“I can't do this any longer. I want to step down from being Sebastian's Executive Assistant. And I'm ready to divorce him.”

The attorney looked at her like she had said something forbidden, “No. You can't do that. This marriage is not something you can just walk out on. No matter what Sebastian did to you, you just have to bear it all in. That's your duty as his wife.”

Aria and Sebastian had been married for five years—But no one knew about it. They only knew her as his Executive Assistant and the main reason his company became so successful.

Just two weeks ago, Aria was attacked by a notorious stalker. It was at midnight, and she had been driving back from working overtime when the stalker blocked her path with his truck. The stalker then took her phone and called Sebastian over and over, demanding that he come save her or else he would kill her.

But Sebastian had just ignored the call like it was a joke. In the end, the stalker hit Aria with a bat, before dumping her unconscious body at the side of the road. Then, he took her car and everything she had with her.

Thankfully, a taxi driver found her and rushed her to the hospital.

While Aria was fighting for her life that same night, Sebastian was in a club with Jasmine… his wife's younger sister.

That was the moment Aria knew that all her efforts had been in vain. The five years of marriage with Sebastian that she had cherished so much, the Executive Assistant position in his company that she carried like a badge of honor—It was all for nothing.

It hit her then. She had only been fooling herself thinking she was living a graceful life. But she was tired now and ready to walk away from this make-believe life. She was done playing the loyal wife to a man who treated her like air.

“That is my final decision. I'm not changing it.” Aria affirmed strongly, a serious look on her face, “Don't worry. Sebastian will agree to my decision. He wants me gone too.”

Aria had known all those years that her husband only saw her as the working machine to get him moving forward…he never once saw her as his wife to love.

But Aria had always been sincere about him…right from college. She had loved him hopelessly. And when he finally asked her to be his girlfriend six years ago, she jumped with excitement…Alerting the whole school that the guy she had a crush on for years was finally asking her out.

They got married after leaving college a year later.

In a few weeks, it would be their fifth anniversary. She figured she would give him exactly what he always wanted—A wife-free life, which was also a work and burden-free life for her.

✿✿✿

When Aria returned to the house that same day, she met Sebastian baking in the kitchen.

Aria recalled the first year of their marriage—Sebastian had always tried to avoid the kitchen, but when Aria said she liked to eat homemade pastries, he had enrolled in a baking class just to make it for her.

“What took you so long? I'm sure there wasn't much work left at the office.” He asked.

Even with a smear of flour across his cheek, his Sharp jawline and tousled hair made him look like he walked out of a magazine.

Aria quickly composed herself, “The company is launching a new product line. I've been working overtime to meet deadlines.”

Sebastian didn't bother to ask any more questions. He believed she loved working, “Yeah, sure. I made you something to eat. Take a seat,”

Aria did as he asked. Sebastian passed a plate of baked salmon to her, “I know this is your favorite. Have some,”

A sharp pain pierced through Aria's heart.

Baked Salmon was Jasmine and Sebastian's favorite. Aria was a vegetarian.

Their fifth anniversary was coming soon, and he still didn't know that much about her.

If he had shown just a little bit more interest in her than following Jasmine around, he would have known.

“What? You are not hungry?” Sebastian asked when he noticed that she wasn't eating.

Aria stood up from her seat. She picked the plate of salmon and dropped it on the counter, far from her, before walking over to pull out a huge envelope from her bag.

“I'm not hungry. There is something important I need you to do now.”

“Did you just shove away the meal I made for you because of work?” Sebastian hated anything work-related. Aria always wondered how he was able to think of handling a whole company.

She placed the document in front of him. But just as Sebastian was about to reach for it, his phone started to ring.

“I have to take this. It's an important business call.” He lied,

Aria had already seen that it was Jasmine calling him.

Sebastian tried to get out of the kitchen as soon as possible, clearly eager to take Jasmine's call. But in his haste, he bumped into Aria. She lost her balance and fell to the floor. Blood trickling down from a fresh scrape on her knee.

Sebastian had no idea what he had done. He spent twenty minutes on the call with Jasmine before he briefly came back to the kitchen. “I have somewhere important to be. Don't wait for me.”

“You have to sign them. It's important.” Aria reminded him, stretching the documents to him.

Sebastian gazed at her with furrowed brows, “You are wasting my time.” He grabbed the pen and hastily signed them.

“Good. You can go.” Aria nodded.

But he was already gone.

She stared at the door, then down at the folder. She let out a cold laugh.

If Sebastian had taken even one second to read what he was signing, he would’ve seen—It wasn’t just a regular work document.

It was her resignation letter,

her divorce papers,

and the share transfer giving her full control of her 30% stake in his company.

He had just lost his wife, his right hand, and a third of his empire.

And he didn’t even notice.

Sebastian had always been crazy about Jasmine—Aria’s younger sister and the one their parents only acknowledged as their true daughter.

Twenty-six years ago, Aria was kidnapped from the hospital just hours after she was born. Believing she was gone forever, her parents adopted Jasmine—another baby born that same night.

Years later, Aria was found. The woman who kidnapped her had raised her in a small coastal town.

