Chapter 3

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, lavender and something sharp underneath, made my stomach turn. I stiffened, my arms remaining by my side. 

I never understood why she put so much effort into pretending to like me when we could all see beneath the horrible facade. 

“I’m fine,” I said curtly. 

She pulled away just enough to study my face, her eyes scanning for any sign of weakness. She must have noticed a lot, because a cheeky grin spread across her face. 

“You scared us, Aria” 

Us. 

I looked behind her and there he stood. My father was by the staircase, one hand resting on the banister. There was a permanent scowl on his face that made him look older than his age. 

Or maybe he was. 

I remember when it was just my mother and us. He laughed a lot then but now I could barely recognise who this stranger, whom I shared the same blood and home with, was. 

“You should be resting,” he said and I almost laughed.

“I just got discharged,” I replied, “Not sentenced to bed rest.”

I watched his jaw tighten. “Your health is fragile, Aria.” 

“My health has been fragile for years. Funny how it became urgent when it inconvenienced you.” 

Margaret gasped, and her hands flew to her chest. “That’s not fair—“

“Enough,” My father cut in. His gaze shifted past me. 

Kade. 

It was then I felt it. The change in the air. The silent conversation that seemed to be going on between them. 

“Who is this?” he asked. 

“Kade Wolfe,” Kade replied before I could speak. “Your daughter’s bodyguard.” 

My father studied him for a long moment. Something unreadable crossed his face. It confused me. Why was he acting like he didn’t know Kade when he had told me yesterday that he would assign a bodyguard to me?

“I don’t recall—”

“You did,” Kade interrupted politely, “Through the security team you hired. I was given the contract.” 

Margaret blinked. “Bodyguard? Richard, is that really necessary?”

I scoffed. Was she being serious right now?

“I was poisoned. Someone tried to kill me.” I looked her dead in the eye. “Of course, it is necessary.”

I know I was against the whole bodyguard idea initially but I. Was. Poisoned. 

I almost died and that’s all she could say? 

The silence that followed my last words was deafening. Heavy. Suffocating. 

Margaret laughed lightly, her voice chipped. “Oh Aria, darling, that’s some serious accusation—”

“My medication was tampered with,” I said. “The hospital confirmed it.”

Her head snapped to face my father. My father’s face went pale. Oh, he didn’t tell her? This is entertaining. 

He looked away from me to Kade. Kade held his glare. “You told her that? How long have you known?”

“Since last night” Kade replied. 

“And you thought it was appropriate to bring this into my house?” My father snapped. 

But Kade didn't flinch. “The threat is most likely in this house already.” That seemed to do it because I have never seen Mrs. Put-together this disoriented in my entire life. 

Margaret’s hand trembled as she reached for the back of the chair, a bead of sweat forming on her face. If my father had anything to say, he didn’t say. I tried to read the expression on his face but failed miserably. For the first time in a long time, I felt something dangerously close to satisfaction. I almost smiled. 

Good. Let them be as uncomfortable as they make me. Seeing them at the receiving end did something to me.

“We’ll discuss this later,” Father said clearing his throat. He turned to me sharply. “Aria, go upstairs. Rest.”

“I’m not a child.”

“No,” he said coldly, “You’re a liability.”

The words cut deep. Almost had me gasping for air. Tears brimmed in my eyes. 

No. I wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction of seeing how easily their words broke me. 

Before I could reply, Kade stepped forward and stood between my father and me, cutting our intense stare-down.

“With all due respect sir,” he started, “Your daughter nearly died. Until we know who altered her medication, she does not remain unattended.” 

My father’s eyes flashed with rage. “You’re overstepping.” 

“I’m just doing my job, sir.” 

I watched as they glared at each other, no one ready to back down. 

“I want him gone,” My father said finally. “I’ll reach out to the agency tomorrow to send someone else.” 

“I’m sorry to say this but you’re stuck with me. You’d be doing the killer a favor by getting rid of me.” 

Margaret swallowed. My father said nothing. 

“Aria,” Margaret called softly, “Sweetheart, let’s get you upstairs. You look sick.” 

I sucked my teeth. She really does know how to get on my nerves. She must have a Phd or some degree in making me mad.

Of course, I was sick. But not weak and they’re about to find out! 

“I’ll go,” I said. “But he stays.”

My father’s gaze snapped back to me. “This isn’t a negotiation, Aria.”

“It is now.” 

Another round of silence ensued. Then begrudgingly, in a bid to make me leave his sight, “Fine. Just for tonight.” 

I wanted to argue but decided against it. I would reel in my brief victory tonight. 

Upstairs, nothing had changed. Not the white walls. Not the antique paintings I wasn’t allowed to touch. Not that single room at the end of the hallway I wasn’t allowed access to. Not even my bedroom. 

My bedroom door stood open, sunlight spilling through the tall windows. Everything was exactly how I left it before I went for that audition. 

That audition. 

Kade remained by the door as I stepped into my bedroom. I turned just before closing it.

“You’re really going to stand there all night?” I asked. 

“Yes.” 

“You know you don’t have to.” 

“I do.” I gazed into his eyes. Those familiar eyes. His shoulders were tense and his jaw clenched, like there was something he wanted to say but couldn’t. He was holding back. 

“Why are you pretending like you don’t know me, Kade?” I asked quietly, trying to make sense of it.

His eyes flicked up and met mine. For a second, I thought I saw something. Just like that, it vanished. 

“Get some rest, Miss Hale.”

The door shut softly between us. I leaned against it, my breath shaking.