LOGIN10:15 A.M. – Walter Group HeadquartersThe glass doors slid open with a sharp hiss.Aria marched inside like a storm.Her heels struck the marble floor with furious determination.Employees exchanged nervous glances.No one dared stop her.She walked straight to the executive floor.Lucas's personal assistant immediately stood up."Mrs. Cross...""Mr. Walter is in a meeting.""You'll have to—""Move."Aria's icy voice made the woman freeze."I'm sorry, ma'am, but you can't—""Where is he?"Aria demanded."Where is that son of a bitch?"The entire floor fell silent.The assistant hurried after her."Ma'am, please!""Mr. Walter specifically instructed that no one should interrupt him."Aria didn't even slow down.She reached Lucas's office and shoved the doors open.Bang!The sound echoed through the luxurious office.Lucas looked up from his desk.For a brief second...He appeared surprised.Then a slow smile spread across his face.He stood."Aria...""My love.""I've been expecting y
12:40 P.M. – Cross MansionThe drive back from Garden Court Café felt endless.Aria barely remembered how she had gotten home.Her mind replayed Ethan's words over and over."She was your mother.""Richard Carter stole your identity.""Read the evidence."The thick file rested on the passenger seat beside her.Several times she glanced at it...Several times she looked away."No..."She whispered as she gripped the steering wheel tighter."My father wouldn't do that.""He wouldn't."She wanted to believe it.Needed to believe it.Richard Carter had raised her.Comforted her when she cried.Celebrated her birthdays.Protected her.Hadn't he?Yet...Ethan's eyes haunted her.There had been no hatred in them.Only grief.Only twenty-four years of waiting.She entered the mansion absentmindedly.Mrs. Helen greeted her with a smile."Welcome home, Madam."Aria forced a smile."Thank you."She went straight upstairs.Inside her bedroom, she carefully placed Ethan's file inside the drawer of
Garden Court CaféThe shattered porcelain cup lay scattered across the polished floor.The entire café had fallen silent.Even the waitress froze.Aria's breathing became uneven.She stared at Ethan as though he had gone mad.Then...She laughed.A short...Disbelieving laugh."No."She slowly shook her head."No...""You're lying."Ethan didn't speak."My father told me Clara Lawrence was my aunt.""He told me she died when I was little.""He told me you murdered her!"Her voice rose with every sentence."And now you expect me to believe she was my mother?""What kind of sick joke is this?"Several customers turned to look.The café manager quietly signaled for the staff not to interrupt.Ethan remained seated.His eyes never left Aria's face."I knew you wouldn't believe me.""Because Richard Carter spent twenty-four years making sure you never would."Aria slammed both hands on the table."Don't say my father's name!""He raised me!""He fed me!""He gave me a home!""And you're t
9:40 P.M. – Carter MansionThe Carter Mansion was unusually quiet.Most of the lights had already been switched off, leaving only the soft glow of the wall lamps illuminating the endless hallway.Inside her bedroom...Vivienne Carter stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, a crystal wine glass resting loosely in her hand.Beyond the glass, the city sparkled beneath the night sky.A bitter smile curved across her lips."So...""Aria is really getting married."She took a slow sip before letting out a humorless laugh."If anyone deserves to destroy that wedding...""It should be me."She stared at Aria and Damian's engagement announcement on her phone.The smile on Aria's face irritated her."So why does Selene get to make the first move?"She slowly placed the phone on the bedside table."No...""I can't."Not because she had forgiven Aria.She never would.It was because of Richard Carter.Because of the secret he had buried for more than twenty years.If Aria ever discovered the t
1:45 P.M. – Imperial Shopping Mall Parking LotThe drive back to Cross Mansion was unusually quiet.Eleanor glanced sideways at Aria several times.Normally...Aria would chatter excitedly about everything they had bought.Today...She simply stared out the window.Lost in thought.Finally, Eleanor reached over and gently patted her hand."My dear...""Would you like to tell me what happened back there?"Aria remained silent for several seconds.Then she sighed."My father told me that man murdered my aunt."Eleanor frowned."And yet...""You don't seem convinced."Aria looked down at the business card hidden inside her handbag."I don't know.""He didn't look like a murderer.""He looked..."She struggled to find the words."...heartbroken."Eleanor nodded thoughtfully."I've lived long enough to know one thing.""What?""The truth and appearances are rarely the same."Aria didn't answer.---3:10 P.M. – Cross MansionDamian had just finished a conference call when he heard laughter
Two Days Later10:00 A.M. – Azure Bliss SpaSoft instrumental music floated through the luxurious spa.The scent of lavender and jasmine filled the air.Aria lay comfortably on a massage bed while Eleanor relaxed beside her, cucumber slices covering her eyes.A beautician gently massaged Eleanor's shoulders.She sighed contentedly."I could get used to this."Aria laughed."I knew you'd enjoy it."Eleanor removed one cucumber slice and looked at her."My dear...""You've spoiled me.""You deserve it."Aria smiled warmly."You've spent your whole life taking care of everyone else.""Now let me take care of you."Eleanor reached over and affectionately patted Aria's hand."You really are too sweet."She suddenly frowned."But don't tell Coconut Head."Aria giggled."He'll be jealous.""He should be."Eleanor sniffed proudly."You're my granddaughter now.""The wedding hasn't even happened yet.""I've already claimed you."Aria's eyes softened."I don't mind."The older woman smiled."I
The next day, Aria packed her bags neatly. Her parents stood by the doorway, both looking like they were sending their only child to war.“In whatever you do, my child, be careful,” Mr. Carter said, voice weighed down with regret. “I wish I could go back in time and set things right.”Aria squeezed
Selene barely slept. By morning, her nerves were frayed so thin they could snap. She dabbed extra concealer under her eyes, squared her shoulders, and marched into Damian’s office with a smile that looked like it had been glued on by a rookie makeup artist.“Good morning, babe,” she said, voice sof
The next morning, Damian paused outside Aria’s door, hand lifted, knuckles stiff. One breath.Two.Then he knocked.From inside, her voice floated out—calm, distant.“Come in.”He stepped inside… and she turned, surprise flickering just once before her walls snapped back up.“Long time, Miss Carter
Selene shut her bedroom door, locked it, and pressed her back to it.Her heart was thumping like a drum about to burst.“Gosh… what is all this?” she muttered, running a shaky hand through her hair.“No, no, no. This isn’t happening. It can’t be happening.”She grabbed her phone immediately and dia







