Pacing by the door, Ariana's inner turmoil reached a peak. Casting a glance at the villa's fence and then at a large tree nearby, an idea sparked in her mind.

Ariana, with her martial arts prowess, ascended the towering tree beside the wall in just a handful of moves. A limb of the tree stretched over the wall, guiding her gently into the yard. She peeked over cautiously, trying to catch a glimpse of what Holden and Sadie were up to.

Despite her vantage point, all she could see was the living room.

The curtain there was open, but the one on the second floor was drawn shut, allowing only a dim light to seep through.

Ariana felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. She couldn't stop her mind from wandering into various scenarios, each more disheartening than the last. Time seemed to drag on, and she started to fear that Holden and Sadie might be sharing a kiss now.