A DNA test confirmed the truth.

Aria was the daughter of the Hartwells. The real heiress. But by then, Jasmine had already taken her place—in their home, their hearts, and Sebastian's life.

The Hartwells welcomed Aria back with smiles, but they never let go of Jasmine.

Selene, Aria's mother had said, “She may not have come from me, but she is mine in every other way. We raised her, Aria. I can't turn my back on her now.”

Aria was made to believe that people would judge Jasmine if they found out that she was adopted.

So to everyone, Jasmine was known as the true heiress of the Hartwells, while they knew Aria as the one whom the family had adopted out of some goodwill.

Sebastian and Jasmine had been each other's sweethearts since kindergarten. But just a month before their wedding, Jasmine met a young political prodigy in Dubai and decided to follow her “dreams” there.

Since the Hartwells had already promised the Kingsleys Jasmine's hand in marriage, they had no choice but to request Aria to take her place.

Without a flicker of emotion, Sebastian had agreed.

But, just two months ago, Jasmine appeared from nowhere—And Sebastian ran back to her, turning his back on Aria.

To make Aria give up on bearing his family name, he had even posted a photo on his story, hinting that Jasmine was pregnant with his child.

Aria had also seen videos of them talking.

Sebastian had said, “Aria has been a good wife. Both our families will question me if I suddenly ask for a divorce. We need to drag her through the mud, so her parents would only blame her.”

“You have both been married for five years. Did you ever consider her as the woman you love?” Jasmine had asked,

“No. Never. She was only meant to take your place for a while. I only agreed to marry her because I knew you would come back to me.”

Aria had always thought that if she showed Sebastian enough love and support, he would feel the same for her.

But, she had expected too much from him.

She wiped a tear from her eyes as she pulled out her diary from her handbag.

It was on their fourth anniversary that Aria set a rule for herself—If Sebastian ignored her even once more, she would no longer remind him that she existed.

He had made her bleed and cry today…all because of jasmine. That was enough.

That night, she placed three envelopes in her diary, sealed it, and then hid it in the last drawer by Sebastian's nightstand—A place he barely opened.

That was her final anniversary gift to him.

Everything in there happened because of him. He would definitely love to be reminded of them.

With all set and done, Aria searched for her old phone and called a number she had previously blocked six years ago.

“Dante. Do you still want me?”

She didn't get a response for a minute and thought it wasn't connected.

But his deep, velvet voice echoed out a second later, “Aria. I've been waiting for you. It's been six years since you left me and went with that Sebastian guy. I've been in the same place waiting for you all these years. How come you suddenly remember me?”

His name was Dante Wolfe. Two years younger than her and crazy about her since they were little.

They grew up in the same small coastal town and he was her protector. Not until her biological parents came and took her away.

Then she foolishly fell head over heels for Sebastian and forgot about him.

Aria inhaled sharply, “You know what? This was a mistake. Forget that I called. I won't do it ever again.” She was about to hang up but Dante's sudden grunt made her freeze.

“Don't disappear on me again. I won't be able to survive it for the second time. Remember you called me first, don't complain or back out later…because I'm about to give my all to you.”

“Time is running out. I can only wait two weeks for you to finish things off with that scumbag. If you don't, then I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.” He hinted darkly.

Dante hung up almost immediately, not even giving her a space to oppose. And that was what she had always liked about him.

“He still likes being in control.” She chuckled softly.

Not surprisingly, Sebastian didn't come home for two nights.

Good for Aria. She had enough time to start moving some of her things out without him noticing.

She was in their home library, clearing out all the old business books she had read to help Sebastian run his company when he walked in.

“What are you doing?”

Aria gasped slightly at his sudden presence. But she quickly recovered, forcing a tiny smile on her face.

“Since we're launching a new product line. I thought it would be a good move to donate these books to underprivileged students—In your name, of course. It'll reflect well on the company…and on you.”

A subtle grin appeared on Sebastian's face. Hearing it was all for his benefit was exactly what he needed. “You always do what you want anyway.”

Aria was relaxed, seeing how he didn't care to ask any more. Of course, he wouldn't. He never liked talking to her that much.

Aria flinched when an unexpected sound echoed through the library.

She turned to see Jasmine with a big fake smile on her face, standing before a broken frame, “Ohh…My bad. I was just admiring it, but it suddenly fell.”

Sebastian didn't even wait a second before he rushed to her side, wrapping her in his arms, “Don’t apologize. It's not your fault. I should have thrown that stupid, old frame away. I'm just glad you are okay.”

But Jasmine wasn't satisfied with how calm Aria was. “You don't have a problem with it, right?” She asked, still wrapped in Sebastian's arms.

Aria’s eyes dropped to the shattered frame on the floor.

It was the only photo she had ever taken with Sebastian before they got married. And the only time she had truly felt happy.

But now, the only memory that didn’t sting—was broken too.

Aria had no reaction to give. No anger, and no fight. She was fed up enough already.

Now she just looked up at Jasmine with a small, tired smile and said, “It's alright. Sebastian was right…I should have thrown that old, stupid frame away.”

