“She’s pregnant!” Jared exhaled heavily. “She can’t be alone right now. What if something happens in the middle of the night? She needs people around her.”“Doesn't she have a family? I understand she's divorced, but what about her family? Parents? Relatives? They are people she should be with and n
(ARIELLE'S POV) I was roused from sleep by a gentle tap. My eyes fluttered open and I saw Jared peering down at me. "Dinner is served, Mrs. Smith," he said, his voice warm and teasing as he pressed a light kiss to my forehead."Dinner? I was startled and sat up. "What time is it?" I inquired, loo
Jared didn’t seem to mind the attention. But I saw the frown when she touched him. His eyes met mine in those fleeting moments, and for the briefest second, I guessed he wasn’t entirely at ease with the way Sofia was behaving.I felt anger gnaw at my chest like worms would do to our intestines whene
(ARIELLE'S POV) I knew what I was about to do was wrong, as it went against my principles, but I couldn't help myself. My hands moved involuntarily as I typed in a password. Jared had mentioned in the car that his password was my name, right? Well, it was time to find out. I typed my name, and to
(ARIELLE'S POV) I felt Jared's body tense beside me, his arms freezing in place. I knew I had said something I couldn't take back. The question was, how would he respond? “Oh, I think I might have used your shampoo accidentally,” Jared spoke up after a while, trying to sound nonchalant. I felt
I saw anger flashing in Sofia's eyes, while I watched the exchange in amusement. “On the contrary, I think Arielle is selfish. Letting you drive her to work even when you're running late, and also coming to pick her up after work every day. She's stressing you out, and she should stop and learn to d
(ARIELLE'S POV)At the close of work, Jared was already waiting outside the restaurant to drive me home.“Your Mr. Perfect is here,” Rebecca announced, her head peeking through my office door.“Go away, Rebecca,” I replied smiling.“Alright, alright,” Rebecca giggled and left.Stepping outside, I ca
“Jared, d-don’t,” I stammered, biting down a moan. “Promise me, Arielle,” he coaxed, his tongue tracing a lazy circle against my pulse point. A broken sound slipped from my lips before I could stop it. “Fine, I promise,” I breathed, surrendering to the heat curling inside me. Jared pulled back
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