LOGINARIELLA "No," I said shaking my head. "I am not doing it anymore." "You barely started," Asher said. "I'm finished." "You ran for three minutes." "It felt like two years." Leon laughed so hard he nearly fell over. "Mom." "No." "Mom." "No. No, no." "You look and sound exactly like Leon wh
ASHER "I think... yeah. I mean, I guess someone who can help me deal with this. Give me ways to deal with this." Ariella explained herself. I tightened my hold on her hands. "I'm here." She looked at me. "Nobody deserves your thoughts. Nobody deserves your truth. Nobody deserves you more than
ASHER Ariella had the right connections to get whatever drugs she could pump into herself if she wanted to. She had the means to do it, and I wasn’t going to let her. “It’s gotta stop,” I told her point-blank without sugar coating it. She narrowed her eyes at me. “I know about your little alcoh
ASHER I stayed patient... or at least I tried. Finding out about the alcohol was the moment that really terrified me. Because Ariella wasn’t like that, she wasn’t reckless and she barely drank unless it was socially, and even then she never lost control of herself. But grief changes people. Loss
ASHER As soon as Leon disappeared, the room became quieter. I slipped my hands into my pockets. “How is he doing?” I asked. Sia’s face softened immediately. “He’s doing great,” she said honestly. “Just as he said himself. If he keeps progressing like this, I’ll contact the school so he can sit
ASHER Luca nodded once. I stood up slowly and walked toward the window overlooking the estate. "We can still pull Fabio in and make him spill everything the hard way." He said. “I want Fabio comfortable,” I responded. “I want him to believe we know nothing. The second he gets nervous, he’ll eith
"You're right. I used you..." I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Knowing that he couldn't see me, but I had to do this. "I mean, who... who wouldn't? You are the Don's sun. You're going to be the next heir. You have everything. My family comes from nothing. And I knew that having your attent
I go back into Dad’s office. Head straight for the safe. I kneel down, press the familiar numbers, and it clicks open. Same passcode. Same stacks. Still there. Not enough for four people. Maybe not even enough for three if we’re being smart. But for one? It’s more than enough. Now comes the hard
I went to the bathroom, closed the door behind me, turned on the tap—and started crying. Silently, as the water rushed into the sink, I let the tears fall. I had to. I needed to get it all out in here, alone, because I couldn’t let Asher see me like this. If he saw me break, he’d know. He’d know I
When Asher arrived, I didn’t have to fake a smile. I didn’t have to pretend to be happy—because I truly was. I had missed him. Deeply. Desperately. The feelings rushing through me were raw and real. I had been waiting downstairs after my mom left my room, too restless to stay still. And the moment







