LOGINARIELLA 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 The moment the flash went off, both of them stirred. Leon shifted first, letting out a small, confused sound as he buried his face deeper into the pillow. But Asher.... Asher woke instantly. His hand tightened instinctively around the book on his chest, the other bracing slightly at his si
ARIELLA I couldn't believe him right now. “None of the above,” I replied quickly, turning away from his smug face and back to Leon. “Okay, listen. Dad is coming upstairs to read you a book.” “Yay!” Leon said instantly, already turning around and running out of the room. The moment he left, I le
Then, without a word, I turned and walked up the stairs, ignoring her calls as I disappeared into my room—where I finally let the sobs take over. ~~~~ When Asher called me that night, I was too tired and too angry to pick up, so I didn't pick up at all. So he sent me a text [Hey, are you okay?]
Five Years Ago That night, I cried until my body ached. My mind kept racing, searching for a way out. How do I stop this? I couldn’t tell Asher. If I did, my parents would die. My father, my family—so many innocent lives were on the line. I loved my dad. I couldn’t be the reason he gets killed.
I swallowed, already sensing where this was going. "Yes." "So you do know where your bedroom is?" "Yes, it's this room. I know, it's my bedroom." His eyes darkened. "So you know that you're not supposed to be sleeping on the right wing. And that people in the right-wing are not supposed to be s
I wasn’t popular. I wasn’t that girl. I was just a normal girl who kept to herself, and did my own things—the type of girl who stayed in the background. I squeaked, “Sorry,” thinking that would make him let it go and walk away. But then, he gave me this look. I don’t know how to explain it because







