Chapter 1 The Return

Aria’s POV

Madison Airport Terminal 2

“I’m here, chick,” I say, dragging my suitcase behind me as Nia squeals, flanked by her five year old daughter Maya and her three year old son Cameron.

“You made it! I can’t believe you really made it!” she squeals, wrapping me in a tight hug that lifts me slightly off the ground.

Maya grabs my hand with that big smile I’ve missed so much. “Come on, Tete! Dad’s in the car waiting for us!”

And just like that, I’m back.

Back in Madison, Wisconsin.

The last place I ever wanted to set foot in again.

The place where my life turned upside down. Where everything I thought I knew about myself, about love, about trust, got destroyed.

It’s been over ten years since I left. Since I turned my back on Creighton Elite Business University, the so- called future of business innovation, and the bane of my damn existence.

As we reach the black Tahoe idling at the curb, Matt hops out and grins. “Auntie! You made it!”

I scoff. “Hey, Matt,” I mutter, giving him a quick side hug.

Matt and Nia are still nauseatingly adorable together. Both professors at the university now. Nia now pregnant with baby number three just had to plan an alumni reunion for our class. A full decade since we all graduated. How time flies when you’re actively avoiding your past.

I climb into the back with the kids as we pull off. “So… who all is coming?” I ask, trying to sound casual.

Nia turns toward me with a sly smile. “Girl, everybody. Like, that witch of a roommate you had for three years, remember her? And my old drug addicted roommate, Sam? She’s a counselor now. Can you believe that shit?”

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” Cameron chirps from his car seat.

Maya gasps. “Mama, Cameron said shit!”

I burst out laughing. Couldn’t help it. That boy had perfect timing.

Matt groans. “See? This is why we can’t curse around them.”

“Dadda please,” Maya says, smug. “You called Ms. Rider a bitch yesterday and said don’t tell Mama.”

Matt scratches the back of his neck. Busted.

I laugh harder as we pull into the Portillo’s drive thru. The kids are now arguing about if “witch” is a bad word.

“I’m just getting a chicken Caesar salad,” I say, scrolling through the menu on my phone.

Nia rolls her eyes. “Mmhmm. I see you sticking to your diet. That body is what women are paying for these days, especially that bootay.”

Cameron starts singing, “Booty! Booty! Booty!” and Maya joins in.

I smirk. “Don’t worry, I splurge sometimes… and burn it off later.”

When we finally pull up to their big colonial-style house, I catch my breath. It’s beautiful, warm, familiar, and safe. The exact opposite of how I feel inside.

Because no matter how much time has passed…

No matter how good I look now…

I can’t stop the memories from creeping in.

What happened my senior year…

How he destroyed my life…

How that bitch finished the job.

And now?

Now I’m back.

And none of them know what’s coming.

Matt hoisted my suitcase from the trunk as I grabbed my purse and reached down for Maya’s tiny hand. Nia cradled Cameron on her hip, huffing with effort as she adjusted her belly under her flowy maternity hoodie.

“Come on, girl,” she said with a teasing smile, nudging me gently with her elbow. “Let me show you to your room since you’ve never stayed in this house before. Because someone refused to ever visit me here.”

I rolled my eyes and scoffed, “I see you in Chicago all the time, Nia.”

“I know,” she said, half pouting. “But sometimes I want you to come to my house too, damn.”

We stepped inside, the familiar scent of cinnamon and warm vanilla hitting me like a soft hug. The kids scurried to the dining room, and we set them up at the table with their little boxes and cups. Matt sat with them, already unwrapping his beef sandwich like it was a sacred ritual.

“Don’t touch my fries,” he warned Cameron playfully.

Cameron immediately reached for one. “ Mine now.”

I chuckled, shaking my head as Nia and I made our way upstairs.

The guest room was beautiful. Simple and warm, with soft grays and rose gold accents. A queen-sized bed, full-length mirror, and yes, an en suite bathroom.

“Girl, this is nice,” I said, spinning around with a little impressed whistle.

Nia grinned. “Only the best for you, Madam CEO.”

I paused by the window, hands tightening on the strap of my purse.

“Do you think they’ll be there?” I asked quietly.

Nia’s smile faded. Her eyes met mine with soft concern.

“Yeah. Both RSVP’d. They’re coming.”

I dropped onto the bed like someone knocked the air out of me. “Fuck… I don’t know if I can do this, Nia.”

Nia stepped in front of me, arms folded. “Aria. You are not that chubby, shy ass 21 year old anymore. You’re a gorgeous, curvy ass boss with her own thriving company. Fuck them bullies.”

I exhaled slowly, my fingers unconsciously fiddling with the zipper of my purse.

“There’s something I never told you,” I said, my voice low.

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh Lord… what?”

“I never told anyone, actually.”

Nia sat beside me, her full attention now locked in.

I got up and walked over to the closet, hung up my garment bag, unzipping it and pretending to smooth down the fabric just to give myself a second.

“I had sex with Jalen… back then.”

A beat of silence.

Then....“BITCH, WHAT?!” she screamed so loud I swore the walls shook.

“Shhh! The kids!” I whisper yelled, cracking up despite myself.

Nia covered her mouth with one hand. “Oh, girl. You better sit down and spill. Right now.”

I turned back to her, heart pounding. “It was complicated. And messy. And then everything fell apart.”

“Well no wonder you disappeared your senior year! Shit. You left us all hanging with zero explanation!”

“Yeah,” I muttered. “Because I was broken. Because… he wasn’t just a fling. At least, not to me.”

Nia’s smile faded into something softer, more serious.

“Oh, Ari…”

“Seeing them again it’s gonna reopen everything,” I said.

She reached for my hand and squeezed. “Then let’s start by mentally saying fuck them.”