She maintained a poker face while methodically cleaning up the aftermath of Ryan and his mistress’s hookup. []
Used condoms, torn underwear, rumpled sheets–she tossed everything into the trash and replaced the bedding with fresh linens.]
Throughout their three–year marriage, Ryan had made a habit of bringing different women home. Such post–affair cleanups had become routine for her.
By the time she had done all this, Ryan came out of the bathroom. Crystal–clear water droplets still clung to his firm eight–pack abs. There were all sorts of ambiguous red marks on his neck, and the look of lust on his face hadn’t completely faded away yet.[]
“Has Sophia left?” he asked.[]
Aria gave a slight nod, her expression unchanged.[]
Ryan studied her for a beat before lighting a cigarette, the smoke swirling between them like a barrier.[]
“Sophia’s carrying my kid.“]
Aria’s smile didn’t reach her eyes as she responded.]
“Congrats.”
Ryan crushed his cigarette and walked over to the nightstand, pulling out a neatly bound document from the drawer.[]
“She’s been through hell these past three years. I need to make an honest woman of her.“]
As he thrust the papers toward her, Aria saw “DIVORCE AGREEMENT” emblazoned across the top.
“Sign this, and I’ll grant you one request,” Ryan said, impatience lacing his tone.
“Fine. Wire me a billion dollars to save my family’s company from this shitstorm,” Aria replied without missing a beat, taking the agreement and signing her name without so much as glancing at the terms. 0
Ryan froze, blindsided by her easy compliance. He’d expected tears,
A strange heaviness settled in his chest.
“Deal. Just stay the hell away from Sophia and me afterward!“[]
“Trust me,
gging–anything but this cool acceptance.
I have zero interest in your drama,” Aria replied flatly, handing back the document.
Flustered and pissed off, Ryan snatched the divorce papers, scrawled his signature, and slammed the door on his way
never l
Aria listened for the Porsche’s engine roaring to life before her body crumpled to the floor, her thoughts scattered like brooking back.||
glass.
Her marriage to Ryan had been a business arrangement, orchestrated by their families. They hadn’t even met before the wedding.]
They’d stumbled into marriage like blindfolded strangers and spent three years living as roommates who occasionally acknowledged each other’s existence.[]
In reality, they both have an unforgettable first love in their hearts. ts.
Aria had been head–over–heels for Marcus Cole since sophomore year.]
They were the campus power couple, the real deal.
But when her parents discovered their relationship, all hell broke loose. They burned every letter, every gift the couple had exchanged.[]
They despised Marcus for not having the right connections or a trust fund.[]
Eventually, they placed Aria under house arrest, confiscating her phone and laptop, doing everything possible to keep the lovebirds apart.[]
During one hell of a thunderstorm, as Aria sat crying on her bed, she spotted Marcus looking desperate outside her window.[]
Chapter 1
In the heat of the moment, she squeezed through a ventilation duct and flew into his arms.
“Let’s run away tonight!” she cried, rain soaking them both.[]
They sprinted through the darkness, chasing the freedom they craved more than air.[]
Just as the airport came into view, lightning illuminated several hulking figures in suits approaching from the shadows.
Her family’s security guards.[]
Before Aria could react, strong hands forced her to her knees.[]
“Aria!” Marcus fought like a madman against several guards.[]
Then came the nightmare.]]
Through the darkness, headlights appeared, a horn blaring as a car accelerated directly toward Marcus.
Blood splattered hot across her skin.]]
Everything slowed down, like a horror movie in slow motion. Her scream tore through the night before darkness claimed her.]]
When she came to, they told her Marcus was dead.
They didn’t even allow her to grieve and was immediately arranged to get married the next day.
Over these years, she’d played her part as the dutiful wife, maintaining a picture–perfect façade that concealed an emotional wasteland.
Even when Ryan paraded his conquests through their home, even when his precious Sophia returned from abroad and repeatedly came to flaunt their affair in her face.
She endured it all in silence.
Because deep down, she didn’t care at all.]
Aria sustained herself with fragments of memories–of genuine laughter, of Marcus’s touch, of a love that wasn’t manufactured. She clung to these moments during countless sleepless nights.
The past had branded her soul permanently.[]
She’d fulfilled her parents‘ ambitions, letting Ryan bankroll her family’s financial resurrection.]
Once she managed to hold out until the court’s divorce verdict was finally issued, she could truly breat
and start anew.
Her phone’s shrill ring cut through the silence, pulling Aria from her thoughts.
The cold draft from the window sent a shiver down her spine.[]
She touched her face, surprised to find tears she hadn’t realized she’d shed.[]
After composing herself, she had barely hit “accept” when Ryan’s impatient voice barked through:[]
“Twilight Lounge. Now.”
♡ (0)
