LOGINLiam’s POVI watched my phone as it rang, seeing Joanna’s name on the screen. After talking with the investor, and already receiving texts from the others that mirror his opinions, I had next to no desire to answer this call and speak with Joanna herself.And after what she said on television… She p
Aria’s POVI sat on the couch between Liam and Joe, with William sitting on the other side of Liam, watching as the interview was about to air on television.I’d been nervous, even up to a minute ago, but now I only felt numb. I had no idea what was about to happen, but in this moment, I had nothing
Joe’s POVAfter school the next day, William and Joe are supposed to go to the bus and take it home, but they sidetrack, heading downtown instead. Using one of the kids at school’s phone, they already texted Isabelle their plans, asking her to pick them up. They didn’t stick around to see if there w
Aria’s POVIt was the easiest question of my life. “Of course I do. I love Liam very much.”“Then that’s really all you need,” Jackson said. Seeing I was about to dismiss him, he hurriedly continues. “Listen, I know it sounds cliché, but it’s the honest truth. Does it matter what anyone else thinks?
Liam’s POVI stared at Joanna, as the dread crept up inside of me. She was clearly trying to intimidate me though, as if hoping to see if I’d buckle under pressure, and I absolutely refused to give her that satisfaction. So I rallied myself, standing straighter, and told her plainly, “I won’t be int
Liam’s POVWho the hell did this guy think he was, coming into our home and attacking Aria like that? The interviewer Craig had a bad attitude from the start, but I’d been willing to overlook all of it for the sake of the actual interview. To even get the crew here, I’d had to call in some favors. I
Her eyes flared with anger, meeting mine without backing down. “It wasn’t a game, Liam. I wasn’t trying to mess with you. I was hurt.”“Well, congratulations,” I shot back bitterly, “because that’s exactly what you did. You’ve been dragging me along,and when I finally gave in you threw out the very
We share a smile—one that feels oddly familiar, like a glimpse of what we used to be.But then his phone buzzes, and the moment breaks. Liam glances at the screen, his expression tightening.“It’s work,” he mutters, clearly reluctant. “I have to go. But I’ll be back.”He leans down and presses a kis
Aria’s POVThe house was quiet when I walked in, the faint hum of the refrigerator the only sound to greet me. It felt strange being home again after the hospital, after the fire, after… everything.My body still ached in places I didn’t realize could ache, and my mind was a tangle of emotions I was
Joe clapped his hands, giggling. I couldn’t help but laugh along with him, the stress of everything else melting away, if only for a moment.Isabel leaned back against the couch, watching us with a soft smile. “You’re a natural, Aria,” she said. “Even in the middle of all this chaos.”I shrugged, wi







