CHAPTER 40
ARIA’S POV
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A sense of unease prickles at the back of my neck as I feel someone following me at a quick pace. Instinctively, I quicken my steps,
the rhythmic sound of my heartbeats matching the cadence of my movements.
Every footfall reverberates with a sense of urgency, echoing the racing thoughts in my mind. Then I hear a familiar voice.
“Aria! Wait!”
As I turn back and come face to face with Adam, disgust courses through me. My features harden into a mask of disdain, the
emotions churning within me evident in the coldness of my expression.
It is a visceral reaction, fueled by years of resentment and betrayal that have festered beneath the surface. In that moment, there
is no room for pretense or diplomacy, but only the raw intensity of my contempt for the man who has caused me so much pain.
With a steely gaze, I hold his gaze, refusing to let him off the hook for his past transgressions.
“Are you here for the divorce papers?”
the
My question is to remind him that he cannot close the distance between us. My words carry the weight of all the hurt and
disappointment he has caused me, a stark reminder of the irreparable damage done to our relationship.
Despite any lingering traces of affection or nostalgia, I refuse to allow him to close the distance between us, to gloss over the wounds of the past with empty apologies or false promises. In that moment, I stand my ground, a projection of strength against
the tide of his manipulation and deceit.
Adam’s unexpected response leaves me bewildered, my confusion deepening as he shows me photographs from his phone instead of addressing my question. The sight of Neal and Stella getting intimate in the photographs sends a jolt of surprise through me, mingled with a hint of disbelief,
The realization that they are moving so quickly in their relationship baffles me. I am not mad. It just feels weird to see your best friend and half–brother chum up in such a span of time.
Adam’s decision to shift tactics in response to my apparent lack of reaction to the photos piques my curiosity, leaving me on guard for whatever maneuver he may have in store.
“This guy is clearly not good for you, Aria.”
Adam’s misconception about Neal being my new romantic Interest and his assumption that Neal is cheating on me with Stella
elicits a wry sense of amusement within me. It is a clear reminder of how perceptions can be skewed and truths distorted in the heat of the moment. Despite the absurdity of his accusations, I cannot help but find a hint of irony in the situation, a bemused
smirk tugging at the corners of my lips.
In this moment of clarity, I see through the veil of his manipulation and recognize the desperation behind his actions. With a
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sense of detachment, I watch as Adam’s misguided assumptions unravel before him, revealing the truth hidden beneath the
surface.
I cannot hold my sneer anymore. I have to let it out and right then right there on his face,
“So, are you insinuating that you are good for me?”
Adam refutes immediately stating that all he wants is for me to be wary of Neal. I know that he is trying to make Neal look bad in my eyes. I can hear the desperation in his voice. I shake my head, smile and then walk away from him
However, he reaches out and grabs my hand. I quickly free my hand from his grasp.
“We need to talk.”
“You can only speak to me about our divorce and nothing else.”
My tone is higher than ever and I see Adam blink in disbelief. Then I see Stella and Regis heading our way. The commotion must
have attracted their attention here.
Regis immediately jump in between Adam and me. Once again, the scene of the past replays before me. Needless to say, Adam stares daggers at his uncle. To my utter shock, Regis turns to Stella and requests her to “grab” Neal and get out of here. Stella
does as told.
At that moment, Adrian and the others appear, and tell Adam not to fight over a gold digger as me, as I am not worth it. Regis clench his jaw and signals me to get out of there. I do not wait any longer. I follow Regis and I know that Adam will never stand for
me against his friend.
However, to my surprise, I hear Adam growling at all of them.
“Shut up! Show some respect… She is my wife!”
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