Aria's POV.

Lights glowed faintly through the window as the street beneath hummed with noise.

Aria already tucked the kids into bed.

The television was barely making a sound, she didn't pay attention to it as her mind was glued on her laptop.

She tried not to  take to heart what Andrea's mother had said earlier.

Moria had always been like that. It wasn't a new thing to Aria.

Andrea was still out, somewhere only God knows.

Her phone vibrated.

She reached for it. 

It was Gwen, her step-mother. 

The expression on her face went pale. 

Her calls had never been without a threat. 

"Little slut," her voice cut in sharp and loud.

Aria didn't make a sound, she just stared at the phone.

"What do I owe you this time, Mrs. Gwen?"

"How dare you refer to me by my name?"

Gwen had always hated Aria without a cause.

Aria lost her mother because Gwen had claimed she was pregnant for Aria's father.

Her mother couldn't bear being betrayed, she fell into depression and died.

Ever since then, Aria had hated her father more than anything.

"You haven't made any payment for your father's medical bills for the month. Do I always have to remind you?"

A deep sigh left Aria's lungs before she could control it.

"Isn't he your husband? You always have a habit of running away from responsibilities, don't you?"

There was a moment of silence, then. "Hahaha," Gwen laughed.

Aria clenched her hand on the table as a bitter smile curved her face.

"Coming from a woman who doesn't have a place in her husband's heart."

Her words pricked her skin like a sharp needle.

Tears almost stung her eyes but she held them back.

"At least I'm not a mistress who breaks people's marriages." Aria fired back.

Gwen clenched her hand on the table as her face fumed with anger.

"What did you say? You called me a mistress?"

"If you feel guilty, then you really are. I'll send the hospital bill first thing tomorrow morning. If there's nothing else I'm ending the call."

"Don't you dare..."

Aria ended the call without hesitation.

"Mum, why are you yelling in the middle of the night? I'm so sleepy, god." Lily said, eyes wide.

Gwen twisted her hands into a fist. 

"She now talks to me anyhow she wants to. Damn bitch. Looks like I've been too lenient with her."

Lily sat up slowly, pulling the blanket to her knees.

"That stupid bitch. Andrea doesn't even take her seriously. I feel too happy watching her suffer."

"We'll see how long she survives in that house."

Lily's voice was cold, she gripped her sheets so tight as her knuckles turned white.

Gwen turned to her, a smirk tugged at her lips.

"Don't get yourself worked up honey."

******

"What did you say to my mother?" Andrea asked as he stepped inside.

"You're back," Aria said as she stood to take his coat from him.

There was a little silence between them, but then Andrea cleared his throat.

"I told you my mother was ill and needed to recover. And yet you had the guts to make her shout?"

Aria's eyes widened in shock. 

Anger flared her body, her feet turned cold.

Aria didn't say anything to her, Moria had been the one calling her kids names.

Why was she twisting the truth? 

She tried to open her mouth but her throat went dry.

Andrea's hand reached for her neck, gripping it tightly.

Aria's hands held his, trying to pull away as she struggled for air.

"I didn't... I didn't... let me go."

"Son? You're back." Moria said, walking down the staircase.

He freed his hand off her neck. "Mum, are you okay?"

He hurried toward his mother, his shoulder pushed Aria away. 

"I'm fine, son. You need to teach that stupid girl a lesson. She's too rude and mannerless."

Andrea's eyes locked on hers, cold and unreadable.

"You haven't answered me. What did you say to my mother? Why's she looking so weak and devastated?"

There was a moment of silence between the three of them.

"She had her kids call me an old witch." Moria said, coughing while she clutched her chest.

Andrea's mouth twitched at the side. "What?"

"Why don't you tell him what you did?"

"Whatever she did was right," He said.

Aria's legs trembled, she staggered back.

"She called our kids bastards, Andrea..."

"Isn't that what they are?"

Aria's vision blurred in one go. His words pierced through her ear.

"What did you say? Your kids are what?"

"That's the truth. Stop acting like you don't know they're bastards." His voice was flat.

"Oh quit those dramatic tricks of yours. They won't work on me."

He turned to his mother. "Let's get you inside mum. Don't pay attention to this home wrecker."

Aria watched them leave without saying another word.

Tears stung her eyes as her hands trembled by her side.

"Did I really make a wrong decision by accepting to marry him? How did I even make such a mistake?"

"Are my kids really bastards?"

She wiped her eyes and then straightened her dress

The dinner she made was already a waste because Andrea won't touch it.

