LOGINBLURB Zara Winterborn believed that marrying Adrian Leighhton was a dream come true and the best thing that had ever happened to her broken childhood. Instead, it tied her to a man whose love hid a dark truth that burned her to ashes. She overhears a phone call on their honeymoon that shatters her whole world. The love of her life is already married. Feeling betrayed and desperate after learning she's pregnant, she makes some unthinkable decisions. She fakes an abortion, fakes a miscarriage, and disappears from her old life. Five years later, she returns as a renowned architect. Not as Zara but Aria Sterling with a secret daughter. Adrian sees her at a gala and his regret transforms into obsession as he hires investigators to dig deeper. He will tear everything down, even his empire and his blood just to win her forgiveness again. But Adrian isn't the only one who becomes obsessed with her. Even Damien, the stranger who helped her disappear to punish her, has his own plans and wants to use Zara as a weapon for revenge. As secrets of stolen embryos, hidden mothers, children, unknown siblings, and bloodlines twisted by lies, come to light, Zara must choose. Does she stick with Damien and destroy Adrian forever or does she forgive Adrian and let him into their lives? She vanished before. Can she disappear again when things get tough?
View MoreZara’s PovMy heart starts beating wildly when I hear my name.No. Not again. This can’t be happening again. Let me be wrong. I don't want to believe Adrian can do this to me again. My mind goes back to our honeymoon night five years ago and the blood in my veins pumps straight to my head. I can feel my heart beating in my ears as I step closer. Anticipating the worst.Who is he talking to?Is this a replay of that night years ago?The hallway has just restroom doors and an exit. Adrian is standing near the exit, his back facing. Somebody is standing in front of him but I can't see their face. The tension in Adrian’s shoulders is evident and he seems angry.“Do you think I don't know the game you're playing?” he says calmly.The person in front of him laughs awkwardly and I freeze.That's a woman's voice.“I'm not sure I know what you're talking about,” the woman speaks carefully.My heart drops. I recognize that voice. I've been talking with them for the last thirty minutes or so
Zara’s PovOnce I see the little girl the woman is holding, who is about Lila’s age, the dots connect in my head.Andrea. Lila’s friend.I do a double-take and sure enough, the woman holding her is none other than her mother, Camilla.The heavy heavy cake-like makeup she has on her face makes her look like somebody else. It gives her a different look and I almost didn't recognize her.I chuckle. “Thats not a celebrity.”“Then who is that and why would they dress like that to a child’s birthday party?” Celia insists. “Thats Lila’s friend, Andrea. And the woman in question is her mom, Camilla.”“Did you maybe forget to tell her the kind of party she was attending?”“Come on now, Celia,” I mutter under my breath.“Girl, she's dressed like she's accepting a Grammy today. And last I remember, we aren't having an award show.” she rolls her eyes.Camilla takes off her sunglasses and waves at me. I wave back as they approach us. Andrea only stays back to say be polite and say hi to me first
Zara’s PovThe rented hall looked like something out of a princess storybook. The kind Lila is obsessing over and would always read. Pink balloons are floating everywhere and beautiful decorations are hanging from every corner of the room. The yard outside has become a playground for kids. It's filled with colorful bounce houses, blown-up cartoon figures, and a long picnic table carrying all types of kids' desserts and snacks.“This is way more than he told me,” I say while folding my arms and observing the scene. “It’s insane.”Murphy laughs. “Insane in a bad way or in a ‘this man is trying to buy forgiveness with balloons’ way?”“I would say the second one,” I mutter.I look across the lawn and spot Adrian speaking with two of the security men. Even in the midst of celebration he doesn't let down his guard. He speaks calmly but even from here I can feel the weight of his words as he lays down instructions to the guards. And it isn't just them, there are others planted around the p
Zara’s Pov“And what is that?” I ask, wondering what it is she wants to tell me.She looks at me in a way that is kind of odd. Like another person is hiding beneath her smiles and friendly self.Mrs.Blackwood looks between us in confusion. “I didn't realize you two knew each other. Is there a problem Miss Hale?” “Not at all. I didn't know I would run into Aria here today. It's just a quick chat. Just to clear the air.”She steps closer and I can smell her perfume but I do everything in my ability not to step back.What's wrong with her? “Ermm, Camilla? You can say what you have to say now. I'll be leaving soon.”I look toward Adrian who is still discussing with Greg across the lot. He must feel my eyes on him because he immediately raises his eyes to find mine. Once he notices the person I'm standing with, he pauses mid-conversation.“Aria, you should check the cameras in front of your house sometimes,” she whispers so only I can hear her.My stomach drops.“What?”Adrian's eyes su
Aria (Zara’s Pov)The road back to the place I once lived feels longer. I haven't returned there in forever and I feel like the world is warning me to turn around and not go through those prison gates.The atmosphere around it is still the same. Tall trees, heavy air, and old money vibes.Memories
Aria’s (Zara’s Pov)The question shocks me to my soul but I don’t answer back because when I lean back to look at her, her eyes are fluttering, trying to fight off the sleep. She must be exhausted from playing in the sun.I buckle her into her car seat and luckily for me sleep steals her consciousn
Adrian’s PovI don't head back to the office. Instead, I call Mark to handle things in my absence.The sound of his phone ringing fills the car after connecting the phone to the speaker. He picks up on the fourth ring.“Where are you, man? I just went to your office but your secretary told me that
Aria (Zara’s) PovHis brow jerks so fast that I would have missed it if I wasn't looking directly at him. What was that?“You were not supposed to ever find that,” he says it so casually as he leans back.“Wait, what?” I ask since I can't believe what I just heard. Did he just say he was supposed t












Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.