Chapter 1

"Aria, get down on your knees and apologize to Nadia. Now!" A man's cold, cutting voice echoed through the spacious living room.

Aria stood in the center, her long lashes lowered, and her fingers tightened around the recorder hidden in her pocket. She looked at the man on the couch, who was giving the order. He was her third brother, Norman Whitmore.

Seated beside him was the Whitmore family's so-called daughter—an impostor with no blood ties to them—Nadia Whitmore.

Now, Norman demanded that Aria kneel and bow to Nadia.

"Aria! You pushed Nadia down the stairs on purpose! How could you be so vicious? You're downright inhuman!" Norman's voice was thick with contempt. "I can't even call someone like you my sister!"

She was downright inhuman?

Aria's lashes trembled as she forced down the suffocating ache in her chest. "I didn't—"

She had barely gotten the words out before Norman grabbed the glass beside him and hurled it at her.

"And you still dare to deny it!"

The glass slammed into the top of her foot and shattered. Pain flared as her pale skin reddened and swelled.

Shards of glass sliced through her skin, leaving thin cuts along her slender calf. Crimson streaks bloomed across her white skin, bright and jarring.

Aria stood motionless, as if she couldn't feel the pain at all. This wasn't the first time Norman had struck and cursed her.

"Norman, please, don't hit her!" Nadia rushed to speak, her voice dripping with concern. "She didn't push me down the stairs… Really, it wasn't her fault. I just wasn't paying attention…"

Norman's expression softened immediately. "Nadia, you're still defending her? Think about it, silly. If a woman like you ends up with a scar, how terrible would that look?"

"But Norman—"

"That's enough, Nadia. Don't plead for her again. Let me see. Are you sure you didn't hurt yourself?"

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me…"

Watching their picture-perfect display of sibling affection, Aria felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her.

Norman worried that Nadia might scar and ruin her appearance. Yet, moments ago, he had smashed a glass at Aria without a second thought. Her leg was still bleeding from multiple cuts.

Did he think she wouldn't scar? She was a woman too, and she was his real sister.

Aria had grown up in an orphanage after getting lost as a child. Then, she was taken in by her adoptive grandparents, Bruce Wagner and Helen Norton, who had raised her with love. She had never been treated like this before.

When Norman finished fussing over Nadia, he caught sight of Aria's face. The faint, mocking curl of her lips darkened his expression.

"What's with that look?" he snapped. "When we brought you back to the Whitmore family two years ago, we told you that even though Nadia isn't related to you, she grew up here. You were to treat her like your own sister.

"As the older sister, you should give in to her, spoil her, and protect her. But what have you done these past two years?"

A bitter smile tugged at Aria's lips.

When they had found her two years ago, Bruce and Helen had already passed away.

She thought she had finally found her family and would never have to live alone again. She had even turned down an invitation from Bruce's old friend, Thomas Ashford, to come live with the Whitmores instead.

For two years, she had walked on eggshells and endured everything. She had given Nadia the best of everything and humbly taken whatever Nadia discarded.

She believed this would help her slowly blend in, that her parents and five brothers would accept her as family.

But in the end, they only favored Nadia and reserved endless criticism and insults for Aria.

Aria had once overheard them say with venomous disdain that if only she had died out there, their family would be complete.

If only she had died out there…

The words squeezed her heart until she could barely breathe. She didn't understand what she had done wrong. Why did her own family despise her so much, enough to wish she were dead?

And if that was how they felt, why bring her back at all?

Aria lowered her eyes, a strange calm settling over her.

Fine. So be it. She didn't want this family anymore. She didn't want any of them.

For some reason, seeing her so serene made Norman uneasy. It was as if he were looking at a different person entirely.

He grabbed a stick from the side table and raised it over her. "If you don't kneel and apologize to Nadia right now, I'll make sure you learn your lesson the hard way!"

But before he could strike, a slender hand shot up and grabbed his wrist in an iron grip.

It was Aria. She had stopped him.

"Aria, you—" Norman's outrage was mixed with disbelief.

For the past two years, she had cowered and tried to please them, taking every insult and blow without a word. Now she dared to fight back?

Her lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. "I told you I didn't push Nadia."

Norman didn't believe her for a second. "Still denying it? Looks like you're begging for a beating!"

Aria's eyes turned icy, devoid of any emotion. "If I have proof that I didn't push her, you and Nadia will kneel and apologize to me."

