Chapter 1

Aria’s pov

“Ah…Sammie…”

We’ve been married for four years.

“Right..right there…yes..”

I gave up everything for him.

My dreams, the stars.

But yet…

“Nngh…go faster.”

It wasn’t enough.

For a second, I genuinely considered turning around.

Pretending I heard nothing. Pretending the scent, her shoes scattered outside our bedroom, and Sam’s grunts weren’t real.

I wanted to pretend none of it was real and just carry on with my life.

But I couldn’t ignore the signs of a failing marriage any longer.

And besides, I wasn’t a coward.

I pushed the door open and stepped in.

The first thing I see is my beloved husband wrapped around another woman, his coworker.

He was thrusting into her so passionately.

Something he hadn’t done to me in months.

He didn’t even notice me at first, he was too busy kissing the woman he was fucking on our bed…my bed…his hands tangled her hair, their bodies wrapped in my favorite sheets.

Sheets I had washed this morning.

It took exactly five whole seconds for him to notice me.

When he did he jerked upright, scrambling for excuses, explanations, anything that could undo what I had just seen.

“Ari-wait-this isn’t….”

But I was out of the room.

I didn’t hear him, or maybe I did and my brain refused to translate it.

There was only a ringing in my ears, loud and merciless, drowning out everything except the sharp ache blooming in my chest.

The woman who was under the sheets grabbed her purse and bolted past me.

Her eyes were wide and her cheeks were flushed.

I didn’t spare her a second glance, whoever she was, it wasn’t worth it.

I kept my gaze on the man I had loved since I was twenty-five.

The man I had built my life around.

The man I had given up my everything for.

My dreams.

God. It hit me like a punch to the gut.

I had given up the stars for him.

And he threw me away like I was nothing.

When I got to the living room I stood at its center staring as Sam started blabbing bullshit upon absolute bullshit.

He reached for my hand like he had the right to and I stepped back immediately.

The shock that flickered in his eyes only made me feel more pathetic.

Did he really think I was going to let this slide too like every other time?

Was I really that much of a complete fool to him?

He tried to reach for me again but this time I spoke.

“Don’t…” I choked out, my throat burned like it was full of smoke.

“Don’t touch me.”

He froze. “Ari, baby, listen I…”

“Stop talking.”

But he continued.

“You need to understand, this isn’t what it looked like.”

“Then what is it!” I finally cracked.

“What could you possibly say to justify what you just did!”

“It’s not like I don’t love you Aria, I really do, but…you’re not the woman you used to be.”

“And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?” The tips of my fingers are vibrating right now.

“Meaning….youre not as ambitious as you used to be, and it made you…boring.”

“You just look like a shadow of yourself right now.”

I exhaled, every atom of strength leaving my body.

Did he forget what I did?

How I moved news outlets?

Where he found me?

He found me among the stars, gravitating, exploring and then he caged me.

I left everything behind because he said he felt intimidated, I did that because I love him, I respected him enough.

And this….this is how he pays me?

I don’t say any of this out.

I don’t ask further questions or scream or cry.

I didn’t demand answers I already knew wouldn’t bring back those wasted years.

I simply turned, walked into our bedroom, which now reeked of sweat and sex, and grabbed the buffet bag I used for my occasional gym trips.

Even though I tried to display a font, my hands shook as I stuffed clothes into it.

I wasn’t thinking.

Every moment of our marriage flashed before my eyes like a cruel slideshow.

Four years together.

Two miscarriages.

One abandoned dream of joining NASA.

All for a man who didn’t even respect me enough to cheat somewhere else.

“Aria, what are you doing?”

Sam appeared shirtless behind me.

“Don’t try and stop me or I’ll scream.” I threatened him.

“Ari…I love you please, it’ll never happen again, just…”

He grabbed the duffel bag but I pushed him back.

He followed me to the door, panicking as I slipped into my heels.

I opened the door.

“At least stay…I’ll leave. It’s your house.”

I stare at him as if he just grew two heads.

“Of course I’m not leaving my bloody house for you Sam, I just need time to think…away from you.”

“Think about what, Ari?” He asked, his voice cracking a bit.

“If I still want this! If I still want you!” I yelled.

His face crumbled.

“Aria,Ari please….Ari”

But I didn’t look back again.

The night air was cold against my cheeks as I stepped outside, but I welcomed it.

It was the only real thing I’d felt since I came back home.

I got into my car after what felt like the longest walk of my life.

The moment the door lock clicked I broke down.

How could he do this to me?

After what we’ve been through?!

Just then my laptop pinged, trying to remind me of my unread messages.

I wanted to ignore it, but something pushed me to check.

I opened my laptop and went to my reminders.

*NASA:*

“Aria Carter, this is Mission Control.

Your candidate file has been re-evaluated and your skills are urgently needed for an upcoming mission. Please confirm your availability before the week ends so we can proceed with the briefing and next steps.

We look forward to your response.

Respectfully,

Dr. Trigan Ruiz

Director, Astro…..”

My breath caught.