LOGINASHER Shit. Shit. And another shit. I knew this day would come. I just didn't expect it so soon. I could see the determination in Ariella's eyes when she said it. She was ready and she really wanted to do this. Shit. “I am going to see her,” she told me firmly. “I want to go later in the even
ARIELLA I kept watching Leon and Asher's figure even when they had disappeared completely when Sia asked, “So you're not a morning person, are you?” I turned toward her. “I am. But not if I have to exercise first thing.” “Not at all?” “Absolutely not.” She laughed. “And Asher's trying to g
ARIELLA "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
When we left for Zanzibar, it was just for five days. This time, I had prepared myself. I told Maria I’d call every day. I promised to video call Leon, to check in. And Asher, he promised everything would be fine. That security would be tight. That nothing would go wrong. Just five days, he said. J
We stared at each other, neither of us blinking, neither of us breaking until Asher’s voice finally cut through the tension. “Back to the issue at hand,” he said coldly. “I want to know what you were really thinking. I want to know why Luca was here. And I want to know why you were practically nake
"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







