LOGIN(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
(ARIELLE’S POV.) I froze in shock at the sound of the gunshot and for moments afterwards, the sound rang in my head, blocking off every other sound. Denzel’s eyes were filled with dark hatred even as he fell into the ocean. And I could imagine that they’d haunt me for a very long time. I tried to
I nodded, seeing the sense in his suggestion. “Sure,” I said, pulling out my phone to call Michael. He informed me he was at the hospital now and gave the name. “Let's go,” I said to the cops. I drove ahead in my car, leading the cops, while they followed closely behind. We arrived at the hospita
(JARED'S POV) The docks were a battlefield—cops on one side, Fletcher’s men on the other, weapons drawn. Gunfire erupted as enemies emerged from the shadows, but they were no match for our trained force. I crouched behind a crate, my mind only on Arielle. Was she here? Was she safe? When the gunf
I dialed the contact I’d been given. He was supposed to be the best freelance security personnel in the country. Well let’s hope he lives up to the hype now, I thought aloud. “Yes?” his gruff voice cut through the line after a couple of rings. “Am I speaking with Fletcher? I have a little job for