"What did you just say?" Norman almost thought he had misheard. Rage surged in his veins. "You want me to kneel? You're out of your mind!"

He would never acknowledge someone like her as his sister.

Nadia had been waiting for the spectacle of Aria getting beaten on the couch, but now, her expression shifted.

"Proof?" she wondered. "What proof could Aria possibly have?"

She bit back a cold laugh and stood, feigning concern. "Norman, just let it go. Don't be mad at her anymore."

"Don't stand up for her, Nadia!" Norman barked, veins bulging on his forehead. "I want to see what proof she thinks she has!"

Aria's face remained calm as she reached into her pocket and pulled something out.

Nadia looked at it, and her face went pale.

It was a pen recorder.

How could Aria have a pen recorder?

Without a flicker of expression, Aria pressed play.

After a burst of static, a deliberately delicate voice came through. "Aria, what do you think of this spot?"

Norman recognized Nadia's voice instantly.

Then, another voice, clear and steady, spoke. "Nadia, what are you doing standing at the top of the stairs?"

That was Aria.

The next moment, Nadia's soft, delicate tone twisted into something sinister. "If I say you pushed me down the stairs, how do you think Norman will punish you?"

Chapter 2

Norman snapped his head toward Nadia, disbelief written all over his face.

The sister he had always believed to be kind had actually said something so vicious?

Nadia's chest tightened. She rushed to defend herself, "Norman, that's not what happened! This isn't real!"

But the recording kept playing, leaving her no room to wriggle out of it.

Aria's voice came through first. "Nadia, are you sure you want to do this?"

Nadia chuckled coldly, her tone full of challenge. "Aria, even if you grab me, it won't matter. You know Norman only believes me. He'll never believe a word you say."

Then, her voice turned weepy and urgent. "Norman, hurry! Aria's trying to push me down the stairs. She said I don't deserve to be a Whitmore or live in this house. She wants to throw me out. I'm scared! Norman, please come save me!"

After hearing all that, there was nothing left for Norman to misunderstand.

Aria hadn't pushed Nadia at all. Nadia had staged the entire scene. She had walked to the top of the stairs on purpose, pretended she had been shoved, and blamed Aria for it.

From the start, Aria had been innocent. Norman had wrongly accused his own sister.

He stared at Aria in a daze, then furrowed his brow. "Aria, even if I misunderstood you, why didn't you speak up from the beginning?"

A cold mockery flickered in Aria's eyes.

There it was. He realized he'd been wrong, yet he still blamed her for not explaining fast enough.

"Norman, you may still be young, but your memory is already slipping."

"I—"

Norman was speechless. He remembered now; just minutes earlier, Aria had tried to explain that she hadn't pushed Nadia.

And what had he done?

He hadn't believed her. He hadn't even had the patience to hear her out. He had grabbed a glass and hurled it at her. The cut on her foot from the shattered glass was still bleeding.

Norman turned and looked at Nadia with disappointment.

Nadia's eyes reddened with fright, and tears spilled at once. "Norman, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have lied about Aria. I just… I didn't want to lose you all."

Norman frowned. "What did you say?"

Seeing he was willing to listen, Nadia realized she still had room to maneuver. Her face crumpled as if her grief had deepened, and the tears flowed like beads from a broken string.

"Norman, I grew up in the Whitmore family. I've always treated you like my real brother, and Mom and Dad like my real parents.

"Ever since Aria came back, I've been scared. I thought you wouldn't want me anymore and would abandon me. After all, she's prettier than me, and she's your sister by blood.

"I was so afraid of losing you that I lost my head and did this to Aria. Norman, I was wrong. I'll never do it again."

The moment Norman saw Nadia's tears, he had already softened a little. Now, her heartfelt confession swayed him even further.

What bad intentions could Nadia really have? She simply cared too much about family.

He made up his mind and turned to Aria. "Nadia only lost her head and framed you. You weren't really hurt. As the older sister, you should be more understanding and let it go. Forgive her this once."

Aria almost laughed. Norman knew she had been framed. But instead of standing up for her, he told her to be more understanding and forgive Nadia? How ridiculous!

She didn't want to stay in this house for another second. The Whitmores' hypocrisy made her sick to her stomach.

Norman didn't think he had done anything wrong. He wore that lofty look again. "Aria, if you keep making a fuss and refuse to forgive Nadia, don't blame me when I kick you out of this family!"

