I packed my suitcase in silence, my hands trembling slightly as I folded each piece of clothing with care I didn’t really feel. My heart was beating too loudly in my chest, but I kept my expression neutral, controlled—like I had already decided this a long time ago.
When Matteo stepped into the room, he stopped dead.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
I didn’t even glance at him as I zipped the bag. “If you’re not going to agree to a divorce, then that’s fine. I’m still leaving. I’m not staying here while you slowly destroy me.”
His expression darkened instantly. “You don’t get to leave.”
I finally looked at him. “I already decided I am.”
He moved forward fast, grabbing my wrist. “Don’t push me, Aria.”
I jerked my arm away. “I’m done being pushed around.”
His hand came down before I could react.
The slap rang out loud across the room—sharp, humiliating, burning on impact. My face turned with the force of it, pain blooming instantly across my cheek.
Something inside me snapped.
Without thinking, I swung back and hit him across the face. “How dare you!” I shouted. “I’ve tolerated you long enough! I’m not letting you control me anymore—”
A small voice suddenly cut through the chaos.
“Aunt Aria?”
Mason stood at the doorway, holding his toy car tightly in both hands. His eyes were wide, already glassy with tears. “Why are you fighting? Are you okay? Are you hurting my Aunt Aria? You’re mean!”
Matteo hesitated for a fraction of a second. Annoyance flickered… then something almost like guilt.
“I thought you were good,” Mason said shakily, his voice breaking.
“Mason, go to your room,” Matteo ordered, sharper now.
Behind him, Bianca appeared, slightly out of breath. “Hey—hey, it’s okay,” she said quickly, forcing a nervous smile. “Bad timing. I just came to check on Aria… Mason just wanted to see her.”
“Wanted to see me?” I let out a bitter laugh. “How touching. Everyone’s just playing roles now, huh?”
Bianca blinked like she didn’t understand. “What are you talking about? Did you two argue again? Aria, you should calm down before this gets worse—”
“Shut up,” I said suddenly.
Before anyone could react, I stepped forward and slapped her across the face.
The sound cracked through the room like a gunshot.
She staggered back, clutching her cheek. “Aria… what are you doing? Why are you like this?”
“Stop acting innocent,” I hissed. “Tell me the truth—who is Mason’s father?”
Her eyes flickered. “This isn’t the right time… Mason is here—this is sensitive—”
“Don’t you dare use him as an excuse!” I snapped. I grabbed the photos I had been holding and threw them at her.
They scattered across the floor—images of Matteo and Bianca together, too close, too familiar… and Mason in the middle like proof of everything I had refused to see.
“I know everything now!” I said through clenched teeth.
Matteo didn’t shout. That was worse.
He just exGrantd and said calmly, “Good. Then we don’t have to pretend anymore.”
He turned slightly toward Bianca. “Stop crying. It’s pointless.”
“Matteo, please…” she sobbed.
“Enough.” His voice was final. Then, to me: “Aria, you had your chance. I’ll take Mason legally. I’ll adopt him. He’ll carry my name. That’s what he deserves.”
Mason’s crying grew louder.
“Be quiet!” I snapped, my voice breaking as frustration took over. I loved him… I did—but after everything, I couldn’t even look at him without feeling pain.
Mason hiccupped between sobs.
Matteo stepped in front of him immediately. “Don’t yell at him!” he barked. “He’s my son! And you? You’re nothing but a piece in this game. Now that everything’s out, good—Bianca stays here.”
“Then let her stay,” I said coldly, my voice steady again. “That’s exactly why I’m leaving. I’m not staying to watch you build your little fake family while I fall apart.”
He let out a short, harsh laugh. “No. You’re not going anywhere.” His eyes sharpened. “I can’t let you run to my father and ruin everything before I secure my position. You think you can just walk out and expose me? I still have leverage. I can sell you again if I want. Don’t forget your value.”
Heat surged through me so fast my vision blurred. “You wouldn’t—”
Bianca flinched, suddenly soft again. “Matteo, stop… this isn’t the time—”
Her voice shook just enough to sound real. I used to fall for that softness. I didn’t anymore.
“Enough pretending,” I said sharply. “I see through both of you now.”
Her face changed instantly. The innocence disappeared.
“You don’t get to act like a victim,” she snapped. “You threw everything away. You ran off. You left chaos behind you.”
Each word hit like a strike.
“Bianca—” I started, but she shoved me.
Hard.
I stumbled into the kitchen counter, pain flaring through my side.
Mason screamed and ran between us. “Stop! Please stop!”
“Get away!” Matteo shouted.
He moved forward too quickly. His arm swung—meant for me—but Mason was in the way.
The impact made the child stumble violently. He hit the edge of the table and collapsed to the floor.
A sharp, piercing cry filled the room.
“Mason!” Bianca screamed, dropping instantly to her knees and pulling him into her arms. “It’s okay, baby… Mommy’s here…”
I went completely still. My stomach dropped.
“He hit him,” I whispered, then louder, “You HIT HIM!”
Matteo turned on me instantly. “This is your fault! If you didn’t escalate things, he wouldn’t have been there!”
“Don’t you blame me!” I yelled, stepping forward.
But before I could move again, he grabbed my hair.
Pain exploded across my scalp as he yanked me down and sideways. I gasped, losing my balance immediately.
“How dare you hurt my son,” he growled into my face, his grip tightening until my vision blurred.
“Matteo—stop—” I choked.
He shoved me hard.
I slammed into the table, ribs hitting first, pain shooting through my entire body. My face struck the wood as everything spun.
And just like that, they were gone.
The door shut.
Silence swallowed the house.
That night, I checked into a hotel under a false name. The city outside looked distant, unreal—lights flickering like something already fading away.
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my suitcase like it belonged to someone else.
My phone lit up.
Vincent.
I’m coming for you soon. We’ll leave it all behind.
I exGrantd shakily.
I made it out.
Or at least… I thought I did.
A knock came.
Sharp. Official.
Not his.
I frowned slightly. “Come in.”
The door opened.
Two police officers stepped inside.
“Mrs. Aria Grant?” one asked.
“Yes?” I answered slowly.
“You are under arrest for the attempted murder of Mason Grant.”
My body went cold.
“What?” I whispered.
The officer stepped forward. “Please cooperate, ma’am.”
The room tilted violently.
My knees gave out.
“No…” I breathed. “That’s not true…”
But it was already too late.
The cuffs locked around my wrists—cold, final, inescapable.
