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
By now it was afternoon turning into evening. Nobody was home. So I decided to wait for them to come back whenever they felt like it. Of course, I wasn’t just sitting there and waiting. I was watching the neighbours. Wondering which one of them it could be. The neighbour on the left, just an old co
ASHER When I left Ariella in the bathroom, my phone was ringing. I went toward my clothes, dug into my pocket, and pulled it out. Luca. Of course. I picked it up. "Where are you?" His voice came in sharp, tense. "This is not good, Asher. People will start pointing fingers when they realize you'r
ARIELLA The truth is, I'm nervous. I am so freaking nervous. I feel like this will not be a good conversation. I feel like this is it. This is the time that Asher tells me we're going back. This is it. I can feel it in every part of my body. And the last thing I want is to go back and be kept in a
I couldn’t hold the look. I glanced away, fast. A hush slowly settled over the room as the teacher stepped forward to welcome everyone. I sat still, hands folded tightly in my lap, heart thudding against my chest, not because of Dana, or Alan, or even Maria’s concerned glances from beside me. But b






