that Alessandro was different?I had truly thought he was. He had made me believe it with his gentle words, his reassuring smiles, and his promises. But in the end, he proved me wrong just like everyone else had.I had allowed myself to trust him, to let my walls down, and what did I get in return? Betrayal. Deception. Heartbreak.Ever since I had stormed out of that restaurant with Es
Adrian POVEvery time I closed my eyes, I saw her. Sarah. Always Sarah. I saw her brushing a strand of hair behind her ear the way she always used to. I saw her smiling up at Alessandro like he was the center of her universe. I imagined them holding hands, walking side by side, whispering secrets, and building a future. A perfect couple—My dream, playing out with someone else. It was torture. A persistent, gnawing pain that never dulled, no matter how hard I tried to distract myself, no matter how many therapy sessions I endured.I couldn’t accept it. I refused to accept it. In my head, I kept replaying every conversation we’d had before things turned cold. Her voice, her expressions, the pauses between her words. I dissected them, twisted them, reinterpreted them. Looking—hoping—for something. A sign. A single word that might prove she still cared. That she might not be as sure about Alessandro as she claimed to be.And the more I fed that hope, the more it consumed me. It burned thr
Sarah’s POVThe moment we pulled into the driveway, a strange weight settled over me. The gravel crunched beneath the tires as Alessandro parked near the old porch, and Gabriel stirred in his car seat with a soft, sleepy sound.It was beautiful here, I couldn’t deny that. The farmhouse looked exactly the same as it had when Adrian and I visited once after our wedding—the same whitewashed walls, the wildflowers growing like they didn’t care about rules, the air thick with the scent of pine and sun-warmed earth. I hadn’t expected the memories to hit me so hard.Alessandro stepped out first, stretching and lifting Gabriel carefully from the backseat. “You okay?” he asked, offering me his usual quiet, steady look.I nodded, brushing my hair behind my ear. “Yeah… Just tired.”That was only half the truth.We hadn't even made it up the steps when I heard Adrian’s voice—too cheerful, too rehearsed.“There they are! You made it.”And then I saw her.Long legs, glossy dark hair, a laugh that s
Adrian POVTherapy was supposed to help.That’s what everyone kept telling me. My friends, my family, even Sarah—back when she still spoke to me like she cared. “Just try it,” they said. “It’ll help you work through your feelings. You’ll feel better once you understand what’s really going on.” And so, after months of resisting, I finally gave in. I made the call, sat through the awkward first session, and kept showing up every week like clockwork, expecting—hoping—for something to shift.But if I was being honest, every session seemed to peel my skin back and leave my nerves exposed. I didn’t feel better. I didn’t feel healed. I didn’t even feel understood. Instead, I left each appointment feeling more confused, more frustrated, and more convinced that Sarah was slipping through my fingers like sand—and that no matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried, I was utterly powerless to stop it.Therapy had become just another part of my routine. Like brushing my teeth or checking the me
Sarah POVI knew that if I wanted to truly move forward with Alessandro, I had to draw a line—one that Adrian couldn’t cross.Taking a deep breath, I typed out a message.Message to Adrian:Adrian, I need to be clear with you. I've chosen to be with Alessandro, and that means we need to set boundaries. I care about you as you are involved with my son, but I can't have you interfering in my relationship.Please respect that.My thumb hovered over the send button. A part of me feared how he would react—if he would lash out, try to manipulate me, or make me doubt my decision. But another part of me felt a quiet sense of relief. This was necessary. This was the right thing to do.I hit send.Seconds felt like hours as I waited, my stomach twisting in knots. I half-expected him to ignore the message or respond with something cryptic, something that would make me second-guess everything.But his response came quicker than I anticipated.Message from Adrian:I understand, Sarah. I don't want
