Chapter 6

The rays of sunlight shone on Aria as the maid opened the curtains and greeted her, inclining her head.

The normal smell of lavender was gone, replaced with the scent of coffee. Did she go back in time or was she just dreaming? Dreaming that she had woken back to the days when she would wake up to the smell of her mother’s coffee.

Aria awoke lazily, yawning and stretching her body before she froze, remembering the tragedy of the days before.

She looked around, disoriented and confused. A cup of hot coffee was on the tea table. Her brows arched in a frown before settling her eyes on the blonde maid standing before her with her head inclined and her hands behind her back.

“Good morning, Ms Aria. Here is a morning coffee. Mr. Aiden said you’d prefer coffee to tea. But I can change that if you want.”

Aria smiled, how much does Aiden know about her? Or it’s just wild guesses. She flipped her feet on the ground and took the coffee.

Aria took a grand look at her surroundings.

The room was almost the exact replica of her childhood room, and the maid had opened the window the way her mother always did.

Her heart was still tight in a knot, thinking about the events of the past week.

“Ms Aria.”

Aria blinked back to the maid, sweeping her palm across her face.

“I’m sorry. What is your name?” She asked nicely.

“I’m Mirabelle. Ms. Mila put me in charge of your needs. I’ll be here to support you with everything you need.”

Aria smiled at Mira, wondering what to say.

Aiden was doing too much at this point. A dark thought crept into Aria’s mind as she walked to the wall mirror.

What if Aiden is just like Gabriel? She keeps taking and taking from him. When he comes back to ask her for a favour, would she be able to repay? She was living a debt life, being indebted to Gabriel’s half-brother.

At least, she was not with Gabriel right now, she thought.

Aria asked Mira to give her a tour of the mansion. Since she would be living here for a while, she ought to know her way around.

The mansion was bigger than she thought. It consisted of a grand foyer, multiple sitting rooms and a formal dining hall.

At least seven suits and multiple modern rooms; wine cellars, home theatres…were all in the mansion.

Mira was respectful but she still managed to keep her distance from Aria, making her feel assured and comfortable around the house.

Aria hadn’t toured the whole mansion before she gave up and decided to take a break.

“Are there more?” She asked Mira who tried to hide a smile.

“There are several other places but we can check that out some other time. Take your time, Ms Aria.”

Every time she was called Ms Aria, she was reminded that she was no longer Mrs. Blackstone. Her heart tightened but she swallowed the lump and let out a pretty smile, a sign to go back inside.

Mila walked in on Aria as she approached her room. She held a luxurious-looking bag and handed it to Aria.

“What is it?” Aria opened it and to her dismay, she found a brand new iPhone. She and Mila exchanged glances while she tried to hide the surprise building in the pit of her stomach. “Is this for me?” Aria asked.

Mila nodded softly. “Mr. Aiden’s orders. Have you had breakfast?”

It was only then that Aria realised she had been walking around the house since she woke up. Her stomach suddenly growled like a paid actor.

“Come have breakfast.” Mila led Aria, stood with her and had a little chat, making sure she ate and also didn’t feel too alone in the house. Once Mila left, Aria went back to her room.

Nothing could stop the feeling of being like a ghost in a gilded cage while Aria still lived in Aiden’s mansion.

Without disturbing Mira, Aria took it upon herself to check out the rest of the mansion. She found a sunroom with art supplies.

Light beamed in her eyes, a loud happiness that died as soon as her past memories clouded her mind. A smile that had been building on her face had now turned grim.

She pursed her lips, fisting her hands and wondering if she should pick a pencil…again. It’s been years, years of holding back everything.

After a moment of consideration, she found a donkey, a sketchbook and a pencil. She started drawing lines from her favourite and happiest memories.

For a thousand years and more, Aria could never forget what she looked like…her mother. Aria kept replaying old memories of her mother as she sketched her face, tears clouding her eyes and a smile on her lips.

If she had known this was how things would end up for her, she would have relived those days, over and over again, wishing it never stop.

Around evening, Mila rushed into the house looking for Aria. She found Aria in her study, reading a new book.

She hesitated for a moment before handing Aria a tablet. Aria swiftly dropped the book in her hand when she read the headline of the news: "Gabriel Blackstone Divorce Finalised in Record Time.” Beneath it, a quote from Gabriel’s lawyer: “Mr. Blackstone is relieved to close this chapter and focus on the future with his family.”

“Is this real?” Aria’s voice broke. Mila felt guilty for being the one to break it to her but she felt like she had to.

Mila took a step back, watching Aria break sadly, then retreated totally, leaving Aria to her grief.

" Future with his family?"

The context of family without Aria burned her heart. Did she ever mean anything to him? Her miscarriage was just days ago. The baby they have both worked so hard to have…years of waiting and hoping, everything destroyed and reduced to ashes.

just like that.