Mummy,is daddy waiting for us,you promised I would see him today"maya asked blinking up at her mother in expectations 

Six years has passed..She was back to New York,the city where all her pains began ...this time she wasn't the fragile and naive girl who left broken....

Her dark hair spilled down in glossy waves, framing a face sculpted with quiet elegance. High cheekbones caught the light, and her almond-shaped eyes, deep and steady, seemed to hold a thousand untold stories. A tailored cream trench coat cinched at her waist hinted at her slender figure, while subtle diamond studs glittered at her ears. Everything about her-her posture, her poise, even the measured grace of her stride

Julian's lips softened into a smile, though her gaze flickered briefly with something darker-hesitation,She smoothed a hand over her daughter's hair. "Baby, don't worry. You'll see your dad soon. I promise." Her voice was calm, but the words carried a weight only she understands 

"For now,let's go look for auntie Clara ,she should be here already "Julian said as she went drag their luggage out of the exit 

From across the bustling arrivals hall, a tall woman in oversized sunglasses gasped, then waved with dramatic excitement.

Ohhh, my sugar pie!" Clara squealed, striding toward them.

Maya darted forward, her curls bouncing as she leapt into Clara's waiting arms. "Auntie Clara! I finally get to meet you in person. You're soooo much prettier than in the video calls!" she chirped, her little hands cupping Clara's face

Clara threw her head back with a laugh, hugging the child tightly. "My sugar pie, you always know how to sweet-talk me," she said warmly, patting Maya's hair.

"My dear friend,I've missed you so much...you become more finer"...she teased Julian as she help her with the luggage 

"I've already booked a hotel for you guys,

Julian smiled warming"thank you babes...I thought I'd surprise you and come unannounced but you always have a way you know "

Clara laughed, looping her arm through Julian's. "Please, you know you can't surprise me. Six years gone, and you still walk in like a queen. Look at you, Jules... sophisticated, confident... nothing like the shy girl I remember."

Julian smirked. "Life has a way of teaching you lessons, Clara. But seeing you now, it feels like nothing has changed."

"Except everything has," Clara said softly, her eyes flicking to Maya. "And this little princess... she's the most beautiful change of all."

Maya grinned shyly, hiding behind Julian's arm. "Auntie Clara, mummy said you'll take us somewhere fun."

Clara's face lit up. "Of course, darling! I've planned so much. But first-" she gave Julian a playful look-"you're telling me everything. Don't even think of hiding a single detail. Six years is too long, and I want it all: the struggles, the triumphs, the heartbreaks, and maybe..." her smile turned mischievous, "...the men?"

Julian chuckled, shaking her head. "You haven't changed one bit. Always digging."

"Mummy where's daddy,why didn't he come to the airport to get us"...Maya asked curious 

Clara glanced at Julian questionably,as if asking for clarity on who the "daddy" is

"Baby,let's talk about this later okay,let's go with auntie Clara for now"

As they move towards the exit with their luggage cart,Clara and Maya teasing each other,...a sudden wave of murmurs rippled through the terminal 

"Aria! Oh my God, it's really her!" someone screamed, and within seconds, phones were lifted, flashes bursting through the crowd.

Descending gracefully from the escalator was Aria-draped in a designer coat, her long hair flowing like it belonged on a magazine cover. Dark shades framed her flawless face, but even they couldn't dim the aura she carried. She moved with effortless elegance, each step pulling the world's attention toward her.

Beside Aria strode Damian-imposing in a dark tailored suit, his presence commanding even without the cameras on him. Where Aria glittered with celebrity charm, Damian radiated quiet power, his storm-gray eyes sweeping the hall with calculated indifference. Together, they were magnetic-flashes exploding as the press shouted their names, hungry for a glimpse of the city's most talked-about pair. Aria leaned subtly toward him, her hand brushing his arm with practiced familiarity, sealing the image the world had already embraced: the power couple no one could look away from.

To the adoring public, she was their goddess, flawless and pure. Only a fool would believe it. Behind that perfect smile was venom waiting to strike."

Fans screamed her name, security guards rushed to form a shield around her, and the press jostled for the best angle. The whole airport felt as though it had stopped breathing.

Clara sneered, her face hardening. "Jules... that's the bitch. And now she's flaunting it-engaged to Damian, with their wedding around the corner. Unbelievable."

Julian stiffened, her grip tightening on Maya's little hand. Her heart thudded painfully as old memories rushed forward like shadows she thought she'd left behind.

