LOGINARIAThe last 24 hours have been nothing but hectic. I try so much to forget about Victoria. To forget that I met her.I don’t want to think about her words. Don’t want to reason through all she said. I go about my business as if nothing happened.I am folding Luna’s laundry, vibing to the music playing from the home theatre when my phone screen flickers. A text from an unfamiliar number that is not Eli this time.“I can prove why Damian abandoned you.”I stare at the screen, my chest tightening around the words that shouldn’t still have this much power over me, not after everything Damian and I have finally said to each other.When I think I have healed properly, something comes in to remind me I have only just managed to live with the wound. Just what this message on my phone is doing right no
DAMIANSince the story of Aria with another man broke on the internet days ago, I have not been myself.I read the story again, alone in my study, letting myself feel the full weight of it. Aria may have totally moved forward.She has allowed herself the kind of happiness I’ve spent weeks carefully, patiently trying to earn my way toward. Apparently, she found hers easily with someone else entirely.I have no right to the jealousy tearing through my chest right now. I know that clearly even as I feel it anyway. She owes me no loyalty and faithfulness. In fact, I am nothing to her other than a finished man trying so hard to fight his way back into her life.Even when I stopped visiting, stopped calling or texting, hoping she would miss me, or even care enough to ask me what went wrong, I received nothing but absolute silence and ghosting until I went back to th
ARIAI thought it was Eli who had refused to move on when I woke the next morning to forty-three notifications.Far be it. It is not Eli. Not Damian, Sonia or even Sandra Rejinders.Aria Cole, Sinclair’s Litigating Ex, Spotted With Mystery Man In A Downtown Bar. That is the headline.Goosebumps fill my body as I remember the lady with a raised camera disappearing into a waiting vehicle outside the bar. I should have known better.One of the photos shows Eli hugging me inside the bar; that was the moment I told him he was forgiven. I scroll down fast, my heart threatening to fail if I slow down. I am scared I might see my naked body in the toilet with the stranger.“God, please, I won’t try it again,” I whisper as the photo loads.I breathe with relief when I reach the end of the artic
ARIAWhen I get home that evening, I don’t walk into the sound of Luna struggling with her toys or watching her favourite show; I walk into the sound of laughter, and it stops me cold in the entryway.The voice is a male voice which doesn’t belong to Father, and automatically, I know who it is.Damian.His voice and Luna’s blend easily and effortlessly, high-pitched, enjoying whatever conversation they are having.I don’t know why, but guilt hits me immediately as I stand there listening to him talk to her. My stomach twists as though I’ve done something to him rather than simply lived my own life for another evening with a stranger.We are not married and will never date, will never come back together again. So why am I feeling this way?“Mummy!” Luna spots me first, bounding over in her pyjamas.
ARIAThree days later, I successfully left everything that happened that night behind and moved on.The deep conversation with Sonia worked so well. I also ran some tests in the hospital for STDs, and the doctor confirmed I am good. Now, I am back to facing Luna and planning her resumption while also living my new role in the firm.I haven’t heard from Damian since that night, and I am more than happy not to.One night while in my study, a text arrives on my phone. It is from an unknown number.“Hey. It is Eli. From the other night. I know this is probably not what you want, but I want to apologize properly for the money thing. I am texting now because I had to dig through your profile and socials before I could get your contact. I am truly sorry” My stomach drops with immediate, unwelcome recognition.
ARIA8: 35 a. m. Sunlight cut harshly through unfamiliar curtains, reminding me exactly where I am. Not my room. Not the hospital. Not Sonia’s.A hotel room I'd booked with a man I'd met just yesterday.“Eli! Eli!”My stomach drops. Dread takes over the shame that already settled over me the moment I realized everything. I rush to the bathroom; he is not there.I struggle to remember exactly what he even looks like. For a moment, it is as if I lost my memory yesterday while I allowed the flesh to control me.“What have I just done?” I whisper to myself, full clarity and consciousness returning. I try to remember if he at least used protection; nothing.When did Aria become this loose?Yesterday. While having sex with the stranger, my phone kept buzzing and would not stop. I was too carried away to stop and check it.Seven missed calls. All Sonia.My jaw dropped in shame again. How do I explain to Sonia that I didn’t pick up her calls because I was busy making out with a man I met at t







