Masuk(ARIELLE'S POV) They say graduation is a milestone. Personally, I think they just want an excuse to make six-year-olds wear polyester caps and parents panic over gift baskets. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself while burning my fingers on the tiny iron-on badge that said “Class of the Yea
The words barely left my lips before the tears did—slipping down my cheeks faster than I could stop them. Jared stood quickly, his hand reaching for my face. “Why are you crying?” I laughed—choked and shaky. “It’s nothing. Sorry. I didn’t mean to…” My fingers trembled as I tried to wave it off
(ARIELLE’S POV) The celebration downstairs had barely ended when the crowd began to surge. Voices surrounded me—some calling my name with admiration, others offering business cards, invitations, flattery. Reporters waved microphones; investors hinted at million-dollar offers. Somewhere, someone
He approached her side quietly. "You look comfortable being the brightest star in the room, Miss Meyers," he murmured. She rolled her eyes, amused. "Don’t start. I already got three reporters asking if I’m the future Mrs. Smith. What’s funny is—I could’ve just said yes. I mean, technically, I am M
(AUTHOR'S POV) Another year had passed. Jared wasn’t the only one who forgot everything quickly. The whole world did the same thing. Just over a year ago, Jared Smith was still the unshakable CEO of the Smith Group—a name that once carried weight in every financial headline and luxury gala invita
(JARED'S POV) In the days that followed, I no longer recognized anyone or anything. There was just a feeling of emptiness and numbness that hung deeply inside of me. But there was a particular pretty woman who always visited. I wake up to find her in my room most mornings, and most nights she sits
(DWAYNE’S POV) I sat in my car for moments after I arrived at Arielle’s house. I started out through the car window quietly, looking at the short flight of steps leading to the entrance door while I thought about the chain of events that had led up to the present. She tried to put up a strong front
(ARIELLE’S POV.) The air felt cold and the floor underneath me rough to touch. I couldn’t tell how much time had passed since Denzel picked me up. He’d put the blindfold back on. At some point, we’d switched locations. For some reason, he didn’t feel comfortable with the dock. But I could still sme
“You’ve been almost non-existent for awhile now,” he began. I remained silent, my eyes still fixed on the empty nothingness before me. “I just thought the longer I waited to tell you this… I’m afraid for you, Arielle. I’m bot saying you won’t survive this. It’s just… You deserve to know the truth
(ARIELLE’S POV)Time rolled by in a blur, with the days turning into weeks and the weeks into a month. I tried to get over the last incident at my doorstep, to cope with the new normal I’d come to accept as my life. I eventually had to give in to Jared and Dwayne’s plea to cooperate some more with th







