Se connecterKian's POVI had just gotten home from work. The clock on the wall read 9:30 PM. Earlier than usual. I’d pushed everything aside to make it back early just so I could finally give Aria the gift I bought for her.Last night, she was already asleep before I got in. This morning, she had left the house before I could even wake up. I’d planned a dinner date—wanted to propose properly—but since everything kept clashing, I figured I’d move it to the weekend. No more delays after that.But tonight, I’d at least give her the gift. The dress. The ring. Something small to make her smile. Something to show her how serious I am.With that thought, I headed upstairs and stopped at her door. I knocked gently.No answer.I frowned and knocked again, louder this time. Still, no response.A sigh slipped out of me. “Did she sleep off again?” I muttered under my breath. It was only 9:30. And it's still early.I was about to turn around and leave when I noticed something strange. The door wasn’t closed p
Aria’s POVThe phone slipped slightly in my trembling hand. My heart was pounding too loudly in my ears as the man’s voice echoed again in my head—“I want to see you.”What?“W-Why?” I asked, my voice barely steady. “Why would I come and meet you when I don’t even know who you are? Who are you?”I didn’t even realize my voice had cracked until I heard myself. My entire body felt tense. I backed up slightly, pressing my hand to my chest as if that would calm my racing heart.Then suddenly... he laughed.A deep, slow, eerie kind of laugh that sent a shiver crawling straight down my spine. I blinked rapidly, eyes scanning the quiet street around me. I didn’t know why, but I felt like he was watching me from a distance. That laugh wasn’t normal. It wasn’t amused either. It was chilling. What the hell was going on?“W-what do you want from me?” I asked again, now more scared than curious.“I’m just a well-wisher, Aria,” he said, his tone shifting into something eerily calm. “I care about
Aria's POVI picked up the call and held the phone to my ear. “Hey, Valerie. What’s up? Is everything okay?”Valerie’s voice came through, strained and rushed. “Aria, I’m so sorry to bother you this early. My son’s running a really high fever, and I need to take him to the clinic right away.”I straightened, concern tightening my chest. “Oh no. Is he okay? Do you need help with anything?”“I just need you to open the shop for me today,” she said quickly. “Please, handle things while I’m gone. I’ll be back tomorrow, I promise. But I really need to be with him right now.”“Of course, Valerie. Don’t worry about the shop,” I said softly. “Just take care of yourself and your son, alright?”She exhaled in relief. “Thank you, Aria. Thank you so much.”The call ended.I stood still for a second, her worry lingering in my chest. I could only imagine how hard it must be, handling a business and a sick child at the same time. A quiet sigh left my lips as I slipped the phone back into my pocket
Aria's POV I didn’t want to step out today. I really didn’t. But the walls in that house were starting to feel like a cage. I needed air… something different… something normal. So I found myself walking toward Valerie’s shop that morning.It wasn’t far, just a short walk down the street, and the fresh breeze brushing against my skin actually felt good. I smiled to myself just walking, no pressure, or drama. My mind, however, had a different plan.It wandered straight back to yesterday. The chaos. The pain. And then Kian.The way he had jumped into the pool to save me without thinking of himself. The panic in his voice. The desperation in his eyes. Like he couldn’t breathe without me. The way he held me so tightly, as though afraid I’d disappear again. That part replayed in my mind over and over.For a brief moment, it felt like he loved me. Not because I was pregnant or because he felt guilty but because I was me.I almost laughed softly. What was I even thinking?That thought didn’
Ryan's POVWe sat in the muted gray of the car, the engine off, parked discreetly by the corner of the street. It was late — not quite night, but the streetlights were already warming to life, bleeding pale yellow into the darker corners of the city. Ava sat beside me, legs crossed, arms folded, tapping her fingers against the dashboard. We hadn’t spoken for a few minutes, but the silence wasn’t tense, it was strategic and focused like the calm right before the thunder.Our plan was finally coming together.I could feel it. Every piece was falling exactly where we needed it to be.Ava suddenly broke the silence. “Why hasn’t he come yet?” she huffed, glancing at her watch. “We’ve been waiting forever.”I let out a slow breath, trying to keep steady. “Chill,” I said. “Once he’s certain he has everything in place, he’ll show. He’s probably just finalizing details.”Ava snorted, then leaned back in her seat with an annoyed sigh. There was a restless energy about her lately like she was
Kian's POVThe man was standing a few feet away from us, browsing through a magazine and also pretending to inspect a row of jackets. But he wasn’t subtle. His eyes darted toward us for a second too long before he looked away.I stepped in front of Diane instinctively, my body tense.“Stay behind me,” I muttered.Diane whispered, “What the hell is his problem?”I wasn’t sure. But this wasn’t a coincidence anymore.I took a step forward, my gaze locked on him. “Hey,” I called out.The man looked up — startled — then immediately turned around and ran, disappearing into the crowd.“Let’s go,” I said, grabbing Diane’s hand and following him.“Hey! Who are you?!” I yelled, already breaking into a run.“Kian, wait!” Diane shouted behind me. “Stop chasing him, don’t run too much!”But I wasn’t listening. I had to know who he was, what he wanted, and why he kept showing up around me and Diane.The man darted through the crowd, weaving between racks and startled shoppers. I pushed forward, adr







