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
(JARED’S POV) I looked into Arielle’s eyes intently, my chest rising and falling heavily with effort as the rest of the world went silent around us. She looked at me, her breathing matching mine—barely existent, all withdrawn because of the shock of my outburst. All I could hear were my own thoug
Did he even realize the simple fact that he was with Sofia was enough to tear me apart? She was the source of my pain for three years, and now he was with her, again. Why? Why?! Argh! A silent scream tore through my mind. I grabbed my head in my hands and rocked back and forth. I moved a little to
(SOFIA’S POV) The air in the room was charged with raw tension, alive and electric. Jared was still standing by the door with his new girlfriend — my replacement, perched on his arm. She didn’t even have the decency to stand by herself, leaning on Jared the whole time like a silly highschool teen
(ARIELLE’S POV) We walked like robots, mechanically, still stunned by the unexpected turn of events. Who would have known we were walking right into the arms of Jared’s mother? Ashley was silent beside me on the sofa. She had her arms folded across her chest, and I could see the apprehension on he







