Chapter 5

I froze. Divorce? The word echoed inside my head again and again.

"No," I whispered.

"It's better this way."

"For who?"

"For everyone." He chipped.

Everyone. Did he really believe that?

"I won't do it."

"You don't have a choice." He continued.

Anger rushed through me. "You don't get to destroy my life and then decide what happens next."

"I've already spoken to Richard.”

My heart skipped. "My... father?"

"Yes, he understands,” He replied immediately.

I felt sick. "What do you mean?"

"He knows this marriage is over."

"No..."

"He agreed we should settle this peacefully."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Richard hadn't even called me. He hadn't asked if I was alright. He had already taken Jason's side.

Jason spoke again. "Come to the Reid house tonight."

"Why?"

"Everyone will be there."

A cold feeling settled in my stomach. Everyone. Richard. Victoria. Lila. Jason. They were all going to sit together and discuss my marriage... without me.

"I'll be there," I finally said quietly.

"Good." Then he ended the call.

I lowered the phone slowly. For the first time that day, I wasn't crying. I was angry. Very angry. If they wanted me at the Reid house…then they would see me. They thought I would beg. They thought I would fall to my knees and fight for a man who had already thrown me away. They were wrong.

I looked at the time. Almost four in the afternoon. I hadn't eaten anything. I walked into a small coffee shop nearby. The sweet smell of fresh bread and coffee welcomed me. A young waitress smiled. "Good afternoon, ma'am." 

I forced a small smile. "Can I have a cup of tea, please?"

"And something to eat?" She added 

I wanted to say no. But my empty stomach answered before I could.

"Just... a sandwich." I replied.

She nodded. "I'll bring it right away."

I found a quiet table by the window. My phone buzzed again. Naomi. This time, I answered immediately.

"Please tell me you're okay. if I ever see Jason, I'll pour hot coffee on his expensive suit."

Despite everything, I laughed a little. "You would actually do it."

"You know I would."

The waitress placed my tea and sandwich on the table. "Enjoy your meal."

"Thank you."

Naomi spoke again. "Have you eaten today?"

"I'm about to."

"Good."

I stared at the sandwich. Suddenly, I had no appetite. "Naomi..."

"Uhh?"

"He asked for a divorce."

She went quiet. "What?"

"He said everyone will be at the Reid house tonight."

"I don't like the sound of that."

"Neither do I."

"Do you want me to come with you?”

I thought about it. Richard hated when outsiders got involved in family matters. If Naomi came, he would only make a bigger scene.

"No."

"But Aria…"

"I'll be okay."

"Call me the second it's over."

"I promise."

After we ended the call, I forced myself to eat a few bites. Everything tasted dry. An hour later, I paid the bill and walked outside. The weather had changed. Dark clouds covered the sky. A cold wind brushed against my face. Within seconds, rain began to fall.

"Oh no." I looked around. There wasn't a single taxi in sight. The rain became heavier. People rushed into nearby stores. I hugged myself and started walking. My shoes splashed through puddles.

Just then, a black Rolls-Royce stopped. The back window slowly rolled down. For just a second, I met the cold gray eyes of a man I had never seen before. His face showed no emotion. He looked at my soaked clothes before speaking. "Get in".

I blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"I said, get in." His voice was deep. Firm. Like someone who was used to giving orders.

I took a step back. "I don't know you, no, and I don't get into strangers' cars."

For the first time, something close to amusement flashed across his face. "That's smart."

He glanced at the man sitting in the driver's seat. "James." He called. 

The driver immediately stepped out holding a large black umbrella. He walked toward me politely. "Good afternoon, miss." I looked between the two men.

James smiled kindly. "My boss isn't trying to scare you. He has a funny way of showing it." A tiny smile appeared on James’ face. "My boss isn't good with people." The man inside the car looked away as if he hadn't heard that.

"I noticed," I muttered.

James held the umbrella over my head. "Please allow us to drop you wherever you're going."

I hesitated. Every lesson my mother had ever taught me screamed at me to refuse. But another look at the heavy rain made me think twice.

"I'm only going to the Reid mansion."

The man inside the car finally looked back at me. "The Reid mansion?"

"Yes."

He stared at me for a second longer. Then he said quietly, "Get in."

This time, I did.

The inside of the car smelled clean. Leather. Fresh wood. Very expensive. I sat as far from him as possible. He opened his laptop without looking at me. I looked out the window. After a few minutes, he finally spoke. "You're Ariana Reid."

I turned sharply. "How do you know my name?"

"I know many people."

"That's not an answer." I replied.

He closed the laptop. "No, it isn't."

I frowned. "And you are?"

He looked at me. "Alexander Steele."

The name sounded familiar. Very familiar. Then I remembered. The newspapers. Business magazines. The youngest billionaire CEO in the country. The man who turned Steele Group into one of the biggest companies in just a few years. People called him cold. Untouchable. Impossible to please. I suddenly felt nervous.

"I saw you leave the hotel." He said.

"I wasn't trying to watch you," he continued calmly. "My meeting ended at the same time."

I looked away, embarrassed. "You must think I'm pathetic."

"I don't." His answer came so quickly that I looked back at him. "I think you're hurting."