Aria
I know my family doesn't understand me. I've purposely kept them from getting too close so they wouldn't discover the mistakes I've made. Mistakes that make it impossible for me to let anyone into my life, to connect with them.

Everything I do is to try to make amends for that mistake. I know it puts me in danger, risks my life, but I won't stop. I can't. Not until the monster is gone.

Every step closer I get to the end is also another step closer I take to Cooper. The only man I've ever wanted and the only man I know I'll never have. The secrets I keep hidden will destroy us if they come to light. There's no way around it though. In order to let him in, really let him in, I have to tell him.

And when I do, I won't have to worry that my family doesn't understand me, because they won't claim me any longer. It's what I deserve. Happy ever after isn't in the cards for me. If I make it out of this alive, it'll be alone. Always alone.

Cooper
I've spent years pretending the best night of my life didn't happen. It shouldn't have happened. I shouldn't want her the way I do. She's my best friend's little sister, the one I've protected for most of her life. But the things I couldn't protect her from are what anger me most. Ever since that night, things between us have been different, and it's been years since I felt close to her.

Finding her in the middle of a mission was the last thing I expected, but at least it's an opportunity to change things between us. Or it would if she gave me a chance. Stop running when we get close. The only thing I can be grateful for is that every time she runs, it somehow manages to bring us closer together.

I'm determined to find out all of her secrets. Stop them from keeping us apart. I didn't have a clue that the biggest one would be the one that would pull us entirely apart. One I can't begin to wrap my head around and I wish, I never learnt it. It changes everything and for once, I can't see a way around it this time.

With strong language, violence, no cheating, and a HEA (were you worried?), Aria's Secrets is approximately 48,100 words. It is intended for an adult audience and may include subjects that are sensitive to some readers. Author's Note: story is fiction and contains many emotional topics, see trigger warming below for more. Delivery and discussion of the themes/topics comes from a character's emotional viewpoint and may not be as gentle as a "real life" discussion might present them.
TW: discussions of domestic abuse, stillbirth, child abuse and violence, and gun violence in the story