Ten

Aria’s POV

“Who are you?” I shouted, yanking my hand back as if his touch burned. “And what gave you the nerve to hold my hands like that?”

My heart was hammering violently in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears. I was furious, so angry that my hands trembled, but beneath that anger was fear. Not the fear that made you weak, but the fear that reminded you of wounds you thought had healed.

I knew this moment would come. I just didn’t expect it to be tonight.

And I also know one step out of Devi's mansion, of course, Lucien would find me.

“Aria, don’t be stubborn,” he snapped, tightening his grip again, his thumb digging into my skin as if he needed to remind me of his strength. “Come with me.”

That tone. The command in his voice sent a sick wave of memories crashing into me. It made me recall our arguments that ended with slammed doors, apologies that came too late, promises broken before they even settled.

“No,” I said firmly.

Ethan shifted beside me, confusion etched across his face.

“Aria… do you know him?” he asked carefully. “What’s going on?”

I inhaled slowly, forcing calm into my voice.

“I don’t know him,” I said flatly. “Excuse me, sir but I don't know you!”

Lucien’s jaw tightened instantly. His dark eyes locked onto mine, burning with disbelief and rage. He looked at me like I’d just betrayed him in the worst way possible.

Around us, the restaurant had gone unnervingly quiet.

I could feel it, the way conversations paused, the way eyes discreetly turned in our direction. I hated it. I hated being seen like this. But all the same I love the humiliation I'm serving Lucien, he deserves it and I'd make sure I humiliate for as long as he tries to chase me back.

Lucien reached for me again.

Before he could touch me, Ethan stepped in.

“Hey,” Ethan said firmly, pushing Lucien’s hand away. “She said, don’t touch her, so back off.”

I gasped softly, startled by the suddenness of it.

“You can't just barge in here and hold her hand, she doesn't know you.”

Lucien didn’t take it well.

He grabbed Ethan by the collar and shoved him backward with brutal force. Ethan stumbled, his chair scraping loudly against the floor.

“This woman,” Lucien yelled, pointing at me as if I were an object, “is my wife. Do you fucking understand that?”

The word hit me like a slap across the face.

“I'm not your wife! I'm not your wife!” I shouted, banging my hands on the table. Then rushing to Ethan to see if he was fine.

“Ethan, are you okay?” I asked with concern and he nodded.

The restaurant erupted in murmurs. Lucien folded his fist angrily but I'm not scared of that.

Ethan stared at me, shock written all over his face. He was confused and hurt at the same time. I haven't told him about my personal life, I feel it's too early for that, like way too early.

“Aria?” he said quietly.

“Stop this! Stop! I've had enough!”

Something inside me snapped.

“Security!” I shouted, my voice cutting through the noise.

Nothing happened.

The manager stood frozen near the counter, pretending not to see us. The waiters avoided eye contact. Everyone in this place knew Lucien Volkov and no one wanted to cross him.

A bitter laugh bubbled up in my chest.

Even now, his shadow followed me everywhere.

Lucien turned back to me, his grip iron-tight. “We’re leaving.”

I raised my hand and slapped him.

The sound echoed sharply through the restaurant, gasps filled the air, some were already capturing the whole scene.

“You think I was joking,” I said, my voice shaking with fury, “when I told you we were done, Lucien?”

I smiled bitterly.

“Aria…we can…

“I meant every word,” I continued. “I’m dead serious.”

His cheek reddened, but his eyes burned hotter.

“And why would you think I’d let you walk away? What made you think I'd be able to live without you and let you go? ” he demanded.

I leaned closer, my voice dropping.

“You should ask yourself that.” Then yanked my hand free and straightened my shoulders.

“Listen carefully,” I said. “I am not your wife. And I don’t want to be your wife.”

Then I turned to Ethan.

My voice softened instinctively. “Can we leave?”

He hesitated before nodding. “Yes.”

Lucien grabbed me again.

“I’m not letting you go,” he said, his voice cracking despite himself. “Aria… please. Come with me. Let’s talk this out. I’ll change. I swear.”

I let out a hollow laugh. He's too late.

I had loved him once. Truly. I had believed in him. I had waited through his silences, excused his anger, endured his cruelty because I thought love meant patience and eventually one day he'd change.

Some women stay in a marriage, endure the pain, some lose themselves trying to fix broken men. And in the end, those men leave anyway. I've read a lot of novels, especially the ones online. The man ends up throwing divorce papers on their face but I changed my own story and walked away before he'd dare to dump me.

“I’ve moved on,” I said quietly. “And I’m not coming back.”

I pulled away and walked out without looking back.

Ethan opened the car door for me. I slid inside, my hands shaking uncontrollably. He fastened my seatbelt gently before starting the engine.

The drive was quiet. I stared out the window, my reflection staring back at me. I wondered how long Lucien had been watching me. How much he knew that he was able to trace me to the restaurant... he's just trying to manipulate himself back into my life. And it's never gonna work.

By the time we reached Devi’s mansion, exhaustion weighed heavily on my body.

Ethan parked and stepped out.

I followed but the moment my foot touched the ground, my ankle twisted.

"Ouch!" I cried out, losing balance.

Ethan caught me instantly, wrapped his hands around my waist.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

I tried to straighten up, but the pain worsened.

“Ouch!” I groaned, tears filling my eyes.

“Aria…” he murmured, then lifted me into his arms effortlessly.

I pressed my face into his chest, my tears finally spilling free.

When he laid me gently on the bed, he tried to step back but I grabbed his arm.

“Please,” I whispered. “Stay.”

He wiped my tears gently.

“I’m not leaving you alone,” he said. “But you need to tell me the truth, who's that guy?”

I swallowed hard.

“He’s my ex-husband,” I said without hesitation.

And for the first time that night, saying it didn’t hurt as much.