Under His Guard

ARIA HALE“…..Her pills were tampered with. The pill bottles looked like they had been swapped at the audition. Do you know anyone who could have done that? Her condition is bad enough, we can’t afford to entertain more complications, Mr. Hale,”Doctor Watson’s voice sounded distant, almost like I was underwater. My father’s reply came; strained and low. “I understand, Doctor Watson. It’s under control. I am assigning a bodyguard to her today onwards,” My ears perked at that word. Bodyguard. My eyes fluttered open slowly, taking in my all-familiar environment. Sterile white ceiling. The faint beeping of machines. The familiar cold scent of antiseptics invaded my airways. I turned my head. The doctor was gone. Only my father was standing in the middle of the room, staring into space. He looked older, like he had aged a decade overnight. My throat burned as I tried to speak, the words coming out raw and groggy, “A—a bodyguard? You can’t be serious, Dad,” I attempted to sit up bu

ARIA HALE The SUV rolled to a stop and the gates parted slowly. The moment we crossed the threshold, a familiar tightness settled in my chest. We had gotten home. Home. That’s if you could call this prison a home. I have never felt at home in this large, cold mansion. The car pulled into the driveway. Before I could reach for the handle, Kade was already standing there, holding the door open for me. I hesitated, then stepped out in wobbly legs. I was back to being a prisoner. The front doors opened almost immediately. My brows shot up. Margaret Hale stood there waiting with that fake smile plastered on her face. My stepmother looked as immaculate as ever. Pearl earrings. Soft cardigan. She looked put together as always, the face of a woman who had mastered the art of pretending. “Oh Aria,” she rushed forward to my side, “My poor darling.” If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought she actually cared. She wrapped her arms around me before I could escape. Her perfume, lav

ARIA HALE You disgust me. I replayed all the conversations that occurred tonight in my head. I stirred in bed, unable to sleep. It was usually something I struggled with all my life since I had been diagnosed. I had eventually learnt to live with it. In between tolerating my stepmother’s snide remarks and my father’s suspicious gazes, I figured I wouldn’t be able to do the same for Adrian. I had no grace in me to lend him. He had broken my heart. He was cheating on me with Cassie and still dared to come visit the house and dine with us. Just how heartless could he be? Lying to my fucking face? How much of a fool did I resemble?I had questions but I was too weak to sit through one with him. I was both mentally and physically drained. I needed to take a breather first. I changed into a thin nightgown and crawled under the covers, turning to my side. The night breeze slipped in, through the window, cool against my skin. I closed my eyes and tried to will myself to sleep. But noth

ARIA“What are you doing?”I lifted my face, dropping the compact powder back on the vanity. I turned to face him.Kade stood by the door in a well-tailored suit, hands tucked into his pockets. He looked as ravishing as always.“I’m not sure I understand you.”“Adrian Parker is in the chess room.”I squinted. Where was he going with this?I turned back to the mirror, finishing my makeup. I dragged the sharp red lipstick across my lips and pressed them together.I looked… decent.The concealer couldn’t hide how measly I looked.“I’m aware. I invited him over.”“W-what?” He spluttered.“Yes. I did.”I knew he had questions. Even I had questions for myself. I didn’t know how this would end.But I knew one thing.I wasn’t going to lose.“Adrian Parker. The lying cheat who’s been fucking your cousin for over a year?” My head snapped toward him.How did he know that?“How did I know?” he said quietly. “I know everything about you, Aria.”His voice softened, and I caught his expression in th

ARIAWhen he knocked twice, I knew it was him. There was a reason I specifically instructed he knocked twice. It saved me the stress of guessing. I woke up feeling much worse than I had the previous day. The thrill I felt from crushing Adrian’s spirit wasn’t enough to keep me from falling apart. “How are you feeling today?” He asked after setting the breakfast tray down. I hated that he always saw me like this. At my lowest. “Fine.” I gritted out, even though my ribs hurt with any word that left my lips. “I overheard your parents talking about your marriage with Adrian. Are you really doing that?” I scoffed and looked away. His questions were irritate me now. “Is that why you barged in here this morning?”“Aria…”“I’ve never understood you, Kade.” I turned to face him squarely. “You leave when you want and return like nothing happened. You act like you don’t remember me, and yet you’re here worrying about my life?”“Because your safety matters to me. It’s my responsibility.”“I