Chapter 4

_Aria’s POV_

Maybe, Ryan saw me with Lucien.

That was the first thought that rushed into my mind as I stared at his message. My hands tightened around my phone. My stomach twisted. The words burned in my head.

"Stay away from him.

He is very dangerous.

He will harm you."

For a moment, fear tried to curl around my heart… but then anger hit me even harder.

How dare he be jealous?

How dare he pretend to care about me now?

He was the one who had kissed Elena. He was the one who had chosen her. He was the one who broke me. And now he had the nerve to warn me about someone else? No. He didn’t get to do that. Not anymore.

“He should worry about Elena,” I whispered to myself, my voice shaking with bitterness. “Not me.”

He had lost the right to protect me. He had lost the right to speak to me. He had lost every right the moment he let Elena touch him.

My chest tightened again but this time it wasn’t fear, it was pure anger.

I scrolled back up his messages. There were so many missed calls. So many texts. So many useless words.

"Aria please pick up.

It’s not what you think.

I love you.

Please don’t ignore me."

I clenched my jaw.

“No,” I whispered. “Not again. Not anymore.”

I pressed the block button.

And just like that, Ryan was gone from my phone.

If he ever tried to bother me again, I would ignore him. If he ever tried to talk to me in person, I would walk away. He had nothing to do with me now. Nothing at all.

But even with that anger burning in me, sleep did not come easily.

That night, I kept waking up. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw them....Ryan and Elena. On the bed. His shirt on the floor. Her hand on his neck. The way she smirked at me. The way she looked so proud to take what was mine.

I woke up again and again. My heart was pounding like someone was knocking inside my chest. My pillow was damp with sweat. My throat hurt. My body felt heavy. I barely slept.

When morning came, I felt tired and cold and empty.

Before I could even sit up, I heard my mother’s voice echoing through the house.

“Aria! Come downstairs and make breakfast! Everyone is waiting!”

I groaned softly. My head ached. But I forced myself to stand.

When I got downstairs, Elena was already sitting on the couch. She had her legs crossed and her phone in her hand. Her thumb moved fast on the screen. She was smiling at whatever she was reading.

It had to be Ryan.

Of course it was Ryan.

My chest squeezed for a moment. Then I shook my head. He didn’t matter. Not anymore.

I went into the kitchen and washed my hands. I opened the fridge and took out eggs, milk and butter. I grabbed the flour from the cupboard. I decided to make pancakes. They were simple and sweet; something that everyone liked.

As I mixed the batter, I tried to focus on the sound of the whisk instead of the storm in my head. I poured the batter on the hot pan and watched it bubble. The smell usually comforted me. Today… not so much.

When everything was ready, I placed the plates on the table.

Dad smiled at me. “Thank you, Aria. These look great.”

I smiled back a little.

But Elena picked up her fork, poked the pancake and made a face.

“These aren’t even cooked properly,” she complained loudly. “I’m not eating this.”

Dad sighed. “Elena, they’re fine.”

But Mom rushed to her like she always did.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” she said softly, brushing Elena’s hair like she was five years old. “You don’t have to eat that. I’ll bring you some biscuits.”

Then, Mom turned to me with a cold look.

“Next time, do it properly. Or you will be punished. And after breakfast, you’re helping me prepare for the Christmas dinner. Your aunt Carol, her husband and their three kids are all coming.”

I felt something sink inside me.

I nodded slowly. “Yes, Mom.”

Elena smirked behind her cup of juice. She looked pleased....like ruining my morning was her favorite part of the day.

Suddenly, my phone rang in my pocket. The sound made me jump. Everyone turned to look at me.

My heart skipped.

I pulled it out and checked the screen.

It was Lucien.

My breath caught.

“I...I need to take this,” I said quickly. I didn’t wait for permission. I rushed upstairs and locked my bedroom door before answering.

“Hello?” I whispered.

“Aria,” his warm voice said. “I hope I didn’t disturb you.”

“No… you didn’t,” I said while sitting on my bed. My cheeks felt warm again for no reason.

