Aria's pov
The phone trembled in my hand.
Ethan's voice was familiar but it was now repulsive,the warmth with which he whispered into my ears while we played under the covers had disappeared.
"Hello, Aria," he repeated, softer this time, like he was testing the waters. "I know you saw the news. Mia and I… it's serious. But I've been thinking about you and about what we could have become,I kinda miss you Aria."
I laughed, a dry, bitter sound that scraped my throat. "You're calling me a day after my wedding to tell me this trash? Save it, Ethan. I don't want your regrets or apology."
"I'm not apologizing," he said quickly. "I'm offering you something better. Some of the DreamForge shares. A significant portion. I'll sign them over to you quietly with no strings attached. Just… let's meet. Talk. I want to make things right."
The room spun.
Was he really trying to bribe me into meeting him with shares? My shares,the very ones he stole, rebranded, and paraded as his own while I drowned in debt and public shame.
"You think money fixes this?" My voice shook. "You think you can buy me back after you fucked my secretary in a hotel room or after you left me with loan sharks at my door? Maybe you forgot how you made the whole world think I was the crazy ex-wife right? You're a bastard, Ethan. A disgusting, manipulative bastard. And no amount of shares will ever make me forget what you did."
Silence on the line.
Then a low chuckle. "You sound just like the Aria I married. I miss that babe."
"Fuck you," I hissed, and ended the call.
My hands shook so badly I almost dropped the phone. I sank onto the couch, head in my hands trying to breathe through the rage.
He thought he could buy me. After everything he did to ensure that I was subject to public ridicule.
I didn't cry though,I was too angry and tired to shed tears. I left my phone on the couch and went about doing some house chores,at least to keep myself busy.
Lucian returned around four, suit jacket slung over his shoulder with his tie loosened. He looked at me like he was assessing damage.
"You didn't leave the apartment," he noted.
"You locked me in," I shot back.
He set his keys on the counter. "It's safer."
"Safer?" I stood up, voice rising. "You mean easier to control. You call me a housewife, take away my work, my freedom, and now you expect me to sit here like a good little wife while you play revenge chess with my life?"
Lucian's jaw tightened. "You knew the terms, don't be dramatic this evening, I'm tired."
"I knew the terms didn't include being your prisoner!" I stepped closer, chest heaving.
"You think slapping a ring on my finger and fucking me makes me yours? You think I'll just accept being caged because you're paying off my debts?"
He moved fast,way too fast that his hand cracked across my cheek, sharp and stinging before I could escape it.
The sound echoed in the silence.
I stumbled back, my ears ringing.
Lucian's eyes widened for half a second,his expression was unreadable. A mix of shock or maybe regret ,then the mask slammed back down.
"Don't raise your voice at me," he said quietly. "You're my wife and you have to start acting like it."
I stared at him, tears of rage burning behind my eyes.
Then I turned and walked out.
The elevator was still open. I stepped inside, pressed the lobby button, and didn't look back.
I expected him to go after me, but he didn't.I stepped into the London street and finally smelt a breath of fresh air.
I hailed a cab, gave the driver the first hotel name that came to mind,"the Grand Horizon".
For some reason,the hotel name was stuck in my head ever since the incident with Ethan.
In the backseat, I pulled out my phone and dialed Ethan.
He answered on the first ring. "Aria?"
"Meet me," I said. "The Grand Horizon. Room 2808. Now."
"I'll be there in twenty."He replied with a soft sarcastic laugh
I hung up.
The room smelled faintly of lavender mixed with rose essence. I paced the carpet, arms wrapped around myself, trying to steady my breathing.
The door opened twenty-three minutes later.
Ethan stepped inside, suit impeccable with an oddly satisfying smile. He closed the door behind him.
"You look good," he said, eyes raking over me. "Better than good."
"Cut the shit," I snapped. "You said shares. Talk."
He walked closer, slow, like he had all the time in the world. "I meant it. I'll sign over thirty percent. Backdated documents. You'll be co-founder again,on paper though. But I want something in return."
I crossed my arms. "I'm not sleeping with you."
He laughed softly. "I don't want sex, Aria. I want you back just for tonight. One night to prove to me you're still mine under all that Voss armor."
He stepped closer. Too close.
I backed up until my legs hit the bed.
"Ethan—"
He grabbed my wrist, pulling me against him. His mouth crashed down on mine, hard and abrasive. I shoved at his chest, but he was stronger than I remembered.
"Stop fighting," he murmured against my lips. "You called me. You came here. You want this bitch, stop the pretense."
"No!" I twisted, knee coming up hard between his legs.
He grunted, doubling over. I shoved him away and ran for the door.
He caught me from behind, arm around my waist, dragging me back.
"You think you can just walk away?" he hissed. "After everything? You're still mine, Aria—"
The door exploded open.Ethan had forgotten to lock the door
Lucian stormed in,his eyes blazing with something murderous.
Ethan barely had time to turn before Lucian's fist connected with his jaw.
The crack echoed.
Ethan staggered but Lucian didn't stop. He grabbed Ethan by the collar, slammed him against the wall, and rained blows on him.
Fist after fist into his face, ribs and stomach.
Ethan tried to fight back, but Lucian was stronger and indeed angrier.
Blood sprayed across the carpet.
"Lucian—stop!" I screamed.
He didn't hear me.
Ethan slid to the floor, groaning, face a mess of blood and swelling.
Lucian stood over him, breathing hard, knuckles split and red .
Then he turned to me,his eyes were wild and dangerous
He stepped forward, blood dripping from his hand.
"You're mine, Aria," he said, staring deep into my eyes. "No one touches you, absolutely no one."