LOGINARIELLA I walked in. Leon was still at the desk, though now he was writing, his tongue slightly peeking out the side of his mouth in concentration. Sia sat across from him, watching, not interrupting. Just… there. Present. “Mom,” Leon said without looking up, “I’m writing now, you shouldn't inter
ARIELLA We went quiet for a moment, neither of us saying anything. The air seemed to shift, less playful, more real. Asher leaned back slightly in his chair, watching me like he was trying to read something I hadn’t said out loud. “You’re quiet,” he noted. “I’m thinking.” “About what?” “About
ARIELLA When I finally walked out of Leon’s study, I felt a lot better about the decision I had made. So I decided to go into Asher’s office. I lightly knocked, even though the door was partially open, and peeked inside. Asher was on the phone And the moment he saw me, he smiled and motioned for
ARIELLA When Asher walked out, I must have fallen asleep from the exhaustion, because when I felt his arms on my shoulders, telling me he was here to feed me, I thought he was joking about the feeding part. But then, it turns out....He wasn’t. Because as soon as I sat up on the bed, he held the s
ARIELLA When Asher walked out, I must have fallen asleep from the exhaustion, because when I felt his arms on my shoulders, telling me he was here to feed me, I thought he was joking about the feeding part. But then, it turns out....He wasn’t. Because as soon as I sat up on the bed, he held the s
ARIELLA Asher shoves me down against the counter and I buck, but he pins me in place by my hair, so I have no choice but to hold on to the edge of the marble. “Here’s the thing, I’m not going to lie to protect your fragile emotions. I am Don, and Leon is our son and heir. You are my wife and the
I got to my bedroom, slammed the door shut, and threw my bag onto the floor. Then I climbed into bed, pulling the blanket over me, hoping it could somehow shut everything out. My mind raced with everything that had happened—what I’d done, what I couldn’t undo. Then the door creaked open. I looked
"Ariella, you can’t keep this baby." "Yes, I can," I answered flatly, not missing a beat. "Listen to me—" "No. I don’t want to talk to you. I’m not talking to you," I snapped. "What do you want me to do? You want me to have an abortion?" "Ariella, your father’s life and mine are at stake. The fa
I walk forward — towel still wrapped around me, still damp from the shower — but none of that matters. All that matters is Asher. All that matters is the way he watches me. When I reach the edge of the bed, he reaches out his uninjured hand to me. Without hesitation, I take it. He gently tugs me cl
The moment she saw me, her eyes lit up with concern. “Ariella, how are you feeling?” she asked quickly, rushing toward me and wrapping me in a hug. I froze. That was new. I looked at her, confused and quietly heartbroken. “I’m fine,” I answered softly. “Why wouldn’t I be?” "Because of Asher," s