"Mummy," Maya whispered, tugging at her arm, "why is everyone looking at that lady?"

Julian forced a smile, but her gaze never left the dazzling figure walking just a few feet away. Aria's head tilted slightly, as though she sensed eyes on her. For a fleeting second, her gaze slid over the crowd-landing right on Julian.

The world seemed to hold its breath.

Aria began moving toward them, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. Damian walked beside her, tall and commanding, the dark cut of his suit only intensifying the power he carried. Cameras flashed, fans screamed, but his storm-gray eyes caught Julian-and for a split second, his face softened in stunned disbelief.

Julian's heart clenched. That look... the same look from years ago. But just as quickly, the softness vanished. His jaw hardened, his expression cooling into stone. Whatever storm raged inside, he buried it deep where no one-not Aria, not Julian-could see.

Four men in black pushed the crowd aside, clearing a path for the pair. Gasps and excited whispers followed them like a trail of fire.

"Sister!" Aria's voice rose, warm and theatrical, her smile radiant. "I can't believe it's you. You didn't even tell anyone you were returning home." She stepped closer, reaching as if to embrace Julian.

Clara sneered, her face twitching with restrained fury. "Was she supposed to take permission from you before coming back? It's none of your damn business when she returns or not."

Julian touched Clara's arm gently, signaling her to stop. "Clara, don't." Her gaze slid back to Aria, her lips curving into something between a smile and a warning. "Yes, I'm back. And this time, it's for good. But don't expect me to be the same naïve girl you played your little schemes with. Back off, Aria. Mind your goddamn business."

Damian's chest stirred at her words. She's stronger now... sharper. Not the innocent girl I once knew. I should be glad. So why does it feel like a blade twisting in my gut?

Aria blinked, her face carefully schooled into innocence, though her eyes glittered. "Sister, what do you mean? I was only surprised to see you. I never said anything with bad intent."

"That's enough." Damian's deep voice cut through the tension as he touched Aria's elbow. His gaze flicked once more toward Julian, unreadable. "We should go. The crowd is getting thicker-it's not safe. Welcome back, Julian."

Julian's breath caught at the sound of his voice. For a heartbeat, it was as if time folded back on itself-when she had been young, shy, and in love with the man she was told would be her betrothed. The man she thought would protect her. The man who didn't believe her when it mattered most.

Her fingers curled tightly around Maya's little hand. Not anymore.

"I'll let Mum and Dad know you're back," Aria continued sweetly, slipping free of Damian's hand. "They'll be thrilled to see you, sis."

Clara gave a sharp laugh. "Thrilled? I'd bet not."

Damian's eyes darkened. Of course she's right. His parents had never wanted Julian near him. They never believed her, never trusted her. And neither did I.......

Aria's smile faltered for the first time as her eyes darted to the little girl in Clara's arms. She tilted her head, curiosity sharp as a knife. "Sis... is this her? The little bast-"

She didn't finish. Julian shoved her back, eyes blazing. "Don't you dare. Don't you ever in your life call my child that."

The crowd gasped. Paparazzi flashes popped wildly.

Damian froze. His gaze shot to the child-her curls, her wide eyes, the way she clung to julian's coat as if afraid of the world..Her child? A thousand thoughts flooded him, unspoken, unanswered. His jaw tightened "Aria,watch your mouth"he snapped

Aria froze, blinking rapidly, caught off guard by his tone.

"I'm sorry, sis," Aria said quickly, her smile snapping back in place like a mask. "It was a slip of the tongue. She's adorable, really."

"Enough." Damian's voice was firmer this time, almost clipped. He guided Aria toward the exit. "We're leaving."

Aria turned one last time, her smile dripping with false affection. "Sis, we'll see each other again soon, okay? I've missed you more than you know."

With that, the two slipped into a waiting red Ferrari. The engine roared, and in seconds they were gone, leaving chaos in their wake.

Clara's shoulders stiffened. She muttered under her breath, "Meeting that bitch ruins the mood." Then she turned to Julian, her tone softening. "Are you okay, babes?"

Julian sighed, pressing her fingers to her temple. "I wasn't ready to see any of them. I just wanted to settle in first, keep things quiet. But I guess fate had other plans." Her lips curved in a bitter smirk.

"She's popular now," Clara spat. "Her fans call her a goddess. If only they knew the truth-that she's a two-faced snake hiding behind silk."

Julian's gaze drifted toward the doors where the Ferrari had vanished, her chest tight. "Let them worship her," she murmured. "They'll know one day."