Aria's face remained blank, her eyes cold as steel. "Norman, you don't need to kick me out. As of today, I'm cutting ties with the Whitmore family! I won't spend another minute in this house!"

She ignored whatever expression flashed across his face and went straight to her room to pack.

It was sad to realize that after two years in this home, she didn't have much to take with her. She couldn't even fill a single suitcase.

Her residency paperwork had never been transferred into the Whitmore household either. But that was fine. She wouldn't need it again.

She quickly gathered her things and grabbed the necessary documents. Then, she dabbed the blood on her calf with a tissue. With no time to disinfect, she pressed on a few adhesive bandages before changing into a long dress to cover the glaring cuts on her leg.

When she was done, she wheeled her suitcase out of the room that had stayed cold to her even after two years.

Seeing her wheel the suitcase out, Norman finally realized she wasn't throwing a tantrum. She was actually leaving. She was really cutting ties with the Whitmores.

His face darkened with anger. "Aria, think this through! If you walk out that door today, don't even think about coming back! Don't you dare regret it!"

Aria didn't even look back. She spoke each word with unwavering resolve. "I will never regret it!"

Nadia could barely hide her smile and the glee in her eyes as she watched them.

That wretch Aria was finally being driven out. From now on, everything in the Whitmore family would be hers. Their affection and their fortune would all belong to her.

Her excitement nearly spilled over, but she forced herself to look concerned. "Norman, hurry and persuade Aria to come back. How is she supposed to live after leaving the Whitmores? What if someone bullies her?"

"Don't worry about her." Norman scoffed, his arrogance on full display. "She'll come back crying in a few days. I'll teach her a proper lesson then!"

He had barely finished when a bodyguard rushed in from outside. He saw Aria wheeling her suitcase out and didn't even spare her a glance.

Everyone knew the real daughter had no standing in this house and got no respect, while the fake heiress was the apple of their eye.

The bodyguard stumbled into the living room, his face lit with excitement. "Mr. Norman, Ms. Nadia, a distinguished guest has arrived! The car is at the door! I recognized the plates. They look like the Ashford family's!"

The Ashfords?

Norman and Nadia exchanged a look and saw shock and wild delight mirrored in each other's eyes.

The Ashfords were the most powerful family in Nygate City.

The Whitmores might have been wealthy and well known in high society, but next to the Ashfords, they were a candle in the sun.

The Ashfords were an old-money family with deep roots and considerable influence that extended far and wide. The Whitmores simply couldn't compare.

For years, the Whitmores had tried to cozy up and build a business relationship with them, but every overture had gone nowhere. And now, the Ashfords had shown up at their door.

"Go out and greet them," Norman said, hands trembling as he straightened his clothes and told the bodyguard to lead the way.

Nadia adjusted her outfit too, a small blush touching her fine features as she gathered her skirt and followed.

She wondered which member of the Ashford family had come today. Could it be that man?

Chapter 3

Norman and Nadia jogged ahead and reached the front steps of the mansion before Aria.

Just as the bodyguard had said, a low-key black luxury car was parked quietly at the curb.

When Norman saw the license plate, his heartbeat quickened.

Across all of Nygate City, only one person used that plate—Gabriel Ashford.

Gabriel had become head of the Ashford family at a young age and now led Ashford Group as its CEO. Worth over a trillion dollars, he was the undisputed king of Nygate City.

The fact that Gabriel had taken the trouble to come himself was an extraordinary honor.

Beaming, Norman hurried to the car and greeted it with obsequious respect. "Hello, Mr. Ashford. We didn't know you were coming and failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive us."

He waited for a long moment, but no one came out, and no voice replied.

Norman's smile froze. He wondered what was going on.

Nadia smoothed her hair, appearing quite demure. She stepped up to the car with a gentle, bashful smile and spoke in a soft voice. "Mr. Ashford, you came in person today. May I ask what brings you here?"

Silence again.

Nadia and Norman exchanged a look.

Just what was happening? They couldn't have mistaken the plate. It was definitely Gabriel's car.

Yet, after one respectful greeting and then another, there was still no response.

At that awkward moment, the front passenger door opened, and a man who looked like an assistant got out.

Norman recognized him at once. He was Gabriel's executive assistant, Alistair Snyder.

Norman quickly put the pieces together.

