The next few days were a blur of work and sorting out the trust fund situation. I barely came home, which was a blessing, I didn’t have to deal with Caden or Mira’s faces.
One evening, as I walked through the door, Mira was perched on the sofa, clearly waiting for me. She jumped up with a smile as soon as she saw me. “Aria! Oh, I missed you! It’s been so long since we’ve talked.”
I stared at her, unimpressed. She took a step closer, undeterred. “Come on, sit with me. We haven’t cleared up that misunderstanding from the other day. Coffee? I’ll make you some.”
“No need. I’m exhausted.” My tone was clipped, and her fake sweetness grated on my nerves.
Her smile faltered for a second, but she quickly plastered it back on. “That’s okay. If not coffee, then let’s just talk for a minute.”
I had a feeling this was about the trust fund. And I was right. “Um, Marven didn’t send my monthly allowance. It’s usually on time, but nothing came yesterday. Is something wrong?”
I smirked. “She’s not sending it anymore. Figure out how to make your own money, Mira.”
Her eyes widened, and her voice pitched up in protest. “But... Aria! Why? You can’t just—”
“I can. And I did.” I stepped past her. “Goodnight. I’m going to bed.”
“Aria! Wait, Aria!” She stomped and called after me, but I shut my bedroom door, locking her out of my night.
Collapsing onto my bed, I let out a shaky breath. Betrayal wasn’t new to me, but it still cut deep.
I had loved and supported Mira like family, and this was the thanks I got. The tears came before I could stop them, hot and bitter as I replayed all the moments I thought we were close. Now? She was scheming with my fiancé behind my back.
The weight of it all pressed down on me, stealing the air from my lungs. But I wasn’t about to wallow.
Wiping my tears, I dragged myself into the bathroom and let the hot shower rinse away my pain. By the time I got out, I felt lighter, even if just a little. Sleep came quickly that night, for the first time in a while.
The next morning, I was heading out for work when Caden blocked my path in the hallway. His face was tight, and anger simmered just beneath the surface. “Aria, what’s going on?”
I blinked at him. “What do you mean?”
He exhaled sharply, visibly trying to keep his composure. “You cut Mira off. Why?”
I tilted my head, raising an eyebrow. “Do I owe you an explanation? It’s my money. My family’s money.”
“You’re being selfish!” he snapped, his voice rising. “She needs help. Her parents—”
“Oh, stop it.” I cut him off, my tone ice-cold. “Spare me the guilt trip. If you care so much, why don’t you give her money?”
I turned to leave, but his hand shot out, gripping my wrist hard enough to hurt.
“Let go,” I said through clenched teeth, yanking at my arm. But he didn’t budge. His strength as an Alpha was overwhelming, his towering frame blocking my escape.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I hissed, my pulse quickening as I struggled against his grip.
I shrieked, instinctively clawing at his hand with my nails to free myself. My sharp nails scratched him, and before I knew it, his hand flew out, slapping me hard enough to send me sprawling onto the floor.
The sting on my cheek burned as I looked up at him, clutching his scratched hand with a fierce, almost wild look in his eyes.
My heart pounded, this wasn’t the Caden I thought I knew. Fear clawed at my chest, but then the sound of approaching footsteps broke the moment.
One of the maids had heard the commotion and rushed toward us. I sighed in relief, scrambling to my feet. My cheek throbbed, and I pressed a hand to it as I quickly walked away, not sparing Caden another glance.
By the time I arrived at the office, my emotions had spilled over. Tears streaked down my face during the drive, leaving my eyes red and puffy.
Marven was waiting as I walked in, her sharp gaze immediately catching the redness on my cheek.
“Ms. Everett,” she said softly but firmly, stepping closer. “What happened? Who did this to you?”
I shook my head, avoiding her eyes. “Just... get me an ice pack, please.”
She didn’t push, but her concern was palpable. When she returned, she handed me the ice pack and gently helped press it against my cheek.
The cold was a shock but a welcome one. Afterward, she applied cream to the swelling with careful precision.
Marven didn’t say much, which oddly made it easier to speak. The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
“This morning, Caden and I got into an argument. Things escalated. I scratched him, and he...” I hesitated, my voice catching. “He hit me. I don’t think he meant to... it all happened so fast.”
Marven’s hand paused for a moment, then she resumed applying the cream.
Her tone was steady but laced with a quiet firmness. “I suspected it was him. Ms. Everett, I don’t mean to overstep, but... I’ve noticed things between you two. Something isn’t right, and honestly... I don’t think he’s the kind of man you deserve.”
Her words hung in the air. I glanced at her, surprised by her boldness, but there was no judgment in her expression—just concern.
I managed a small smile, not ready to respond but letting her know I heard her. As I sat there, her words echoed in my mind, stirring thoughts I wasn’t ready to face yet.
Once I snapped out of it, I wasted no time. I hired a moving company to pack up everything I owned from the old house and take it to the new place I had secretly bought a few weeks ago.
Tonight, I would finally sleep there. It was fully furnished, and I didn’t need anything from the past weighing me down anymore.
To tie up loose ends, I sent the pendant he had given me back to him.
Of course, Caden found out about the move. My phone started buzzing incessantly with calls and messages.
[Aria, are you really going to leave just like that?]
[I know you’re reading this. Pick up the phone. We need to talk.]
[Aria!!]
