LOGINNOAH'S POV I pull a clean shirt from the wardrobe and shut the door harder than necessary.The wood rattles in its frame. Behind me, Aria’s soft footsteps stop. “Noah, what is it?” Her voice is careful. “You’ve been ignoring me since we got back.” I glance over my shoulder. She’s small in one of my shirts, hair still slightly damp from her shower, arms loosely crossed. The sight pulls at something in my chest, but I keep my face blank. “Ignoring you?” I ask. “How?” She bites her lower lip, searching for words. I already know what she’s going to say. All evening I’ve kept my attention on Remy and my mother on purpose. Every time Aria looked up during dinner I made sure my eyes were elsewhere. I focused on Remy instead—cutting his food, answering his endless questions, letting Naomi fill the silence. Every time Aria tried to catch my eye I looked away. The distance was deliberate. Petty, maybe. She still hasn’t figured out how to start. Her gaze drops to the floor. I turn fully
ARIA’S POVMira meets us at the door with her usual vibrant energy.“Welcome back. Miss Alexis is in the salon. She’s been waiting.”I glance at Noah, who is busy unbuckling Remy from his seat. “I’ll go say hi first,” I tell him. “Bring him up when you’re ready.”Noah nods, already distracted by Remy’s excited chatter about the fish he almost caught. I leave them and head inside. Alexis is curled on the sofa, phone in hand, looking like she’s been refreshing the same page for an hour. The second she sees me she waves me over with wide eyes.“Babe, the internet is losing its mind,” she says in a low rush. “People are posting pictures of Naomi with Remy all over the place. They’re saying the legendary matriarch has officially accepted you. Some are calling you the ultimate winner. And—” she lowers her voice further, “—quite a few are pointing out how much Remy looks like Noah. They’re already guessing he might be his son.I freeze halfway to the couch. Remy mustn't hear that.Alexis ke
ARIA’S POV Two weeks. That’s all the time we had before reality pulled everyone back. Naomi tries one last time. “Must you leave today? Nathan lands in a few days. Stay a little longer.” Mamie is already shaking her head, practical as ever. “We can’t delay any longer. These two need to go back to school.” Antoine, who has been sulking against the railing, immediately pipes up. “Mamie, I already told you I can skip school for more days—” “You’re just being irresponsible. Is that the kind of example—” “Antoine! How dare you hit me?” And just like that they’re off, chasing each other around the driveway while the adults watch with varying degrees of resignation. Mamie doesn’t even look surprised. Naomi’s mouth curves in amusement; she’s clearly used to them by now. I crouch to hug Remy one more time even though he isn’t leaving. He leans into me clearly relieved he is not being bundled into any of the cars. ☆~☆ Later, Noah decides we’ve been cooped up long enough. H
ARIA’S POVI cough once — barely more than a clearing of my throat — and both of them move at the same time.Noah is already reaching for the glass on the nightstand while Remy scrambles down from the pillows where he has been glued to my side for the last hour, small feet thumping as he runs to the side table for the second cup. They return almost together, each holding water out to me like it’s a competition.I look from one expectant face to the other.Noah’s expression is calm but pointed. Remy’s is pure seriousness, even though half the water has already spilled over his fingers and onto the floor.I take my son’s cup first and drink what’s left, then accept Noah’s and take a sip from that one too. It feels ridiculous, but the alternative is choosing, and I’m not ready for the fallout.“I’m fine,” I tell them for what feels like the fiftieth time today. “Really.”They glance at each other instead of answering me. Whatever silent conversation passes between them only makes me sigh
ARIA’S POV Two days of tests, monitors, and forced rest, and the doctors finally decide there is nothing left to find. No dizziness. No nausea. Everything back to normal—or as normal as my body ever gets. They discharge me with a strict warning about monthly check-ups. Naomi has already promised to take personal charge of my diet and recovery. I am more than ready to leave. The hospital gown slips off my shoulders with a soft rustle. Comfortable or not, I never want to see the damn thing again. I stand by the bed reaching for the clothes my family left folded on the chair. Everyone else has already taken my bags downstairs to the cars. Only Noah remains, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, watching me like he has all the time in the world. “Aren’t you going to follow them out?” I ask, tipping my chin toward the door. He pushes off the wall and walks toward me slowly. “Why should I?” His eyes drag down my body without shame. “Are you shy about undressing in front of
THIRD PERSON'S POVNoah followed Mike in his direction. Immediately they turned the corner, he felt the sharp crack of a fist connecting with his jaw.The impact snapped his head to the side. He staggered back a step but didn’t raise his hands. He had expected it. He deserved it. “Is this your idea of protection?” Mike’s voice was low, dangerous, shaking with restrained fury. “Is this what the great King power looks like? She’s been dragged through bad press, ended up in a coma, unconscious for days—what else has to happen before you admit you’re failing her?” Noah wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand and said nothing. Mike’s second punch landed hard against his chest, forcing another step back. “You got her pregnant and left her to survive it alone. Do you have any idea what that pregnancy did to her? The sleepless nights? The fainting spells? Watching her waste months in hospital beds while her body tried to kill itself keeping that child al
ARIA'S POV This wasn't an accident. Mario didn't have the brains or the motive to pull off something this huge alone. There was only one person ruthless enough to orchestrate this kind of public humiliation. Stepsister charming, Lora. Everything started adding up in my head. The two strange me
ARIA'S POV When the morning light hit my face, everything hurt. My head throbbed so hard I almost fainted right back onto the pillows. My limbs felt like lead, completely pinned down by a deep-seated ache and my lips were cracked, dry, and bitter. Parting them sent a sharp sting across my mouth.
ARIA'S POV I dropped to my knees on the carpet of the suite, clutching my stomach. My breath came in short, ragged gasps.The room was turning upside down. I was drowning in waves of unnatural, terrifying heat that felt like it was cooking me from the inside out. My skin felt so hot it was actu
ARIA'S POV The heavy front door clicked shut behind me. I stood on the smooth white marble floor of the foyer for a few seconds, to prepare myself before meetingtheir disgusting faces. Then I heard the laughter again. Louder this time. It was coming right from the dining room down the hall. L