He had always done that whenever they had disagreements.

****

Aria was arranging the dishes when she heard a familiar name on the tv.

She froze on seeing the person on the screen.

The face looked familiar, like someone she met today at the school premises.

News: It's so surprising that Ethan Wolfe, the Don of the Wolfe's empire who hadn't been seen for years, has finally appeared in public and will be having a movie deal with the Sony movie production company.

"What? The man who I met today was Ethan Wolfe? My high school classmate?"

"Oh no. Why do I always have to bring trouble to myself."

"I had rejected him in high school and now, he's back." 

"God, should I call this a blessing or a curse?"

Ethan's POV.

Morning in the Wolfe mansion had always been a quiet one.

Morning lights shined through the curtains as alarms rippled the whole room.

He slowly opened his beautiful gray eyes.

"How did I end up sleeping off?" He said, pulling the blanket to his knees.

Ethan couldn't get her off his mind last night. 

Aria Moretti.

The only woman he had always had his eyes on. 

She had rejected him once, and he didn't back down.

He shot out of bed in one go.

The house smelled of jasmine and sandalwood. 

Ethan wasn't a person who liked showing off, he preferred the old money style.

"Sir, your breakfast is served." A servant said as he walked down the stairs.

He waved her off.

******

Breakfast was a brief one. Ethan never wasted a minute.

The car was ready, his assistant was standing waiting before he arrived.

"Sir," he said, pulling the car door handle for him. "Are we heading to the office or..."

He stood silent for some moment.

"Drive straight to Sony Studios. I need the contract cooperation signed this morning." He said.

*****

The ride was a short one. 

Faint smiles curved at his lips as he imagined about her. 

How pale she looked after their encounter at her children's school entrance.

"There are so many studios far better than this one. Sony is just a small studio, it's not worth your attention."

Ethan cleared his throat.

"Sometimes you act like your brain is being fried. Hmmm. You really lack a romantic life."

Marco rubbed a hand on his head. "Haha.I don't lack a romantic life, sir."

"How long has that been? And why didn't I notice before?"

The corner of Marco's mouth lifted. "Ten years, Sir."

Ethan's eyes widened. "What? Ten years? Yoo!•

******

Morning in the Rossi's family turned to hell since the arrival of Andrea's mother.

Moria didn't just make things difficult for her, the same went to her children.

Regardless of Aria's attempts to distance herself that morning, Moria persistently looked for ways to retaliate.

Aria was getting the children ready for the day as usual.

Breakfast was served as usual, coffee and toast for Andrea, milk and bread for the kids.

Moria walked downstairs slowly, one hand guiding along the banister as if the house belonged to her.

She didn't say anything. 

Her gaze swept over Aria and her kids, she snorted.

"Mum, I made breakfast, come have some," Aria said, adjusting Laura's shirt.

Moria ignored her words, walking toward the kitchen. 

Andrea followed, humming a song only he understood.

Luca and Laura stared as they picked on their bread.

"There's nothing for breakfast?" Moria started.

Andrea poured some coffee in his mug, still humming.

"Are you playing dumb about my illness?" 

"I can't have coffee and toast for breakfast. Come make me chicken soup," she yelled. 

Andrea pulled a seat, the kids startled. 

Laura almost choked on her bread. 

"Are you deaf?" Andrea cut in.

She twisted her hand into a fist, knuckles almost turning white.

Aria had begun making breakfast herself after Andrea nearly embarrassed everyone by complaining about the servant's cooking.

"Sorry, Mum. I'll have to do that when I get back. There's an emergency meeting at work and I need to be present."

Andrea clenched a hand on the table as he locked his eyes on Aria."Are you saying your job matters more than taking care of my mother?"

Servants' eyes flickered to Aria and then to Andrea.

Moria lowered herself to the floor and began to sob.

Aria rushed forward to help her, but was shoved away. 

She stumbled backward, striking her head against the edge of the table.

Moria covered her mouth, a wicked smile slipped through the corner of her lips. 

Andrea stepped forward as if he wanted to help her up, but then moved past her like she didn't exist.

Aria lifted her face slowly, blood running down her temple.

"Mama! You're bleeding," Luca cried as he pulled back from his seat.

Laura followed, tears stinging her eyes.

"Must you always be unreasonable, Aria? It's just chicken soup!"

Aria kept silent as anger tightened in her chest. 

She slammed her hand on the table.

The house fell silent.

"Oh get a grip, Andrea! I'm nobody's slave. If your mother wants chicken soup that badly, why don't you make it for her?"

