7. GOING AWAY

ARIA'S POV

“Then go,” my father growled, standing up from the table. “I disown you as my daughter.”

“Don’t say that, dear…” Carolina fake-interjected.

“No, Lina. Let her go.” He yelled at her.

“You idiot!" He says addressing me. "Was I the one that asked him to dump you, Aria? If you had been a good girlfriend, would he have left you for your sister?

You couldn't even accomplsh a simple thing as keeping your man happy, and now you are here talking down to me?

You are acting the same way your mother did, just because she was providing for us during the short while I was broke! I can see you are really Brianna's daughter.

Honestly, I wonder whose daughter you actually are. Because this was the same promiscuous way she acted when she was married to me, and now you are doing the same!"

He pointed a shaking, furious finger at my body. "Look at you! Marks all over your body… shameless. Who did you go and sleep with last night?”

I just stood there, watching my father throw those vile words directly at me. His daughter.

I was completely disappointed, but honestly, I wasn't surprised.

I hadn't know he carried this much deep-seated grievance and hatred toward my dead mother and me.

If only my mum had listened to her own family and not chosen a man like him...

“Please, calm down, dear,” Carolina pleaded softly, rubbing my father's back. “You already know how Aria is. This is not the first time she’s done this. Don't get too annoyed and hurt yourself.”

“Yes, calm down, Dad,” Lora added quickly, her voice smug. “The doctor already said you shouldn't stress yourself because your blood pressure is already high.

Jamie boo and I will take you out for some outdoor recreation later in the day to relieve you.”

I didn't say another word to any of them.

My mother had spoiled me rotten, raising me with the fierce pride of a queen, and I refused to let these low-class parasites see me break.

If I loved you, I loved you completely.

But the moment you crossed me, you became nothing to me.

Jamie was dead to me. My father was dead to me.

Turning on my heel, I marched straight upstairs to my bedroom.

I grabbed a small duffel bag from the closet and began tossing in only my most important, irreplaceable things, my mother’s old design journals, her jewelry, and my legal identification papers. I left behind every single piece of expensive clothing or luxury item my father had ever bought for me.

I zipped the bag shut, pulled the stranger's oversized black coat tightly over my torn purple dress to hide the state of my body, and walked back down.

When I walked back down, they were still there, watching.

I stopped at the last step, looked straight into his eyes.

“We’re not family anymore.” my voice sounded empty even to my ears.

"I am leaving permanently so you can all finally be the happy little family you always wanted to be. Enjoy your kingdom you built on my mother’s grave.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lora’s eyes widen, and her mother’s eyes brightened with triumph.

Victory.

Let them have it.

I walked out the door.

But I hadn't made it past the driveway before heavy footsteps pounded against the concrete behind me.

A hand gripped my wrist, forcing me to spin around right near the security gate.

It was Jamie.

His face was flushed, his jaw tight, and his eyes were practically burning into the male coat swallowing my body.

"Aria, what the hell is wrong with you?" Jamie hissed, his grip tightening on my arm.

" When are you finally going to grow up and think before you act? Why did you sleep with him? Who the fuck was it? You are always so damn impulsive!"

I looked down at his hand on my wrist, disgust washing over me.

The audacity of this clown was truly unmatched.

My hand still hurt from the slap I gave Lora, I would have given him his too.

"Let go of me before I lose my mind," I spat. I ripped my arm out of his grip with enough force to make him stumble back.

I tilted my head, eyes cold. "Who I sleep with, anything concerning my life is absolutely none of your goddamn business anymore. Who the hell do you think you are to tell me what to do?"

"Aria, listen to me," Jamie pleaded, stepping closer, his voice dropping as he glanced back at the house.

"You're ruining everything. Just follow me back inside. Beg your dad. He's furious right now, but if you apologize, I know he will forgive you. Just stop being so stubborn for once."

I let out a mocking laugh that cut right through his words.

"Beg him?" I asked, stepping directly into his space, my face filled with pride that made him freeze.

"Have you no shame, Jamie? Seriously. Look at you. You left my bed to climb into my sister's, and now you have the nerve to stand in my house and judge my life? If you don’t know what to say, keep your pathetic mouth shut. Don't interfere interfere in my business."

"I'm just trying to help you..."

"I don't need your help, and I sure as hell don't need your permission." He meant absolutely nothing to me now. He was just dust on my shoes.

"Don't you ever open your mouth to call my name again. You are nothing but a shameless cheat, a liar and a gold digger. Now get the fuck out of my way."

Jamie stood there stunned, his face pale as I threw my duffel bag into the passenger seat of my BMW, and slammed the door shut.

I was done.

With all of them.

I started the engine, drove right past Dan at the security gate, and left with the hope of never coming back again.