The rain in London, which seemed softer and almost apologetic as it misted against the floor-to-ceiling windows of Aria's little flat in Shoreditch, had always felt distinct from that at home. As the city came to life in hues of gray and gold, she stood at her kitchen counter, sipping earl grey tea.
Two years.
It has been two years since she boarded an airplane with a heart full of guilt and resolve and nothing but a hurriedly packed bag. It had been two years since she had last seen him.
The marble counter top caused her thoughts to be interrupted when her phone vibrated. A number she knew only too well, with an unidentified nation code. With a recognizable dread twisting around her chest like ghostly chains, she paused over the instrument.
Don't respond to it. Here, you are secure. Here, you are free.
However, she had never been able to ignore calls from home.
Hi there?
Aria. Her mother's voice was high-pitched, pleading, and delicate, like porcelain. Thank goodness, Aria. You must return home. As soon as possible.
The grip of Aria's fingers on her mug grew stronger. Mom? What's the issue? Dad's heart is failing again, isn't it?
No. It's not that, no. It is... A shaking breath. I am unable to discuss it over the phone. Honey, please. You belong here. We all need you here, me and your dad.
I have a job, Mom. I have a talk on Friday.
Chen Aria. Her mother never spoke in that way: sharp, almost bossy. This is about your family. Your actual family. If you would. Come back home.
The call ended.
Her reflection ghosted over the black screen as Aria gazed at her smartphone. Eyes that were dark and had witnessed too much. These past two years, the haunted expression on her face had finally vanished, but now it was furrowed with concern.
Your actual family.
What in the world was that?
Heathrow Airport was the epitome of mayhem, yet Aria glided through it as if she were a ghost, her physical movements on autopilot while her thoughts raced through scenarios.
She had informed her employer that it was a family emergency. packed a little carry-on. Made the reservation for the initial flight. Within three hours of that call, she moved with an efficiency that felt eerily recognizable, as though she were using muscle memory from a life she had attempted to put behind her.
a life where one person's aspirations became her orders.
Aria noticed a couple across from her as she sat in the departure lounge, anticipating her boarding call. The man was gently wrapping a blanket around his sleeping girlfriend, his motions gentle and protective. Sweet.
She was reminded of Damien.
She was reminded of Damien by everything.
You're chilly, Aria. Why didn't you inform me?
She was fifteen years old, shivering at a garden party held by one of their parents, and too obstinate to show her discomfort. At 18 years old, Damien was already being prepared to rule the Chen empire, and his presence alone was enough to dominate any space.
Without saying anything, he shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around her naked shoulders. The aroma was reminiscent of sandalwood, his cologne, and something more sinister and deadly.
I don't require
You do. His hands had remained on her shoulders, warm and possessive. You simply don't know how to ask. That's why I'm here for you.
Even at that time, his gaze had been so intense. As if she were valuable. One of his possessions.
The recollection was dispelled by Aria's abrupt head shake. She rose, using her carry-on as a shield, and the flight attendant called out her boarding group.
Twelve hours. She had twelve hours before she was back in the cage she had worked so hard to get out of.
I couldn't concentrate because the trip was filled with restless sleep and unwelcome thoughts. Aria experienced visions of the incidents that had driven her away anytime she closed her eyes.
David Park's termination letter, which was given the day following his confession.
Her university project partner's transfer request—male, pleasant, and transferred to another department right after Damien visited her campus.
When she had confronted her brother, the expression in his eyes was one of fulfillment rather than denial or guilt.
You deserved better, Aria. There are none of them.
It's not your call!
Isn't it? He had approached her, backing her up against the wall of his home office, and then gently cupping her face in his hands. I brought you up. I have a better understanding of what's in your best interest than you do.
I'm not your property; you're my brother!
At one point, his eyes had flashed before turning into something black and ravenous that had caused her to gasp for air. However, she had persuaded herself that she had imagined it because it had vanished so quickly.
He gently stroked her cheekbone with his thumb and whispered, "Exactly. " I'm your sibling. I do everything I can to keep you safe. What is it that you don't comprehend?
She had understood exactly. She would have run for that reason.
The Chen family's private car was waiting at arrivals, with the driver carrying a sign bearing her name even though he knew exactly what she looked like. Even after two years, some procedures remained the same.
Miss Chen Mr. Wang, an elderly driver, gave a little bow. Welcome back.
