CHAPTER ONE

ARIA’S POV  

I can't find him anywhere. I've searched the entire mansion, through the grand halls, the glittering ballroom, even the gardens where fairy lights twinkled like false promises.

Now I'm heading to the third floor, my heels sinking into the thick carpets that line these quieter corridors.

This side of the mansion feels worlds away from the chaos below. Downstairs, the first floor pulses with the loud laughter of rich men sealing deals over whiskey, the high-pitched giggles and barbed gossip of their wives, and the constant clink of crystal glasses. 

I feel out of place here, like an ornament on display rather than the guest of honor. Today was supposed to be about us, Ryan and me.

Our engagement announcement. 

The start of a stable future after years of piecing myself back together from my family's tragedy. We should be together, smiling for the cameras, not... whatever this is.

I pause mid-step when muffled voices drift from the farthest room on the third floor. Then comes the unmistakable sound of kissing—wet, urgent, passionate.

Followed by a giggle. Ryan's giggle. Dread coils tight in my stomach. Something is wrong. Terribly wrong.

I move quietly down the hallway, my dress trailing softly behind me. The click of my heels is muffled by the rug, but my heart thunders loud enough to drown everything out. 

The door is half-open. I approach on tiptoe, dread turning my blood to ice.

I almost gasp aloud at the scene inside.

Ryan—my fiancé, with another woman. Her back is arched against the desk, his hands roaming possessively. 

I jerk back from the doorway before they can see me, pressing my spine flat against the wall. My chest heaves as I try to calm my erratic breathing. 

I blink rapidly, but the image is burned into my mind: his mouth on her neck, her fingers in his hair.

This can't be real. It's minutes until our public announcement. And he's here, with her?

The woman's breathy laughter floats through the door crack. She is giggling in ecstasy as another kissing sound comes through.

"You're terrible," she murmurs, voice thick with lust.

Ryan chuckles. 

"Yet you keep coming back." His voice comes through again. My breath hitches, my heart beating wildly against my rib cage.

The woman laughs again. This time clearer ….. isn't that…. Vanessa?

His assistant. A gasp almost slips from my lips; I clamp my mouth shut quickly with my shaky hands, moving closer to the door to see for myself.

It is really her; I recognize that yellow sundress from earlier.

"What happens after tonight? You announce your engagement and play happy fiancé?" she asks, almost sulking. There is a brief pause. My heart is beating wildly as each second passes, then Ryan speaks.

"Don't start." Ryan replies, irritation edging his tone.

"I'm serious.”

"Aria knows her place," he says coldly. The words hit like a slap. He rarely sounds like this with me impatient and dismissive.

"And what exactly is her place?" Vanessa presses.

Ryan laughs. "Looking pretty beside me, of course” He laughs again; this time, it is cut abruptly by a muffled wet sound. 

“Her family name opens doors. Investors trust the Cole connection. Sponsors love her wholesome story. As soon as we sign those papers, she inherits her parents' company... and fifty percent becomes mine. I'll find a way to get her to sign it over quickly."

Vanessa clicks her tongue. "And here I thought you were marrying for love” sarcasm dripping from her tone.

"Love doesn't secure contracts," Ryan snorts. "You know you're my dream woman."

She sighs dramatically. "Poor Aria."

Ryan doesn't answer immediately. But when he finally speaks, his voice is cold.

"She should be thanking me," he continues, voice dropping. "Without me, she'd still be that broken girl trying to put herself back together after her family's mess."

My vision blurs with tears; I stagger backward, air completely out of my lungs. I want to confront him, I want to burst in, scream, shatter everything. But my legs won't move. 

The woman giggles. "You really are awful."

Ryan's reply comes without hesitation.

"Maybe I'm just practical… But I love you." Then his voice drops lower.

"But after tonight, none of it will matter… because I will be officially engaged to her, and investors will keep coming in,” he barks out a laugh again.

My stomach churns as I turn away. I should have stayed and listened to the remaining part of his little secret, but I can't.

Instead, I turn and flee down the hall, back toward the gathering. I grab my purse from a side table and rush to the nearest bathroom, locking the door behind me.

Staring at my reflection, I barely recognize the woman in the mirror—pale cheeks, smudged mascara, trembling lips. 

This isn't me. I used to be vibrant, the resilient daughter of the Cole family. No man should reduce me to this.

I push the emotions down. I'll process later. For now, I need to survive this night. I reached for the burgundy lip gloss Claire insisted I carry. 

"You might need it," she'd said with a wink. How right she was.

I reapply it carefully, adjust my dress, and lift my chin. I am Aria Cole. I walk out with my head high.

As I re-enter the gathering, Ryan is already at the podium, announcing our engagement with that practiced, charming smile. 

In the corner, Vanessa watches him like he's her entire world. I scoff internally.

I guess I really was that blind to miss the part that they have something going on. I mean, since when does a man have an “assistant” when he can't even afford his own suit?

I roll my eyes as he reads out sweet nothings, praising our love story like some lovesick fool.

He calls my name. Applause erupts. I walk toward the stage, each step deliberate. He extends his arms for a hug.

I sidestep it pointedly. Gasps ripple through the crowd.

Although I'm not in for drama, even though what I might say is dramatic, I simply grab the microphone from him.

Ignoring his shocked state.

"This engagement will not hold."