Chapter 15
**Aria’s POV p>
As I commanded Liam to kneel and offer his apology, the air in the private dining room thickened, becoming almost unbearable. The expressions of shock etched on the faces around us felt strangely gratifying, a testament to the gravity of the moment.
Mrs. White was the first to regain her composure, her voice laced with disbelief. “Aria, dear, that’s really unnecessary in this day and age. We can handle this like civilized people p>
I interrupted her, my tone eerily steady. “Isn’t this exactly what he promised? Just moments ago, he declared he would do anything’ to make amends. I’m merely holding him to his word p>
Emily leaned forward, her eyes wide with incredulity. “You can’t seriously expect my brother to p>
“If he’s genuinely remorseful,” I cut in, refusing to glance her way, “then demonstrating that should be a simple task p>
Liam’s complexion had drained of color, his expression a blend of desperation and shame. He appeared caught in a tormenting dilemma, torn between maintaining his pride and exhibiting his sincerity. After what felt like an eternity of agonizing silence, he finally found his voice.
“If I do this—if I kneel before you right now-will you forgive me, Aria? Can we leave this behind us and start anew p>
I held his gaze, unwavering. “Your apology is your decision, Liam. My forgiveness is my prerogative. And the only reason I’m even here today is that my father informed me this morning of your plan to kneel and apologize p>
I didn’t soften my words. I left him no escape.
He stared at me, a myriad of emotions flickering across his face, before slowly pushing his chair back. The sound of the legs scraping against the floor echoed ominously in the hushed room. With visible reluctance, he began to lower himself.
Just as his knee was about to touch the polished floor, the door swung open with a dramatic flourish.
Sophia burst in, tears streaming down her cheeks, her expertly applied makeup somehow still flawless despite the emotional deluge. Without a moment’s hesitation, she dropped to her knees before me, her despair palpable.
“Please forgive him, Aria!” she wailed, grasping the hem of my dress with trembling hands. “It’s all my fault! I was the one who called him that day. I was in a terrible state and threatened to hurt myself if he didn’t come p>
Liam rushed forward, instinctively reaching out to pull her up. “Sophia, stop. You don’t have to do this p>
But she pushed him away, her determination unwavering. “Don’t stop me, Liam! If Aria needs someone to beg for forgiveness, let it be me p>
He turned to me, his eyes filled with helplessness. “Aria… what do you want me to do p>
I regarded him coolly, my voice icy. “What’s the matter? Are you feeling pity for her now p>
“Please, Aria!” Sophia cried out, her voice quivering just enough to sound genuine. “If you need someone to blame, let it be me p>
I looked down at her, my resolve unyielding. Her performance was painfully rehearsed, and my patience, already stretched thin, finally snapped.
Without a moment’s hesitation, I reached for the nearest glass of red wine—deep, dark, and untouched—and tipped it over her head without uttering a single word.
The wine cascaded down her perfectly curled honey-blonde hair, saturating the roots, trickling down her face, and staining the neckline of her ivory silk blouse a vivid crimson.
She gasped, the sound sharp and real this time, recoiling as she stared up at me in utter disbelief.
“Aria!” Liam shouted, lunging forward to snatch the glass from my hand. He hurled it to the ground, where it shattered against the plush carpet. “What the hell is wrong with you p>
I watched as the red wine seeped into the expensive carpet, spreading like a dark stain-much like our relationship.
“Nothing is wrong with me,” I replied quietly. “For the first time in years, I see things for what they truly are p>
I turned my attention back to Sophia, who remained kneeling, her feigned tears now mingling with genuine indignation.
“I never asked for your forgiveness,” I stated calmly. “And I certainly never requested this pathetic display p>
Looking back at Liam, who was helping Sophia to her feet, an unexpected wave of tranquility washed over me. “It’s over,” I declared simply. “All of it p>
My father stood beside me, placing a protective hand on my shoulder, his presence a solid anchor.