Clara adjusted Maya in her arms. "Come on. The little one needs rest. Let's not let her ruin our first day."

The crowd's roar faded behind them as Clara led the way toward her Audi, dragging the luggage cart with one hand and holding Maya's tiny palm with the other. Julian trailed slightly behind, her shoulders still tight, her heartbeat uneven.

Clara helped Maya into the backseat before shutting the door and turning back to Julian

"You know soon or later you'll have to face them right?"

"I know babes,I wish I don't have to....they disgust me and I really don't want to have anything to do with them"

Maya leaned forward from the backseat, her little voice breaking the heavy quiet. "Mummy... why didn't that lady like me?"

Julian froze, her throat tightening. She forced a small smile in the rearview mirror. "Sweetheart, some people wear pretty masks, but that doesn't mean their hearts are kind. Don't think about her, okay?"

Maya nodded slowly, though her eyes were clouded with confusion. She curled against her seat, clutching her doll.

Clara muttered under her breath, her hands gripping the wheel. "If Aria thinks she can spit poison at a child, she's got another thing coming."

Julian leaned her head back against the seat, closing her eyes briefly. For the first time in six years, she was back in New York. Back in the lion's den. And already, the wolves had bared their teeth.

That evening, the news about superstar Aria and an unknown woman's confrontation was everywhere. Headlines screamed across every platform:

#UnknownWomanPushedTheNationalGoddess

#GoddessAriaPitifulFace

#ProtectOurAria

Fans were relentless, flooding the internet with rage.

"Who the heck does she think she is to push my goddess?" one fan cursed.

"Oh my Aria, she looks so cute with that teary face," another drooled 

"See how Prince Charming protected her? They're a match made in heaven," a third fan gushed.

"That bitch dared to push my goddess? I'll find her!" one of Aria's die-hard supporters wrote scornfully.

"Wait-did anyone notice the adorable baby in that woman's arms? She's so beautiful, I could watch her all day," the second  fan added.

"Don't get distracted by the baby-focus on Aria! Can't you see she was trembling? She must have been terrified," another fan countered.

"Well... I'm drawn to anything good-looking. That's why I'm a fan of my goddess," she rebutted.

"Ugh, that unknown woman is disgusting. She's probably just a hater trying to tarnish my goddess's reputation," another sneered.

"Why hasn't she been identified yet? She must be some social climber trying to leech off Aria's fame. Let's dig her out!" a die-hard fan declared.

"Careful-don't spread fake rumors. We don't know the full story yet." That rare calm voice was quickly drowned in replies calling them a hater.

⸻

Julia had just settled into the quiet of her hotel room, preparing to take a shower, when her phone began to ring. The name flashing on the screen made her freeze.

Mother.

The woman who hadn't called her in years.

Her finger hovered over the accept button before she finally pressed it.

"You just came back and you're causing issues again?!" Margaret's voice erupted the moment the line connected. "Why would you even push your sister?"

Julia blinked, holding the phone away from her ear slightly. Her mother's tone hadn't changed -it was still sharp, still accusing.

"You're always causing problems for this family. I wish we never had to go through all of this because of you!" Margaret's voice trembled with anger

Julia's lips curved faintly, but her eyes remained blank. She was used to this. Too used to it. "What are you talking about, ma'am?" she asked calmly, her voice soft but steady.

"The news! It's everywhere. You pushed your sister, and now your father is furious. Aria doesn't need negative publicity right now-her career is only just climbing! But you-" Margaret's voice cracked, "you only ever bring trouble. Why can't you be more like your sister?"

Unmoved, Julia walked over to the small desk in the corner of the hotel room, opened her laptop, and typed Aria's name into the search bar. Instantly, headlines and videos popped up. Her stomach clenched at the sight.

#Slut #Bitch

Her face was plastered across posters painted in red, angry words scrawled across her image. Comment sections were overflowing with insults, each more vicious than the last.

Her fingers gripped the laptop harder, but her face betrayed no emotion. She had learned long ago not to show weakness-not to them, not to anyone.

"Well," Julia said at last, her voice cool, "I did nothing wrong. She called my child a bastard."

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. "Aria would never say such things-especially not in public!" Margaret shot back immediately. "You're jealous of her, aren't you? That's why you pushed her."

Julia's jaw tightened. She wanted to laugh at the irony, but instead, she remained silent.

"Your father says you're to come home for dinner tonight," Margaret added curtly, her voice lower now, almost trembling as though she knew she'd gone too far. Before Julia could respond, the line went dead.

