chapter 3

ARIA POV

"Ding!" The doorbell rang

For a moment, I didn’t move–didn’t blink.

Quinn, on the other hand, was already on his feet.

"I'll get it," he said quickly, a childish eagerness creeping into his voice.

I wasn't ready to witness another dramatic reunion but I guess I had to anyways.

"Of course." I answered.

Two days.

That’s how short it had taken for this moment to arrive. Two days since Quinn had informed me—rather casually—that Zachary and Athena would be visiting. Two days of restless sleep and pretending that my heart didn’t clench every time I remembered him

I stood still, forcing myself to appear composed.

The door swung open.

"Quinn!" Athena’s voice rang out.

She pulled him into a tight embrace, her hands clutching his shoulders like she hadn't seen him since forever.

"My boy," she murmured. "You've lost weight."

Quinn chuckled. "Mum, I just saw you two months ago."

"And that means I can't worry?" she snapped, pulling back to scan him from head to toe. “Are you eating properly?”

"She hasn't changed a bit." I thought. Heavy makeup, always on heals and false nails. Trying to go back to the youthful days she can never be opportuned to go back to.

I swallowed.

Zachary stood just behind her, hands in his pockets, posture relaxed. When his eyes lifted and met mine, time seemed to freeze.

He smiled. Not a polite smile. Not a casual one.

A flirty smile—the same one that had made me an expectant mother.

I looked away immediately, my jaw tightening.

"Don’t."

"Don't look at him, don't react." I warned myself.

I hadn’t realized how much I had missed his presence until it stood right in front of me, breathing the same air.

"Get a grip, Aria." I told myself.

The man I had chosen over my husband.

I stole another glance before I could stop myself.

He looked… simple. No effort. No pretense. Just Zachary. And somehow, that made him more dangerous. More captivating.

"Great genes," I thought bitterly. "My child would definitely inherit his face."

Just not his beastly character.

"Mum," Quinn said warmly. It's so nice to have you here."

Athena smiled wider at that, clearly pleased.

That was my cue to greet.

I stepped forward. "Hi, Mum—"

She cut me off instantly.

"I'm not your mum,"Athena said sharply, her smile vanishing. it's just Athena. Get that straight."

She brushed past me like I wasn’t even there, heels clicking against floor as she entered the house.

I stood frozen, humiliation washed me.

Quinn didn’t say a word.

Not a single one.

I clenched my fists.

Three years.

Three years of marriage, and I had grown accustomed to this treatment. Athena never liked me, never hid it either. And Quinn—sweet, loyal Quinn—never once defended me.

A typical mum’s boy.

"Bring her bags in,"I said to Ian, our chief driver, breaking the silence.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied, quickly moving to comply.

"Take them upstairs." Quinn added.

We all gathered around the dining table soon after. The maids served the food. Chateau

Athena looked around, unimpressed. "A lot has changed about this house."

"This house,"she began, clicking her tongue, "lacks vibes, Quinn."

Quinn frowned slightly. "What about it?"

"The paintings?" he continued,. "Aria worked hard on the color combination."

His eyes didn't move towards me just for once.

Athena waved her hand dismissively. "That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?" Quinn asked.

"The house isn’t lively,"she replied , scanning the room as if searching for faults. "It feels… empty."

I resisted the urge to laugh.

"Funny," I thought. "Because that’s exactly how this marriage feels." A marriage where the mother decides what goes on in her son's life.

Zachary cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

"I think the house is lovely," he said calmly. "No flaws. Minimal maids. Clean. Peaceful."

Quinn shot him a warning glare.

One thing about Zachary that amazes me, is the way he uses one word to describe things when with other people, but funny how he could be a chatterbox when I was around.

"No one asked for your opinion," Quinn snapped. "This is a family discussion, and you're not included. Eat in peace."

Zachary leaned back slightly, unfazed, though I noticed the tightening of his jaw yet composed.

Athena smirked.

"And the kids?"she continued speaking with disdain. "No one to say, 'Granny, we missed you.'"

She turned sharply toward Quinn.

"It's high time you divorced and took another wife instead of staying with this barren woman."

The words didn't hit deep, it would have, if she came weeks ago but not any longer, I wasn't who she mirrored me, I was more, an expectant mother and because of people like her I was willing to keep the baby and disappoint her.

"There we go again,"I muttered under my breath.

Athena scoffed. "You sure have got some guts to talk back at me."

"Mum," Quinn said firmly but there was warmth in it not meant to correct or reprimand his mother. "A new wife won’t change anything."

Athena shrugged. "It's the truth. If no one else will tell you, then I will."

"That's enough, Athena," Zachary suddenly said, banging his fist on the table.

"Silence isn't weakness. It's withdrawal from acting foolish." Zachary added. I saw Athena's face change, she tightened the grip on her cutlery.

Fury was the word for it.

That simple action, I felt overwhelmed with love, tears clouded my eyes, happy that someone I love was defending me.

"Break it...looks like you learnt carpentry." I murmured under my breath, Zachary chuckled.

"In whose house, huh?" Quinn stood abruptly, his eyes blazed with anger as he stared at Zachary.

"Sit dow, Quinn." I urged trying to ease the tension.

"As who exactly?" he continued harshly. "My best friend who fucked my mother behind my back, or my new stepfather?"

The room became silent that even slow breathes could be heard

No one spoke. Not Athena. Not Zachary. Not even the maids dared to utter a word.