INICIAR SESIÓNAurelia’s POVThat proposal was everything I loved, natural, heartfelt, warm. It wasn’t just the words he said, it was the way he looked at me, like I was the only person in the world, like every heartbeat of his belonged to me. My chest still fluttered remembering the gentle press of his lips, the way his hand felt so at home holding mine. It was perfect.We were both utterly spent by the time we fell asleep, tangled in the soft sheets, hearts still racing. The next morning, the sun barely peeking through the curtains, we found ourselves laughing and stealing kisses in the tiny bathroom. It was messy, fun, and impossibly intimate, warmth spreading from skin to skin, hearts beating in tandem as if the world outside had disappeared entirely.We swam in the pool behind the house, sunlight dancing across the water, casting golden reflections on his skin that made me catch my breath. We lounged with books, occasionally glancing at each other, smiling at the smallest shared joke, letti
Julien’s POVThe court moved fast.Too fast for comfort, some said. But when a case is dragged into the public square and set on fire, speed becomes inevitable. That video had spread like wildfire, uncensored in its meaning even where the images were blurred. People didn’t just want justice. They demanded it.Isolde was sentenced to two life terms.Still, it wasn’t enough for some. Outside the courthouse, voices rose, calling for her death, for an ending as final as the damage she’d caused.I didn’t share that hunger.Life in prison. Hard labour. No parole. That was justice to me. Let her wake up every day in the same concrete reality, stripped of power, forced to sit with the ruins of her own making. Death would have been an escape. Reflection was the punishment she deserved.Work swallowed me whole after the perfume launch. Meetings blurred into each other. Calls came in waves. The rainforest fragrance took off faster than projections, and the demand refused to slow down. Success ha
Aurelia’s POVWe got to the hospital with our hearts galloping ahead of us. Police officers lined the corridor, their faces tight, professional, uneasy. This was no ordinary incident. This was aftermath.The commissioner spotted us immediately and walked over, rubbing his forehead like he’d aged ten years in one night.“What’s going on?” Julien asked.The commissioner exhaled slowly. “You’re not going to believe this.My stomach sank.“In the dead of the night,” he began, “Grant requested food. There was only one officer stationed outside his room at the time. When the officer stepped away to get it…” He paused, gathering himself. “Grant somehow managed to uncuff himself. We’re still investigating how.”Julien’s jaw clenched.“He triggered the fire alarm,” the commissioner continued. “Chaos followed. Nurses running, alarms screaming, security stretched thin.” he paused.“Grant made his way straight to Isolde’s room,” he said. “When the officer tried to stop him, Grant wrestled the gun
Aurelia’s POV“And the warehouse?” I asked, heart pounding.“The police arrested two of the men working for her,” Julien replied.I looked toward his mother and shook my head. She glanced down, sadness shadowing her features. The reality of what had happened.After the call ended I sat quietly, she must be arrested, she has to be arrested.My phone buzzed. Matteo’s name flashed across the screen. I answered immediately.“Tell Julien and his men,” he said briskly. “I’ve got her surrounded at Fifth Avenue. Grant too.”I squealed, unable to contain the rush of joy and relief that hit me.“Wait… what about Selene?” I asked, suddenly anxious again.“She’s here with me,” Matteo replied.“She… was able to go out?” I asked, incredulous.He chuckled softly, then ended the call.I turned to Julien’s mother. “What is it?” I asked.“My friend got them,” she said, her lips curving into a small, proud smile.I immediately called Julien. Once he heard, he and his men rushed straight to the location.
Aurelia’s POV“Don’t worry,” Julien announced, his voice tense but determined. “I’m calling the commissioner right now. I’ll give them the details, we’ll track it, and the video will be exposed. I’m… fighting Isolde in a petty way.”I frowned slightly. “Be careful,” I warned, my fingers twisting nervously in my lap.Matteo stood up suddenly. “I’m going with you.”Julien glanced at him, eyes sharp. Then he nodded, understanding that having Matteo at his side was non-negotiable.“I’ll call your mum to check on the kids,” I said. “They have no exams today, so she can keep them busy.”“Okay,” Julien said, already moving toward the door.Both of them left. I sank onto the couch, the weight of solitude settling on me.I picked up my phone and dialed his mom. After greetings, I said, “Please, would you be free to be with the kids? We left before they woke up, and the staff will likely be in the house now, but I don’t want them freaking out.”“I’ll be on my way now,” she said, concern softeni
Aurelia’s POV“I’m so sorry,” I said softly, meaning far more than the words could carry.Selene lifted her gaze to me, eyes still rimmed with exhaustion. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”Julien shifted beside me, his expression all sharp angles and quiet fury. “About the video,” he said carefully. “You saved it, right? The part that shows the murder.”“Yes,” she replied without hesitation. “The video and the conversation. They mentioned K Tech too.”The air in the room tightened.I turned slowly toward Julien. “I have a strong feeling it’s your accountant.”His jaw flexed, the idea clearly landing where it hurt most.“We should go look for the phone,” Matteo said, already thinking in routes and contingencies.“No need,” Julien replied calmly. “If they haven’t destroyed it already, they’ll have searched for it. My tech guy will hack it.”Selene’s hands curled into fists. “I’m scared, Aurelia,” she whispered. “That woman… she’s brutal. I know they’re looking for me.”I placed a hand
Aurelia’s POV“About the person who released the photos… any news?” I asked, my voice low.He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “No. I just don’t understand why it’s so hard to trace them. It’s like the pictures were dropped physically, right in front of the press offices. No trace, no sender,
Aurelia’s POVThe next morning, the news was everywhere, too loud, too bright, too relentless.No matter how hard I tried to avoid it, it found me. On social media. On my phone notifications. Even the TV wouldn’t let me breathe.> Rumors concerning billionaire CEO Julien Knightley and heiress Isold
Aurelia’s POVThe next morning, after breakfast, Julien left.I made him promise to go straight home and take his pills. He looked a little better but still pale.When the door closed behind him. I cleaned up, played with Oliver for a while, then just sat staring at the half-empty cup of coffee he’
Aurelia’s POVI managed to put together lunch, though Cassia barely touched hers. She kept tapping her nails on the table, glancing at the clock every two minutes.“Cass, relax,” I said, pouring her a drink. “You’ve met his parents before.”“I know,” she groaned, pushing her plate away. “But for so







