Chapter 3 Left Out in the Cold

Aria now carried herself as if she were above everyone else, demanding the best of everything.

She insisted I buy her the most expensive loungewear, the finest non-slip slippers, and the rarest health supplements.

Before leaving for work, I had to simmer chicken soup for her; after work, I was expected to present imported fruit the moment I stepped through the door. Even her drinking water had to be spring water.

As for my parents, they watched it all with indulgent smiles.

"Hurry up! If Aria or the baby in her belly suffers because of you, we'll hold you accountable!"

"Pathetic! You're not even a fraction of what Aria is!"

I didn't resist. For two days straight, I kept running myself ragged until finally, news broke of Alexander and Luna's grand wedding.

"Aria, look at this!" I called out.

Aria's brows furrowed sharply before she snapped at me. "Why are you screeching like that? Are you trying to kill me? What if you startled Mr. Moore's child?

"Move that phone away! It gives off radiation. Wealthy families take prenatal education seriously. If your phone harms my baby, my future in-laws may smile in my face, but deep down they won't forgive me!"

I listened to her tirade, fighting hard to keep a straight face. "Aria, Alexander's getting married. You might not get to meet those in-laws you keep talking about."

Her exaggerated expression froze in an instant. She collapsed onto the floor, stunned. "What did you say? He's getting married? That's impossible. I don't believe it. How could he do this to me?"

I dug my nails into my thigh to stop myself from laughing.

"See for yourself. The Moore family's heir is marrying Luna Summers. The funny thing is she came from a modest background, just like you. And she's also pregnant with Mr. Moore's baby."

Aria's face twisted with anger.

Radiation forgotten, she snatched my phone and held it inches from her eyes, reading and rereading the article.

Then, her fingers went slack. The phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a loud crack.

A moment later came the hysterical wail.

"How could Alexander do this to me? I'm pregnant with his child, just like she is! Why would he marry her instead of me?"

Our parents rushed in, but instead of comforting Aria, they immediately lunged for the fallen phone.

Once they saw the headline themselves, they, too, sank helplessly to the floor.

"All those rare delicacies, all for nothing! How could Alexander marry someone else?"

My stomach hurt from holding in my laughter.

They thought Alexander needed their permission to marry when he came from a family with a fortune beyond measure?

When their chorus of complaints finally died down, I pinched my thigh again and squeezed out a few tears.

"Aria, I just don't understand. Is he betraying you just because we were late to acknowledge our ties? This isn't fair. We can't let it end like this."

Aria's eyes were bloodshot, but at my words, a flicker of desperate hope lit up her vacant stare.

"You're right. We can't let it end like this. I've been carrying Alexander's baby, I've gained five pounds for him, and yet he…" She choked on her words and began to sob again.

Fearing she'd spiral deeper, I cut in quickly. "Mom, Dad, stop just standing there! Think of something! Are we really going to sit back and watch them throw the grand wedding while Aria gets left out in the cold?"