Given the Whitmores' current standing, they weren't important enough to meet Gabriel in person. It made sense to send Alistair instead.

Connections open doors, and Alistair was Gabriel's executive assistant. Building a relationship with him would be a major win for the Whitmores.

Having sorted his thoughts, Norman greeted Alistair warmly. "Mr. Snyder, what a pleasure to meet you. Today—"

Alistair didn't even look at them. He walked straight toward Aria in the distance.

The sight hit Norman and Nadia like a bucket of cold water. They stood there, stunned.

Alistair stopped in front of Aria, bowed slightly, and spoke politely. "Hello, Ms. Whitmore. Mr. Thomas Ashford asked me to bring you to the Ashford residence as our guest."

Thomas Ashford?

Hearing that name, warmth rose in Aria's chest.

She had grown up in an orphanage before Bruce and Helen adopted her. She had lived with them ever since. Thomas had been Bruce's close friend. He had even held Aria when she was small.

Alistair held a wooden bead bracelet, and Aria recognized it instantly. Thomas had worn that bracelet for years. He really had sent Alistair to get her.

Since Thomas had invited her, Aria couldn't refuse. She nodded. "Thank you."

"You're too kind, Ms. Whitmore," Alistair said with a smile.

He took her suitcase from her, stowed it in the trunk, then opened the rear door. "Ms. Whitmore, please."

Aria bent slightly to get in and realized that someone else was inside.

A man sat in the back seat, long legs crossed with casual ease. He wore a white dress shirt, buttoned neatly to the collar, his demeanor cool and composed. A paper file rested in his hands, held by long, clean fingers with sharply defined knuckles.

At the sound of the door, he finally looked up from the file and turned toward it.

Aria met a pair of dark, deep eyes.

"I'm Gabriel Ashford. I'm here on my grandfather's behalf to pick you up." His voice was low and a little husky, carrying an easy warmth that made it instantly inviting.

Gabriel Ashford.

The familiar yet distant name brought Aria's childhood memories surging back. Bruce had once arranged an engagement for her with Thomas' younger grandson, Gabriel.

The man in front of her was the one Bruce had paired her with. He was her fiance.

Once Aria was inside, the black car drove away from the Whitmore gate.

Norman and Nadia stood there, dumbstruck, as if lightning had struck them. They didn't snap out of it until the car was gone.

The Ashford family, the very people they had tried to connect with, had come for Aria.

Alistair had treated Aria with that level of respect and personally ushered her into the car. Through it all, he hadn't spared Norman and Nadia a single glance, as if they were beneath notice.

How could this be?

Nadia's frown tightened, and the gentle mask on her face finally slipped. Nothing infuriated her more than being outshone by Aria. What had just happened felt like someone had smashed her pride into the ground and stomped all over it.

…

Inside the car, Aria sat quietly in the back seat and snuck a look at the handsome man beside her.

She wondered if he remembered the engagement. She hoped he didn't. The whole idea of the engagement felt too unreal.

Gabriel seemed to read her mind. He raised an eyebrow and said in a low, magnetic voice, "I remember."

Aria went still.

Of course. What she dreaded had happened.

It was hard to sum up what stood between her and Gabriel. Though she had been adopted by Bruce and Helen, life had never been hard.

Bruce held a special position, and even the previous Ashford patriarch, Thomas, had been his close friend.

Thomas often brought Gabriel to visit, and that was how she and Gabriel first met. They were childhood playmates and got along well. Because of that, Bruce and Thomas arranged the engagement.

She had been too young to know what it meant at first. But as she got older, she began to understand. And the more she looked at Gabriel, the more awkward she felt.

Gabriel likely disliked the arrangement too. His attitude grew sharp and needling. He often targeted her on purpose, especially when she played with the neighbor boy. Every remark from him was barbed with sarcasm.

Aria grew to dislike him more and more, until they eventually became sworn enemies.

By the time she was in high school, her rebellious streak reached its peak. She pushed back and asked Bruce to break off the engagement, saying she had fallen for a classmate.

When Gabriel found out, he cornered her in her room, his eyes cold and hard. He had asked if she'd lost her mind to fall for just anyone.

Aria had never seen him so angry. They had a big fight and broke apart.

Later, Gabriel went overseas to study, and they never saw each other again.

When she had gotten into the car earlier, she hadn't recognized him at first glance.