“I wanted to ask you something,” he said gently. “Are you free tonight?”

My heart dropped a little.

Tonight was Christmas dinner. There were guests coming. There would be loud conversations and cleaning afterward. No chance to leave the house.

“I’m not free,” I said softly. “My family is having people over.”

“I see…” he said. He sounded disappointed. “I know it’s short notice, but… I didn’t want to spend Christmas alone. I thought maybe I could spend it with you.”

My breath stopped for a moment.

He wanted to spend Christmas… with me?

Me. Of all people.

“Aria,” he continued, “if there is any way...any small chance...you could find time… I would like that very much.”

I opened my mouth to say no.

But then I thought....

Why should I stay here, miserable, cooking and cleaning, while Elena got to enjoy everything?

Why should I keep suffering while Ryan and his lies haunted me?

Why shouldn’t I have one night of happiness?

One night where I felt wanted?

Lucien had saved my life. He was kind. He was warm. He was handsome. And he wanted to see me again.

Maybe, I deserved something good.

Maybe, I deserved a moment that belonged only to me.

So I took a breath and said, “We can meet at half past midnight.”

He chuckled softly. “Half past midnight, hmm? Sounds exciting.”

“But don’t come to my door,” I warned quietly. “My parents must not know. Park a few blocks away and message me when you arrive.”

“Oh?” he teased. “So you’ll be doing something illegal tonight?”

I laughed a little. The sound surprised me. “Maybe.”

“Then I’ll see you tonight, Aria,” he said, his voice low and warm.

When the call ended, I sat there smiling like an idiot.

I had never snuck out of the house before. Never gone on a secret date. Never felt this kind of thrill.

For once… I wanted it.

The whole day passed slowly. I cooked. I cleaned. I set the table. I arranged decorations. Elena watched TV, scrolled on her phone and occasionally complained about being cold or bored. She did nothing to help.

When Aunt Carol arrived with her husband and their three children, Mom and Dad welcomed them with big smiles.

Carol hugged Elena first.

“Oh my,” she said. “You’re becoming such a pretty young woman.”

Then she looked at me.

Her smile faded.

“Aria… you should lose a bit of weight, dear. You’re getting chubby. If you don’t diet now, your figure will only get worse. And boys won’t be interested.”

The words stabbed softly, slowly and deeply.

I forced a smile.

“Maybe she’s right,” I thought bitterly. “Maybe that’s why Ryan cheated…”

But then I reminded myself...

I had someone else now.

Someone who wanted to spend Christmas with me.

Thinking of Lucien made the sting fade a little.

Dinner dragged on but I stayed busy. Carol’s phone froze at one point and she handed it to me.

“Elena tried fixing it,” she said, “but it got worse.”

Elena stiffened on the couch.

I fixed it in two minutes.

Time passed quickly after that.

Finally, everyone said goodbye. The door closed. The house became quiet again.

I went to my room. My stomach fluttered with nerves and excitement.

I changed into warm clothes; thick jacket, scarf, gloves and boots. It was snowing heavily outside. My breath fogged the window as I checked the street.

Then, at exactly half past midnight…

My phone buzzed.

I’m here, Lucien wrote. Take your time. I’ll wait.

My heart thumped fast. I quietly opened my door and stepped into the hallway. Everyone was asleep. The house was silent except for the hum of the heater.

I tiptoed to the back door. I used my spare key. The cold hit me instantly but excitement warmed me from inside.

I hurried down the snowy street.

And then, I saw it.

Lucien’s car.

It was a sleek luxury sports car, shining under the streetlight like something out of a movie.

And there he was.

Leaning against it with his hands in his pockets. The snowflakes fell around him. The wind blew through his blond hair.

He looked unreal.

He looked dangerous.

He looked like trouble.

But he looked at me and smiled… and the world suddenly felt warmer.

I raised my hand and waved shyly.

He waved back.

My heart raced.

I had a feeling this night would change everything.

This night would be… unforgettable.