“We’re done here,” he announced, his tone leaving no room for debate. “Whatever business proposals you wished to discuss, Mr. White, you can send them through our lawyers p>
Without another word, I turned to leave. Behind me, I could hear Liam calling my name, but I didn’t look back.
In the hallway, I inhaled deeply, feeling lighter than I had in months. The
confrontation I had dreaded had transformed into my liberation.
As I walked toward the elevator, a familiar figure emerged ahead of me, his tall silhouette unmistakable even from a distance.
“Mr. Carter,” I said, surprised to find Aiden standing there in an impeccably tailored charcoal suit. “What brings you here p>
“Company dinner,” he replied casually, the faint scent of whiskey lingering on his breath.
Suddenly, a thought struck me. “I’ve been contemplating what to get your grandmother as a gift when I meet her. Is there anything specific she might appreciate p>
A slight smile danced at the corner of his mouth. “You don’t need to bring anything. Just your presence will suffice-she’ll adore you p>
My mind momentarily short-circuited.
Wait-what?
My heart stumbled.
Was he flirting with me?
I felt warmth creeping up my neck, a blush threatening to betray my calm exterior. “That’s very kind of you to say, but I’d still like to bring something. First impressions matter p>
He regarded me, that same unreadable expression in his eyes. “She’s been wanting me to settle down for years. As long as you’re my wife, she’ll love you-no gift necessary p>
Oh.
Right.
Of course.
It wasn’t about me. It never was. It was about the role I fulfilled, the box I checked.
Wife.
Not Aria.
I forced a polite smile, nodding as if the revelation didn’t sting. “Good to know p>
We walked toward the elevator in silence, the sound of our footsteps echoing too loudly in the quiet hallway. I kept my gaze fixed ahead, but my thoughts were anything but steady.
What was I thinking?
Why did one line from him—one silly smile-make me feel like a teenager with a crush?
By the time we reached the elevator, my face was flushed for all the wrong reasons -mostly embarrassment.
Then I felt him shift beside me.
“Your earring is caught in your hair,” he said, his voice low, his eyes focused just beside my ear.
I instinctively reached up, but he gently caught my hand. “Let me p>
His fingers were surprisingly gentle as they worked to free the diamond stud from
the strand of hair it had tangled in. The brush of his knuckles against my neck sent
an unexpected shiver racing down my spine.
“There,” he murmured softly, his hand lingering just a moment longer than necessary.
Our eyes met, and for a fleeting second, I forgot our surroundings-forgot everything except the strange tension crackling between us.
Before I could gather my thoughts to respond, my father approached from behind.
“Mr. Carter,” he greeted with a nod, shattering the moment’s tension.
“Mr. Jones,” Aiden acknowledged my father with equal formality, then gestured toward the exit. “Shall we p>
Just as we were about to step outside, I heard hurried footsteps behind us.
“Aria!” Liam called out, desperation seeping into his voice. “Please wait p>
I turned slowly to face him one last time. As I did, I felt Aiden’s arm slip protectively around my waist, drawing me slightly closer to him. The warmth of his palm burned through the thin fabric of my dress, and my breath caught unexpectedly. The scent of his cologne enveloped me, wrapping around me like a second skin. My heart betrayed me, giving a traitorous flutter.
I should have stepped away. I didn’t. There was something inexplicably right about having him beside me as I confronted Liam.
“What is it, Mr. White?” I asked, deliberately formal, my tone icy.
Liam flinched at the use of his surname. “Can we talk? Privately p>
I stared at him, truly seeing him for perhaps the first time. The man I had loved for twelve long years. The man I had envisioned spending my life with. The man who had left me standing alone in a wedding dress.
And I felt… nothing.
No anger. No pain. No longing. Just a serene emptiness where those emotions used
to dwell.
“Private conversation?” Aiden’s deep voice rumbled beside me, his arm tightening imperceptibly around my waist. “Is there any reason my wife can’t have this conversation in front of me p>