Chapter 3

AARON

"I divorced Elena today."

The words hung in the air of his parents' lavish living room. Aron watched their faces, waiting for the inevitable reaction.

His mother's hand flew to her chest, her eyes widening with what could only be described as pure joy. "Oh, thank God! Finally!" She turned to her husband. "Richard, did you hear that? He finally came to his senses!"

His father set down his newspaper, a rare smile crossing his stern features. "Best decision you've made in three years, son. That girl was munching on us."

"A gold digger," his mother spat, rising from her chair. "That's all she ever was. Eating our wealth, spending your money on God knows what, pretending to be something she wasn't."

Aaron's jaw tightened. Elena had barely spent anything. She'd been almost painfully modest, actually. But he didn't correct them.

"What about the house?" his father asked.

"She took nothing. Just left."

His mother clapped her hands together. "Even better! See? She knew she had no claim to anything. Probably ran off before we could expose her for what she really is."

"Grandmother won't be happy about this," Aaron said quietly.

His mother waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, don't worry about that old woman. She's always been too sentimental. Once we explain everything, she'll understand. She'll see we're doing what's best for this family."

"She loved Elena."

"She loved the idea of Elena," his mother corrected sharply. "There's a difference. Now, we need to start planning." Her eyes gleamed with excitement. "The engagement party! We should begin preparations immediately. Tiffani deserves the best, after all."

As if on cue, the door to the sitting room opened and Tiffani walked in, wearing a cream-colored dress that probably cost more than most people's monthly rent. Her smile was bright.

"Did I hear my name?" she asked sweetly.

"Darling!" Aaron's mother rushed to embrace her. "We were just talking about your engagement party. It's going to be the event of the season!"

Tiffani's eyes found Aaron's across the room. Her smile widened. "I can hardly wait. This is everything I've dreamed of."

"We'll invite everyone who matters," his mother continued, already pulling out her invite list. "The Astors, the Vanderbilts, the Andersons. This will show everyone that the Walton family knows how to choose the right alliances."

"It should be at the Plaza," Tiffani suggested, moving to sit beside Aaron on the sofa. She placed her hand on his arm. "Don't you think, darling?"

He looked at her hand, perfectly manicured, expensive rings on every finger. Then he thought of Elena's hands, bare except for her wedding ring.

"Whatever you want," he said flatly.

His mother was already on the phone with someone, discussing dates and venues. His father had returned to his newspaper, satisfied that order had been restored to the family. Tiffani was scrolling through her own phone, probably looking at party inspiration.

This was what he wanted. This was the plan. Divorce Elena, marry Tiffani, unite two powerful families, strengthen the business empire.

So why did he feel like he'd swallowed glass?

"Aaron?" Tiffani's voice pulled him back. "You seem distant. Are you okay?"

"I'm Fine," he lied.

"It must be hard," she said sympathetically, though her eyes held no real warmth. "Ending a marriage, even one that was clearly a mistake. But you did the right thing. We both know she was never right for you."

He should agree. He should nod and smile and play his part in this performance. Instead, he found himself thinking about Elena's face when he'd handed her those papers. The way she'd barely reacted, as if she'd been expecting it. As if she had a card she hadn't played yet and then he might regret it.

Why had she left so quietly? No fight, no tears, no demands. Just... gone.

"I need to make a call," he said abruptly, standing up.

"Now?" Tiffani pouted. "But we're planning our future."

"It'll just take a minute." He pulled out his phone and dialed Maria, his maid. She answered on the second ring.

"Mr. Aaron"

"Is Elena at the villa?"

After a pause she answered. "No, sir. She hasn't returned."

"Do you know where she went?"

"No, sir. Like I said earlier, a car picked her up. I haven't heard from her since."

He hung up without saying another word. His thumb hovered over Elena's contact. He could call her. Ask where she was.

But what right did he have? He'd divorced her. He'd chosen Tiffani, chosen his parents' approval.

"Aaron!" Tiffani was beside him now, linking her arm through his. "Stop thinking about her. She's gone. This is our time now." She pressed against him, her perfume overwhelming. "Let's go out and celebrate! Just the two of us. We can go to that restaurant you love, drink champagne, and toast to our future."

Her smile was dazzling. Perfect white teeth, perfectly applied lipstick, perfectly styled hair. Everything about her was perfect.

Everything except that she wasn't Elena.

The thought came unbidden, and Aaron tried to shove it away. This was ridiculous. He'd made his choice. Elena was his past. Tiffani was his future.

"Come on," Tiffani urged, tugging at his arm. "Let's celebrate! We can go to the biggest restaurant. I know one that's not so far away. It's a famous place. It'll be fun!"

His mother looked up from her phone. "That's a wonderful idea, Tiffani! You two should enjoy yourselves. You deserve it after everything."

Everyone was smiling at him. Expecting him to smile back. Expecting him to be happy.

But all he could think about was an empty house without Elena. She disappeared into a car with someone he didn't know.

Where was she? Who had picked her up?

His arm balled.

"Aron?" Tiffani's voice had taken on an edge. "Are you coming or not?"

He looked at Tiffani, the woman of his dreams and felt absolutely nothing now.

"I should stop thinking of Elena and think of Tiffani more else I'm going to break her heart." Aron thought to himself.

"Sure," he finally said, his voice hollow. "Let's celebrate."

He held Tiffani by her waist . She smiled resting her head on his shoulders.