Aria’s POV

Justin and I have been best friends for years, since high school, he was my first crush and only male friend. We were a group of three friends– Justin, Helena, and I– and they were, and still are my best buds.

 After high school, looking for colleges to get into, Justin told me how much he had loved me and couldn't do without me. He said he would not stand staying away from me in the name of schooling, so he asked me to marry him. I was nineteen, he was twenty.

It wasn't a problem as both of us are coming from prestigious families. I chose a three-year program as we lived together, and then we got married when I was twenty-one, our wedding was the talk of the town for months. After the wedding, I moved into the D'Cruz family house and it's been awesome. His parents love me.

 Our wedding anniversary was two months ago making it three years and two months being married to my first love. Perfect life right?

 So why am I supposed to think he does not love me? The party ended by 11 pm, and D'Cruz was not one to joke with his sleep, especially at his old age.

 I stayed awake, giving directions and orders on how to clear the hall, and ensured everything was set in place before I left the head of the housekeepers in charge.

I showered and slipped into my long black silk nightwear. Justin was passed out on the bed like a toddler. I sat on the bed, next to him, admiring his facial features. He looked like he fell from a party with the gods, he's just so majestic. I pulled the duvet over him and kissed his forehead.

It's not a new thing that everyone wanted to get to the D'Cruz family. Aaron is still unmarried, and the number of women drooling over him is always alarming. Sometimes, literal security has to drag them away from the company's building.

And Justin? Even as he's already married, no one, scratch that, no woman has boundaries whatsoever. He still gets gifts from anonymous people, some daring women add their full names and addresses.

So seeing that tonight was not too hurtful, it was hurting, but I knew it'd happen. That he'd get taken advantage of. There's no way on earth that he did that on his own.

As I stood to walk to the other side of the bed, his phone pinged. I froze immediately. Curiosity held me by my neck.

 I know I shouldn't even think of checking his phone, but what if Aaron was right? He had always told me that Justin doesn't respect me and that I'd get hurt if I keep entertaining him.

I trust Justin, he loves me. I gained control of my frozen feet and started walking, but then, it pinged again.

Okay... I was just going to check his call log.

I took his phone, gently placed his thumb on the fingerprint scanner and it unlocked.

 I touched the phone icon, and kept seeing calls from a contact saved as a full stop, like "."

Then "full stop' messaged him again on WhatsApp; "I told you that tonight wasn't a good time." I tapped the message, but it required a fingerprint again. I did the same and unlocked the chat.

My heart could not comprehend everything I had just read, my brain understood, but my heart refused to.

 "Baby I just got home, have you dealt with the bitch?"

 "I know you're mine already but can we be more careful?"

 "I told you that tonight wasn't a good time"

As I was still processing these messages, another came in: "Hurry up with the divorce, I can't wait to do that every night with you."

 Divorce? What is she talking about?

 Curiosity got a hold of me again, I searched "divorce" in their chat and a bunch of messages popped up.

 Justin: "It's our third anniversary today, and we're closer to being together forever. I've started talking with my divorce attorney."

Justin: "The papers are ready now my love, I just have to cause a scene to warrant divorce."

Summer (.): "Can't wait for the divorce already. Seeing her with you makes my heart ache.

" My hands began trembling, and I didn't realize when the phone fell from my hands. My vision became blurry as I rushed out of the room. As I was running down the stairs, I ran into Cathy, a worker at the D'Cruz family.

 "Sorry ma'am..." Cathy was still talking but I continued running till I got to the general study. I slid down the door in the darkness, hands covering my face as tears rushed down uncontrollably.

Flashbacks of Justin nibbling on Summer's breasts kept replaying in my head, the chats I just read. Does that mean he never loved me? Aaron was right all these years? I wish I had listened. How can he do this to me? Why? He should not have lied to me all these years. I felt my heart shattering into tiny pieces.

 "Aria. Open the door." That was Aaron's voice. I couldn't imagine the pity on his face when he discovered that I know the truth now. How did he even know that I was here?

Aria's POV

I opened the door and let him in, he turned on the light and sat by my side on the floor with our backs to the door.

"What happened? Why are you crying?" He asked, concern in his voice.

 "I..." my voice broke, fresh tears began to drop from my eyes again. "I saw Justin's chat with Summer. He wants to divorce me. He's never loved me!" I burst into messy sobs, hiccupping like a fool.

