(ARIELLE’S POV) I paused in my meal, my cutlery gently slipping away. And then my face heat up in embarrassment. "Oh, Jared and I, we're working on it," I stammered, trying to deflect the conversation. But Jared quickly intervened, his expression sheepish. "Actually, Grandma, it's my issue. I'm th
(JARED’S POV) When morning finally arrived, I couldn't shake off the feeling of relief I felt. I had never wished for morning to arrive like I did last night. Sharing a space alone with Arielle had been a terrible idea. Last night had been pure torture. Her scent had driven me wild. But I was glad
(SOFIA’S POV) Everyone was against me. It was maddening, but I couldn’t sit around brooding any longer. I needed to act, and I needed to act now. My mother’s words rang in my head on repeat: Let Jared know and believe. I had to let him know I was pregnant! But just reaching Jared was a Hercule
He took out his phone and punched on it, dialing Jared's number. He placed it on speaker afterward, and let it ring. As the phone rang, my heart jumped into my mouth as I thought of Jared's reaction. Would he be happy I was bearing his child and finally come back to me? Would he finally realize ho
(ARIELLE’S POV) "No way! You actually spent the night with him? Just because of his grandmother?" Ashley's voice rang with disbelief. "Shh! We didn’t sleep together, Ash!" I felt the heat rise to my cheeks at the memory of last night. "We just… stayed in the same room, that’s all." “Oh, sure," sh
The restaurant was a beehive of activities, as it was noon, it was bustling with lunchtime crowd and orders. We approached the bar, and that's when I saw her. Sofia. Of course. Not a surprise for me anymore. Standing by the bar, her eyes locked into mine with a mix of malice and fierness. Her
(ARIELLE'S POV) "If I go down, you’re coming with me!" A chill shot down my spine as I saw the wild glint in Sofia’s eyes. Her grip on my wrist tightened painfully, her intentions darker than I’d ever imagined. Stephan’s face went pale, his expression shifting from shock to alarm. He lunged forwa
(JARED'S POV) “Why did you save me first this time?” Her question hit me like a jolt, slicing through the silence. She asked it so directly, as if it were a simple thing to answer. But I had no words for her. Not for this. What could I even say? Should I confess how my heart nearly stopped w
The possibility of getting to cook again filled me with strength. “Let’s make a stop at a grocery shop,” I said to Ashley. “Of course. We’d also pick up something for you to eat as well. You haven’t..” “No!” I said more sharply than intended. “Please. I’ll eat when I’m done cooking,” I maintained
(ARIELLE’S POV.) It felt like stepping out of a dream. A long one. The world was a blur around me, full of bright colors swirling into each other in a dizzying dance in the corners of my eyes. Slowly, my vision settled and the colors faded into the fluorescent bulb hanging down from the ceiling. I
(JARED’S POV) The next day, I pulled out of the hotel's driveway, Arielle and Ashley chatting away in the backseat. The atmosphere was lively, with Arielle's infectious laughter and Ashley’s bright smile. I was glad to see Arielle so carefree, even on a day like today. Ashley's presence was a bless
“Okay, how about… the bartender from that rooftop dinner we went to?” “Arielle!” Ashley exclaimed, feigning offense. “Seriously? A random bartender?” I shrugged. “Hey, you never know. Besides, you said it yourself that he was your type.” She rolled her eyes and didn't say a word. I continued the
(ARIELLE’S POV) I halted, my mind going blank. Pregnant? Ashley? It felt unbelievable. The Ashley I know would never let a man knock her up without marriage, she was that uptight. My eyes darted from her beaming face to the hand she was now placing on her stomach. “Pregnant?” The word escaped my l
(ARIELLE'S POV) “Surprise!” She exclaimed, her face beaming with smiles as she stepped fully into the room, pulling a small suitcase behind her. My jaw dropped, and my eyes widened. She looked tired from her trip, but her radiant smile masked it well. “Ashley, what are you doing here?” I asked, st
(ARIELLE'S POV) Back in my room at the hotel, I sat in front of my phone that was placed on the bed’s dashboard, waiting for my mom to answer the phone. Excitement coursed through my system like an unending river, and I couldn't wait to share the good news with my loved ones, my mom topping the cha
“I won’t be long in the shower,” he promised as he dashed into the bathroom. I picked up my phone and found a couple of missed calls from Michael Langley. A little frown crossed my face until I realized he might’ve worried after checking on me at my suite. I didn’t owe him any explanations of cours
(ARIELLE’S POV) I was awake—eyes closed, but very much aware of my surroundings. I could feel the gentle early morning breeze dance over my skin as it traveled across the room. The warmth of Jared’s skin against mine, his spring arms wrapped around me like a second blanket, brought back very vivid