Not Waiting Anymore

"Aria, the London contract is ready. Are you really doing this behind Dominic's back and giving up your title as chief advisor for the Rossi family?"The encrypted message from Julian, a senior partner at the London gallery, popped up on my screen early the next morning.Before I could type back, heavy footsteps sounded behind me."What are you looking at? You look so serious." Dominic stood at the study door, arms crossed, his icy-blue eyes narrowed in suspicion.I calmly flipped my phone face down on the desk. "Nothing. Just routine evaluations for the family art foundation auction next week."Dominic frowned slightly. He walked over, wrapped his arms around my shoulders from behind, his tone unusually cautious and probing. "You didn't even ask me what happened yesterday. That's not like you, Aria.""It doesn't matter anymore." I coldly brushed his hands off and stepped back. "When have I ever successfully changed your mind?"My distance brought a flicker of panic to his eyes. He kni

"Aria! Look at Instagram right now! That bitch Sienna is literally walking all over you!"Late at night, my friend Chloe's screeching voice blasted straight through the phone speaker.I had just folded my last stack of authentication papers into my briefcase. Hearing her, I just gave a flat response. "What did she post this time?""What else? Flexing, obviously!" Chloe was breathing hard, talking a mile a minute. "She just posted a top-tier custom Cartier high-jewelry diamond necklace! And her caption says it's a 21st birthday surprise from someone special!"Hearing the words "21st birthday surprise," I pictured Dominic acting all impatient earlier at noon.That black velvet box had sat hidden in the secret compartment of my vanity for a whole month.When I first found it, I actually thought he bought it for me, since our proposal anniversary fell on that exact date.Yet that night, no matter how hard I dropped hints, Dominic stayed totally quiet. He didn't pull out a gift, and he didn

8:00 AM. Chicago O'Hare International Airport.I stood alone in the noisy departure hall, wheeling a half-empty suitcase.No goodbyes. No one trying to stop me. And definitely not the man who swore on his life he wouldn't blow me off again.My phone screen was dead silent. No messages. No missed calls.Dominic's business partners always called him super punctual. For anything important, he prepared at least three hours early.Yet today was the twenty-sixth time.At the most critical moment of our "marriage," he disappeared again. Just like always.I sat by the gate, holding my paper boarding pass to London. That was when my phone finally buzzed twice.Two encrypted messages from Dominic popped up on the screen:*Aria, Sienna's asthma attack just stabilized. She's under observation. I have to stay at the hospital.**I can't make it to City Hall today. It's still early, so don't waste a trip. Wait for me at home. As soon as I'm done here, I'll take you to get registered. No delays this t

"I said don't call the police."In my second-floor gallery office, I stopped Julian's hand on the phone.He pushed up his glasses and pointed out the window at the tall shadow standing straight in the blizzard. "Aria, he's been standing outside your apartment and across from the gallery for a whole month. Rain or snow, every single day. He doesn't come up. He doesn't text. He's in the mafia. Are you sure you don't want security to kick him out?""Let him be." I packed up my painting tools, completely calm. "When a crazy man wants to torture himself, nobody can stop him."11:00 PM. A raging blizzard outside.I walked home from working late at the gallery, dragging my tired body toward my apartment door.From far away, a tall shadow leaned against a rusted lamppost.Dominic wore a black coat soaked through with melted snow. White snow covered him entirely, turning him into an ice statue. Hearing my footsteps, he raised his head stiffly. His lips were already purple from the cold."Aria..