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
When we left for Zanzibar, it was just for five days. This time, I had prepared myself. I told Maria I’d call every day. I promised to video call Leon, to check in. And Asher, he promised everything would be fine. That security would be tight. That nothing would go wrong. Just five days, he said. J
I felt a warm blush crawl up my face. “Are you… are you going to work in that?” I asked, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. He glanced down at himself, white t-shirt, and grey sweatpants and shrugged. “That’s what I’m wearing.” I bit my lip, smirking. “Well, you’re going to leave a l
I was still in disbelief as I stepped out the front door, heels clicking against the pavement. The air felt different, free. My heart pounded in my chest with every step I took down the driveway, closer to the sleek black car waiting for me. I couldn’t believe I was actually being allowed to leave.
Ariella. "Do you really want to know why?" Asher asked slowly, his voice eerily calm as he began walking toward me. And just like that, my body reacted before my mind could catch up, I stepped back, retreating until the backs of my legs met the bed. There was something in his calmness that wasn’t







