(ARIELLE'S POV) The next morning, I got prepared and left for work early. With all I overheard the previous night, I would rather not face Jared or Sofia. As I boarded a cab to work, I couldn't stop thinking about how to come up with a plan to send Sofia away and take back control of my life and m
(ARIELLE'S POV) My breath was taken away, but not in a good way. Not in the way the sight of the man one loved does, but in a way when one saw something heartbreaking and unimaginable. On the foot of the bed, sat Jared, with Sofia straddling him, her hands thrown around his neck. I stood frozen,
(ASHLEY'S POV) I shifted uncomfortably on the couch, my eyes fixed on the wall clock. Four hours had passed since Arielle was rushed into the emergency room, and yet, I had heard nothing. No updates, no news, just an eerie silence that was driving me nuts. I had tried calling Jared multiple times,
(ARIELLE'S POV) I groaned and tried to sit up on the bed, while glancing around my surroundings. I was in a hospital room, but I had no idea how I got there. I tried to recall, but my mind was a blur. That was when I saw her, Ashley. She was sitting next to me, her head resting on the bed. “Ashle
(ARIELLE'S POV) Ashley hesitated, her eyes dropping for a moment before meeting mine again. “No,” she said softly. “I've been trying to reach him, but his line has been unreachable. I intended to go look for him but…" Her voice trailed off, and she squeezed my hand gently. “You were unconscious,
(JARED'S POV) I slowly opened my eyes, and found myself lying on my back. As I looked around, I realized I was lying on the bed, in the bedroom. But something felt off. I tried to sit up, but a sharp headache hit me, and I winced. Still, I defied the pain and sat up, rubbing my temples. Where was
(SOFIA'S POV) I watched Jared dial the number, my mind racing with frustration, and I wished for nothing but to snatch the phone. Why was he still bothering with her? Didn't he realize I'd done him a favor by getting rid of her? Shouldn't he be grateful? I recalled the events that led to this mome
(JARED'S POV) I pressed the doorbell button on the wall beside the door, and waited for a response, but a few minutes later, none came forth. I tried again, but got same unresponsiveness. Confirming my suspicion, I grasped the door handle, and sure enough, it was locked. I mentally smacked myse
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