LOGINARIELLA 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 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
I braced myself, muscles coiled tight, waiting for the blow. Luca straightened slowly, sliding his phone into his perfectly tailored pocket. The gesture is calm. Precise. Devastating. Then his eyes locked onto mine. "Okay." A pause. "So this is what is going to happen." I swallowed, waiting
“I know, I know,” Dana said, waving her hand. “It’s no wonder he’s your ex-husband. What kind of an asshole, an idiot... I mean, how did you even get married to that tool?” I just stood there. No idea how to answer her. No words. No excuses. She took a deep breath and kept going, earnest and wide o
The room went dead silent. No one moved. No one spoke. It was like time had paused again, but this time it wasn’t fear or chaos, it was tension. The kind of tension that threatens to squeeze the life out of you. Everyone seemed to be weighing their next move, their next word, their next breath. B
I lifted my gaze. “And I’m sorry,” I said. Dana’s eyes were full of disbelief. Hurt. Confusion. “I’m sorry,” I repeated, my voice breaking. “I’m sorry we can’t be friends. I’m sorry I said all those things. I’m sorry I have to walk away from you. I didn’t want this. I swear I didn’t.” I turned t







