4. AIDEN M.

The driver drove home and I walked in ignoring every eye and voice. I walked into my room and opened the door.

I stood at the entrance for several minutes before walking in. The room remained exactly as I left it, but missing one thing.

My scent, my presence.

I sat on the bed looking around the room designed blue-purple, inspired by my favourite K-Pop artists. A constant reminder of the girl I once was just before love found me.

My legs moved, checking everything that stood just in place exactly how I loved them. Then into my bathroom. I picked up my purple gummy bear toothbrush, twirling it in my hand,

The first and last gift I had gotten from my mom, Catherine. Serena wanted it, so she gave out the one she originally bought for me to Serena and secretly bought me another.

She always treated me differently despite being her first child. Sometimes I doubted that fact. Maybe that's why I sought love outside, the love my own mother never gave me.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and shook my hand wrapping around my belly. "Mom is going to give you the best life you could ever have darling"

I said and smiled. "Now we live for both of us"

My brush moved against my teeth from there. I moved from one skincare to another till I was set for bed. I climbed onto my bed curling up around my teddy.

Alex would have been the teddy if this was several months back. I smiled and closed my eyes but an unfamiliar weave passed my nose.

My eyes snapped open, no one and nothing. Maybe I just imagined it. Sleep felt distant but with the steady blow of the wind through the balcony door I drifted away.

Morning came bright as usual but I didn't even have the time to bask in the glow, a knock sounded on the door and I groaned sitting up.

"Young madam, Mrs. Catherine requests your presence in the dining room. Breakfast is ready" the maid said, her voice strained as if she was forced to stand by my door.

I didn't answer, my body moved before my brain even registered the movement. I went through the same routine as last night but this time I changed into a casual fit.

The dining glittered with gold but none of it caught my eyes as I nonchalantly pulled out a seat and sat down.

"Bitch..." I heard Serena scoff from the opposite side of the table but I couldn't be bothered looking up. The only sounds in the table were the clinking of spoons against plates and Serena clothes rustling just because she couldn't sit in one place.

An envelope appeared just beside my plate but I only spared it a glance before eating my food. "Open it" Catherine said but I still continued eating.

I only relaxed back on my seat once my plate was empty, my finger grazing the edge of the envelope and picking it up.

"It's a charity gala," she said calmly.

"Am not blind" I replied before dropping it and standing up. She stood up too and pulled me towards the walk-in closet in her room.

She handed a black dress to me and I changed into it. Standing by the mirror. "You'll attend..." she said, moving closer. "As a Lancaster, not as Alex White's wife" she said, fastening the diamond clasp behind me and stepping back.

"Tonight isn't about revenge" she said evenly. "There just need a Lancaster presence, you can still step down"

I met my own reflection in the mirror, the wedding ring still sat on my finger. For some reason I hadn't pulled it out, but not anymore,

Without a word I slid out the ring and let it fall to the ground. I just walked out completely ignoring Catherine still inside the dressing room.

The Royal Meridian Hotel glittered as I stepped in. Conversation died immediately, there always did.

"That's Miss Lancaster..." the first whisper came, breaking the silence.

"She actually returned"

"I thought Serena was the heir" another said and I nodded mentally, so that's how it is. I ignored it all. Smiling when required.

Many investors drew closer offering their hands which I calmly shook but my eyes scanned the entire room for the only man who had been capable of tearing me apart.

Finally, across the ballroom another pair arrived. Alex White and Serena Lancaster, she clung comfortably to his arm smiling for the camera as flashes followed their every step.

I watched through the crack of bodies surrounding me pretending to be focused on them. Her fingers tightened around Alex's sleeve and she called softly "Alex.."

"Mhno?" he barely ever listened, his eyes staring at another far across the room. Such a pervert. Serena shook his arm only then did he look at her.

She was staring, specifically at me flanked by several bodies. He followed her gaze but sighed looking away. "Don't call my attention to unimportant stuff," he said, looking away.

"Kiera...?" Serena groaned, pulling her hand away from Alex's arms with her palms forming a fist.

"Stop saying nonsense" Alex groaned, turning back toward my direction.

An elderly chairman approached me and laughed warmly. I also smiled. "Miss Lancaster, congratulations on reclaiming your position" he said.

Alex's expression shattered, going through different series of shocks. He then slowly turned to Serena.

"You knew?" he asked but she just stared at me with that angry looking face.

Of course she will, Catherine had always fed her with the lie that the company was hers, but I saw the doubt in her when I returned.

I accepted another glass of sparkling water, swirling it gently in its glass when Alex's frame fell over me. "Kiera" he called.

I looked up at him politely. "Mr. White"

"What are you doing here?" he asked and I calmly watched his lips spread in an awkward smile. I took a step back, my gaze travelling down his frame.

"I'm attending the gala. I got an invitation for” I said shrugging.

"This is for VIPs" he said nodding subtly as if trying to assure himself. I looked at him over my glass but didn't utter another word.

An executive laughed lightly, shaking his head. "Didn't you know your wife was the CEO of Lancaster group" he asked and the surrounding guests exchanged curious glances.

Alex's eyes widened, the reality finally dawning on him. Only I was capable of making him successful and I still am,

"Kiera" he lowered his voice. "We need to talk," he offered but I shook my head, stepping back and lifting my glass.

"I don't think so" I said and Serena stepped forward.

"So what if you are the CEO, my mom at-" she started her voice a low growl that sounded really annoying to the ears.

"--Our mother you mean" I interrupted and smiled calmly.

"You bitch" she lunged at me pulling my but I didn't react roughly. I held her hand to my skull preventing further force application.

"Serena..." a group of people called, stepping forward but she turned to them and yelled.

"It's Miss Lancaster..." they started back instinctively.

"So desperate to claim a position that isn't yours" A voice called out from the entrance, the air dropped several degrees and Serena's hand fell off my hair.

I looked up and saw Aiden. Alex biggest rival. I watched as Alex's face darkened immediately. Then the scent hit me, the same one from that cafe and in my room.

"So it was you" I mourned and he stepped closer. "The tea--" I mumbled ceaselessly.

"It's okay, besides you apologized and paid enough to buy the whole cafe" he said and a quiet laugh escaped me, genuine. Alex hand curled into fist by his side.

"You two know each other" he asked and I looked into Aiden's eyes still smiling while he answered casually.

"We've met," I nodded.

But then Aiden stretched his hand forward. "Do I get this dance–”