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
Five years Ago Asher then announced, but he wasn’t just talking to me—he was talking to the crowd. “All right, sweetheart. What’s your name?” “Ariella.” “Ariella? What’s your family name?” “My father’s Antonio... Antonio Costa.” “I don’t think I know them.” He said it like he was trying to wor
Five years Ago That must have been, the end for us. I tried calling him. He never picked up. And so, I did what everybody said—I moved on. It was just a prom date. He just took me because, maybe, he probably felt sorry for me or whatever. I didn’t know his reasons. But that didn’t mean we were ev
His grip tightened. With each struggle, with each desperate attempt to push him away, his fingers pressed deeper into my throat. My lungs burned, my vision blurred, and I realized— I was going to die. Here. Like this. Beneath him. Panic seized me. I couldn’t die. I couldn’t. Leon—he needed me.
This was different. This seemed serious. When I stepped inside, my mother was already there, standing beside him. My father was seated in his chair, his face tired, and worn down. My mother, on the other hand, was practically beaming. Two completely different reactions. Unease brewed inside me. T







