special person

Aria ~

As I headed downstairs to start breakfast preparation like every other morning, maids' hushed voices from the hallway stopped me dead in my tracks.

Their cleaning supplies clattered softly as they whispered urgently to each other.

"Miss Sophia's finally back from abroad today," the first one said, her voice dropping even lower.

"She's joining the family gathering tonight. You know Mr. Blackwood always treats her like she's something really special."

The second maid laughed softly. "Sophia? Oh yeah, the one he's protected since they were kids? I heard she's like family to him but even closer. Everyone's excited she's here."

I slipped away quickly before they noticed me, my heart suddenly pounding hard against my ribs.

Sophia? Who the hell is this Sophia everyone seems to worship?

In the kitchen I moved automatically—eggs sunny side up exactly how he liked, bacon crisp but never burned, coffee strong and black.

My hands shook slightly as I plated everything perfectly, but somehow I kept them steady enough.

When Damien walked in at 8 sharp, he sat down without his usual glare or complaints, eating in complete silence.

No cutting remarks today. No venom dripping from every word. Just calm, quiet Damien which felt completely wrong and unsettling.

Halfway through his meal his phone rang. He answered immediately, voice suddenly warm in a way I'd never heard before.

"Sophia? Yeah I'm picking you up from the airport. Been way too long since I last saw you. Can't wait to catch up properly."

He laughed—a genuine, relaxed laugh that hit me like a punch to the stomach—then hung up still smiling slightly.

"Good breakfast today," he said casually as he stood up, the first compliment I'd ever gotten from him.

"Be ready for the family gathering tonight. Don't mess it up."

The door clicked shut behind him. I stood there frozen by the counter, staring at his empty plate.

Sophia. That's why he's suddenly human today. This family gathering isn't for me—it's her homecoming.

Evening arrived much too quickly. I'd spent hours getting ready—emerald silk gown that hugged my curves perfectly, hair swept up elegantly, makeup flawless enough to hide the exhaustion and faint bruises underneath.

I stood by the window watching the driveway intently, expecting Damien's car any moment so we could arrive together like a proper husband and wife should.

My phone suddenly buzzed in my hand. Damien calling.

"Car's on the way to pick you up. Go straight to the villa. Don't wait around."

My chest tightened immediately. "But... shouldn't we be going together? Isn't that what husbands and wives do for family events?"

"No," he replied flatly without hesitation. "I'm coming separately with someone else."

The words hit hard. "Who exactly are you coming with?" My voice cracked despite my best efforts to stay composed.

"A special person," he answered smoothly. "You'll see when we get there." He hung up before I could say another word.

Hot tears immediately burned behind my eyes. Special person. Sophia. His first love. The one who actually belongs in his world while I'm just the obligation.

The car pulled up outside. I sat through the entire silent drive to the villa with tears drying on my cheeks, staring blankly out the window as the massive estate came into view—golden lights everywhere, Blackwood relatives already milling around outside, their judging stares landing on the car before it even stopped completely.

His parents greeted me coolly at the entrance. "Where's Damien?" his mother asked, her perfectly arched eyebrow already rising critically.

"He's coming later," I answered softly, my voice sounding completely hollow even to my own ears. "With someone special."

They exchanged a quick knowing look and left me standing awkwardly by the entrance alone.

Relatives nearby immediately started scanning me up and down—whispers passing between them, curled lips and judgmental side-eyes that made my skin crawl.

New bride from the wrong family. Poor substitute. Doesn't belong here.

Then the main doors swept dramatically open. Damien walked in holding her arm—Sophia.

Tall and elegant with soft brown waves cascading perfectly down her back, warm kind eyes that lit up the entire room, and a natural million-dollar smile that made everyone around her smile back instantly.

His hand rested comfortably on her lower back as they moved through the crowd together naturally, like they'd done it a thousand times before.

Applause rippled through nearby relatives. Warm welcomes everywhere they went. They looked completely perfect standing side by side.

My throat closed up tight. Fresh tears welled fast. She belongs here completely. I never will.

Damien spotted me across the room and brought her straight over, his hand never leaving the small of her back.

"Aria, I want you to meet Sophia," he said, his voice noticeably warmer than it ever was with me.

She flashed me that same genuine radiant smile. "Finally getting to meet the wife! Damien's told me so much about—"

"She's my—" Damien started to explain.

"Damien darling come here immediately!" some loud aunt interrupted from across the room, grabbing Sophia's arm and pulling her away laughing.

He turned immediately to me, voice dropping low and commanding.

"Behave properly tonight. Especially around Sophia. Don't do anything to embarrass me or make her uncomfortable, understood?"

I nodded mutely, my chest physically caving inward with pain.

My own husband just told me another woman matters more than his wife—right to my face.

Later I escaped alone to the quiet pool area overlooking the gardens, staring down at the dark shimmering water and trying desperately to breathe through the crushing hurt.

Soft footsteps approached behind me. Sophia appeared at my side, her smile still warm and genuine.

"Hey there, sorry about the chaotic introduction earlier. I never actually got to properly tell you who I am. I'm Sophia and I really wanted to say—"

A group of loud children came shrieking through the Villa area, playing a wild game of tag around the pool deck.

One bigger boy slammed straight into both of us without warning. We stumbled backward off balance—SPLASH.

Cold water shocked my entire body as the heavy emerald gown dragged me downward like an anchor.

Sophia struggled beside me, coughing as her dress soaked through completely.

Spotlights glared down from above. Gasps erupted from the crowd. All eyes locked on us drowning.

Then Damien burst through—sleeves rolled up, face tense, charging straight for the pool.

Finally. My husband. He'll save me. Heart leapt desperately.

He dove in fast toward us both...

But then—he grabbed Sophia first. Strong arms pulled her up onto deck safely.

Left me sinking, choking, gown pulling me under completely.

my own husband let me drown... for another woman.