MasukAaron's POV
My car left the US-101, merging onto a two-lane road that sloped downward toward the coast. Malibu was twenty minutes away.
Then my phone vibrated on the dashboard. I answered immediately.
“Yeah.”
“There’s a problem,” the voice on the other end said, tight and direct. “Angela’s being followed.”
My eyes narrowed. “By who?”
“Ian Bennett. Alone. He’s been tailing her sinc
Aaron’s POV“I’m sorry.”My chest tightened the moment I heard those words.“We couldn’t save your mother.”I just stood there, staring at him. Hearing it… but not really processing it.He led me into another room. My steps felt heavy, but I kept walking.We stopped.My mom was lying there. A white sheet covered her up to her chest. Her face was pale. She was still… not moving.I walked over slowly and stopped beside the bed.Staring at her.That was the moment I realized there was nothing left for me in this world.Time seemed to stop.Or maybe it kept moving, just without me in it.The police showed up.They asked me a few questions about my mom’s death.They said they hadn’t caught the person responsible yet. A hit-and-run, they called it. They just said they’d keep investigating.It didn’t
Aaron’s POVI stood there for a few seconds after her hand slipped from my arm.She was already asleep, but her words were still hanging in my head.I turned and walked out of her room, heading downstairs to mine.I stepped into the bathroom. Cold water hit me the second I turned the shower on. It should’ve been enough to clear my head, but it wasn’t.I braced both hands against the wall, lowering my head as water ran down my face and neck. But I wasn’t seeing the white tiles in front of me.I saw her.Her face.The way she looked at me.The way she said she wanted to leave without hesitation.My jaw tightened.Fuck.What the hell was I thinking?I let out a rough breath.She wants to leave.That should be a good thing.That was the plan from the start, wasn’t it?Break her. Make her give up. Make her feel what I felt back then.
Aaron’s POVAngela’s hand was already on the door handle.She pushed it open and stepped out just like that, as if she could really just walk away.As if I’d let her.I watched her for a second, my jaw tightening, the engine still running.Then I got out.“Angela.”She didn’t stop, if anything, she walked faster.I closed the distance in a few strides and grabbed her wrist.She jerked, immediately trying to pull free.“Where do you think you’re going?”“Let me go.”My grip tightened.“No."I yanked her back, shoving her until her back hit the side of the car.She shot me a sharp look, her eyes burning.“Who said you could leave?” I said, my voice low and cold.“I told you, I’ll pay you,” she shot back. “I don’t want to ruin your relationship with Lyla. T
Angela’s POVI turned away the second I saw Aaron kissing Lyla and walked straight back into the restroom.My chest tightened, my eyes burning. I gripped the edge of the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror.Stupid.I shouldn’t have let things go this far.I knew exactly where I stood with him.I should’ve remembered that.I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on my face, hoping it would dull the ache.It didn’t.The restroom door opened, and Beth walked in.“Well, there you are,” she said.“What's up?” I asked.She studied me for a moment. “You okay?”“Yeah.” I gave a small shrug. “Just a little dizzy. I had a bit too much to drink.”“Did you throw up again?”I shook my head. “No.”She nodded. “Come on. Let’s go back inside.”
Aaron's POVMy mind kept circling back to last night.I shouldn’t have kissed her.It had happened in a split second, my hand gripping her jaw, the look in her eyes throwing me completely off balance.Just for a moment.But that had been enough to crack every wall I’d built over the years.I let out a slow breath, my fingers tightening slightly around the pen in my hand.Then my phone buzzed, snapping me out of it.A message from Lyla.Can you come with me to the wrap party tonight?I typed back without thinking.Okay.And now I was there.A private lounge, filled with laughter and conversation.My eyes immediately found her.Angela.She was sitting a few seats away, quieter than usual. Barely talking.Lyla said something beside me. Someone else chimed in. I responded when necessary, nothing more.My attention drifted back to Angela.I watc
Angela's POV“I don’t know,” I muttered.“I don’t even know what to call this.”I swallowed, my fingers curling slightly at my sides.“You asked me once… if I was jealous. If I liked you.”His brow creased just a little, but his eyes never left mine.“I couldn’t answer you back then.”I let out a slow breath. My chest felt tight.“Is this jealousy?” I continued. “Because every time I see you with her, it feels like something’s squeezing my chest.”“Is it because I like you?”“Because I hate it when you ignore me. I hate it even more that it works."“If this is about the contract,” I said quietly, “Part of me doesn’t want that to be the only reason I’m here anymore.”I held his gaze.He didn’t say anything. Just watched me.Tha
Angela’s POVI didn’t expect to get caught like this.Aaron’s gaze stayed fixed on me. Not surprised. Not angry either. That was what made my chest tighten.“Aaron…”“You heard that call?” I asked.“A script
Aaron’s POVI remembered her question about her father as I watched her sleeping face.Right.I was the one who helped her father get the job at my company.I didn’t have a rational reason.I just did it.Her eyelids twitched. Slowly, she woke up.
Angela's POVThe footsteps drew closer. I held my breath, my body tightening on instinct.But the moment a man in a neat black suit came into view, the tension drained out of me.It was just Aaron’s assistant.Darren.“Miss Jones?” His voice was
Angela's POVAaron let out a shallow breath.“Whatever I said last night, forget it.”Just like that.Forget it.I stared at him.“What if I can’t forget it?” I asked. Quiet, but steady.His gaze shifted instantly. Fully foc







