All Chapters of In His Brother’s Arms : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Aria’s POVJustin and I have been best friends for years, since high school, he was my first crush and only male friend. We were a group of three friends– Justin, Helena, and I– and they were, and still are my best buds. After high school, looking for colleges to get into, Justin told me how much he had loved me and couldn't do without me. He said he would not stand staying away from me in the name of schooling, so he asked me to marry him. I was nineteen, he was twenty. It wasn't a problem as both of us are coming from prestigious families. I chose a three-year program as we lived together, and then we got married when I was twenty-one, our wedding was the talk of the town for months. After the wedding, I moved into the D'Cruz family house and it's been awesome. His parents love me. Our wedding anniversary was two months ago making it three years and two months being married to my first love. Perfect life right? So why am I supposed to think he does not love me? The party ended

Aria’s POVI walked down the hallway, then the stairs to the main living room. I couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal and shame welling up in my chest. Aaron had kind of warned me several times about Justin. Helena didn't like the idea of getting married that early, especially not to Justin. She liked him as a friend only because he was my friend. Aside from that, she couldn't stand Justin or the thought of him. My parents, the Browns, will obviously see this as a disgrace and tarnish their image and the name they have taken forever in building. I didn't know if I was sure I'd want to make such a move. Do I really need to go on with this divorce? I mean… as much as this sounds stupid, I still love Justin. He's still my first love, my dream man. “Good morning Ma'am,” a familiar voice called out as I got to the last step of the stairs. “Hi, Cathy.” I smiled. “Sorry about yesterday night, I hope I didn't hurt you?” I asked as soon as I remembered that I ran into her last night.

Aria’s POV The dining table had a scent of cinnamon and newly prepared coffee, but my stomach was too tangled to bother. I sat at my normal spot, back kept straight, arm placed beneath the table so no one could notice the red blemish still glowing across my skin. Aaron was sitting beside me, a silent wall of calm. He hadn't uttered many words since last night-maybe cos words would only make the tempest bloom. But I knew he was there, like he's fixed. Every time I peeked at him, his utterance was unexplainable, sculpted from quiet steel. Mr. D'Cruz sat at the head of the table, glasses sitting low on his nose as he studied the morning paper. His presence dominated the room, though he hadn't said any words since giving the order for breakfast. Mrs. Margaret is facing me, chin raised, her every movement accurate and intentional. She hadn't glanced at me once, but the air between us was thick with judgment. The clang of silverware was the only sound until footsteps echoed down the ha

Aria’s POVBy nightfall, the tempest was no longer just in my head- it was all over the place. The gossip weblogs had gone from murmurs to yelling headlines, and Justin was the one serving them. Stories about my "secret affair" with Aaron were increasing like wildfire, each one worse than the last. Some alleged I'd been cheating for years, others implied I'd only married Justin for the family name and money before laying my eyes on his brother. I sat curled on the sofa in the guest suite Aaron had demanded I use for my privacy, my phone placed on my lap. Each headline felt like a brick thrown at me, stressing something I didn't even know was still fragile. Cathy hung nearby, her expression dense with worry. "Ma'am, maybe you should put off your phone," she suggested calmly. I shook my head in disagreement. "If I put it off, I'll just picture worse things. At least this way I can see what he's saying." The door opened and Aaron walked in, the tightness in his shoulders convincing

Aria’s POVI didn't sleep all night. By daybreak, I was up on the side of my bed, my phone strongly secured in my hand, glaring at the latest SMS from Justin until the words dimmed. A gentle tap on the door made me spring. "It is me ," Aaron's voice said from the other end. I allowed him entry, realizing swiftly that I was still in lace nightie, hair unkept from turning and tossing. His gaze danced over me before resting on my face. "Catch any z’s?" he asked nicely. I shook my head. "Another message came in." I handed him the phone. Aaron read it, his jaw hardened. "He's losing control," he whispered. "And when he loses control, he lashes out." I fell onto the side of my bed, my shoulders sinking. "I don't think I can keep fighting , Aaron. I feel like my strength is gone." He came squatting in front of me, his hands resting lightly on my knees. "Then let me be the one to hold you together," he said gently. I inhaled. His eyes were so tight, so firm, that I sensed the ai