LOGINARIELLA My eyes instinctively moved around the table, searching. “Where is Maria?” The question slipped out more naturally than I expected. Not sharp, not loud. Just… there. Maria should have been at the table with Leon. She wasn't but Sia was, why? Sia’s smile didn’t falter, but it softened ju
ARIELLA The next day, Leon and Asher were up bright and early. They went through their morning routine and by the time I woke up, it was already around eight. I took a shower, got dressed, and headed downstairs, wondering why they still weren’t back. They had left at five in the dark of the morni
ARIELLA “What the hell is going on here?” Asher asked. Maria dropped the pillow immediately, Like she had just realised we were there. She stepped back quickly, wrapping her arms around herself, her eyes avoiding all of us. “Luca,” Asher said, his voice harder now. “What the hell is going on?”
ARIELLA Leon looked at Luca more carefully this time And for a second, I saw it.... The shift, the realisation that Uncle Luca wasn’t his usual self. Leon then just nodded slowly. “Okay, Dad,” he said. “I’ll go inside with Mom.” Then, like nothing had changed, continued “It’s bath time an
ARIELLA This time, Luca answered. “She climbed higher than she should have,” he said, his tone quieter now, steadier. “Lost her footing.” Leon’s eyes widened. “And then?” “Asher caught her,” Luca said simply, nodding toward him. “Before she fell.” Leon turned to Asher, as if he had just confir
ARIELLA Asher gave me a questioning look as he sat down. "What's going on?" He whispered low. I shrugged slightly. "Sia happened," I whispered back. Frowning. “So,” Asher said, turning back to Leon, “how was your day?” “It was fun!” Leon said immediately. “I learned so much. And she told me th
And now my mom was full-on crying, and I was lost as I just stood there. I wasn’t expecting this. “Why?” I asked carefully, slowly. I didn't believe her. “He doesn’t think you can do it. He doesn’t want you to do it. And he’s decided to put all our lives at stake,” she said, wiping her tears. “He’
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
Anger flashed across Asher’s face, fiercer than I have ever seen. This was real fury and for the first time, it was directed at me. “You’ve lived a sheltered life, Ariella. You have no idea what I would do if you broke your word. I’ve had hardened men say no, and in the end, they gave up all their
He should have. This felt amazing. He lowered himself between my legs, and I opened them for his strong body without hesitation, loving the feel of his powerful, warm body on top of me. He cupped both of my breasts with his hands, squeezed lightly, never taking his eyes off me—nor did I take mine of







