Chapter 0023
Aria’s POV
The soft clinking of champagne glasses and the low murmur of voices filled the opulent ballroom, but none of it could drown out
the tension simmering in the air.
Liam’s friends, gathered in a semi–circle, eyed me with surprise as I stood by the entrance.
Their eyes darted between me and Liam, silently questioning what I was doing here. Their glances held a mix of curiosity and
disdain, clearly not accustomed to seeing me in their circle.
“Aria,” one of them finally said, a smug smile creeping onto his face. “Come back to reconcile with Liam, have you?”
I gave him a cold smile, my eyes narrowing “I don’t believe we know each other well enough for you to ask me that.”
The remark landed exactly as intended. The man’s smile faltered, and he shifted awkwardly, clearly unsure how to respond.
They were no strangers to me. These were the same people who used to mock me when I was married to Liam, dismissing me as
nothing more than a trophy wife. I had no desire to engage with them now.
As if sensing the growing discomfort, Logan appeared at my side, his presence a calming force amidst the judgmental stares.
Without hesitation, he slid an arm around my waist, pulling me close. “She’s here with me,” he said, his voice firm and
unapologetic.
The group exchanged confused glances, clearly taken aback. They had expected me to be here with Liam, not Logan
Liam’s eyes were sharp and fierce.
The awkward silence that followed hung in the air like a thick cloud before one of them cleared his throat and shifted the
conversation to safer ground.
I could feel their eyes on me, but I kept my head high, determined not to let their opinions affect me. Their whispered speculation
about our relationship did nothing to faze me.
“Excuse me,” I muttered to Logan, gently untangling myself from his arm. I needed a moment to clear my head, away from the stares and whispered gossip
The cool night air called to me, and I slipped out onto the balcony. The distant hum of the city provided a welcome escape from the noise inside, a soothing contrast to the tension I had just left behind.
Leaning against the railing, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, letting the breeze wash over me. The reprieve was short–lived, though, as voices drifted from a corner of the balcony
I turned my head slightly, catching a glimpse of Liam standing by the railing, a young woman approaching him with a playful smile.
“Hey,”
“she said, her voice light and flirtatious as she stepped closer. “I’ve see you around before, haven’t 12”
Liam barely glanced at her, his posture rigid, armis crossed over his chest. “Maybe,” he replied, his tone flat, uninterested,
Undeterred, she moved in even closer, tilting her head as she let out a soft laugh. “Well, I’d remember someone like you. Alone out here? Seems like you could use some company.”
I stiffened at her boldness, trying to retreat back inside before I became a witness to something I had no desire to see
But just as I took a step toward the door, Liam’s eyes locked onto mine. His gaze sharpened, and without hesitation, he pointed in my direction.
“My wife is right there,” he said, his tone leaving no room for doubt..
The girl blinked, clearly startled, and quickly backed away, leaving the balcony as fast as she had appeared.
1 sighed, stepping forward. “We’re divorced,” I reminded him, my voice cold as ice.
“Not yet,” Liam retorted, his expression unreadable but his stance firm.
The air between us grew thick with unspoken words. Before the tension could escalate further, the sharp trill of my phone broke
through the silence,
1 glanced at the screen–Joe. My heart throbbed with worry.
“Joe, is everything ok with you and Isabel?”