Aaron just sat there. I'm sure his mind was going; "but that's what I've been telling you all these years. Now see."

 I can't blame him, I was too blind, too foolish, too stupid, too... in love to notice anything. Justin is a really great actor, because every time I noticed something off, he had the right words to cut through me.

 He knew me too well, he knew where to pierce me so that I won't notice.

After what seemed like hours, the room was quiet except for my regular sniffling. His voice broke the silence.

 "You know, you're still a young lady. You have a great life ahead of you, Aria." His voice was a whisper, as if he yelled he'd crack through the glass.

 "Okay, look..." he turned towards me, "I have an insane idea that will work. Are you ready?"

 I wiped my nose with the back of my hand and nodded. I wanted to hear, anything to get back at those two, anything that'd save me from the humiliation.

 "I know someone, a lawyer, we can call him right now and ask him to draft divorce papers in your name and bring them here tomorrow morning."

 I love the sound of that.

"We can do that?" I asked, genuinely interested. He nodded with a faint smile on his face, brought out his phone, and dialled a number. When the lawyer answered, he told him everything about sorting out divorce proceedings and bringing it to the D'Cruz family's house before 9 am.

I watched and listened to him talk, he was so invested in what made me feel better, I could only wish Justin were like this. Looking back, Justin didn't really show that he loved me, he only wanted me around, and for what reason? Now that's a mystery I have to find out.

 "It's done. Now, you just have to prepare your poker face for tomorrow's drama," he pushed me lightly–playfully– with his shoulder.

 I could only imagine how messy tomorrow would be, how Justin would react. Will he be concerned? Beg? Be nonchalant? Cause a scene?

 Ughhh... seeing that I can't predict his reaction just proved I really didn't know the man I married. I was going with Aaron's plan anyway, I just have to dust myself from the shame and stand my ground.

"Hey. Back to Earth Aria." Aaron snapped his fingers, jerking me from my thoughts.

 He stood and put his hands in his pyjama pockets, and stretched out a hand to me. I looked at the hand for a second and took it, helping myself to stand.

I dusted my butt with both hands and pushed my hair to the back of my ears, "Thanks a lot, Aaron. For everything..."

 "Anything for my favourite in-law", he chuckled lightly.

 That earned a smile from me. He always has the words to put a smile on my face, and he's also probably my favourite in-law. But I can't say that, I'm at war with my heart.

Just as I was about to open the door, his voice stopped me; "You can use me Aria". His voice didn't have any form of humor or sarcasm in it, I turned to face him.

"Huh?" I asked, wearing a confused smile so I don't seem foolish to another brother.

"Anything you need to get to Justin, ask me. If it requires using my name, my body, anything at all... You can use me."

Okay... can someone tell me why my brother-in-law is offering himself as a human shield all of a sudden? And seriously, why did he ever think about that?

My eyes go endlessly around random objects in the study, trying to avoid his eyes. I gave a polite nod and opened the door.

 I walked hurriedly to my room, scared another D'Cruz would come after me and offer me promises too good to be true.

Opening the door to my matrimonial bedroom, I saw Justin, still passed out on the bed. I wanted to strangle him, to hit him, for lying to me all these years. To demand answers for why he wanted me around all these years despite feeling nothing romantic toward me. But, I just walked to my side of the bed and lay down, thinking and praying for tomorrow, I must give the most perfect performance tomorrow. I must humiliate Justin tomorrow.

It's funny how a few hours ago, I was defending him and now, I can't wait to ruin him. I never knew how love could quickly turn into hatred.

My eyes opened as a golden Ray of sunlight piercing through the curtain hit my face, warm and reminding me that I am still alive, that last night wasn't a dream.

 Justin was up, The loud tapping on his phone drew my attention to him. I turned to him, he smiled at me and placed a kiss on my forehead as he always does. "Morning Aria."

 Yeah, morning Justin.

I returned his smile and turned my back on him. He's probably calling Summer "baby" and other sweet names he's never called me. Just then, my phone pinged. It was a WhatsApp message from a new contact.

"I'm the divorce attorney Aaron told you about yesternight, he sent me your number earlier this morning."