Compared with the boy in her memory, he seemed to have changed a great deal.

Chapter 4

The city sped past the car window.

Aria noticed that ever since she'd gotten into the car, Gabriel hadn't looked at his file again. His long, clean fingers idly brushed a faint scar on his left wrist. It looked like a bite mark.

"A clueless little wildcat bit me," Gabriel said casually upon sensing her gaze. However, the meaning was clear.

Aria stayed silent.

Gabriel seemed to remember something and arched an eyebrow. "She's got sharp teeth and a sharper tongue. Pretty fierce."

Aria said nothing.

"You were the wildcat," she thought. "You were the fierce one."

That scar on his wrist had come from the time they had a falling out as kids, and she'd clamped down on his wrist.

She hadn't expected him to remember it so clearly. Had he never used anything to make it fade? Why did the bite still show?

Did he look at that scar every day and hold it against her for biting him back then?

Aria rubbed her nose and stared out the window.

Gabriel didn't push it. He watched her fair profile, his fingertip tracing the bite on his wrist again and again, as if he were touching more than the scar.

She could feel his gaze. It made her uneasy. She turned her head, ready to tell him to stop looking at her, and met the deep black of his eyes.

He raised an eyebrow, his tone amused and unhurried. "What is it, Aria? Do you want to bite me again?"

The way her name rolled off his tongue was light and warm, with a pull she couldn't name. Her heart stumbled for a beat. He used to say her name like that when they were little.

Wait, who wanted to bite him?

Before long, the car reached the Greenview Residence. Wrought-iron gates swung inward, and the car rolled into the grounds.

Through the window, Aria saw a scene of quiet beauty. A broad man-made lake stretched nearby, flanked by a garden filled with rare flowers. In the distance stood a vineyard and an orchard.

The estate was far larger than the Whitmore residence.

The car stopped by a fountain. The household staff surrounded an elderly man with a cane, waiting by the basin with anxious faces. His hair was gray and his hand rested on a cane, but he looked sharp, his eyes carrying the weight and wisdom of years.

Though it had been years, Aria recognized him in an instant. It was Thomas.

She got out quickly and stepped forward, her eyes stinging. "Hi, Grandpa Thomas."

"Hello." Thomas finally saw her and clasped her hand with affection. "Aria, I've been waiting for you."

"Grandpa, have you been well lately?"

"Don't worry about me. These old bones are sturdy." He looked her over fondly. "You've lost some weight, but you're just as lovely as ever."

Aria's smile brightened, her eyes crinkling. She'd always been beautiful, with delicate features and well-shaped eyebrows, but it was her eyes that stood out. They were clear and bright, with a sparkle that could light up a room.

Thomas couldn't stop smiling at her. He handed the cane to a housekeeper, took Aria by one hand and Gabriel by the other.

"Come on," he said. "Let's talk in the living room."

They sat on the couch, and a housekeeper brought tea.

Thomas held Aria's hand and let out a long sigh. "I've been ill these past years and went overseas for treatment. It never fully took until recently. I finally recovered enough to come home.

"The moment I returned, I heard the Whitmores were treating you poorly. I couldn't rest easy, so I asked Gabriel to bring you here.

"Aria, if the Whitmores won't treat you right, then you don't need to stay with them. From now on, this is your home. I am your family!"

Aria's nose stung. She had long missed the warmth of genuine care. Her voice caught as she muttered, "Grandpa..."

"You poor child!" Thomas patted the back of her hand sympathetically. "You've suffered these two years.

"Oh, right! Aria, look." He turned and made a light introduction. "This is Gabriel. You two used to play together when you were kids. You even called him Gabey back then. Do you remember?"

Calling him Gabey had been fine when they were kids. Now, it felt a little odd.

Aria smiled politely and gave a tiny nod.

Gabriel sat beside her, his handsome face calm and unreadable. His lashes were lowered, and his defined fingers wrapped a white porcelain teapot as he poured tea for Thomas. The simple act looked unexpectedly elegant when he did it.

"Aria, what do you think of Gabriel?" Thomas asked, testing the waters.

Aria didn't know how to answer. What was she supposed to think of him? They had barely spoken on the ride back. He probably still held a grudge over their big fight years ago.

That was fine. He didn't like her. She didn't like him, either.

When she didn't answer, Thomas leaned in and pressed. "Aria, tell me. What do you think of Gabriel?"