Andrea's throat went dry. He tried to open his mouth, words didn't come.

"I'm out of here." She grabbed the children's hands and walked away, never glancing back.

This wasn't the Aria he had known.. 

She had always done everything to please him- until now. 

Andrea watched her leave without saying a word.

"Look at the good thing you married. That little slut dared to walk away from you?"

Andrea folded his hands into a twist.

"How dare she? Mum I'm leaving. I'll instruct the butler to attend to you."

He left. 

Moria stood speechless as anger and hate boiled in her eyes.

"Little slut. I'll deal with you."

*****

"Sir," Mr. David said, shaking Ethan's hand as they walked into the company.

Ethan's eyes swept through the room, searching for Aria as they moved further inside.

David offered him a seat upon entering the meeting room.

"Aria's not here?" David asked.

"She'll be here in five. Traffic issues." Dorathy, Aria's colleague replied.

"Why do we always have to wait for her," Anna, one of the staff said.

Ethan sat silently, hand patting his thighs.

"We'll have to start without her then."

Ethan cleared his throat.

"We wait for her."

"Sir, we can't just delay this deal for someone that doesn't matter," Anna cut in.

Ethan's eyes locked hers, she panicked.

Arian pulled the door handle open, breath haggard.

"Sorry, for the lateness. Traffic issues," she said, heat pooling down her neck.

All eyes were fixed on her. 

"You know how important today is, look at the time you're just arriving?" Ava said, voice flat.

"Do you always treat your staff like this?" Ethan said, glancing at David.

Aria's eyes lowered to his, heart sinking.

"Did he just defend me in front of everyone?"

"No, Sir. This isn't..."

"I'm choosing her as my contract manager. The rest of you should leave the room."

Gasps rippled through the room.

Aria clutched the file she was carrying, cheeks flushing.

She didn't expect Ethan to defend her, not even making her the manager of his contract.

"Sir, I'm not the one in charge of..."

Ethan stood gently from his chair, closing the distance between them.

"I'm making you in charge, and you owe no one an explanation for that."

Aria froze, her legs trembling. 

"What does he want now? Is he trying to help me or get revenge on me?"

Ethan's POV.

Ethan didn't get his eyes off her throughout the signing process.

Aria managed to steady herself, as heat flushed her cheeks.

The contract sat in front of her untouched, she stared at his signature that was already signed on it.

"Shall we?" Ethan said, handing the pen to her.

Aria kept silent for a moment, and then her hand moved on the paper.

She signed on them even as her hand felt heavy.

"There," her voice came low. "The contract is officially signed and will be processed whenever you're ready."

Ethan nodded, as his assistant slipped the file into his hands.

"You look pale, rough morning?" He asked, yes locked on her.

She tried to avoid his gaze.

"Work has been intense," the lie slipped off her mouth without a second thought.

The air in the room was thick, like she was sitting in a detention cell.

She tried to keep calm, not to let him notice the pressure she felt inside of her.

He sat observant and steady like he already knew what was going on inside her head.

Aria's hand reached for her head, circling the place she had bumped her head this morning.

"Ohh, I bumped into a door, it's nothing."

Ethan didn't push further, he just let the silence linger between them for some moment.

"Sir," his assistant finally said, breaking the silence. "Do we proceed or..."

He waved off his assistant. "Wait for me in the car."

"How's your husband, Mrs. Rossi?" He asked.

Aria froze. 

She clenched her hand at her side, breath uneven.

"He's well, just busy with the company, work has been rough lately."

"Hmm," he smirked. "That wasn't my question, Aria. How's your husband treating you?" His tone was cool, not aggressive or forced.

Ethan always knew how to use his words on her.

That was one of the things he does best.

"He's treating me well, marriage isn't a bed of roses."

"Don't lie to yourself. He doesn't care about you, does he?"

Aria didn't answer.

What was he expecting? To tell him how many times she had soaked her pillow with tears?

"You talk as if you know my husband so well." 

No matter how Andrea had treated her, she had never said bad words about him, not in public or to anyone.

To her, he was a loving husband. 

A man she always believed would change his ways someday.

Ethan leaned in, voice flat. "Of course I know him more than you can ever imagine."

"Enough," She said, her voice cracking.

"Stop lying to yourself, Aria. You can't hide it from me. No matter how you defend and love him..."

"Yes, I'll defend him, I believe that someday, he will change, he will look at me, he will love my kids."

Ethan's heart sank. 

He couldn't believe his ears. 

She would still choose him, even after what he had done to her?

