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
(ARIELLE'S POV) I think it was exhaustion, but I dozed off a little, while still talking to Jared, but it didn't stop me from realizing when he left the room, being a light sleeper. Curiously, I decided to go after him and see where he was headed. Barely a second after he left the room, I got of
His face fell, but he took another step closer, his gaze pleading. “Arielle, I was wrong about everything. I loved the memory of Sofia. But the real woman I hurt was you—the one I let slip through my fingers. I had you, a loving wife, a home, a child on the way… and I threw it all away. I regret it
(ARIELLE'S POV) My last words were firm: “Don’t come any closer, Jared. I mean it.” He halted, his eyes misty. For a moment, I thought he'd defy me, but then he nodded and stepped back. Without another glance, I turned around and hurried off. I refused to look back, quickening my step along the h
(ARIELLE'S POV) The day after a hangover was always brutal—a not-so-gentle reminder that I wasn’t as young as I used to be. As I worked at the restaurant, my back ached in that relentless way it always did these days. When I left, Ashley was still asleep, even snoring a little. Poor thing; she’s r
(ARIELLE’S POV) "Arielle, are you alright?" A voice asked, tapping my shoulder. I instantly jolted back to reality to find Rebecca standing by my side, a worried look on her face. "Yes, of course. Why?" She gave me a look that was both sympathetic and full of concern, her eyes soft. "You’ve
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