LOGINARIELLA Sia smiled at us briefly, then turned her attention back towards Leon. Maria was already setting the table, moving quietly, but her eyes lifted to me for just a second. Leon was still talking. Still laughing, completely happy and at ease with everything. “Mom, sit here,” he said, pulling
ARIELLA 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
ASHER I went to bed and lay in waiting, my eyes fixed on the ceiling. Every nerve in my body was awake. The house was too quiet, the kind of silence that hums before a storm. When the time finally came, the lights flickered once, then went out. Total darkness. The power had been cut. This was it.
ASHER I had hoped that giving my brother power would make him see me, really see me. I thought it would bring us closer, maybe even make him turn away from this ridiculous plan he had with Dinara. I believed, foolishly, that if he felt valued, if he held something of his own, he would let go of th
ASHER The second shot tore through the air, a hot, sharp sting across my shoulder. Pain flared, but I didn’t falter. My instincts kicked in before my mind could process. I spun, gun raised, and caught the glint of Dinara’s weapon aimed directly at me. Her eyes were unflinching, burning. The chaos
ASHER When the flight landed back home, I was tired and a little frustrated, but I was also determined, determined to fulfill the promise I had made to Ariella and Leon. I had to work fast. I had to be diligent. I had to be careful. On my way there, I watched the cameras at home. I just wanted to