He curled his hands into a fist on his thighs, heat soaked his legs.

What if she rejects him for the second time? What if she chooses him over her after he's done helping her?

His heart pulsed so hard that he felt it.

Did she really love him that much? Why was she hesitant?

Did she have her reasons for saying that?

Deep down, he swore never to let Andrea have her.

He swore to make her love him, even at the cost of his life.

"Do you still love him?"

The words struck something deep inside of her.

"I don't owe you that answer," She whispered.

"If you still love him," he said evenly, "I'll step back."

Her heart skipped.

"And if I don't?" She asked before she could stop herself.

Something dark flickered in his eyes. "Then I won't."

Ethan stood slowly from his seat, like he owned the place.

"I'll inform Mr. David that you'll be managing the contract directly."

Her brows furrowed. "There are professional staff who are more qualified."

"I want you in charge. I need someone competent and you're that person."

"Why are you making it complicated?"

"You don't have a choice, Aria, unless you want this contract terminated. I guess you don't have what it requires to shoulder the cost."

She knew that tone, and she really had no other choice.

"You can't just make threats because you..."

"Because I what?"

Because he wanted access to her. 

Because that was his plan from the beginning.

Because he wasn't done with her and needed proximity over her. 

"This is uncalled for, I believe I have the right to consent..."

His voice was cool and precise.

"Everything about this arrangement is legal and professional, unless you have other thoughts on it."

His words hit sharp, shattering her pride.

"I can handle my responsibilities, and won't cross any boundaries."

"Good."

Confidence settled in her. One she hadn't felt in ages.

He walked to the door, adjusting his cuff links.

"You'll receive the documents this afternoon," he added. "Our collaboration takes off immediately."

*****

The drive home felt a little longer and quieter than usual.

Ethan's questions kept replaying in her head.

Does he treat you well?

If you still love him, I'll step back. 

If you don't... I won't.

Why did he make it sound more like a declaration than romance.

She pressed her head against the steering as the traffic lights counted.

She was still married to Andrea. Her kids needed a father. 

What would people say if she chooses to divorce him? 

What if her kids decides they want their father?

Deep down, she was still foolishly believing that things would change.

But Ethan's presence had unsettled her so deeply.

How he had defended her, how he had made her feel seen.

Was his words really a coincidence or he had planned them all along?

*****

The house was loud when she arrived.

Laughter from familiar voices echoed through the sitting room.

Aria froze when she pulled the door handle open.

"Oh, Lily, you're so funny!" Moria's voice followed the rhythm, delighted.

Aria's stomach tightened as she stepped in slowly.

Lily sat elegantly on the couch, dressed in silk, her posture was so composed, as if she owned the house.

A porcelain teacup rested between her fingers.

Andrea's mother sat beside her. Andrea stood near the fireplace, watching.

They looked like a perfect family.

Lily's eyes moved first. "Aria," she said softly. "You're home."

"What are you doing here?" Aria asked calmly.

"What right do you have to question her?" Moria cut in sharply. 

"Unlike some people, Lily makes times for family."

Andrea didn't breathe a word, he only watched, observing how she would react.

Aria placed her handbag down with controlled precision.

"I wasn't informed we had guests."

"I don't remember needing your permission before inviting someone into the house."

"I was just keeping auntie company," Lily said gently.

Auntie. 

The way she said it, how familiar it sounded.

Her gaze shifted to Andrea, he finally opened his mouth.

"She only dropped by. Don't make it Dramatic."

She almost laughed. Dramatic, really?

Aria nodded once. "Sure."

Luca and Laura ran in from the hallway. "Mama!"

Luca's arms wrapped around her waist, Laura followed, clinging to her leg.

"Baby, look at you!" Her tone steadied at once.

"Did you eat?" She asked softly. 

"Yes!" Laura chirped. "Aunt Lily bought cake!"

Cake? Aria's eyes flickered on the table.

A delicate box of cake sat on it. 

Luca's hand moved to his neck, he started itching all of a sudden.

"Mama, I feel bad."

Aria eyes sharpened. "Why do you feel bad honey?"

She sees mango filling his finger.

In two strides, she reached for the cake.

Mango cake? 

"Did you feed them mango cake?" Aria asked, lungs burning.

"Why are you yelling?" Andrea cut in. "Why are you always ungrateful?"

"How many times do I have to warn you about giving anything that has to do with mango?"

"What do you mean?"

Luca kept itching, almost passing out. 

"If my son stops breathing, none of you will forgive yourselves."