4. "I WANT A DIVORCE!"

ARIA

The message was accompanied by an address to a popular nightclub. Fear gripping my throat, I hurriedly got a cab over there.

I searched for room 245 at the nightclub and when I found it, I bursted it, hoping I would find Talia unhurt, even though she had sounded helpless and distressed.

She was the only good thing in my life, and even the thought of her being hurt was too much to bear.

The room was dark and smelled like sandalwood and smoke. I heard the door close and lock behind me.

Suddenly fearful in the darkness, I tried to find a light switch but I heard a groan as a hand clasped me around the waist.

“Laura? Is that you Laura? Thank God you're back, I've missed you.” Hungry lips kissed my face as the sandalwood scent suffused my nose.

His lips tasted like mint.

I shoved hard, shocked at this ghastly turn of events. Who was this man, and who was Laura? And where was my best friend?

“Leave me alone! I'm not Laura, my name is Aria.” I cried, kicking and scratching at the man.

But he was too tall and heavy. Instead of leaving me, he picked me up and dropped me carefully on the bed, touching me erotically.

“Stop fighting me, Laura. I'll give you a good time, I promise.” He moaned into my neck.

I could barely move as he ravaged my lips, calling the name Laura all the while. He tore my clothes off and slid himself on top of me, and soon, all I did was bite my lips as hot tears stood in my eyes, and slid down my face soundlessly.

First my husband had abused me and now this stranger whose face I couldn't even see?

When he was done, he rolled off me, pulled on his pants and went into the bathroom. Immediately, I sprang off the bed and limped to the door.

This time, it was open. I stood, dazed in the sudden bright lights, but I knew I had to disappear before the man came back searching for his Laura.

My heart was shattered into tiny pieces. Had he just defiled me in there thinking I was someone else?

I let out a pitiful sniffle at the torn state of my clothes which I had worn hurriedly.

My thighs ached as I ran out of the hallway, but I received the shock of my life when I saw Talia and Zara, sitting in the very first private booth.

Zara was whispering something to Talia, and they both looked gleeful.

“Talia?” I called for her attention, limping to her, refusing to believe the evidence before my own eyes.

While that man had his way inside with me, my friend was out here conspiring with my step-sister? It was ludicrous.

She looked up and rolled her eyes dismissively. “So you're here. How would you have saved me, arriving this late?”

My head exploded in pain along with my heart at her tone. Zara laughed at her words.

Zara sneered. “How could you call someone so despicable to even save you? Being so fat, wouldn't she immediately trip over her own foot?”

Her pale, perfect skin glinted beautifully under the dim light as she delivered the words like a blow to my stomach.

“You mean you weren't being molested?” I whispered, hoping they couldn't be this evil.

“Do you have to be so daft all the time? Does she look molested?” Zara snapped.

So my friend and step-sister concocted a plan and my reward for caring was being molested?

I looked into Talia’s eyes and saw nothing; not even guilt, just satisfaction.

That was when the pain and tears came spilling down my cheeks. I turned to walk away, but Talia and Zara held my arm.

“I warned you to leave him at the hospital, but you refused. How can you stay with a man who hates you like that?” Talia spat in my face. “Can't you see you're making my best friend sad?”

“Your best friend?” I asked in a quivering voice.

“Yes. Do you think you deserve to be best friends with someone like Talia?” Zara scoffed. “You’re too stupid, but surely your eyes work properly? My best friend is too good for you!”

The betrayal stabbed me in the chest, and this one felt even worse than Rowan's hatred.

At least Rowan had a reason, since he was in love with Zara, but these two were just vicious and devious.

I left them, too tired and weak to argue. As I carefully walked down the steps, I heard whispers behind me, and suddenly, a hand pushed me down the stairs.

I tumbled down, hitting my arms, legs and head on each step. I was screaming with lacerating pain as I crumbled in a heap on the floor.

Talia and Zara came rushing down the stairs, both looking at me with concern. My scream brought other people over.

Zara and Talia pretended to help me up as Zara said pityingly. “Oh, I'm sorry, Aria. You know the club is so dark, you need to be more careful.”

Talia took my other arm, holding it tight enough to hurt. “You know you're always so clumsy.” They both gave me looks of care but their intent was clear in their eyes.

One of them had pushed me down those stairs.

I struggled to stand, falling back down when my legs hurt too much. The caretaker of the club brought a car and I was driven to the hospital.

I had to stay there for a week after a surgery, but I didn't mind. I knew I had to leave Luxenburg.

Immediately my legs were removed from the cast, I called Rowan who hadn't bothered coming to see through my stay.

He picked up, his frigid voice greeting my ears. “What do you want?”

“I need you to send a car to pick me up.” I said. I had a wheelchair so I needed help.

He paused. When his voice came back, it was thunderous. “You would dare to ask me for a thing after sleeping around like a slut? You are a disgrace, Aria. I want a divorce!”

I was so stunned; so stunned that the phone fell from my hand.

Did my husband just ask me for divorce over the phone?