My ex husband rivalry

Aria's POV

The cold early morning wind brushed lightly against my skin, setting goosebumps in its wake.

“St Peter's Avenue,” I muttered to the taxi driver as soon as I got in. I rubbed my palm on my arms, to warm myself up a little as my mind drifted to last night's events.

I refused to follow Julian home, so he lodged me in a hotel. Not just any hotel, The Chivalry, is the biggest five-star hotel in New York. It could be far-fetched to say he was God sent since he did nothing with me except try everything. But I was still grateful that I found where to sleep. My mind drifted as flashes of our conversation trickled into my brain.

“You’re stunningly beautiful. You know that?” His hot breath fanned against my ear as he gripped my waist from behind. Our gazes locked on the dressing mirror I was standing in front of. We were alone in the hotel room, and while I was still in despair from the rapid turn of events that night, something about his stare ignited a flame in me. I wasn't surprised, Julian was notorious for being flirtatious. But that didn't mean he wasn't mysterious.

“Ethan and I just got divorced. So whatever game you're trying to play won't work.” I whispered, the recollection hammering into my chest. My already numb heart reawoke with a start and pounded painfully against my ribs.

Julian's gaze turned cold in the dressing mirror as my words sank in. I was right. Julian would take any opportunity to see Ethan suffer. Even if it meant a scandal.

“Oh. I'm sorry about that.” He recoiled from me and left the room without a word.

As hurt as I felt, I was relieved that I had some privacy to brood. Julian's last marriage ended on a mysterious note, with his wife vanishing without a trace. Since then, no one has heard anything about her. And here he was, trying to make a move on me.

Maybe it's best to stay away from him.

The familiar surroundings of my neighborhood pulled me out of my reverie, and my heart clenched as the driver pulled up to my apartment. It was a small bungalow, just in the heart of the street. The roof had sunk so much from all the water collected on it that I feared it would fall anytime soon. The steps that led to the door were covered in trash and filth, and the windows were almost half gone. I doubt inside was any better

My breath caught in my throat as my eyes landed on my sister sitting on the porch with her head in her hands. She was crying.

I dashed towards her, an empty sinking feeling settling into the pit of my stomach. Vivian was only in the university, and the little money I made when I was with Ethan was used to sponsor her education.

The only thing that would make her cry was…mom.

“Vivian! What's wrong? Where's mom?” I choked out, fighting back my tears. I crouched down and she threw herself into my arms, sobbing. The empty feeling sank further. “Talk to me, Viv,” I said, grabbing her arms and steadying her against me.

She rubbed her eyes, and stared deep into mine, her emotions laid bare for me to see. Her eyes began to glaze over again, and my heart clenched. “She collapsed last night when I was making dinner. I took her to the hospital and the doctor said she had brain swelling. They need surgery to reduce the pressure in her head or she could die. We need $500,000.”

What?

A knot formed in my stomach and twisted painfully. My lungs weren't drawing in enough air, making me gasp sharply. “That’s a lot of money..” I whispered. Where could I possibly get $500,000? I sat down on the porch with her, afraid that I too would collapse if I stood any longer. My head pounded with pain, in sync with my heart.

Suddenly, Vivian gripped my hands, her eyes wide with desperation. “Aria , beg Ethan for us. He can help. He's rich enough, isn't he? 500k is a chicken change for him. Please, beg him, Aria . Mom…” She was panicking.

“Viv…relax.” I gripped her hand and tried to calm her down, as sadness loomed at the back of my head.

I have no use for you anymore.

My jaw clenched tightly as his words seeped into my brain. I took a deep breath. “Viv, Ethan, and I are divorced.”

She stilled under my touch, disbelief, and pain flashing in her eyes. “What do you mean divorced? What happened?”

I sighed, kicking the empty can close to my leg. “He said he has no use for me anymore. He's found another woman, and I just discarded trash to him.”

As if I could go by anything worse.

Vivian gasped audibly, covering her mouth. She rested her palm on my lap, offering silent comfort. “That's cruel. I never thought Ethan could do that. He looked so in love with you.”

I thought so too sis, I thought so too.

“What do we do now? Mom would die if things continue like this.” Her voice broke, and I pulled her into my arms as if to calm my own raging heart.

“I'll find a way out. I promise.”

*********

Two days later….

“It has come to our notice that the wife of a popular business tycoon, Ethan Giullio, has left him on accounts of “him not being enough.” It's known that Ethan has been experiencing financial setbacks, and she left him because he couldn't provide anymore. Women, am I right?”

I scoffed at the news reporter. Ethan had made our divorce public, and as usual, the media was all over the news. Ethan had played at the victim, making it look like I was the one who left him. I was called all sorts of names, gold digger, slut, ungrateful bitch, you name it.

My grip tightened on the coffee mug.

“Hey, are you okay?” Emily asked, her voice laced with concern as she turned off the TV and joined me on the couch. I sighed, shutting my eyes tightly.

“I'm fine. This is just ridiculous.” I said.

She grabbed my hand. “It's expected. You just have to move on and forget about him.”

I smiled gratefully and hugged her. Emily was my friend from college, and she let me and Viv stay at her house until we could sort ourselves out.

“Emily, I need a lot of money for mom's surgery. And I'm completely clueless.” I said as I released her. She stared at me, as if stunned. Then, her eyebrows creased as she tapped her foot on the wooden floor. “There's an underground club I know where you could work, and make the money in a week or less.” She shrugged.

Shocking was an understatement of what I felt. “Really?” I almost jumped on her.

“Yes, just get yourself ready.” She giggled, winking at me.

“Wow. That's amazing Em.” I was excited, although it sounded too good to be true.

*********

I stepped out of the dressing room, a little worried. This waitress uniform was far different from the ones I knew, and it was short as fuck. I exhaled. I needed to do this.

A lewd woman stood outside, her expression neutral. “Follow me. Let me show you where you'd work.”

Okay.

We walked into a secluded section of the underground club, which I immediately recognized as the VIP section. LED lights of different colors shone from ceiling to floor, the colors bouncing off the tiles in a dazzling display of colors. Loud music blared from the stage, making the air vibrate. The faint smell of cocaine and cigarettes filled the air, making me nauseous. When my eyes finally adjusted, I felt the blood drain from my face.

It was an indoor orgy.

Old, rich men were everywhere. On the floor, on the couches, on the stage. And they were fucking the women who were putting on the same dresses as me. The women looked like they were in a haze, probably drugged or injected with something. It was disgusting.

Oh hell no.

My pulse kicked, and my movements became rigid as I prayed not to draw attention from either of the filthy old men. I recognized some of them from the countless meetings Ethan had with them.

“Here.” I felt cold glass touch the back of my palm. I jerked backward and noticed the woman handing me a small cup. I took it from her, but I dared not drink. She turned around and whispered something to the bartender, then turned back to me.

“You're going to strip over there. And pull your skirt up.” She pointed towards a metal pole in the middle of the room.

I cocked my head, certain I didn't hear her well.

“Strip?”