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
ARIELLA Maria held my hand tighter. “Go back with your head high. Show them how strong you are. Stop feeling guilty for wanting good things. Family comes first.” I smiled faintly. “I don’t think they mean one's own family when they say that.” She laughed, pulling me into a hug, and then I left h
ARIELLA Luca nodded slowly. Maria slipped beside me, pressing a handkerchief into my palm. “Here,” she said. I dabbed my eyes. “Don’t worry, the makeup’s waterproof,” Maria added with a little smile. “You can cry all you want.” That actually made me laugh, a small shaky laugh that broke the ten
ARIELLA I looked up at Asher, a small, secret smile playing on my lips even as I kept him in my mouth. I didn't slow down. I didn't want him to regain his composure. I wanted the raw, unfiltered version of the man who claimed me. "I’m going to come in your mouth," he warned, his breath hitching.
I went towards the kitchen. Maria was in there, and the moment I walked in, she turned towards me. “Is he here?” she asked. “Yeah, he is.” “So, you’re leaving, huh?” “Yeah,” I said softly. “But, why don’t you come with us?” “No.” She shook her head. “I think you guys need this moment. Just the







