Four

I drove inside the luxurious mansion, the tires crunching softly against the perfectly paved carpark, then killed the engine, the sudden silence almost deafening after the long drive. I’d only been here three times before, but the security guards, who were familiar with Devi's instructions, let me in without hesitation, even at this late hour.

A deep, tired sigh escaped me as I stepped out of the car. My hand trembled slightly as I yanked the boot open, fumbling with my suitcase, a maid hurried forward, her uniform crisp and she smiled politely at me.

“Ma’am, welcome. Let me help you with that,” she said, reaching for the handle.

I hesitated, not used to accepting help from strangers, but my arms were weak so I couldn't protest. With a small nod, I let her lift the suitcase, following her through the grand entrance.

The mansion seemed different. Or maybe it was my eyes. Everything looked bigger, more elegant, more alive than the last time I had been here. The marble floors gleamed under the warm glow of the chandeliers, and the scent of fresh flowers lingered faintly in the air.

I barely noticed the third presence in the hall until my hand brushed against his arm. I was startled, my eyes widened up with surprise.

A tall, striking young man stood beside me, his posture confident yet relaxed, his eyes holding a calm curiosity. My lips parted slightly, caught off guard.

“Hi… you seem lost in thought,” he said, his voice deep, smooth, filled with a charm that made me flush unexpectedly.

I blinked, recovering my composure. “Are you… Devi’s brother?” I asked, almost stammering.

He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Yes. She told me you’d be arriving tonight.”

I nodded awkwardly.

“My name’s Aria,” I said, holding out my hand instinctively, though it felt like my words were clumsy in the grand silence.

“Yeah… she mentioned you. Nice to meet you,” he replied, his voice warm, though his expression remained unreadable.

He extended his hand toward me, “I’m Ethan Yashoda,” he said.

I shook his hand, noting the reassuring strength in his grip, the faint warmth that contrasted sharply with the chill in the mansion. He pulled back slightly, letting me go, and gestured toward the hall.

“Let me show you to your room. You must be tired ,” he said, his tone polite, yet I could sense a quiet attentiveness, as if he was observing me more closely than I’d expected.

I followed, still distracted by the presence that made me feel noticed without being scrutinized. It was different, comforting, in a way I hadn’t realized I was craving.

As we walked through the vast corridor, the walls adorned with elegant paintings and ornate mirrors, I couldn’t help but wonder how Devi’s brother could carry such an air of calm in this massive mansion.

“You must have been traveling far,” he said softly, glancing at me. “Do you need anything before you settle in?”

I shook my head, managing a small smile.

“No… I think I’m okay. Thank you, though.”

He nodded, and we reached the room he had prepared for me. The door opened to reveal a space that was both luxurious and inviting, warm lights casting a golden hue over the neatly arranged furniture. My suitcase had already been placed beside the bed.

“You’ll find everything you need here. If there’s anything at all, just call for me,” Ethan said, leaning slightly against the doorframe, eyes steady on mine.

I swallowed, trying to calm the flutter in my chest.

“I appreciate it. Thank you.”

—

*A week later*

(Lucien's pov)

I glanced at my wrist watch dressed for work so early in the morning. I have meetings to attend, meetings I can't afford to miss.

"Aria, bring my coffee, I'm late for work." I said.

"Coming baby," her voice echoed in my ears.

After a minute, I realised I was talking to myself because Aria had left a week ago. I was confident she'd come back but she didn't.

I walked out angrily, to calm the storm inside me. Is Aria trying to mess up with my mind? Why is she taking too long? Why?

When I reached downstairs, my mother was standing in the sitting room patiently.

"This house smells different ever since that woman left." She said, her voice filled with sarcasm.

"Mother, what are you doing here?" I questioned her, glaring at her.

"I'm here to give you good news." She said smilingly.

I turned, controlling my anger. Isn't she supposed to be feeling bad for me? My wife has left me, and she's not back yet. She's not back to plead with me, she hasn't messaged me, she hasn't unblocked me, and I have no idea where she's right now.

"Son..." My mother touched me and I faced her.

"Mother stop!" I yelled out. "I'm in pain! My wife just left me because I cheated, she walked out of my mansion after throwing divorce papers on my face. She's the only woman who loved me unconditionally, she loved me more than you did!"

"She doesn't deserve you, son. She doesn't deserve you!" She snapped. "She's nobody's daughter, she's from a poor background, she doesn't have anything to offer you!"

"Mother, I love her, that's all that matters, stay out of my marriage and just fuck off if you don't have any solutions to my problem!" I yelled at her loudly that she flinched.

“If she really loved you, she'd have stayed.” She muttered.

“Yes, she'd have stayed…if I didn't push her away, if I didn't push her away mother.” I said, my voice trembled.

“I'm not here to talk about Aria, I'm here to talk about your sister.” She started and my hands slipped inside my pockets.

“Your sister refused to go back to her husband's house…she claims the guy manipulates her, treats her like she doesn't matter, gaslights her anytime she complains…”

“Exactly what I did to Aria…

“Aria…Aria…Aria…does she matter that much?” My mother growled.

“Yes, she matters to me…do you get it? Mom, if you don't have anything else to discuss, please get out!” I said angrily and she flinched.

“Me?” She asked.

“Yes, get out!” I yelled at her again. Tears gathered in her eyes and she hurried out.

I rubbed my eyes, did I just yell at my own mother? It's new, but I felt better. She has always cared about wealth, and reputation all her life. And I'm certain she came here to discuss Aria, not my sister's issue.

For once, my mother never liked Aria, ever since we got married. In fact, she didn't attend our wedding because she was so angry that Aria was nobody's daughter.

The mistake I made was watching her say nonsense to Aria without defending her. I will let my mom disrespect her and anytime Aria complains, I support my mom not her.

I glance at my wrist watch, it's almost nine AM, I have to attend the meeting I have. Yeah, I miss Aria but that's not stopping me from running my business continuously.

Then my phone rang, without hesitation I swiped up the green button.

“Good morning sir, I sighted Aria in a playground today and managed to get her new number.” the voice sounded from the phone.

"Good,” I muttered and hung up.

I had employed a secret agent to follow Aria's movements for me, he found her old phone's location and her wedding ring on a roadside.

That was how I knew she wasn't using her old number again. Fortunately for me, he was able to get her new number.

I smiled softly, was Aria waiting for me to text her so she can come back home to me? Let me satisfy her for the first time. I know she can't live without me, she's just heartbroken that I cheated. Which I have to apologise to her for and she'll come back home.

“You are mine, Aria, and I'll always find you.” I said with a lot of confidence.