Sarah POVAlessandro’s gaze lingered on me, his deep brown eyes searching mine for any sign of hesitation. I could feel the weight of his emotions pressing between us uncertainty, longing, fear. His jaw was tense, as if he was holding back words he wasn’t sure he was ready to say."Alessandro, you're right to ask," I said, my voice steady, though my heart was pounding. "I don't care about Adrian, I care about you. What happened to him... it was a moment of confusion, a mistake. I've realized that my heart has always been with you. That's why I told him we needed distance. I want you to know that you're the only one I want to be with."He exhaled slowly, crossing his arms over his chest, his posture still guarded. I could almost see the battle playing out in his mind—the part of him that wanted to believe me and the part that still held onto the pain of the past."And Adrian?" he asked finally, his voice softer now but firm. "What happens if he doesn't stay away?"I shook my head, step
Sarah POVA lump formed in my throat at the tenderness in his tone. I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.“Me too,” I whispered back. “I’m so glad we’ve been able to work through everything. I’m committed to us, Alessandro. I want you to know that.”His hold on me tightened slightly, and he pressed a lingering kiss to the top of my head.“I know,” he said. “And I’m committed to us too. Whatever comes our way, we’ll face it together.”As exhaustion pulled me into sleep, I felt a rare sense of peace settle over me. The doubts that had once gnawed at the edges of my mind were beginning to fade, replaced by the quiet certainty that Alessandro and I were on the right path.But even as I embraced that sense of calm, a small part of me couldn’t ignore the lingering weight of Adrian’s last message. His words echoed in my thoughts more often than I wanted to admit. There was something unresolved there, something that refused to fade into the backg
Sarah POVHis words carried an unmistakable edge of jealousy, laced with something deeper frustration, maybe even desperation. I could hear it in the way Adrian spoke, the way he hesitated just a fraction of a second before choosing his words. He wasn’t ready to let go, that much was obvious. But I had already made my decision.I wasn’t going to let the past interfere with the fragile, beautiful thing Alessandro and I were rebuilding.Instead of answering Adrian right away, I chose to ignore the message, setting my phone aside with a steadying breath. The temptation to respond, to offer him some kind of closure, gnawed at me, but I resisted. The best thing I could do for myself for my relationship was to keep my distance. Even if it hurt.So I threw myself into work that day, immersing myself in tasks, focusing on anything that kept my mind from drifting back to Adrian’s lingering words. But even as I busied myself with emails and meetings, I felt the weight of the unresolved tension
Sarah POVHis words settled deep within me, reassuring me in a way I hadn’t realized I needed. But there was still one more thing I had to say, a truth that needed to be voiced.“I wanted to let you know that I spoke to Adrian,” I admitted, watching his face carefully. “I told him we needed some space. I want you to know that you’re my priority, and I won’t let anything or anyone come between us.”For a moment, Alessandro didn’t say anything. His expression was unreadable, but then his shoulders dropped slightly, and he exhaled a breath he had probably been holding for too long. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady, appreciative. “Thank you for that, Sarah. I appreciate it. I’ve been worried about how much he’s been around, but I didn’t want to pressure you.”I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “I understand,” I murmured. “But you don’t need to worry. I’m committed to making this work. We’ve come too far to let anything get in the way now.”His thumb brushed over my knuckles,
Sarah POVSarah's POVAs the days passed after Adrian's unexpected visit, the tension between Alessandro and me began to ease. We had successfully navigated a difficult moment, but I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that Adrian's presence was still a looming threat to our relationship. Even when things felt light and easy between Alessandro and me, a small, anxious voice in the back of my mind kept whispering reminders of the past—of Adrian’s influence, of the confusion he stirred within me. I knew I had to confront the situation head-on, not just for Alessandro's sake, but for my own peace of mind.It was a bright, clear afternoon when I finally decided to send a message to Adrian. The sun streamed in through the curtains, casting golden patterns on the floor, but despite the warmth of the day, I felt an unmistakable chill settle in my bones. The words didn’t come easily, but I knew they were necessary.Message to Adrian:Hi Adrian, I think we must maintain some distance for a whil