Aria's POV
Kane's last words in the study still echoed in my mind, cold and sharp like a blade carving into my chest again and again.
He didn't even glance my way.
I knelt in the living room, quietly sweeping up the shards of glass, forcing myself to focus on the task—pretending that concentrating on these tiny, jagged pieces might somehow dull the pain burning in my heart.
But out of nowhere, someone slammed into me—hard.
I stumbled, barely catching myself before falling again. Before I could ask what happened, a sharp slap cracked across my cheek.
Smack.
My ears rang. For a moment, my whole world went silent.
I lifted my head, eyes welling with tears, rage and humiliation crashing over me like a tidal wave.
Gabriella stood before me, her expression smug and cruel. Her eyes held the glint of a predator watching its prey squirm.
She sneered. "How does it feel to be a traitor?"
My stomach dropped.
So
Aria's POVCaleb must've sensed something was off with me—he was just about to say something when Gabriella piped up with excitement."Caleb, great news! Remember that vineyard you were eyeing last month? I pulled a few strings, and it's as good as ours. The paperwork's being finalized."Caleb's eyes lit up immediately.He had once mentioned how he'd dreamed of buying that estate someday and taking someone special there."Are you serious? That's amazing!"He turned to me, his eyes glowing. "Aria, that vineyard is gorgeous. It has its own wine-making equipment, and I always thought it would be fun to go there and make our own wine together."I tried to smile, tugging the corners of my lips up, but it felt stiff and unnatural.Gabriella's face clouded for a split second, then curved into a tight, mocking grin."Oh, right. I still remember that bottle you made yourself a while back."She rested her chin on her hand
Aria's POVWe had just sat down at a small restaurant near the hospital—hadn't even looked at the menu—when Caleb's phone buzzed.It was Gabriella."Where are you? I'm coming to find you," she said, her voice cold even through the phone."What for?" Caleb glanced at me apologetically. "I've got things to do. Don't come here and cause trouble."The sound of her voice made me instinctively touch my cheek, where the sting of her slap still lingered.I lowered my gaze to the menu, but the words swam before my eyes."I don't care," Gabriella snapped, her tone rising. "I'll be at that French place downtown—the one we always go to. If you're not there in ten minutes, I'm telling Mom and Dad you've been sneaking around with Aria behind their backs."She wasn't above blackmail, clearly."You—" Caleb's voice dropped, thick with frustration. "Gabriella, you've got some nerve."He hung up with a heavy
Aria's POVI ran out of the apartment building, sprinting down the street like I could outrun everything weighing on me.Cold wind tore through my clothes, chilling my skin, but I didn't stop until my lungs burned and my legs ached. Only then did I slow down.I had no idea where I was going.I just knew I had to get away—from Kane's cold accusations, from Gabriella's humiliation, from the crushing sense that I no longer belonged anywhere.I stood on the busy sidewalk, surrounded by strangers, feeling more alone than I ever had.Kane didn't believe me. Gabriella saw me as an enemy.Even Chad… even he had been dragged down because of me.Where else could I go?Just then, my phone rang."Aria, it's Dr. Harlan. Your father's medication is ready—don't forget to pick it up."I blinked, momentarily stunned. Mom's voice echoed in my memory, gently reminding me again and again not to forget his pi
Aria's POVKane's last words in the study still echoed in my mind, cold and sharp like a blade carving into my chest again and again.He didn't even glance my way.I knelt in the living room, quietly sweeping up the shards of glass, forcing myself to focus on the task—pretending that concentrating on these tiny, jagged pieces might somehow dull the pain burning in my heart.But out of nowhere, someone slammed into me—hard.I stumbled, barely catching myself before falling again. Before I could ask what happened, a sharp slap cracked across my cheek.Smack.My ears rang. For a moment, my whole world went silent.I lifted my head, eyes welling with tears, rage and humiliation crashing over me like a tidal wave.Gabriella stood before me, her expression smug and cruel. Her eyes held the glint of a predator watching its prey squirm.She sneered. "How does it feel to be a traitor?"My stomach dropped.So
Aria's POVThe moment I opened the door to the villa, Kane shoved me inside without a word.Caught off guard, I stumbled and fell hard to the floor.My knees hit the tiles with a painful crack, sending a jolt through my whole body.I tried to push myself up, wincing, only to freeze when I looked up and met the cold, dead expression on his face."What the hell is that look?"he snapped, eyes full of scorn."I didn't betray you,"I said quietly, biting down on my lip. I was clinging to a last shred of hope—hoping he'd believe me, hoping he'd let me explain.But I didn't even get the chance."Shut up!"he roared.A crystal glass shattered against the floor. Shards scattered everywhere.I felt a sharp sting on my leg. Warmth trickled down my skin. Blood.Still, I said nothing. I curled my fingers into the hem of my dress, holding on for dear life.Even though I was shaking, even thou
Chad's POVI ended the call with Aria, took a deep breath, and forced my emotions back down before striding into the office.My supervisor sat behind his desk, casually sipping coffee.I placed the customs seizure file squarely in front of him and said calmly but firmly, "I believe it's time we conduct a full investigation into them."He glanced at the folder, his expression unreadable. "You mean... a full audit on ATTA?""Yes,"I said, meeting his eyes without flinching. "Their taxes, invoices, funding sources—every single project. I want eyes on everything."He chuckled softly and set down his cup, giving me a look that was part amusement, part warning. "That's quite the declaration."I didn't respond. I didn't need to. I nodded once, letting the silence speak for itself.He sighed. "Chad, you're still too young. If you've got a grudge against ATTA, a little jab would've sufficed. But do you have any idea what you'