MasukARIELLA The truth was… maybe I did. Maybe I had seen them before. Maybe I had grown up around them. But I didn’t actually know who had died. “I don’t know,” I said honestly. “Maybe.” Leon frowned again. “Then why didn’t you go to the funeral?” I hesitated. “I guess I should have,” I admitted
ARIELLA After breakfast, I tried to keep the morning as normal as possible. For Leon, and most importantly…For myself. “Mom,” Leon said, looking up at me, “should we go and prepare my study room? You told me that I could help.” “Of course,” I said. But before we walked out, I turned toward Marg
ARIELLA I held his gaze. “I can’t survive without you,” I said again. “You won’t have to,” he replied quietly. “I’m going to be okay. I’ll come back. I have to. You and Leon are waiting for me. I won’t break that promise.” He lifted my chin gently so I had no choice but to look at him. “I just
ARIELLA I woke up to feel light kisses on my face. I opened my eyes to find Asher hovering over me, pressing soft kisses against my skin. I let out a small laugh as he brushed his lips against mine before straightening. He was already dressed. Tie in place. Hair perfectly styled. Everything about
ARIELLA When Asher is finally, fully seated inside me, the bed groans beneath our combined weight. He pulls back out just as slowly, and the friction is enough to make my head swim. He’s doing this on purpose; I can see the intent in his eyes. He’s paying me back for every stolen glance and silen
ARIELLA That did it. Asher's expression shifted, something deeper, more certain. And this time when he kissed me, I didn’t hesitate. Didn’t hold back. Didn’t think about later or tomorrow. Or anything waiting for us outside that room. I let myself go into Asher's arms. I shiver beneath his touch,
ARIELLA Maria held my hand tighter. “Go back with your head high. Show them how strong you are. Stop feeling guilty for wanting good things. Family comes first.” I smiled faintly. “I don’t think they mean one's own family when they say that.” She laughed, pulling me into a hug, and then I left h
ARIELLA Other days at the Island were for the sea. We took a small boat out past the shallows, the water impossibly blue beneath us. Leon learned how to snorkel, initially clinging to Asher before slowly letting go. I cheered when he finally swam on his own, his laughter muffled by the water, bubbl
ARIELLA Our wedding was amazing.... It was everything I’d ever dreamed of and more. Magical. Timeless. The kind of night that felt suspended between fantasy and reality. It surpassed every image I’d painted in my mind, every whispered wish I’d ever made about my wedding with Asher. As soon as th
ARIELLA Luca nodded slowly. Maria slipped beside me, pressing a handkerchief into my palm. “Here,” she said. I dabbed my eyes. “Don’t worry, the makeup’s waterproof,” Maria added with a little smile. “You can cry all you want.” That actually made me laugh, a small shaky laugh that broke the ten







