The Wife He Never Loved 의 모든 챕터: 챕터 91 - 챕터 100

Aria’s POVThe private jet touched down smoothly at the small airfield just outside the city.Aria looked out the window as the plane slowed, the familiar skyline appearing in the distance. The trip was beautiful … the coastal house, the ocean, the quiet moments with Kyle. She had felt happy for stretches of time, smiling and kissing him all the way back, her hand in his, her head on his shoulder.But the moment the wheels hit the ground, the weight returned.She turned to Kyle and kissed him again, soft and lingering, trying to hold onto that light feeling a little longer.“Thank you for the trip,” she whispered against his lips. “I really needed it.”Kyle smiled, hazel eyes warm as he brushed a curl behind her ear. “Anything for you, goddess. We can do it again soon.”They stepped off the plane and into the waiting car. The drive back to the penthouse was quiet, the city lights starting to flicker on as evening fell. Aria kept her hand on Kyle’s thigh, squeezing gently every few

Aria’s POVI couldn’t sit still.The penthouse felt like it was shrinking around me, the high ceilings pressing down, the beautiful windows turning into bars. I paced up and down the living room, barefoot on the cold marble, fingers twisted tightly in my curls, pulling at them until it hurt.“What do I do?” I whispered to the empty room, voice cracking. “What do I do now?”My heart was racing so fast it felt like it might burst out of my chest. Elena’s message kept flashing in my mind like a warning light that wouldn’t turn off.The list.The names.The pattern.Hartley's wives disappear. Assets always end up back with the family.Always.I stopped in front of the big windows, staring at the city below. The lights blurred through the tears I refused to let fall. My reflection looked back at me … pale, wide-eyed, someone I barely recognized anymore.How have I gotten here?How has my life become this?I started pacing again, faster this time, tugging at my hair until strands came loo

Aria’s POVThe penthouse was dark and silent when I finally slipped out of bed.Kyle had fallen asleep hours ago, his arm still loosely draped over my waist, breathing deep and even. I waited until I was sure he was completely under … counting his breaths, listening for the little hitch he sometimes made when he was dreaming.Only then did I carefully slide out from under his arm.My heart was pounding so hard I was afraid it would wake him.I moved like a shadow through the bedroom, barefoot on the cool floor, and padded into the sitting room. Kyle was a very light sleeper so I had to be careful.The city lights from the windows gave just enough glow to see by. I didn’t turn on any lamps.The diary was still where I had hidden it earlier … tucked behind a row of decorative books on the shelf. My hands shook as I pulled it out.It was my aunt’s old diary. I had taken it from my uncle’s house during my quick, panicked search. I hadn’t even known I was going to steal it until I had it

Third Person POVThe front door opened. Aria turned, the room spinning slightly from the wine.It was Kyle.He stood there in the doorway, still in his suit, looking at her with that familiar mix of concern and something darker underneath.She smiled … a loose, drunken smile … and stumbled toward him.He opened his arms, but there was a tiny hesitation, just a fraction of a second, that felt weird. She didn’t care. She walked straight into his chest and hugged him tight, pressing her face into his shirt.He hugged her back, but his arms felt a little stiff at first.She tilted her head up and kissed him.The kiss started soft, but she made it long. Deep. She poured everything into it … the exhaustion from the day, the relief of seeing him, the quiet fear she was trying to drown in alcohol. Her tongue brushed his, slow and desperate, tasting him like she needed to remind herself he was real.He finally relaxed into it, his hands sliding down to her hips, pulling her closer. The kiss

Violet’s POVThe penthouse was too quiet.Violet sat on the white sofa, legs tucked beneath her, a half-empty bottle of red wine on the coffee table. The television was on, but she wasn’t watching it. The screen showed footage from the ball … Aria smiling gracefully, answering reporters with that perfect, poised voice.Violet’s hand tightened around the glass until her knuckles turned white.Her phone buzzed.She picked it up with trembling fingers.The message was from her manager.“Due to the scandal at the ball and the damage to your public image, the committee has decided to remove you from all upcoming events. We suggest you take time to reflect. Your services will no longer be required.”Violet stared at the screen.Fired.She had paid good money. She had pulled strings. She had done everything to make sure she would be the face of that ball.And now she was being discarded.Because of Aria.Because everyone loved Aria so much.The glass slipped from her hand and shattered on t