Ayva’s POV"What are you doing here?" Bella snapped, her eyes shooting daggers at me. I furrowed my brows, looking behind me to see if she was talking to someone else. But it was just me, which left me confused. We weren't friends, but we were never enemies either."Um, I heard about Justin's..." I started, but she cut me off venomously."Leave!" she spat, not giving me a chance to finish. "Just leave. He doesn't need you here," she added angrily.I tried to explain, "I know he doesn't, but I just wanted to know if he's doing okay because-""His state of health has nothing to do with you. It's all your fault," she said, tears welling up in her eyes. "You ruined everything. You should have never come back. You should have died in that accident. You ruined our wedding. You ruined him," she cried loudly, attracting the attention of the hospital staff and making me uncomfortable. I didn't even have time to process her words or decide if I should be mad."You thief! You took him from me!"

Justin’s POV"The birthday boy is here, so let's kick off this freaking party!" Jace's voice blasted through the speakers as soon as I stepped into the venue of my 30th birthday party, grabbing everyone's attention. I was escorted to the highest podium in the room, where a majestic, throne-like chair awaited me. The space was decked out with drinks and glasses, lining both sides of the chair. As I settled into my seat, the crowd erupted in cheers, and I smirked down at them. From up on that platform, I felt like a fucking king.I arrived at the venue two hours late because my mom insisted I attend the birthday dinner my "mother-in-law" had organized for me. I had to scarf down my food and make a quick exit to ensure I made it to my party before midnight. It was after all a double celebration: my birthday, and New Year’s Eve. Bella had asked if she could come with me, but I flat-out refused. I didn't want someone tagging along and cramping my style, scaring off all the beautiful ladies

Justin’s POVI stirred awake, regaining consciousness as the morning sun seeped in through the windows. I tried to open my eyes but couldn’t because of the ray of blinding sunlight directly shining in my eyes. “I should have shut the windows before going to bed.” I inwardly reprimanded myself. Suddenly a thought came to my head. “How the hell did I get in my room?” The last thing I remembered was getting a ride home from Jace and then going downstairs to the wine cellar and then afterward everything was blank. A dull ache throbbed in my head, reminding me of the consequences of my excessive drinking. ‘Why the hell did I have to go overboard?’ I inwardly groaned, regretting my choices from the night before.And then slowly I started to remember. It had been my birthday and the last person I’d expected to see had attended. My eyes remained closed because I was too lazy to open them, but when I felt a hand suddenly swing around my waist, I froze, and my eyes snapped open immediatel

Ayva’s POVI couldn't find my necklace, not that day or the day after. I tried retracing my steps, hoping to remember when I lost it, but it was all in vain. The last time I remembered having it was at that party, which means the only place I could have lost it was in the taxi I took to the hospital. It made me realize that I might have lost it forever.As that thought sank in, tears welled up in my eyes, but I quickly fought them back. That necklace had been a part of me for two years, providing comfort and support whenever I wasn't feeling well. And now, I had lost it. While I could easily get a new necklace like that, I knew it wouldn't hold the same sentimental value.Liam was still at the hospital, although he was starting to get better. He was able to have a short conversation with Olivia earlier that morning. After he fell asleep, I asked Olivia to go home and freshen up while I stayed to watch over him.“Thank you so much Ayva, you are the best.” She’d said, even though what I

Justin’s POVWas?Ayva was in love with me? How did I never know that he feelings for me were than strong? But, was that enough of a reason for her to up and leave? It didn't make any sense to me."I... I don't get it," I stammered, my mind spinning with confusion. "I mean, was that enough for you to walk away like that?""I needed space. I needed it for myself. And I didn't want to mess up what you had with Bella," she explained."But it doesn't add up," I protested, trying to make sense of it all. "You were in love with me, and instead of telling me, you vanished into thin air and cut off contact with everyone?""And what would telling you have changed?" she snapped, her frustration evident. "Let's not forget that you turned me down the one time I tried to open up about my feelings. You were engaged, so there was no hope for me, and I couldn't keep hanging around, hoping for something that wasn't gonna happen. I did what I thought was best for me, and you don't get to question that