Gabriella's POV
I looked at him, and for the first time, my voice softened with desperation.
"Kane… ever since I was a little girl, I told myself I had to become the kind of woman worthy of being your wife. I've tried so hard to be perfect—for you. The best. The one who fits. I saw all those women who came and went in your life, but I never said a word. I endured it all because I believed that if I was patient enough, one day… you'd finally turn around and see me."
But now?
Why… why is it her? Why do you only see her?
"Have you really fallen for Aria?"
The moment I said it out loud, it felt like something hollowed me out from the inside. Maybe I'd known the answer all along, but I was too afraid to face it. And now that the question had escaped my lips, I realized I was even more afraid to hear you confirm it.
Because if it's true… if you really love her… then what am I to you?
"Kane!"
Kane's POVThe moment I landed, I headed straight to the office—I didn't even stop by home.The entire flight, I'd been holding it in. It felt like a searing piece of iron had lodged itself in my chest, burning hotter by the second."Baron, get in here!" I kicked open the office door and flung my suit jacket onto the couch. I didn't even wait for him to knock.The second he stepped inside, I barked, "Tell ACE that Aria left without warning. From this moment on, all collaboration between ATTA and them is officially terminated."I spat out each word like venom, eyes burning with the image of her standing in that run-down courtyard, looking at me like I was a stranger—cold, detached, saying "I don't know him."Just thinking about it made the rage boil over. I grabbed the glass on my desk and hurled it at the wall.Crash.Glass shattered, shards scattering everywhere.Baron flinched, but he kept that same bootlicking calm on his face. "Sir, the contracts with ACE are already drafted. The
Kane's POV"Do you remember what I told you?" I growled, barely holding my temper. "You ran. So you'd better be prepared for the consequences."I couldn't understand it—why did she run?I gave her everything. I kept her by my side. I offered her the world. And still… she fled. As if she wanted nothing to do with me anymore. As if I meant nothing to her."No! Please, don't!" she cried, tears streaking her cheeks as she shook her head wildly. "They're innocent. I'm begging you!"The sight of her crying didn't stir pity in me—it only made something tighten, burn. Not sadness. Not regret.Frustration. Anger.Did she not understand? The more she tried to escape, the more I wanted to keep her. Possess her. Lock her away where no one else could reach.I closed my eyes, drew in a breath to hold back the storm building inside me, then yanked her forward and dragged her into the yard. When we reached the house, I let go, throwing her toward the front door like something I needed to be rid of.S
Aria's POVSan Diego was every bit as beautiful as people said—warm sunshine, clean air, and skies so blue it hurt to look at them for too long.I'd rented a cozy little house with a small yard, the kind with a well-kept lawn and flowers blooming along the fence. It was clear the previous owner had loved this place. Every corner felt cared for.The neighborhood was vibrant and full of places to explore. I told myself I'd stay here for a month—just me, this little house, and nothing else. No responsibilities. No fear. No Kane.And yet… adjusting to life without him wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.At night, when everything grew quiet, sleep refused to come. I'd sit outside with a chair dragged into the yard, my chin resting on my knees, staring at the stars overhead. Maybe it was the lack of pollution here, but the stars looked impossibly bright—like someone had spilled a fistful of diamonds across a velvet sky.I didn't know many constellations, but even just recognizing one o
Kane's POVToday was an absolute disaster.I usually play a clean game of golf—but not today. Every swing was cursed. A slice, a hook, a shank—you name it, I did it.Eden and the others were having the time of their lives watching me unravel. They couldn't stop laughing, tossing jabs like it was their full-time job.When the game finally ended, Eden suggested heading to our usual bar for a couple of drinks. I wasn't in the mood.I waved him off. "You guys go ahead.""Oh, come on," Eden slung an arm around my shoulders, grinning like an idiot. "Don't tell me a few bad strokes ruined your whole day. What, too fragile to have a drink with your buddies?"Before I could respond, Alger was already eyeing me like I was the punchline of a joke. Even Frank, usually the silent type, had a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.Eden must've realized he pushed too far. He retracted his arm with a sheepish grin, tipping his chin to the sky. "Beautiful day, huh?"I looked up instinctively—and s
Aria's POVKane wouldn't let me leave the next morning until he had me once more.I didn't resist. Whatever he asked, I gave.By the time I finished getting ready, it was already past nine."I'll drive you,"he said, lacing his fingers with mine and gently rubbing my palm.I hesitated, unsure how I'd explain his presence to my parents."Relax,"he said, clearly having thought it through. "I won't go all the way to your front door. If anyone sees us, we'll just say I'm your boss giving you a ride. Simple."He had an answer for everything. I nodded and agreed.It was Saturday, and the roads were packed. We chatted idly along the way, until his phone rang. It was Eden, inviting him to a new golf course out in the suburbs. Frank and Alger were already on their way.Kane promised to head there after dropping me off.Just before getting out of the car, I turned to him through the window. "Can I stay with my pa
Gabriella's POVI looked at him, and for the first time, my voice softened with desperation."Kane… ever since I was a little girl, I told myself I had to become the kind of woman worthy of being your wife. I've tried so hard to be perfect—for you. The best. The one who fits. I saw all those women who came and went in your life, but I never said a word. I endured it all because I believed that if I was patient enough, one day… you'd finally turn around and see me."But now?Why… why is it her? Why do you only see her?"Have you really fallen for Aria?"The moment I said it out loud, it felt like something hollowed me out from the inside. Maybe I'd known the answer all along, but I was too afraid to face it. And now that the question had escaped my lips, I realized I was even more afraid to hear you confirm it.Because if it's true… if you really love her… then what am I to you?"Kane!"