mly, shaking her head in quiet refusal, her voice was sof

he line here. This isn't just about you anymore, Ari. It's about your legacy, your father's name... your future but hey, if you're so ag

ed. "And the question remains... where exactly am I supposed to f

your penthouse like Rapunzel for months. It's time to breathe, Ariana. Go places, meet pe

ust... I'm still trying to process

how deeply you loved her, and no one's blaming you for grieving but life doesn't wait forever. You

r chest tightening with emotion. "I know... a

now?" Juliet asked

lve. "You all have been saying the same thing, and maybe I was just too stubborn

missing!" Juliet whooped excitedl

's lips. "So, what about you?

rin in her voice. "Just over here, saving my best f

ed her eyes

d the lively, savage Ariana. I need he

ied, laughing quietly as her shoulde

s hang out tonight, but I'm not in town at the momen

iently," Ariana sa

a few things to handle. I

t. Take

, love

y from her ear and shook her head with a soft

eturned to her room,

as also from Canada, studying abroad like her. For a while, he made her believe in love, in the idea that maybe soulmates did exist. He

because no one came, but because she liked no one. To her, most guys who approached her were either not good-looking or not her type, a

ul 25 year old woman, she still hadn't

r if I have to. I'd rather find the man who truly sees me th

iet defiance. She had dreams but they

ressing on her shoulders. She made her way to her paren

silk handkerchief clutched in one hand, the other brushing away tears from her eyes. Her posture was slou

er voice laced with concern as s

ered, straightening a littl

in hers. "How are you feeling today?" she asked, her eye

smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I

y. "I got a little carried away with everything going on. I've decided

"It's time you took over, Ariana.

mly, trying to sound braver than sh

them, until Ariana glanced toward the untouched tray on th

ok her head. "I

Mom, you can't keep starving yourself like this.

ne of the staff members, instructing them to bring up something light and nourishing. Within minutes, a warm

bites," she encour

hed silently, her heart aching yet steady, determined to be the strength her mother needed

promised, her voice calm and reassuring