CHAPTER 19
ARIA’S POV
As the wine soaks into my dress, a surge of shock and disbelief course through me. How could they stoop so low? But as I glance at their faces, twisted in a mix of horror and surprise, a smirk tug at the corners of my lips.
They had expected anger, outrage, perhaps even tears, but instead, they found me revelling in the chaos they had wrought
I refuse the offered tissues from the other ladies nearby, my resolve steeling as I meet Eva and Sophia’s gazes with defiance. I am not going to let them see me falter, not bow, not ever. This is my moment, my special day, and nothing not even a splash of wine–is going to ruin it.
But beneath the surface, a simmering anger bubbles, not at their attempt to sabotage me, but at the audacity of their actions. How dare they try to tarnish this day, this moment that I have worked so hard for?
In that instant, the laughter and applause of the crowd fade into the background, replaced by the pounding of my heart and the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins They want a reaction from me, and they got one–a calm, collected defiance that speaks volumes more than any outburst ever could.
So, I stare into Eva’s eyes and say, “You need to apologize now or else.”
Eva and Sophia look at each other and turn their gaze towards me in utter bafflement.
Eva says, “Why should I?! It was just an accident.”
“Accident? You just walked down to me and emptied the whole glass of wine on my dress and you call this an accident?!” I retort back.
“There is no need for an apology, Aria. It’s not a big deal,” Sophia intervenes.
“If she doesn’t apologize, I’ll splash wine on her ugly blue dress!”
“How dare you say that my dress is ugly?!”
I am glad I hit the right cord. If she wants drama, she will get drama. The crowd is already gathered to watch it and everyone here is a witness.
“Apologize!”
Eva neither budges nor utters any word. All she does is stare at me with no regrets reflecting in her eyes…
“I won’t say it again, Eva! Say sorry, right now before I make things worse!”
Sophia retreats behind one of the guests trying neither to save her so–called friend or stand for her. She is wearing a white dress and she thinks it is best to stay quiet as well as away from me. Right now, everyone can see how irritated I am.
“You can clean your dress with some water, that’s it!”
The disbelief strikes me. Did she really just brush it off like it was nothing? As if the humiliation I felt in front of everyone could simply be wiped away with a cloth? It was a though she couldn’t care less about how I felt, about the weight of the situation she had thrust upon me. The audacity of her words leaves me speechless, rant and rage building beneath the surface. How can she expect me to just let it go, to swallow my pride and pretend like nothing has happened? In that moment, her indifference cuts deeper than any insult, leaving me feeling more alone and misunderstood than ever before.
“You wanted to bring me down as you have always done! Let me end it for you!”
CHAPTER 19
+25 BONUS
“Don’t forget what you are! You’re not on the same level as me, so better back off!”
Eva’s attempt to degrade me, like she always has, stings with a familiar bitterness. Her words are like daggers, cutting through whatever semblance of composure I have left. It is a reminder of the power she wields over me, the years of belittlement and humiliation I have endured at her hands. But this time is different. This time, I refuse to let her words pierce my armor. With every insult she hurls, I stand a little taller, a little stronger, determined not to let her diminish me any further. It is a silent declaration of defiance, a refusal to be defined by her toxicity any longer.
“I swear, if you don’t apologize, I’ll make it even!”
But, instead of paying heed, Eva grabs me by hand, drags me down the pool.
“Bitch! Your dress is black. You can very well wash it with water, so why make a huge drama?”
I resist, trying to push her away as hard as I can. 1
“Don’t you dare, Eva!”
my next
As Eva’s grip tightens on my wrist, dragging me through the commotion, a gush of desperation fuels move. With a swift kick, I send her tumbling forward, crashing into the pool with a resounding splash. The laughter that erupts from the onlookers only boosts my satisfaction. Watching Eva emerge from the pool, drenched and furious, brings a twisted sense of vindication Cameras flash, capturing her humiliation for the world to see. She has brought this upon herself, and now she has to face the consequences.
of
But as Adarn and Regis arrive on the scene, their expressions– a mix of shock and disbelief, a pang of guilt tug at my conscience. Adam’s gaze bores into me, his disbelief mirrored in his eyes.
“What have you done, Aria?!”
Adam begins scolding me as if he is still my husband.
Adam has always been quick to judge, quick to assign blame without ever considering my side of the story. It is as if he has already made up his mind about me, and nothing I say or do can ever change that.
Even now, as Eva stands before him, dripping wet and seething with anger, I know he will still see me as the villain. It doesn’t matter that I have been provoked, that I have acted in self–defense. In his eyes, I will always be the one at fault.
The weight of his judgement hangs heavy in the air, suffocating me with its unfairness. How many times have I longed to defend myself, to set the record straight, only to be silenced by his unwavering certainty?
But tonight is different. Tonight, I refuse to be the scapegoat for his insecurities and prejudices. As Adam’s gaze linger on me, I meet it with a steely resolve. I will not allow him to dictate my life any longer.
In that moment, I make a silent vow to myself to stand fin in the face of his judgement, to reclaim my voice and my agency. Adam may never change, but I can change how I let his opinions affect me. Tonight marks the beginning of a new chapter–one where I refuse to be defined by his narrow–mindedness and biases.
“What have I done to her? Or rather, what she has done to me?!”
“Who pushed Eva in the pool?!”
Adam comes right into my face and asks me. He tries to reach for me, but I back away from him, I don’t want to associate myself with him. Adam’s bewildered gaze meets mine, his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief. It is evident he is struggling to process everything that has unfolded. In that moment, I sense a shift–a crack in the façade of certainty he has always held about me. Whether this will lead to understanding or further distance
+25 BONUS
CHAPTER 10
remain to be seen.
“Arla. I can’t believe you would do this to your own family”
“My family?! Did you forget that we’re divorced and no one considers me as a family member?!”
As my words hangs in the air, a collective gasp ripples through the crowd. Even Adam, his expression one of shock, seems taken aback by my assertion. In that moment, I feel a rush of empowerment. No longer will I be silenced.