I looked at the time, it was 6:23 am, great. I have a show to prepare for. I went into the bathroom and prepared a cold bath for myself in the bathtub. I stayed in there for minutes, preparing my speech and facial expressions.

I dried my body, got into my closet, and picked the most radiant pair of black velvet pants and a shirt, and paired it with a red stiletto heel. I had gotten that outfit in preparation for my outing with Helena. I have to get another one now.

I parted my hair in the middle and straightened it till the slightest air made it move. I applied burgundy lipstick and paired it with gold dangling waterfall earrings.

I looked at myself in the mirror... I looked different, different in a good way. Different in a way that I won't be intimidated. I won't be trampled upon, I won't be humiliated. I took deep breaths and walked out of the closet to the bedroom.

 "Wow, Aria. You look...different, what's the occasion?" Justin's lazy ass was still on the bed, his voice high-pitched. He liked what he was seeing. I hope he keeps this energy the whole day.

 "It's a surprise honey. You'll see." I smiled and walked out of the room.

Aria's POV

I walked down the hallway, then the stairs to the main living room. I couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal and shame welling up in my chest. Aaron had kind of warned me several times about Justin. Helena didn't like the idea of getting married that early, especially not to Justin. She liked him as a friend only because he was my friend. Aside from that, she couldn't stand Justin or the thought of him.

My parents, the Browns, will obviously see this as a disgrace and tarnish their image and the name they have taken forever in building.

I didn't know if I was sure I'd want to make such a move. Do I really need to go on with this divorce? I mean... as much as this sounds stupid, I still love Justin. He's still my first love, my dream man.

"Good morning Ma'am," a familiar voice called out as I got to the last step of the stairs.

 "Hi, Cathy." I smiled. "Sorry about yesterday night, I hope I didn't hurt you?" I asked as soon as I remembered that I ran into her last night.

 "No ma'am, you didn't," she shook her head and hands aggressively as if admitting to it would mean her death sentence.

 "Well, I'm glad. You look extremely pretty today by the way," I grinned. She's been the cutest and most honest to me since I arrived at this house, I love her.

 "Thanks," she blushed and continued dusting the railing.

My phone rang as soon as I sat on a cushion in the living room, it was the divorce attorney.

 "Hello?"

"Good morning Mrs Aria, I'm at the gate to the family house, I need access."

"Hand the phone to the security" I instructed.

 After a second, I spoke; "Let him in." Then I hung up. I guess I'm really doing this.

Justin came down the stairs with his mother, Mrs Margaret, a character in the family who pretends to like me. I watched them both stroll lazily down the stairs and into the living room. Old me would have stood to greet her, but this new me refused to stand or say a word. I felt their eyes piercing through my soul but that's not my concern now.

 It's a tradition in the D'Cruz family house; everyone must have breakfast together before stepping out, except it was a matter of life and death.

 Soon, Aaron came downstairs, stealing glances at me. Maybe he was as nervous as I was, or he was eager to watch the drama unfold. We all sat waiting for Mr D'Cruz to come downstairs when the lawyer came in.

"You must be attorney Michael," I said, stretching my hand for a handshake, then I gestured toward a seat he could use. Luckily, every other D'Cruz wasn't around except for Justin's immediate family; Aaron and his parents, so this would be easy.

"I have something to say," I cleared my throat. "I'm divorcing Justin."

 Everywhere was silent. I swear you could hear a pin drop. I get that it's strange information, but someone should say something... anything. Justin and his mother watched me like I was reading a monologue from a show they hated. Aaron's eyes, steady and calm, lingered on me-as if he thought he could anchor me with just his gaze.

The attorney pulled documents from his leather bag and placed them on the center table. My legs carried me forward on instinct, my fingers trembling only slightly as I flipped through a few pages. Then, without hesitation, I signed where I was supposed to.

"Your turn, Justin."

 Justin let out a small laugh, a strained, broken sound. "Aria, what is this? A prank?" His lips stretched into a smile, but it didn't touch his eyes. He was bluffing, and I knew it.

 "This should be easy. We have no kids, and I'm not interested in a quarter of your property-not that you personally own any-so just sign and continue your life with Summer." My voice didn't break. I was proud of myself. For once, I sounded stronger than I felt.

 "Aria..." Justin closed the distance between us, his hands twitching like he wanted to reach for mine. I shifted back, denying him the chance. "Aria, is this about last night? I said I was sorry-it was a misunderstanding."

