Chapter 5: False Certainties

Aria’s POV

My eyes lingered on the bracelet longer than they should have, as though staring at it hard enough might force the truth to rearrange itself into something easier to bear.

It can’t be him.

No. There is no way I slept with my boss.

He wouldn’t stoop to my level. That was what my mind clung to, even as doubt crept in like cold air under a closed door. Besides, it was just a bracelet. The jewellery wasn’t unique. Designs were copied every day, sold in different shops, and worn by countless people. I convinced myself of this, shaking my head slightly, as though the motion alone could dislodge the thought.

Sandra said she set me up with James.

“Ms Aria, what are you shaking your head for?”

His deep voice cut cleanly through my thoughts, snapping me out of my spiral.

“Apologies, sir,” I said quickly, straightening. I forced my focus back into the room, back into the present.

Mr Howard leaned back in his chair, calm and composed, rolling a pen slowly between his fingers. The faint scratch of plastic against skin felt unbearably loud in the silence. I stood there, hands clasped, waiting, either for my sentence or my salvation.

I didn’t know why I was so afraid. My family owned companies. Losing this job shouldn’t have mattered this much. Yet the idea of walking out of this office unemployed frightened me in a way I couldn’t explain, like losing something that anchored me to myself.

My heart hammered in my chest, each beat heavy and deliberate, like someone waiting for a judge to speak.

“You used the company’s property for personal business without permission,” he said evenly. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t penalise you for this disrespect.”

Oh God.

My thoughts scrambled. I knew the company’s procedures by heart, but hurt and anger had clouded my judgment that day. I’d called Julius and lied, telling him there was a package for delivery, only for him to realise too late that I had misled him.

Mr Howard was a no-nonsense man. Everyone knew that.

“How did you know?” The question slipped out before I could stop myself. “Apologies, sir, I.....” I faltered, words failing me.

“My sincerest apologies,” I tried again. “It was an emergency, and I didn’t have anyone else in mind.”

I held my breath, hoping, irrationally, that this might be enough.

“Ms Aria,” he said, his tone firm but not raised, “a woman of your position, with the number of years you’ve spent in this company, is not one to make such a petty mistake. You are suspended. Three weeks. For this month, you will only receive pay for the number of days worked.” He paused. “Now leave my office.”

I stood there for a moment, absorbing it.

Suspension.

Not termination.

If he hadn’t suspended me, I would have taken time off anyway. My mind was in no state to work. Still, relief seeped in slowly, cautiously.

I still had my job.

“Yes, sir,” I said quietly, turning towards the door.

“Ms Aria.”

I paused mid-step.

“Yes, sir?” I turned back.

“What happened on the 25th of December?” His voice softened, dropping into something that almost sounded like concern.

I must be hearing things, I told myself.

“Something made you act recklessly,” he continued. “What is it?”

The question unsettled me more than the suspension. Mr Howard had never concerned himself with employees’ personal lives. That was HR’s domain. If HR failed, there was always the company therapist. So why now?

“You don’t want to talk about it?” he pressed.

It took a moment to realise I had gone silent, trapped inside my own thoughts.

“I’m sorry, sir,” I said quickly. “It’s a little sensitive, and I can’t share.”

“Hmmm.” He rested both elbows on the desk, fingers interlaced, his gaze steady on me. Expectant.

“Everything has a second to multiple chances in this world,” he said slowly. “It’s only life and pride that don’t. If you lose either, no matter the circumstance, you can’t get them back. Best to stay safe.”

What did he mean?

“Thank you, sir,” I said, unsure, and he dismissed me with a wave.

As I stepped out, James walked in. I glanced at him instinctively, but he didn’t look at me. Not even for a second.

What was I expecting? Sandra said he took care of his women. I was nothing more than a one-night stand to him.

I hurried back to my station.

The box was already sitting on my desk.

I knew James must have placed it there. Everyone knew what that box meant. It was issued when an employee was terminated, to pack personal belongings. I didn’t need to look around to know what my colleagues were thinking.

Terminated.

Mr Howard was known for ending contracts without hesitation, no matter how trivial the offence. And yet, here I was, suspended instead. The first person, as far as I knew, to receive a suspension for breaking a company rule.

Why?

I had no answer.

“Oh dear Lord, Aria, did you just get fired?” Sandra’s voice floated over.

I said nothing.

“No? What did you do?” she pressed. Still, I stayed silent. “Look, I’m sure James will work something out for you. Aside from being Mr Howard’s PA, he’s his confidant. He listens to him. Since he’s taken a liking to you, I’m sure he’ll plead on your behalf. You’ll be back.”

She said it with such certainty that questions rose in my throat.

Could she be right?

Had James intervened for me?

Was that why I’d been spared termination?

“You’ll be fine,” she continued, helping me pack my belongings into the box. “There’s no way James would allow Mr Howard to end your contract. You’ll be called back. You’ll see.”

I wanted to ask her, but something stopped me. Instead, I decided I would thank James later and tell him I wasn’t ready for a relationship. I still didn’t remember what happened in that room, beyond waking up naked. But I was certain of one thing.

I wasn’t ready for another relationship. Not for love. Not for comfort. Not for survival.

I left and got a ride back to my family’s house.

Halfway there, my phone buzzed.

Another video.

Mark was having a threesome. The women were different from the ones in the video sent to me on Christmas Eve.

I dialled his number immediately, without thinking. I didn’t even know what I planned to say. As expected, he didn’t answer.

When I arrived home, a message came through.

There is an inspection going on. I can’t answer your call. I’ll call you when it’s over or see you on 31st December when I return home.

I wanted to throw my phone across the room.

He was still lying.

Only the servants were home when I arrived. I didn’t ask where anyone was. I went straight to my room.

After a quick shower, I noticed the dress I’d worn to the club was still draped over the chair. I picked it up, and something fell onto the floor.

The bracelet.

I lifted it slowly, examining it again. That was when I noticed the engraving inside.

Initials.

D.H. to E.V.

My brow furrowed.

What did it mean?

My phone rang. The principal from Hailey’s school.

Why would she call during the school break?

“Mrs Smith, Merry Christmas,” she greeted.

“Merry Christmas to you too,” I replied.

“Ms Smith, the school conducted a general medical test for the children. We found something concerning in Hailey’s report. You should come in so we can discuss it.”

A medical test?

Panic surged through me, swift and overwhelming.

“Can I come over right now?” I asked.

“If you’re free,” she said.

I didn’t bother checking my reflection. I threw on a simple dress and got into the car, combing my hair hastily with the one I kept in the glove compartment.

At the school, in the principal’s office, I didn’t bother with pleasantries.

“What is wrong with my child?” I asked.

She handed me an envelope.

“Before you look at it,” she said gently, “I strongly suggest you run the test again independently. The school didn’t request this. It came attached to Hailey’s medical report.”

My hands trembled as I pulled out the paper.

I had braced myself for illness. For something incurable.

But nothing prepared me for what I saw.

DNA Test Results

Probability of paternity: 0%

“How?” The word escaped me, hollow and disbelieving.

The world seemed to tilt.