6. THE SHOW

ARIA'S POV

The heavy front door clicked shut behind me. I stood on the smooth white marble floor of the foyer for a few seconds, to prepare myself before meetingtheir disgusting faces.

Then I heard the laughter again. Louder this time.

It was coming right from the dining room down the hall. Lora’s annoying, high-pitched giggle with my father’s deep voice.

What a great, happy, bright morning.

"Oh, Jay boo, stop it! You're spoiling me too much," Lora’s voice floated down the hallway as I walked in their direction, gagging at her words. "Dad, tell him he has to stop."

"The boy knows how to treat his future wife, Lora," my father replied. I could hear the thick pride in his voice. It was never present when he addressed me. Ever.

"He’s a good man."

A wave of vomit hit the back of my throat.

A good man indeed.

The same man who left one sister for another.

What a spectacular sense of morals.

I stunmbled as I increased my pace wondering if the distance had always been this goddamn long.

My heels hit the marble, making a sharp Krr... krr... krr sound against the floor. I knew they heard it because the room went quiet.

Good.

Let them hear me.

I couldn't wait to rush in there and beat the hell out of Lora's miserable, scheming life.

I wanted to sprint back down the steps, jump into my BMW, and drive until the engine exploded. I wanted to call Daisy and scream until I lost my voice. I wanted to do a lot of things, but I had to calm my impulses down.

Becauses I couldn't. If I left right now, Lora won.

She would think she had had achieved the unachievable.

I rounded the corner into the dining room.

My father at the head of the table, a tabloid in hand.

Carolina, his wife, sat beside him, smiling softly over her cup innocently.

And across from them sat the newly engaged couple.

Lora hand rested possessively over Jamie’s, the huge ring on her finger catching the morning light like a trophy.

“Hi, dear,” Carolina called out in her fake voice. “Darling, look who is finally back.”

"Aria?" my father’s voice cut through the room full with disapproval.

"Where have you been? Look at yourself.” His eyes swept over me in disgust. “What on earth are you wearing?"

"What am I wearing?" I repeated, my voice shaking with fury. "Is that really what you want to ask me right now, Dad?"

I looked past him, my eyes locked on Lora. “You should ask your precious daughter what she did too me last night.”

Lora immediately looked at dad, her lip trembling, looking very pitiful as if she were the one being bullied. An actress through and through.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said softly. “I never left Jamie’s side. We were together all night… right love?”

Jamie didn’t answer immediately. His eyes were on me the marks on my neck.

Something flickered across his face anger… or something else i really don't care about whatever.

“Yes,” he said finally, his jaw tight.

Lora relaxed, leaning back in satisfaction. She twirled her ring slowly.

“Where were you, Aria?” she asked, her voice light, almost playful. “You missed everything. Jamie and I are getting married.”

Her gaze dropped to my coat. “That doesn’t even belong to you. Whose is it? It looks way too big—"

Smack.

Her head snapped to the side.

Smack.

The second slap landed harder. A sharp cry tore from her lips.

I would have delivered the third one but strong hands locked around my arms, yanking me back.

How dare she ask me who? Wasn't it all her going?

Crack.

I heard the sound first before the pain.

My head snapped sideways, my vision blurring as heat exploded across my cheek.

Everyone in the room looked visibly shocked. Even Lora quit her wild wailing.

My father had just slapped me. For Lora.

"What in the hell is wrong with you? Why would you hit your sister?” He slammed his hand down so hard that some of the dishes on the table shattered on the floor, orange juice leaking everywhere from a broken pitcher.

"I have had enough of your attitude, Aria! Your sister just got engaged, and, look at you looking so… ridiculous. This is a great day for this family.”

“I will not have you ruining it with your petty jealousy and your disheveled appearance! Go upstairs, take that ridiculous coat off, and present yourself properly!"

A slow tear slid down my face. I still couldn't believe I had just been slapped.

“You think this is about jealousy?” My voice came out quieter than I expected. “You think I am doing this because I’m jealous?”

My throat tightened. “Why didn't you ask your good daughter what she had done? How she had set—"

"Aria," Carolina cut in, her voice gentle as if I were a naughty child causing trouble.

“I know you are not happy with everything right now. But this time you don't have to be so impulsive, especially in front of a guest.”

“Go to your room, tidy your appearance. I am sure you must have had a very long day. Look at you, stressing the poor man. Jamie, dear, you can let go of her now.”

I hadn't even registered that the hands locking me in place were Jamie's. I shrugged his touch off immediately, ripping myself away from him.

I ignored Carolina. I didn't have time for her psychological games this time.

I would do what I wanted to do, when I wanted to.

“Do you even know what day yesterday was?” I demanded, turning back to my father.

“ Did you even care before you did this to me? Would my mother have been alive and I would be facing all of this? Would she..."

“Aria...” Jamie started.

“Don’t say my name!”

My voice echoed through the room. “You don’t get to speak to me.”

I looked back at my father, something inside me finally breaking open.

“My boyfriend was taken from me right under your nose,” I said, a bitter laugh escaping. “How long has it been? How long have they been doing this behind my back? Don't you feel a drop of pity for me?”

No answer of course.

“I’ve given up everything in this house,” I continued. “Everything. You asked—I gave. Over and over again. You even gave away my university slot. The one MY MOTHER secured for me before she died to your daughter! I had to make my own way into that school”

“Yesterday was my birthday,” I said. “And you didn’t even remember.”

“I thought…” My voice faltered. “I thought at least we shared the same blood.”

My father expression changed but it hardened just as quickly.

I glanced at Carolina.

“You brought in your SECRETARY…

“What…” Carolina started, her face red.

I didn't even let her finish. The words poured out like an open wound.

“...just weeks after my mother died! You brought her in with her daughter, who happened to be your child too, which means you were cheating on my mum while she was alive!”

“And now you allowed the fiancé my mother handpicked for me to marry your first daughter instead? It makes me wonder what extent you can go, Dad? When will this end?”

“Sometimes I really wish I didn't have a father at all. At least I would know I wouldn't get anything, but I wouldn't have anything to lose either!”

“Enough.”

My father stood abruptly.

“Then leave,” he said. “If you hate it so much, leave. From today, I have no such daughter.”