Chapter 13

Aria POV

The morning light cut through my closed eyelids, forcing them open. I blinked against the brightness, my hand moving instinctively to my stomach. Rubbing in slow circles like I always did. Even though I knew nothing was there anymore. The baby was gone. But I couldn’t seem to stop. My hand kept moving, searching for something that would never be there again.

I felt hollow. Like someone had scooped out everything vital and left only an empty shell. I was tired. So tired of everything. Part of me wished desperately that it had all been a nightmare. That I would wake up and my baby would still be there, safe inside me.

But the cramping pain low in my abdomen told me otherwise. The IV in my arm told me otherwise. The sterile hospital room told me otherwise.

It was real. All of it.

When the door opened, I heard the footsteps immediately. Heavy. Controlled. Deliberate.

I knew it was him. Julian.

“The doctor said you need to rest.”

Not How are you? Not Are you okay? Not even I’m sorry.

Just a clinical statement. Like I was a patient he was checking on. Not his wife. Not the woman who’d just lost his child.

I turned my head slowly on the pillow to look at him.

He stood near the door, perfectly put together. His suit was crisp, not a wrinkle in sight. His hair was styled. His tie was straight. He looked unbothered. Untouched. Like nothing had happened. Like he hadn’t just lost a baby—our baby.

“How is she?” I asked quietly. 

Of course he knew who I was talking about. I couldn’t help it. I knew he’d been with her, but I wanted to hear it directly from him. Needed to hear him say it.

“She’s fine. Just some minor bruises.” His tone was casual, dismissive.

Of course she was fine. That’s who Selene was. She always found her way to come out on top. To win. While I laid here broken.

“You really need to rest, Aria.” He didn’t even look at me when he said it. His eyes were on his phone, his thumb scrolling. Probably texting her.

“I want a divorce.”

The words came out clear. Strong. Final.

Julian froze. His thumb stopped mid-scroll. His entire body went rigid. His eyes snapped up to mine, sharp and disbelieving.

“What did you just say?”

“I said I want a divorce, Julian. You heard me right.”

“You can’t be serious.” His voice was flat, controlled, but I could see the tension in his jaw.

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

“No.” He shook his head slowly. “You can’t get a divorce.”

“Why not?”

He started pacing the hospital room, his footsteps sharp against the linoleum floor. Back and forth. His hand ran through his hair, messing up that perfect style.

“Julian, I’m tired. I’m tired of you. I want out.”

“Don’t be delusional, Aria.” He stopped pacing and turned to face me, his expression hard.

“Delusional?” I let out a bitter laugh. “You left me yesterday in my own blood. You didn’t even care that I was dying. So tell me—what’s the benefit of staying in this marriage?”

“You’re taking things too seriously. Don’t twist what happened—”

“Really? I’m twisting things?” My voice rose. “Wow. Julian, we lost a child. My child. Our child. And you don’t even look bothered.”

“Keep your voice down.” His eyes darted toward the door.

“Why? You don’t want them to know about your secret wife, huh?”

“Aria.” His voice was a warning now. “We’ll talk about this when we get home.”

“Home?” I sat up straighter despite the pain. “The same home where you left me bleeding? The same home where you turned your back on me because of your mistress? The same home where you locked me in a room like a slave? That’s not a home, Julian.”

“You’re taking things too personally—”

“Personally? Am I?” Tears burned in my eyes. “Julian, where were you when I was in surgery? Huh? Tell me. Where were you?”

“Stop—”

“With her, right? I know, Julian. You were with Selene. You took her to the hospital for minor bruises—bruises she didn’t even have—and that made you leave me. Your wife, even if it’s just a contract. You left me there dying.”

“Enough of this bullshit!”

He slammed his hand down on the table beside my bed. The sound echoed through the room. Medical supplies rattled.

But I didn’t flinch. I just stared at him.

“Julian, it’s over.” My voice was calm now. Steady. “I’m done pretending to be okay in this loveless marriage. I’m done letting you choose her over and over.”

“Must everything be about her?” His hands clenched into fists at his sides.

“Yes. It’s all about her. You left me there for her, so yes, it’s all about her. If it’s not about her, why do you always protect her?”

Julian said nothing. His jaw worked. His eyes burned into mine. But he had no answer.

“I’m just that desperate fool who happened to sign your damn contract.”

“It’s like the fall is affecting your brain.” He pulled out his phone, his movements sharp and irritated. “Let me call the doctor—”

“Call any doctor you want.” I met his eyes without wavering. “I’ll tell everyone. Your board. Reporters. How you left your wife bleeding to attend to your mistress.”

His hand froze on the phone. His eyes narrowed.

“Really? You’re threatening me now?”

“No. It’s a warning. So get that into your head.”

“You know you can’t possibly get a divorce right now.” His voice was cold, controlled again. Back to that businessman tone.

“Why? Tell me!”

“Because you signed a contract.”

“Contract?” I laughed, but there was no humor in it. “The same contract that got me in this hospital? The same one that made us lose a child? I’m done.”

“I hope you know the consequences of terminating the contract.” He stepped closer to the bed, looming over me.

“Yes. I’ll pay you back whatever I owe. I’d rather be broke than be your wife for just one more day.”

“Really?” His eyebrow arched. A cold smile played at his lips. “You’ll pay it back? The penalty for breaking the contract is five million dollars, Aria. I know you don’t want to do that.”

Five million. The number hit me like a physical blow. But I didn’t let it show on my face.

“You must think this is all a joke, right?” He leaned down, his face close to mine. “This marriage isn’t over. I have the final say. And don’t forget—you agreed to seven years.”

“I’m cutting it off now. What are you going to do about it? Lock me in a room again?”

“I hope you know exactly what you’re saying, Aria.” His voice was a dangerous whisper.

“Yes. I know exactly what I’m saying.” I didn’t break eye contact. “The moment you chose her over me and our child, I knew the answer to everything, Julian.”

“This isn’t over yet.” He straightened, adjusting his tie.

“Yes. And I’m ready for whatever you do.”

He turned to leave, his hand on the door handle. “The contract isn’t over yet, Aria.”

“It’s over. I lost the only thing that was keeping me in that house.”

He paused for just a second, his back to me. Then he pulled the door open.

It slammed shut behind him with a bang that made the walls shake.

I sat there in the sudden silence. The only sound was the beeping of the heart monitor beside my bed.

How did I get here? Is this the life I’m living?

My hand hadn’t left my stomach. It kept moving in those circles. Protecting nothing. Mourning something that was already gone.

Four years. Four years of nothing.

My phone buzzed on the table beside me, cutting through my thoughts.

I picked it up with shaking hands.

A message. From Selene.

“How’s your health? I heard the news. So sorry for your loss. Anyway, it was so kind of Julian to stay with me throughout last night. He barely left my side. ❤”

A deep sigh escaped me. A single tear rolled down my cheek, hot against my skin.

I’m done. I’m done with all of this.