Jasmine had to quickly wipe off the displeased look on her face, “That’s so sweet of you.”

She abruptly turned to face Sebastian, “See, I told you my sister is not that bad. I'm sure she would be willing to accept whatever I ask too.”

Sebastian kept smiling at her even as he asked Aria, “Jasie will be staying in the city for a while, and I don't want her to be alone or far from me.”

“She also has trouble sleeping alone, so… I want her to stay here with me in our room. You can take the guest room, just for the time being.”

He paused.

“You know what…Jasie isn't comfortable with other people around, so what if you just move to the guest house for a while? I'll let you know when it's time to move back in.”

Aria was calm. She knew Sebastian must have prepared a lot to convince her, but she didn't have the strength for any of that.

“I understand.” She agreed with a smile, noticing the shocked look on Sebastian and Jasmine's faces.

They probably didn't expect her to give in so easily.

“I'll move my things to the guest house before the day ends,” Aria added.

Sebastian stepped forward, like he had something else to say, “No, you don't—”

But Jasmine shut him off before he could finish, “You are the best sis ever.”

Aria forced out a tiny nod at her. She looked away, picking up the stack of old books from the floor.

She turned and made her way toward the stairs. The books were heavy, but she held them close.

Halfway down, she missed a step on the stairs, making her lose her balance. She fell hard, the books flying out of her hands and landing everywhere.

Her elbow hit the floor. But the loud crash didn’t get their attention.

Jasmine didn’t move. Sebastian didn’t even turn his head.

She had him wrapped in his arms, as if purposely stopping him from noticing her.

Aria lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling. Her chest rose and fell with shaky breaths.

If it were Jasmine, Sebastian would never have allowed her to carry the stack of heavy books herself.

He had always been that way. Even at the Hartwells, he always stopped her from doing any sort of house chores and would work in her place instead.

“My Jasie shouldn't be made to do hardcore chores like this. She is too soft for that. I don't even want a scar or a stain on her body.” He would often say with so much love in his voice for her.

But when it was Aria's turn for the house chores, no one ever offered to help. Instead, she would often get criticized for not doing a proper job.

Even after she got married to Sebastian, and thought that he would start to treat her well too—He never did.

While Jasmine got all the love and care. She was expected to quietly do things without complaining. No matter how hard they were.

Aria didn't even bother to question it anymore.

It was evening when she was done moving a few bags to the guest house while most of her things were loaded into a truck.

“You know you don't have to do all these. You'll be moving back into the main house soon anyway.” Sebastian said, staring at the truck as it drove away.

“They are the other things I'm giving out, with the books. It's all for you.” She feigned,

“Yes. But the truck had most of the things you are very attached to. How can you be giving them out so easily?” He asked,

Yes. She was usually the type who found it hard to let things go. Including people.

But that had obviously never worked for her. So why bother keeping them?

'And why even bother being with you any longer?' She thought to herself.

Aria forced out a small smile. “It's okay. They are going to places where they will be very much appreciated. And besides, you've always complained about me having too much stuff. So this is good for you.”

“Okay. Whatever works for you then.” Sebastian didn't bother anymore. Hearing it was for his good was enough again.

“Oh, there is a charity gala happening tonight,” Sebastian said. “I want to go with just Jasie. But I guess you would have to come too, in case of any business talk with partners. Okay?”

Aria shook her head, “No. I don't think I can—”

“You can't refuse, Aria.” Sebastian cut her off immediately. “You are my Executive Assistant. You are in charge of all my company's affairs. You’ve got to be there.”

Aria looked at him with deep silence. She had a reason to be there. Understood. But what did Jasmine have to contribute? Nothing. Yet he wanted her to be there.

“Sure.” She simply nodded. This was going to be the last time anyway.

Night came quickly.

The car pulled up in front of the hotel where the charity gala was being held.

Sebastian stepped out first and helped Jasmine out of the car. Cameras started flashing right away. She smiled brightly, enjoying the attention.

Then Aria stepped out from the other side of the car. No one noticed her. She kept her head down as she followed behind them.

“Oh, welcome Mr. Kingsley,” the host smiled as he walked over. “I heard you’d be attending with your wife tonight. The organizers would love to get a few official photos of you both.”

An obvious frown crowned Sebastian's face. He wondered how the host knew about his marriage. Something he had done so much to keep a secret.

Aria paused for a second, thinking maybe—for once—Sebastian was going to choose her over Jasmine.

But, she had dreamt too big once again.

“I don't have a wife. Do not believe such lies.” He stated firmly.

The host was visibly confused. His eyes were fixed on the two women. “Who are you going to be taking the exclusive photos with then?”

Sebastian didn't waste a second. He gently grabbed Jasmine's hand, “This is Jasmine Hartwell. The only true daughter of the Hartwells. And the heiress to Hartwell & Co. Holdings.”

“My goodness. Jasmine Hartwell.” The host bowed slightly.

Then, Sebastian shot a side eye at Aria before he forced a few words out. “That one is my Executive Assistant. Nothing more.”