LOGINAuthor's POV
Vivian Duncan watched Aria Jones walk away and couldn't hide her annoyance as she turned to her brother. "Owen, how do you know her?" she demanded.But Owen Duncan was still staring after Aria's retreating figure, completely oblivious to his sister's question.Vivian had already taken a dislike to Aria, and seeing her brother's reaction only made her temper flare. "Owen! Don't tell me you like her?"She was well aware of her brother's reputation with women. AnSylvia's POVI couldn't help but smile as I watched Claire with her mother. In that moment, I saw exactly where Claire had inherited her fiercely generous spirit.Once Mr. Bennett had excused himself to join his business associates, only Mrs. Bennett, Claire, and I were left in our cozy—if rather opulent—corner of the hall.I'd been quietly worried that we were keeping the Bennetts from mingling with the other guests, but the second her husband's back was turned, Mrs. Bennett let out a genuine, relieved sigh. "Finally, he's gone! A man hovering about ruins all our girl talk, doesn't it?"Claire huffed in unmistakable agreement, nodding vigorously. "Exactly! Dad's always so stiff with all that business chatter. Poor Aria could barely keep up!"Mrs. Bennett reached for my hand, her touch warm and unexpectedly maternal. "Claire calls you Aria, so I hope you won't mind if I do the same, dear? And please don't pay Mr. Bennett any mind—he's spent
Aria's POVI couldn't believe Claire remembered that incident from five years ago. It felt like such a distant memory, almost entirely faded from my mind.That day, after the competition and award ceremony, I was supposed to make a quick exit. But the organizers had insisted we record performance videos. As the reigning champion, I went first, eager to be done. I was in a hurry to leave, truly—didn't want anyone to discover the true identity behind my masked persona.Nana wanted to film me doing a short segment, so I took a jet ski to the calmer, more secluded side of the shore. Just as I finished recording, shouts pierced the twilight air from the main beach. It was sunset already, and I couldn't see clearly from that distance. But following everyone's frantic gaze, I spotted someone standing precariously on a cluster of rocks, already being swallowed by the ocean.The tide was rising fast, a relentless force, and those rocks would soon be completely submerged. Without a second thoug
Aria's POVI glimpsed Claire across the dining room, animatedly pointing out dishes she thought I'd love. My mind wasn't on the food though. That nagging question had been eating at me all evening."Claire, can I ask you something?" I finally blurted out.She glanced up, a bit startled by my serious tone. "Sure, what's up?"I leaned forward, lowering my voice. "That thing you mentioned earlier, about me saving you five years ago... was that actually true or were you just saying that for Aiden's benefit?"The truth was, I'd been racking my brain for hours and couldn't remember any heroic rescue on my part. At twenty-five, I wasn't exactly in the business of saving damsels in distress.Claire's eyes widened before her face broke into an amused smile. "God, that's what you're worried about? Of course it was true!" She playfully swatted my arm. "Though I'm a little offended you don't remember. Guess I didn't make much of an impression, huh?"Heat crept
Aria's POVWatching Aiden's amused face as I shifted nervously beside him, my heart fluttered when he reached over and squeezed my hand."Don't worry," he said with that reassuring smile that always melted my insides. "If Thomas tries to kick you out, I'll leave with you." He paused, his thumb brushing across my knuckles. "Though I doubt he'll try anything tonight."I bit my lip, unconvinced. "But what if he does? You can't just walk out of your own uncle's sixtieth birthday with all these important people watching. Wouldn't that be mortifying?"The guest list tonight was packed with New York's elite. The thought of Aiden storming out with me in tow made my stomach clench."If anyone should be embarrassed, it won't be us," he replied with such easy confidence that I couldn't help but believe him."Okay," I nodded, drawing strength from his certainty.Our car pulled through the hotel's grand entrance. Thomas Carter had rented out the entire five-sta
Author's POVVivian Duncan watched Aria Jones walk away and couldn't hide her annoyance as she turned to her brother. "Owen, how do you know her?" she demanded.But Owen Duncan was still staring after Aria's retreating figure, completely oblivious to his sister's question.Vivian had already taken a dislike to Aria, and seeing her brother's reaction only made her temper flare. "Owen! Don't tell me you like her?"She was well aware of her brother's reputation with women. Any beautiful female could easily catch his interest. While Vivian had to admit that Aria Jones was indeed beautiful, she hadn't forgotten how the woman had humiliated her during that shopping incident. There was absolutely no way she would accept Aria as her brother's girlfriend.Owen only snapped back to reality when Vivian tugged at his sleeve. He finally tore his eyes away from Aria's direction and looked at his fuming sister. "You know her?" he asked."Of course not! Who would want
Aria's POVDarkness cradled us both, our mingled breaths the only sound between us. Time stretched and contracted until my lips felt parched from our earlier heated exchange.God, I needed water.I shifted slightly against Aiden's solid frame beneath me, instantly feeling him tense."Baby," he groaned, his voice husky with restraint. "What's wrong?"I heard the unspoken warning in his tone—if I kept squirming against him like this, his impressive self-control would snap."I'm thirsty," I whispered, feeling the vibration of his chest as he let out a low chuckle.Aiden patted my back gently, signaling me to move. I rolled off him reluctantly, my body still tingling from where we'd been pressed together. He sat up and switched on the bedside lamp, bathing our bedroom in a soft golden glow."I'll get you some water," he said, sliding out of bed.The mattress rose as his weight left it, and I sat up, pressing my palms against my flushed







