A different her.

(JARED'S POV)

I blinked and went over the headline again, ensuring I was not reading wrong. But the words did not go away. They were there, as bold as ever.

Then I swallowed hard, forcing my gaze down to the picture below, and my breath hitched. It was her. Arielle.

The same lady at the airport.

The same lady in Ashley's car. Little wonder I was drawn to her earlier in the traffic.

How could I be so blind?

Twice, in just a few days. At the airport, where I had felt that strange pull but brushed it off. In the car, where I tried to catch a glimpse, but she vanished before I could truly see her. Both times, I had let her slip away.

The realization hit me like a ton of hot breaks, shattering my heart. How could tease fate trade me like this?

I had thought I'd never see her again. But here she was.

I stared at her picture, my heart pounding. Arielle. Back in town. Successful. Famous, even.

for Italy's most prestigious restaurant chain, with a branch in New York. I felt an odd surge of pride, but it was quickly drowned by a

her eyes, once so warm and open, now carried a fierce intensity that sent a chill through me. What had happened to her? What had turned the woman I

dialed my investigator. He picked up almost immediately, as

her," I said, the urgency thick in

on it, Sir as I figured you'd ask for information on that.

I reiterated. "Hee life since she left, her accomplishments, her

you a

between fear and something I couldn't define. What if she had moved on? What if...

That boy with her

a moment. I had no right to ask her not to, not

to focus on work, but my mind kept drifting back to Arielle. I found myself opening her alma mater's website, searching for any information about her time at the culinary

photos and accolades. There was no tangible insight into

kept drifting back

her-those eyes, the fierce

become. There was something proud in me, too. Arielle had fought her way to the top, made a name for herself. She had built her

if he had sent a mail, and with each empty inbox, my anxiety grew. Finally, it arrived. I

Subject: Arielle -Comprehensive Report.

report, digesting every

I

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255