It's nice to see you, Mr. Wang. With a grin that sounded like breaking glass, Aria somehow managed. How is everyone?
His face betrayed an emotion that she was unable to identify, ranging from sympathy to uncertainty. Miss, you'll soon find out.
The trip from the airport to the Chen property took forty minutes through progressively nicer areas. As the well-known scenery passed by, Aria felt her stomach churn more with every mile.
The Chen house's gates, made of gold leaf and wrought iron, stood in front of her, displaying a legacy she had never really belonged to. The gates opened up like jaws when Mr. Wang put in the code, which was not the same as what Aria recalled.
The house remained the same. Three tales of old wealth and contemporary architecture, extending over manicured grounds that cost more to upkeep than the majority of people earn in a year.
Prison, Sanctuary, Cage, Home.
It had been all of that.
On shaky legs, Aria walked out of her door, which was opened by Mr. Wang. Her mother appeared in the doorway as the front door opened in front of her.
Lin Chen, the ideal trophy wife, had always been gorgeous, sophisticated, and collected, and she had grown to love her arranged marriage. Her designer dress was a bit loose, and her cosmetics couldn't mask the dark circles under her eyes, giving her a shattered appearance.
Aria. Aria was pulled into a frantic hug by her. You arrived. Thank goodness you arrived.
Mom, what's up? You're making me feel afraid.
With her hands on Aria's shoulders, her mother recoiled. I have to make it clear that we were unaware before we entered. We were clueless all this time. If we had known—
Knowing what?
Her query was interrupted by a noise coming from inside the house. crying. a girl's voice that was unfamiliar, youthful, and desperate.
"Who is that? " Aria inquired.
Her mother's expression turned down. That is—oh my goodness, Aria. That's our girl. Our actual daughter.
The planet tipped.
What?
It was a mistake. 23 years ago in the hospital. You and another infant were— Her mother's voice faltered. You were exchanged. Three days ago, the results of the DNA test were released. You're not... You are not our biological child, Aria.
Each word struck with the force of a bullet, tearing through the material of reality. Their daughter, not them. Not a Chen. No—
not Damien's sibling.
The idea was frightening, treacherous, and unbidden.
Where is she? With a hollow tone, Aria could hear herself asking. This other woman?
Inside. along with your father and— Her mother paused. She is with Damien.
He certainly was. Damien, who took his responsibilities so seriously. Damien, who never let up on his responsibilities to his family.
under the pretext of brotherly care, Damien had complete control over her life.
Now that I'm no longer his sister, what will happen?
As Aria crossed the Chen house's doorway, her mother's hand felt chilly in hers, and her heartbeat echoed in her ears.
They were in the enormous living room, which the foyer opened into. in his leather armchair, her worn-out and gray father. On the white couch, a little, lovely, and completely speechless child was dobbing into her hands.
As well as Damien.
He stood by the window, backlit by the afternoon sun, and for a moment Aria forgot how to breathe. Two years had transformed him into something even more lethal: sharper edges, larger shoulders, and an air of restrained force that appeared to fill every space in the room.
He had been keeping an eye on the driveway. Waiting for her.
Their eyes made contact over the space, and Aria noticed the precise moment when there was a significant change in his perspective. No more disguised restraint. There are no longer any well kept boundaries.
His gaze was like that of a predator looking at its prey. At last, it has permission to go hunting.
Aria. He uttered her name as both a claim and a caress. With deadly elegance, he took calculated steps towards her. Welcome back to your house.
Damien. She was attempting to convey the impression of being powerful and unmoved. His name, however, sounded like a plea.
He came within inches of her, close enough for her to smell his cologne, which was still sandalwood and still potent. So near that you could see the ravenous hunger in his eyes that he no longer made an effort to conceal.
Did they inform you? He spoke in a low, private tone, just for her ears.
That I am not your sister? Aria made herself make eye contact with him. Yes.
Good. His hand rose to cup her face, the action both painfully familiar and completely unique. He seized and claimed her lower lip with his thumb. Then we can quit pretending.
Her mother let out a scream behind them. In Mandarin, she received a stern response from her father. The other girl stopped crying and became stunned.
However, Aria was unable to avert her gaze from Damien and the truth that shone through his dark eyes.
He had never thought of her as a sister.
And now, he was no longer required to feign.
He whispered, "Welcome home, Aria," as his lips formed a grin that was half promise and half danger. We have a lot to talk about.