"First of all, you didn't apologize." My words sliced through the air like knives. "Secondly, you call nibbling on your secretary's breasts in the kitchen a misunderstanding?" His mouth opened, but before he could form another lie, his mother sighed loudly. "It's a shame you can't settle little misunderstandings within the locked doors of your room," Mrs. Margaret muttered, her face contorted in a look of disgust and disappointment.

 Little misunderstandings? My mouth parted, ready to ask her what kind of woman would reduce betrayal to something so trivial, but Aaron's voice cut in-cool, deliberate.

"Mother, we should stay out of this. It's a couple's matter." He rose to his feet, a subtle warning wrapped in respect.

Mrs. Margaret's eyes flicked to me, raking over my outfit as if she had been waiting for the chance to strike. "No wonder she put so much effort into her look today," she sneered. Then, with a deep breath, she turned to Justin. "I told you this would happen." She stood and swept off toward the dining room, dismissing me like I was a stain on her expensive rug.

I ignored her. "Justin, please. Just sign the papers."

 "No, Aria. Let's talk about this-"

 "No, Justin." My voice cracked, the tears pressing against the back of my throat like a tide I was barely holding back. "Be honest with me. Did you ever love me?"

 His face twisted, and for a heartbeat, I thought he might tell the truth. Instead, he forced the words out like they were bullets he'd been ordered to fire. "What!? Of course I do. I love you, Aria."

 I let out a laugh that sounded more like a choke. His face didn't match his voice. His eyes didn't carry love, only anger at being cornered. He looks like a man held at gunpoint.

"Wow," I whispered, shaking my head. "Just sign the documents, Justin. I'm done."

I turned to walk away, but before I could take a single step, his hand clamped around my arm. Hard. Firm. Hurting.

"You can't dump me like a fucking trash, Aria," he spat, his grip digging into my skin like claws. I tried to pull away, but he only squeezed harder. My pulse quickened, pounding in my ears. This wasn't Justin-this was someone else. Someone darker.

 "You're not going to embarrass me like this." His smile spread again, but it was cracked, manic-like a frustrated psychopath holding on by threads. "We'll go upstairs, into our fucking room, and have a fucking discussion about this madness, okay?"

 My heart slammed against my ribs. I had never heard him curse at me before. Each word dripped venom, each tug of his hand dragged me closer to the stairs, closer to something I didn't want to find out.

Panic clawed at my throat. If he got me into that room...

 "Justin, let me go!" I yanked against his grip, but his fingers only sank deeper, biting into my skin. My heart hammered so hard I could barely breathe.

Then a shadow moved. A chair scraped sharply against the marble floor.

"Aaron," Justin snapped without even turning, "stay out of this."

But Aaron was already on his feet, his voice calm but threaded with steel. "Let her go."

 The way he said it-it wasn't a request. It was an order.

Justin turned, his face twisted with a smile that didn't belong to him. "This is between me and my wife-"

"She's not your wife if she's signing those papers," Aaron cut him off, his tone sharper now. "And you don't put your hands on her like that. Ever."

For a second, the room went still again. Justin's jaw clenched, his grip tightening on my arm as if daring his brother to try him. Pain shot through me, and I sucked in a breath.

Aaron's eyes flicked to my arm, then back to Justin's face. He stepped forward, steady, unshaken, every move radiating quiet authority. "I said let her go. Don't make me repeat myself."

 Something shifted in Justin's eyes-a flicker of doubt, maybe fear-but his pride fought it down. "She's my wife," he hissed through clenched teeth.

 "No," Aaron's voice dropped lower, colder, "she's a woman. One you've already broken enough. If you won't let go because I'm telling you to, let go because I won't stand here and watch you hurt a woman."

My breath caught. The weight of his words pressed against me, heavier than Justin's grip. I felt like I wasn't standing alone.

Justin's fingers trembled against my arm before he shoved me away, his glare swinging between us. "You think you're some kind of hero, Aaron?" His voice cracked with bitterness. "Don't fool yourself."

 I stumbled back, clutching my arm, my skin burning where his hand had been. Aaron's body shifted in front of mine, a shield I didn't ask for but desperately needed.

 "Get out, Justin," Aaron said, his voice steady, final.