LOGINBella's POVThe plane doors closed behind us as we settled and the exhaustion finally hit me. It was an emotional exhaustion... the kind that settled deep inside your chest and refused to leave.I leaned back against my seat as the private jet prepared for takeoff, my fingers resting against the armrest while I stared blankly ahead. Across from my husband and I, Miles already had his headphones on, completely absorbed in his phone like the world around him didn’t exist.I envied him.Beside me, Cole adjusted his seatbelt quietly. I could feel him glancing at me every now and then like he wanted to say something.And honestly?I already knew what it was. I just hoped he wouldn’t.The plane slowly began moving.Then finally—“Bella, baby.”There it was.I sighed softly without looking at him.“Yes?”His voice was calm.“Why did you tell Mia that Eric raped you?”I let out a small laugh.Of course, he went straight to it.I turned slightly toward him.“That’s what’s bothering you?”“Yes,
Mia's POVHis lips were still on mine when he suddenly slowed, and the kiss softened. Then he paused, and then he stopped completely.I blinked slightly, still breathless, my fingers curled lightly into the front of his shirt as I looked up at him. Nikolas stared at my face carefully.“What’s wrong?” he asked out of nowhere.I opened my mouth immediately to deny it.“Nothing.”He gave me a look.“Mia.”I sighed softly and looked away. The warmth that had filled the room only moments ago suddenly felt distant, and heavy thoughts came rushing back too quickly.Nikolas gently touched my chin, guiding my face back toward his.“Talk to me, babe.”His voice was soft and patient, and somehow that made it harder because I knew he genuinely cared.I swallowed then exhaled shakily.“A lot happened before graduation,” I admitted quietly.His expression softened instantly.“Okay, sweetie... what happened?”For a moment, I didn’t know where to begin. How did someone even start a conversation like
Mia's POVI couldn’t look away. I didn’t even realize I was staring until it was too late.Eric stood there, not too far from Alan, dressed just as formally as everyone else, but there was something about him that stood out, maybe it was because I knew now.. knew what he really was and knew what he had done.My chest tightened, my fingers curling slightly around the bouquet in my hand. And then he looked up, straight at me, and our eyes locked. Then for a second, everything around me faded.The noise, the laughter, and the celebration were all gone. It was just him and me.His expression didn’t change much, but then, he raised his hand and gave me a small wave like nothing was wrong and like everything was normal.My stomach turned.I rolled my eyes immediately and looked away, forcing my attention back to Nikolas, who was still speaking with my parents like nothing had just happened.I exhaled quietly, trying to calm myself down, reminding myself to just focus.“Mia?”I blinked.My m
Mia's POVThe moment I stepped off the stage, everything became noise to me with the loud applause, cheers and people's voices calling my name. It all blended into something overwhelming. I barely remembered walking back to my seat because my mind was still stuck on that moment with my diploma in my hand, coupled with the feeling of finally being done.When the ceremony ended, the crowd slowly began to disperse as students rushed toward their families, and families rushed toward their students and just like that, the formal atmosphere dissolved into laughter, hugs, and celebration.I didn’t wait because the moment I spotted my family, I ran.“Mom!”She turned just in time before I threw my arms around her.“Oh my baby,” she said, holding me tightly. “You did it.”“I did,” I laughed softly, my voice a little shaky.My dad pulled me into a hug next.“I’m super proud of you,” he said.“Thank you, thank you,” I whispered.Miles was next. He hugged me quickly but it was tighter than usual.
Mia's POVThe morning of my graduation, and it felt so unreal. But here I was sitting in my family’s private jet, thousands of feet above the ground, on my way to California to receive my degree.I stared out the window, watching the clouds drift by in soft, endless waves which was the complete opposite of what I felt inside.“You’re doing it again, Mia.”I blinked.“What?”“That thing where you stare into space like you’re in a dramatic movie scene,” Miles said from across me.I turned to look at him.“I’m not doing anything.”“You are,” he said, grinning. “You’ve been like that for the past ten minutes. It’s weird.”I rolled my eyes.“Well, maybe I’m just thinking.”“Okay? Thinking about what?” he asked, leaning forward slightly. “Your emotional speech when you get your diploma?”I scoffed.“I’m not giving a speech.”“You should,” he said. “Make it really long. Like, painfully long.”“Why would I do that?”“So I can fall asleep in the audience,” he replied.I grabbed the nearest pil
Mia's POVMy mom's fingers were tightening around my dad’s hand, then slowly she turned to me, and her eyes were softer now.“Mia…” she said quietly.I swallowed.“Yes?”She took a step closer, her voice trembling just slightly.“No matter what you hear tonight,” she said, “I need you to remember something.”I frowned.“What?”“That everything I did…” she continued, her gaze locking with mine, “I did it with your best interest at heart.”My chest tightened and for a second, I didn’t know what to say because whatever this was, it was big.I could feel it.“I know,” I said softly.And I meant it because even with all the frustration, all the anger, all the confusion, I still trusted her.She nodded slowly then she glanced at my dad and he squeezed her hand gently like he was telling her it was okay.“Sit,” she said, gesturing to the chair across from them.I didn’t argue. I walked over and sat down, my hands resting on my lap as I watched them both move to sit on the bed with their hand
Mia's POVWhen we finally arrived at the house, the silence between Zara and me was heavy. I parked the car, turned off the engine, and just sat there for a moment, staring straight ahead, but I couldn't see anything in front of me because my head was still wrapped in what I saw at the cafe.“Mia,”
Mia's POVBy the time Alan finally called, my chest hurt in that deep, aching way that came from crying too much and thinking too hard. My eyes were already swollen, my head throbbing, my body exhausted from carrying emotions that were too heavy for one night and one morning. Zara was still beside
Mia's POVI turned on Zara.“You know what, Zara... why would you say that?” I snapped, pushing myself up from the chair. My legs felt shaky, but the anger rushing through me kept me steady. “Why would you tell him that?”Zara folded her arms defensively. “Because it’s the truth, Mia.”“That doesn’
Mia's POVThe days leading up to Nikolas’ birthday passed faster than I expected, almost like my life had suddenly shifted into fast-forward without asking for my consent. I kept telling myself it wasn’t a big deal. It was just a birthday party. Just a card from a stranger I’d met once.And yet, so







