Chapter 3

Aria POV

I groaned as sunlight streamed through the open window, brightening my closed eyelids. I opened my eyes slowly, my gaze fixed on the ceiling. After yawning, I turned to grab my phone from the nightstand and scrolled through some apps.

A sharp wave of nausea rose from my stomach to my throat. I barely made it to the bathroom before throwing up.

Afterward, I washed my face and cleaned the mess on the floor. As I stepped out of the bathroom, my eyes caught a file on the table beside the bed. I walked over and opened it.

It was Julian’s. He must have forgotten it when he stormed out last night.

I dropped the file and headed to the kitchen. I had been craving chicken broth all morning. I made a large pot—one portion for myself and one for Julian. It was one of his favorites.

I packed his portion in a lunch container. I would take the food and his file to his office after I showered.

After eating, I went upstairs to bathe and get dressed. I applied a little makeup, taking extra care with my appearance. I needed to look put-together. I couldn’t let anyone suspect anything—not yet.

I grabbed my car keys and drove to his office.

J.S. Enterprises still looked the same—sleek glass and steel, one of the biggest companies in New York.

The moment I stepped out of the elevator, I saw Jasmine. She had been my classmate since college and now worked as Julian’s personal assistant.

“Hey, Aria—no, wait—Mrs. Julian,” she said, grinning.

“Hi, Jasmine. How have you been?” I asked.

“I’m good. You?”

“Obviously good. Always,” I replied lightly.

She smiled knowingly. “Is Julian in his office?”

“Yes, he is.”

“Good. How’s work treating you?” I asked.

“Not bad. And don’t tell me you came here without bringing something for me,” she teased.

I chuckled. “Relax, I got you. Let me see my husband first. We’ll catch up later.”

I headed straight to Julian’s office.

When I pushed open the door, I froze.

Selene sat perched on the edge of his desk, legs crossed. She wore a short brown dress that hugged her curves perfectly. Her manicured hand rested on Julian’s shoulder. The chemistry between them was undeniable—something I had never shared with him.

My chest tightened like someone had wrapped their hands around my ribs and squeezed.

“Wow, Julian, look who it is,” Selene said sweetly. “It’s nice to see you, Aria.”

My vision blurred for a second. I steadied myself against the doorframe.

“What are you doing here?” Julian asked, frowning. Not even a hint of welcome in his voice. Did he really hate me this much?

“I brought you breakfast,” I said carefully, lifting the container.

“And who asked you to?” he snapped.

“I just… you left home angry last night, so I thought I’d make something for you. Your favorite—chicken broth.”

“I don’t want it. Take your stuff and leave.”

Selene leaned forward and plucked the container from my hands before I could react. She opened it, took a spoonful, and tasted it.

“What the hell? This is way too salty,” she sneered, spitting it back into the container. “You call this food?”

“Get her some water,” Julian barked.

I quickly grabbed a bottle from the mini fridge and handed it to her, my hands trembling.

“I wonder how you’ve been surviving on her cooking,” Selene said, smirking at Julian.

Julian’s jaw was tight. He hesitated for half a second,his eyes flicked to me, then back to Selene,but then his expression hardened again.

“Now get out of here,” he said coldly.

I tossed his file onto his desk. “You forgot this.”

Without waiting for a response, I turned and left.

I headed straight to the restroom, locked the door, and stared at my reflection. My eyes were already red-rimmed. I turned on the tap, letting cold water run over my hands. The icy shock helped, but only slightly.

Then I heard it—the sharp click of heels on tile.

“There you are,” Selene said, appearing behind me in the mirror.

I knew that look. The one that always meant trouble.

“Bravo.” She clapped slowly. “You think I don’t know what you’re doing? Playing the perfect wife, running little errands, cooking his favorite meals—desperate for attention.”

“Leave me alone, Selene,” I said quietly.

“You’re pathetic, Aria. Just like your mother was.”

My hands clenched around the edge of the sink. “Don’t you ever talk about my mother like that.”

“Why not? It’s the truth.” She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “Your mother was a gold digger who trapped my father with her money. And look at you now—doing the exact same thing with Julian.”

“That’s a lie,” I said, my voice shaking. “My mother loved Dad. She didn’t know he was cheating on her with your mother.”

Selene smirked. “Please. Your mother knew exactly who Dad loved. She knew about their relationship and still forced herself into his life anyway.”

“No… that can’t be true.”

“Oh, it is. And now here you are, following in her footsteps.” She tilted her head, studying me like I was an insect under glass. “Tell me, Aria,do you really think Julian will ever love you?”

I said nothing. My throat felt sealed shut.

“He won’t,” she continued. “You’re just a contract wife. Nothing more.”

My stomach dropped.

She laughed. “Oh, you thought he didn’t tell me? He told me everything. About the arrangement. About how the board forced him to find a wife after that scandal. About how you came to his company looking for a job, and he offered you a contract instead.” She leaned in closer. “And you,pathetic, desperate fool—you signed it.”

I felt the walls closing in. So Julian had told her everything.

“Your secret’s safe with me,” she said lightly. “Just keep playing the fake wife while Julian spends his nights with me.”

“What… what do you mean?” My voice cracked.

She pulled out her phone and swiped through photos—Julian and Selene at restaurants, clubs, her apartment. Intimate. Close. Together.

“He comes to me, Aria. Every time he leaves your suffocating little cage.”

“That’s… that’s not—”

“Stop being so naive.” Her smile was cruel. “You’re nothing to him. Just like your mother was nothing to my father.”

Something inside me snapped.

Before I could think, my hand flew across her face. The slap echoed through the restroom.

Selene held her cheek, stunned. Then, slowly, she smiled.

“You just made a huge mistake.”

She stepped to the sink, splashed water on her dress, messed up her hair, and lowered herself onto the floor.

Then she screamed.

“Aria, please! Stop!”

The restroom door burst open. Julian stormed in, his face contorted with fury.

“Julian, help me!” Selene sobbed, clutching her arm. “I don’t know what came over her—I was just trying to talk, and she pushed me!”

He brushed past me without a glance and pulled her into his arms.

“She’s lying,” I said desperately. “I didn’t—”

“Enough, Aria.” He cut me off. “I’ve seen enough.”

He cradled Selene like she was made of glass. Over his shoulder, she looked at me and smirked.

“Julian, please, let me explain…..”

“What else is there to explain?” His voice was ice. “Look at her. Look at what you did.”

Selene grabbed his arm weakly. “Please, Julian, don’t shout at her. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come here.” Her voice trembled perfectly. “I just wanted to reconnect with my sister. I know we have a complicated past…”

Julian turned to me. His eyes were cold and empty. “Aria. Apologize to her. Now.”

I met his gaze, my chest burning. “No.”

His jaw clenched. For a moment, I thought I saw surprise flicker across his face. Then it was gone.

“Really?” he said quietly.

He took Selene’s hand. “Let’s go.”

They left without another word.

I slid down the wall, my chest aching like something vital had been ripped out of me. Tears came hot and fast, and I couldn’t stop them.

The door opened again.

“Aria,” Jasmine whispered, kneeling beside me. She pulled me into her arms.

I cried against her shoulder until I had nothing left.

She helped me to my car. I knew she had questions, but she didn’t ask a single one.

The following week********

“Aria”

That voice…