ARIA’S POV I pause for a moment, pondering why he wants to meet me in person instead of simply stating his intentions over the phone.“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Adam.”The mere idea of encountering Adam floods me with an overwhelming sense of dread and discomfort. The thought of facing him in person fills me with a profound reluctance, as if every fiber of my being recoils at the prospect.It's not just a matter of inconvenience; it's an emotional aversion rooted deep within me. The thought of being in his presence stirs up a torrent of emotions—anger, resentment, and perhaps even a tinge of fear.I find myself struggling with conflicting desires, torn between the instinct to avoid him at all costs and the nagging curiosity to confront whatever it is he wants to discuss.“I want Eva and my mother to apologize to you face to face.”Do they ever bother to extend an apology? It feels as if Adam has completely lost his grasp on reality. The notion of them admitting fault or express
ARIA’S POV“How dare you call my daughter lowly?”Elodie intervenes, jumping to Eva's defense as if on cue. Didn't I expect that? She starts emphasizing how kind they were to me when I had nothing, portraying themselves as my saviors during my lowest moments."We took you in and treated you like family."She declares, her voice dripping with self-righteousness. Now, according to her, I've transformed into a bully, using my wealth to lord over them. The hypocrisy is infuriating. How conveniently she overlooks their own behavior, the manipulation, and deceit.The double standards are astounding, and her attempt to rewrite history only makes me more resolute in standing my ground.“Oh really?! You both treated me worse than the Millers’ maids. Do you suffer from amnesia or something?”My sneer leaves all three of them baffled. I begin listing all the wrongs they did to me; making me hand wash their clothes, iron them, set the table, litter around the house, and then ordering me to clean
ADAM’S POVAs I listen to Aria recounting all the wrongs done to her by Eva and my mother, a profound sense of shame washes over me. How could I have allowed everyone to trample on her like this? Who treats their wife in such a despicable manner?The weight of guilt settles heavily on my shoulders as I realize the extent of my negligence and complicity in allowing Aria to suffer. Each accusation from Aria serves as a painful reminder of my failure to protect her, and I'm overwhelmed by a surge of regret and remorse.As Aria points out, I bear the blame for everything that has transpired. Since Dad's passing, I've endeavored to fulfill the role of a father figure to Eva, assuming responsibility for her well-being.However, in my efforts to protect and provide for Eva, I realize that I may have inadvertently spoiled her. She's grown accustomed to valuing material possessions over people's feelings, and I can't help but feel a pang of guilt for my role in shaping her character.Despite m
ARIA’S POVI burst out laughing at Adam’s question. It’s as if he has a mental checklist, trying to get everything done in one shot. His seriousness contrasts sharply with the absurdity of the situation, making it almost comical.“I’ve paid one billion dollars for this antique piece. It’s not that I stole it or something. It’s mine.”Now the ball is in my court, and I won't let anything slide. First, Adam calls me here and I get disgraced. Then they try to coat it with some insincere apology, and now he's singing the same song about the necklace.My anger boils over, my heart pounding in my chest. They stand there, looking stunned, as if my reaction is unexpected.“If you want the necklace back, then pay me thrice the price I paid?"Eva and Elodie exchange glances, their expressions a mix of guilt and defiance. His mother, always the actress, tries to look sorrowful but I can see through her façade. Adam's face tightens, his eyes narrowing. He's not used to being challenged, especiall
ARIA’S POVI sneer when I hear that Adam wants me back. My voice drips with disdain when I lash at him."The only way I would ever consider getting back with you is if time itself could turn back."My words hang in the air, heavy with the finality of their meaning. Adam's face pales, but he doesn't respond.I take a deep breath before telling Adam about what we should do next, instead of him dreaming about getting together."We should tell Grandpa about our divorce. He deserves to know the truth."The room falls into an uneasy silence. Eva and Elodie exchange nervous glances, their usual smugness replaced by apprehension.As I stand my ground firmly, the tension in the room tightens like a coiled spring. I am not here to negotiate when the divorce has already been signed. I have taken nothing from Adam and I am proud of it. The purpose for asking for this amount is because I don’t want to be treated as a doormat yet again.I shall not let them win. I have been patient with all of them
EVA’S POVI love living a lavish life. I've been pampered and protected under the wings of my brother for as long as I can remember. But now, Aria has come along and messed everything up.This time, it's not just about me—it's about my mother too. She's been dragged into this chaos, and we both stand to lose everything we've enjoyed for so long. How could Aria do this to us?Right now, I was dying to go on a shopping spree. Therefore, I took Sophia with me to the mall. There is a grand event where all the influential men will be present, and I don’t want to miss my chance to make an impression. The latest fashion collection just hit the market today, and I need it to stand out.I've been begging my brother to unblock my credit cards so I can make the purchase, but he’s been ignoring my pleas. It's infuriating. How am I supposed to compete if I can't even look the part?If I recall correctly, there's still one card that should be functioning. I cross my fingers, hoping it hasn’t been
ARIA’S POVWeeks go by, and things have been pretty calm. I can finally breathe and enjoy my freedom. The chaos of the past feels like a distant memory, and I relish the peace and quiet. With no one to answer to and no drama to contend with, I find solace in my routines and the simple pleasures of life.The project with Wellington Enterprises progresses smoothly, despite the occasional run-in with Adam and the ever-annoying Clark. Their attempts to unsettle me fall flat; I've grown stronger and more resilient. Each day, I become more confident in my abilities and more certain that I made the right decisions.I spend my evenings unwinding with a good book or catching up with friends who genuinely care about me. The oppressive weight of my past life with Adam lifts, replaced by a lightness I haven't felt in years. I'm finally in control of my destiny, and it feels empowering.Adam's outburst at his place, where he confronted Eva and Elodie for their mistreatment of me and for their invo
ARIA’S POVAs I arrive at the event, I'm greeted by a sea of affluent figures, each one exuding an air of sophistication and importance. It's a gathering where prestige and influence seem to mingle effortlessly, and I can't help but feel a sense of belonging in such esteemed company.It's no secret that I'm Neal Jackson's sister, and it seems that my association with him has garnered me a certain level of respect among the elite crowd. As I make my way through the room, I notice heads turning in my direction, and I'm met with nods of recognition and polite smiles.“Nice to see you, Miss Cook.”The host greets me and I smile at the courteous welcome.“What an amazing event. I’m glad to be here.”There's a certain weight to the way people regard me, as if my presence alone carries a measure of significance. It's a feeling that I've grown accustomed to, yet it never fails to remind me of the responsibilities that come with being part of a prominent family.Despite the grandeur of the eve