The silence in the room was deafening.

"Mummy?" a small, sleepy voice broke through. Maya rubbed her eyes, padding over to Julia with her blanket. "Who was that?"

Julia crouched down and tucked her daughter's hair behind her ear. "It's nothing, baby. Go back to sleep." She kissed Maya's forehead and guided her back into bed, patting her gently until her breathing softened again.

When she finally straightened, Julia's shoulders slumped, and she let out a long, tired sigh. None of this surprised her anymore. Her parents always believed anyone but her. Always put Aria first.

And now, even after the truth of their birth had been revealed, nothing had changed.

She glanced once more at the venomous headlines flashing on her laptop screen. Her reflection stared back at her from the darkened screen-a calm face hiding the storm inside.

But deep down, she knew one thing. Tonight's dinner would not be ordinary.

..... Dressed in a sky-blue dinner gown that shimmered faintly under the evening lights, Julia adjusted the folds of the fabric with steady hands. The gown was simple but elegant, chosen not to impress, but to present herself with quiet dignity. After settling Maya at Clara's place and kissing her daughter's forehead, she stepped out into the cool night air and hailed a cab.

The ride was quiet, almost too quiet, each turn of the wheels carrying her closer to the house she hadn't set foot in for six long years. When the cab finally slowed to a stop, the Sinclair estate stretched before her, unchanged and imposing as ever.

The sprawling lawn rolled out in perfect symmetry, the grass manicured so precisely it resembled green velvet beneath the soft glow of garden lamps. White stone statues stood guard along the path, and the faint perfume of roses drifted through the air, a reminder of the household's wealth and taste.

The mansion itself gleamed in pristine white, towering in its old-world splendor. Its tall arched windows glowed with warm light, framed by heavy drapes, while the fountain at the center of the driveway sparkled as though mocking her with its serenity.

Her chest tightened as she stepped out of the cab, the click of her heels sharp against the polished stone. Six years had passed, but nothing had changed-not the house, not its grandeur, and certainly not the suffocating weight it carried in her heart.

Butler Ken was already waiting at the entrance, posture erect, his expression perfectly neutral. He bowed slightly. "Miss Julia," he greeted smoothly. "The Master and Madam are expecting you."

The maids clustered at the side of the hall, whispering behind their hands.

"The Eldest Miss is back..."

"She's so beautiful..."

Their hushed voices carried until Butler Ken's sharp glance cut through the air. They scattered at once, their nervous laughter dissolving as silence returned to the mansion.

Julia, calm and unhurried, strolled into the dining room. Her sky-blue gown swept elegantly against the polished floor as she approached the table where her parents were already seated.

"Dad. Mum," she greeted casually, her tone cool, as though she were a guest and not their blood.

Margaret's face darkened instantly. "Darn girl, you returned home and didn't even think to tell us?" she snapped, her voice sharp enough to slice through the quiet.

Richard said nothing, swirling his wine in the glass as his steady gaze studied Julia.

Margaret pressed on, her frustration bubbling over. "The minute you're back, you're already stirring trouble! Why can't you act right for once in your life?"

Julia's eyes lifted to her mother's, cool and filled with quiet contempt. She said nothing, but her silence stung more than words.

"That's enough," Richard finally broke in, his deep voice carrying authority. "Let's wait. Aria will be here soon."

Margaret closed her mouth reluctantly, though her eyes flashed with words she clearly wanted to spit out. The maids exchanged glances, murmuring softly as they slipped in and out of the dining room.

Just then, the front doors opened, and a cheerful voice rang through the hall.

"Mum, Dad-I'm home!"

Aria glided in, Damian at her side. She wore a glamorous white evening dress that cinched neatly at her waist, her every step radiating innocence and grace. The perfect picture of a daughter any parent would cherish.

Damian walked with quiet confidence, a gift box in hand. He clasped Richard's hand firmly. "Uncle. Auntie," he greeted politely.

The butler stepped forward at once to relieve them of their things, his expression smooth with practiced efficiency.

"Mum," Aria chirped sweetly, opening a velvet case to reveal a delicate pink jade necklace that shimmered under the chandelier's light. "I saw this and thought of you. I hope you'll like it."

Margaret's face lit up, her earlier sourness vanishing in an instant. "Oh, my baby... such a filial child!" she exclaimed, her voice warm with pride as she fastened the necklace around her neck. She turned her face this way and that, admiring the glow.

Julia watched quietly from her seat, the contrast between their receptions sharp enough to sting.