Chapter 3- The brother’s offer

Aria’s POV

I opened the door and let him in, he turned on the light and sat by my side on the floor with our backs to the door.

“What happened? Why are you crying?” He asked, concern in his voice.

“I…” my voice broke, fresh tears began to drop from my eyes again. “I saw Justin's chat with Summer. He wants to divorce me. He's never loved me!” I burst into messy sobs, hiccupping like a fool.

Aaron just sat there. I'm sure his mind was going; “but that's what I've been telling you all these years. Now see.”

I can't blame him, I was too blind, too foolish, too stupid, too… in love to notice anything. Justin is a really great actor, because every time I noticed something off, he had the right words to cut through me.

He knew me too well, he knew where to pierce me so that I won't notice.

After what seemed like hours, the room was quiet except for my regular sniffling. His voice broke the silence.

“You know, you're still a young lady. You have a great life ahead of you, Aria.” His voice was a whisper, as if he yelled he'd crack through the glass.

“Okay, look…” he turned towards me, “I have an insane idea that will work. Are you ready?”

I wiped my nose with the back of my hand and nodded. I wanted to hear, anything to get back at those two, anything that'd save me from the humiliation.

“I know someone, a lawyer, we can call him right now and ask him to draft divorce papers in your name and bring them here tomorrow morning.”

I love the sound of that.

“We can do that?” I asked, genuinely interested. He nodded with a faint smile on his face, brought out his phone, and dialled a number. When the lawyer answered, he told him everything about sorting out divorce proceedings and bringing it to the D'Cruz family's house before 9 am.

I watched and listened to him talk, he was so invested in what made me feel better, I could only wish Justin were like this. Looking back, Justin didn't really show that he loved me, he only wanted me around, and for what reason? Now that's a mystery I have to find out.

“It's done. Now, you just have to prepare your poker face for tomorrow's drama,” he pushed me lightly–playfully– with his shoulder.

I could only imagine how messy tomorrow would be, how Justin would react. Will he be concerned? Beg? Be nonchalant? Cause a scene?

Ughhh… seeing that I can't predict his reaction just proved I really didn't know the man I married. I was going with Aaron's plan anyway, I just have to dust myself from the shame and stand my ground.

“Hey. Back to Earth Aria.” Aaron snapped his fingers, jerking me from my thoughts.

He stood and put his hands in his pyjama pockets, and stretched out a hand to me. I looked at the hand for a second and took it, helping myself to stand.

I dusted my butt with both hands and pushed my hair to the back of my ears, “Thanks a lot, Aaron. For everything…”

“Anything for my favourite in-law”, he chuckled lightly.

That earned a smile from me. He always has the words to put a smile on my face, and he's also probably my favourite in-law. But I can't say that, I'm at war with my heart.

Just as I was about to open the door, his voice stopped me; “You can use me Aria”. His voice didn't have any form of humour or sarcasm in it, I turned to face him.

“Huh?” I asked, wearing a confused smile so I don't seem foolish to another brother.

“Anything you need to get to Justin, ask me. If it requires using my name, my body, anything at all… You can use me.”

Okay… can someone tell me why my brother-in-law is offering himself as a human shield all of a sudden? And seriously, why did he ever think about that?

My eyes go endlessly around random objects in the study, trying to avoid his eyes. I gave a polite nod and opened the door.

I walked hurriedly to my room, scared another D'Cruz would come after me and offer me promises too good to be true.

Opening the door to my matrimonial bedroom, I saw Justin, still passed out on the bed. I wanted to strangle him, to hit him, for lying to me all these years. To demand answers for why he wanted me around all these years despite feeling nothing romantic toward me. But, I just walked to my side of the bed and lay down, thinking and praying for tomorrow, I must give the most perfect performance tomorrow. I must humiliate Justin tomorrow.

It's funny how a few hours ago, I was defending him and now, I can't wait to ruin him. I never knew how love could quickly turn into hatred.

My eyes opened as a golden Ray of sunlight piercing through the curtain hit my face, warm and reminding me that I am still alive, that last night wasn't a dream.

Justin was up, The loud tapping on his phone drew my attention to him. I turned to him, he smiled at me and placed a kiss on my forehead as he always does. “Morning Aria.”

Yeah, morning Justin.

I returned his smile and turned my back on him. He's probably calling Summer “baby” and other sweet names he's never called me. Just then, my phone pinged. It was a W******p message from a new contact.

“I'm the divorce attorney Aaron told you about yesternight, he sent me your number earlier this morning.”

I looked at the time, it was 6:23 am, great. I have a show to prepare for. I went into the bathroom and prepared a cold bath for myself in the bathtub. I stayed in there for minutes, preparing my speech and facial expressions.

I dried my body, got into my closet, and picked the most radiant pair of black velvet pants and a shirt, and paired it with a red stiletto heel. I had gotten that outfit in preparation for my outing with Helena. I have to get another one now.

I parted my hair in the middle and straightened it till the slightest air made it move. I applied burgundy lipstick and paired it with gold dangling waterfall earrings.

I looked at myself in the mirror… I looked different, different in a good way. Different in a way that I won't be intimidated. I won't be trampled upon, I won't be humiliated. I took deep breaths and walked out of the closet to the bedroom.

“Wow, Aria. You look…different, what's the occasion?” Justin's lazy ass was still on the bed, his voice high-pitched. He liked what he was seeing. I hope he keeps this energy the whole day.

“It's a surprise honey. You'll see.” I smiled and walked out of the room.