The Gathering That Broke Me

Chapter Two – The Gathering That Broke Me

Aria’s POV

When I arrived at Teniu Hotel, my palms were already full of sweat. But there’s one hope I held onto, that today, something would change, not even when my mother in law's voice was so calm and cool on the phone.

So I tried to show up smiling, if I should try to impress them, maybe Alex's family would finally see that I did like him from my heart and I did mean well for him.

The moment I stepped inside the hotel, I noticed they had personally decorated it and I felt it’s so special Liz 

The crystal light was hung from the ceiling, they played soft piano music in the background, everything felt too perfect.

After seeing Mama and her daughter from where I was standing, I wanted to go back to change because then look too perfect, and my gown, too simple, 

I wanted to go back, but I reminded myself, the gown isn’t what was important, I am the one. 

I was moving, going towards them but I stopped after I noticed there were five chairs.

A small frown appeared on my face.Five?

I counted again slowly. Mama, Clara, Alex, Me.

So who was the fifth seat for?

I had this change feeling, but I pushed it away. I was sure I was over thinking. As a designer I used to be before marriage, we did overthink, but I had told myself not to let it ruin my marriage. 

I took a deep breath, I walked closer to the table.

“Good evening, Mama. Good evening, Clara,” I greeted politely.

Mama barely looked at me, before nodding codly.

Clara, on the other hand, leaned back in her chair and looked at me from my head to toe, as if I wasn’t invited 

“So you came” she said with a mocking laugh.

I don’t understand, I wanted to remind her that they were the one who called me and invited me over.

But arguing would only make things worse. “It’s Alex’s birthday,” I replied quietly. “Of course I came.”

Clara exchanged a look with her mother before whispering something that made both of them smile.

Not a kind laugh, No! This is a cruel laugh . I lowered my eyes and sat down slowly, gripping my purse tightly in my lap.

Just stay calm, Aria.This show they don’t even mean well this night, I just want to ge through the night.

Then suddenly, the doors of the hall opened.

Alex, who told me he wouldn’t be coming, actually is here.

Looking at him, he doesn’t look like someone who was forced to be here, he looked tall, and handsome, in his suit I got for him in his first birthday in our marriage.

But just then, my eyes shifted to the woman beside him, everything inside me went still instantly.

Alex was holding her hand.

My breath caught painfully in my throat. No! 

I stared harder, hoping maybe I was mistaken.

But I wasn’t. I knew her.

I had seen her picture before on Alex’s phone.

Whenever I asked who she was, he always dismissed it casually.

“She’s just an old friend.”

He used to make me feel paranoid for even asking.

But now? Now he was walking into a family dinner with her hand in his like he had nothing to hide anymore.

The room suddenly felt too hot, too loud and too small.

I lowered my head quickly before anyone could see the tears filling my eyes.

My chest hurt so badly it felt impossible to breathe properly.

Then Clara suddenly stood up excitedly.“Sister!” she squealed before rushing toward the woman.

Sister?

The woman hugged her too warmly,and just like that every red flag I used to ignore became clear

It was clear that they knew this and they had planned this, planned for me to see all these.

Even Alex looked slightly caught off guard for a moment, like he hadn’t expected Clara to go this far, like inviting mex

But honestly, what difference did it make? He still came with her.

Not that he didn’t want to come, just that, he doesn’t want me to see this happening. I smiled.

People around started looking, some started feeling pity, and some were mocking 

“Aria,” she said loudly enough for nearby tables to hear, “can’t you finally take the hint?”

My fingers tightened around my purse.

“Why can’t you stop clinging to my brother and let him be with someone who can actually make him happy? Sign the divorce paper and let go off him” 

The words hit me like a slap.

Tears filled my eyes instantly.

I tried to blink them away, but it was useless.

My throat tightened painfully.

I wanted to defend myself, I wanted to scream that I had tried everything that I loved Alex more than anyone but no words came out.

The woman calmly took the empty seat beside Alex. The fifth chair. The chair I had ignored earlier.

It had been prepared for her all along.

Something inside me shattered quietly.

But Clara still wasn’t finished.

“You should’ve stayed home instead of embarrassing yourself like this,” she continued mercilessly. “Everyone already knows you can’t give my brother a child. What kind of wife can’t even do that?”

Each sentence cut deeper than the last.

I felt naked sitting there while everyone watched me fall apart.

Then suddenly, a strong hand grabbed my arm.

I gasped softly. Alex.

He stood beside me, his face dark and impossible to read.

Without saying a single word, he pulled me roughly out of my chair.

“Alex…” I whispered weakly.

But he ignored me completely.

His grip only tightened as he dragged me away from the table, away from the whispers, away from the stares burning into my back.

My heart pounded wildly as he pulled me toward a quiet corner of the hall.

His jaw was clenched tightly.

His expression was cold. And at that moment, I honestly didn’t know what hurt more…

His family humiliated me in front of everyone…

Or the fact that my own husband no longer knew how to touch me gently.