LOGINMia'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 POVIt didn't take long for things to change after, because from that day on, everything in the house was different. At first, I thought I was imagining it. Until the next morning, and the next, and the next. It wasn’t just a feeling anymore. It was real.Security at the house had doubled. Guards who used to stand casually at the gates were now positioned at corners, near entrances, even along the garden paths. It was subtle enough for anyone else to ignore, but not me.The first time I tried to leave the house alone, I didn’t even make it past the front door.“Miss Mia,” one of the guards said politely, stepping in front of me, “you’ll need an escort.”I blinked.“An escort?”“Yes, ma’am.”I frowned.“I’m just going out.”“We understand,” he said calmly. “But we’ve been instructed not to let you leave unaccompanied.”“Instructed by who?” I asked, even though I already knew.He didn’t answer.My jaw tightened.“Fine,” I muttered, turning around.The second time I tried, I was mo
Bella's POVEric lifted his head slowly and looked at me, straight into my eyes.I held his gaze, my chest rising and falling.“Good,” I said, my voice still sharp. “Now you can actually hear me.”He didn’t respond, and his eyes didn’t leave mine.I tilted my head slightly, my lips curving into a humorless smile.“Do you want me to continue?” I asked. “Because I have more.”He exhaled and then he shook his head.“No. I don’t.”I blinked, slightly thrown off.“What?”“I don’t want you to keep going,” he said, his voice lower now. “I understand.”A bitter laugh escaped me.“You understand?” I repeated. “That’s convenient even for you.”“I do,” he said, his gaze steady. “You’ve made your point.”“Oh, have I?” I shot back. “Because from where I’m standing, it doesn’t seem like you do.”His jaw tightened.“I know I hurt you.”“That’s an understatement.”“I know I failed you,” he continued, ignoring the interruption. “And I’m not denying any of it.”“Good,” I snapped. “Because you don’t get
Bella's POVThis Godforsaken room was starting to irritate me, and I couldn't bear one more second in here. Hours had passed since Cole, my supposed husband, had left the room.The silence in the room gnawed at me, and my heartbeat throbbed in my skull. I lay back against the pillows, staring up at
Bella's POVI didn't stand there any longer, waiting for this man to maybe drag me into his car, so I marched down the street. I didn’t know where I was going, but anywhere felt safer than stepping into a stranger’s car, especially one who claimed I had once known him.“Bella, please,” Eric called
Bella's POVMy fingers trembled around the phone as Cole’s voice came through.“Bella,” he snapped, breath ragged with panic. “Where the hell are you?”My heart flipped, lodging itself in my throat. “I—I.”“I cannot believe you left the hospital.” His voice rose half a pitch. “You left the hospital
Eric's POVI didn’t even feel the weight of Rose in my arms as I stormed into the hospital, shouting for help. Everything after Bella hit the ground happened so fast that my brain was still trying to catch up. All I knew, everything I could cling to, was the image of her body lying on the road, sti







