Chapter Sixteen: Secrets and Betrayal

"Grandma, the people from the law firm are at home. They want to confirm the change of your will," Alexander said as he stepped closer to the bed.

"Oh, they are at home now? Tell them I will be there shortly," Grandma responded, her tone firm yet calm. She then turned her gaze to Aria, her expression softening. "My granddaughter-in-law, please come help me," she said, reaching out to Aria with a gentle smile.

Aria quickly rushed to her side, instinctively offering her arm to support Grandma. The warmth in Grandma's voice made her heart feel lighter, but she couldn’t help feeling a bit uneasy about the ongoing tension surrounding the will.

Alexander observed quietly from the side, his sharp eyes fixed on Aria’s movements. Inwardly, he mused, It seems she doesn’t know that Grandma is going to change her will... but how did Ethan find out about this? His mind raced with questions, but he kept them to himself for the moment.

After a brief silence, Alexander spoke again, this time directing his words to Aria. "Go outside first. I have something to discuss with Grandma," he said, his voice steady but with an underlying command that left no room for argument.

Aria hesitated for a second, casting a quick glance at Grandma, who gave her a reassuring nod. Without protest, Aria left the ward, her footsteps light but hurried, as if she was eager to escape the thick air of tension.

Once Aria was gone, Alexander stepped closer to his grandmother’s bed. His voice dropped slightly, serious yet respectful. "Grandma, who else knows about the change of will?"

"What? Do I need your approval to change my own will?" Grandma snapped, clearly irritated by the line of questioning. Her sharp eyes glared up at him, challenging him to continue. "You are the CEO of Sinclair Group, and the company is yours. Are you still thinking about my personal assets?"

"Grandma, that’s not what I meant," Alexander replied calmly, though he could sense the shift in her mood. "I’m worried someone might be trying to trick you. Information about the will has leaked to people who shouldn’t know anything about it."

Grandma turned abruptly to face him, her voice rising slightly. "Are you still suspicious of my granddaughter-in-law? Let me tell you something, Alexander. Aria didn’t know about the will change at all. Even if she did, she would never hurt me. Mark my words."

Alexander’s brow furrowed. Grandma has always been suspicious, sometimes even mistrusting me... but why does she trust Aria so much? he thought to himself. The more he tried to make sense of it, the more confused he became.

Seeing his bewildered expression, Grandma softened her tone and said, "Alexander, listen to me carefully. Your life was saved by Aria. Just for that, you should never doubt her, no matter what."

Stunned, Alexander took a step back. "Grandma... when did this happen?" His voice barely a whisper.

Grandma sighed, waving her hand dismissively. "Go figure it out for yourself. Leave me alone for now. I need to prepare myself for the law firm meeting." She turned away, leaving Alexander to wrestle with this new revelation.

Meanwhile, outside the ward, Aria paced anxiously, replaying the events of the past few days in her mind. Why does it feel like everything is falling apart? she thought to herself. She let out a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. "Aria, it’s you who didn’t take good care of Grandma, so it’s normal for Alexander to be angry," she muttered under her breath. "What’s there to be so dramatic about? Cheer up. It’s your job now to take care of Grandma," she reassured herself quietly, trying to shake off the unease that had been building up inside her.

Suddenly, a mocking voice interrupted her thoughts. "Well, well, look who we have here." Ethan stepped out from the shadows, blocking her path with a sinister smirk on his face.

Aria instinctively stepped back, trying to keep her distance, but Ethan only smirked as he moved closer, his body towering over her. "I just said a few words, and you’ve already been kicked out? It seems like your new man isn’t so great afteral ."

"Ethan, stop it. I don’t want to talk to you," Aria said, her voice wavering but still holding firm.

But Ethan wasn’t deterred. He grabbed her arm roughly, his fingers digging into her skin. "Where are you going, huh? Trying to run away from me?"

"Ethan, what are you doing? Let go of me!" Aria cried out, her eyes wide with fear as she struggled to break free. Her heart raced as panic began to settle in.

Ethan leaned closer, his voice low and menacing. "What do you think I’m doing? You belong to me, Aria. Don’t you dare forget that." He tightened his grip, pulling her closer as if to make a point.

In a moment of desperation, Aria swung her free hand up to slap him, but Ethan was quicker. He caught her wrist, his expression twisting into something dark and dangerous. "Bitch," he spat, his voice filled with venom. "Are you asking for death?"

He suddenly shoved her hard, sending her flying backward. Aria’s body tumbled down the stairs, her head hitting the hard surface with a sickening thud. She landed at the bottom, motionless, blood slowly pooling from the gash on her forehead.

Ethan froze, his face draining of color as he realized what had just happened. "Aria?" he called out, his voice shaky as he took a tentative step forward. When she didn’t respond, his panic grew. He crouched down beside her, nudging her with his foot. "Aria, stop pretending. Get up! You fell on your own. This has nothing to do with me!"

When she still didn’t move, fear took over completely. Ethan glanced around the hallway, making sure no one had seen what had happened. His heart pounded in his chest as he quickly stood up and fled the scene, leaving Aria lying unconscious and bleeding.