She lowered her eyes and gave a vague reply. "He's… fine."

Gabriel, who had stayed silent, raised an eyebrow upon hearing that. He looked up at her, eyes deep and still. He let his gaze linger on her for several seconds before looking away.

Thomas brightened at once. "Good! That puts my mind at ease about the two of you being together!"

Aria blinked. "Grandpa, what did you say?"

Being together?

Thomas laughed cheerfully. "Back then, Bruce and I arranged for you two to get married. Seeing you now, you really are a perfect match. So, Aria, no time like the present. Why don't you go get the marriage certificate today?"

Aria's heart jumped. Surprise flashed across her eyes, and she refused at once. "Grandpa, I don't think that's a good idea!"

Something seemed to cross Thomas' mind, and sorrow clouded his face. "Aria, my health isn't great. I don't know how much time I have left. If you and Gabriel were married, I'd have no worries when I'm gone.

"You don't need to worry. No matter what, the Ashford family will always have your back, and Gabriel will be your support."

Hearing those heartfelt words, Aria couldn't bring herself to refuse. She looked up at Gabriel beside her, hoping he would turn Thomas down.

He obviously had never wanted to marry her. He had targeted her for no reason since they were kids, and always seemed angry with her.

Gabriel felt her gaze, set his cup down, and looked at Thomas. His handsome features grew serious. "Alright, Grandpa. We'll get the marriage certificate today."

Aria was stunned. What was that supposed to mean?

Chapter 5

An hour later, Aria walked out of the courthouse with Gabriel. She stared at the marriage certificate in her hand, lost in deep thought.

How had she ended up married to Gabriel so suddenly?

She tugged at his sleeve, confusion written across her face. "Why did you suddenly agree to get married?"

He glanced at her hand on his arm, his voice low and unhurried. "When Grandpa suggested we get the marriage certificate, you looked at me. Weren't you telling me to agree?"

Aria was speechless. "When did I tell you to agree? I was asking you to turn him down."

He seemed to realize it only then and looked regretful. "So that's what you meant. I misunderstood you. You won't hold it against me, right?"

Aria said nothing. He sounded a little too smooth to be sincere. She truly couldn't tell if this jerk was targeting her again.

Before bed that night, Thomas arranged for Aria to sleep in Gabriel's bedroom, which felt like a cruel joke. There was only one bed, and her head throbbed just looking at it.

Thankfully, Gabriel had an urgent video meeting and went to the study to work.

While he was gone, Aria decided to take a shower since the cuts on her calf from the glass shards still hadn't been properly treated.

She stepped into the bathroom and turned on the water. The small wounds on her leg hadn't healed, and they stung badly the moment they got wet. Her bandages weren't waterproof either, so she had to bear the pain

The hot water poured over her head and washed away the fatigue of the day.

When she finished, she realized she had forgotten to bring in a change of clothes. Luckily, Gabriel wasn't around, so she could step out and grab them.

She wrapped a towel around herself and slid open the glass door.

The next second, she froze, as if someone had hit pause, her hand still on the door.

Gabriel was standing by the window. When had he come back?

The shower must have drowned out the sound because she hadn't heard him.

At the sound of the door, Gabriel turned and saw Aria barefoot. Damp black hair clung to her cheeks, making her skin look even paler.

The towel hung loose, showing the clean lines of her collarbones and the soft curve of her chest. It barely reached her thighs, revealing long, pale legs that drew the eye.

His usually composed expression faltered for a beat, and one eyebrow raised slightly.

Aria snapped back to her senses and slammed the bathroom door shut with a loud thud, hiding inside again.

That was mortifying!

A moment later, his low voice came through the door. "Do you need help with anything?"

Aria stayed silent. He must have guessed she hadn't brought clothes inside.

She swallowed hard and forced the words out. "Could you hand me my change of clothes, please? They are on the stool by the bed. Thank you."

He looked and saw a black silk nightdress along with underwear. His eyes twitched slightly, then he picked everything up with calm ease and handed it over.

Aria got dressed and came out, still embarrassed. However, Gabriel looked as composed as ever, as if he had put the whole scene out of his mind. That took the edge off her mortification.

She had been thinking in the shower. She and Gabriel weren't a good match. They had rubbed each other the wrong way since they were kids.

After taking a deep breath, she said, "Gabriel, we should get a divorce."

He narrowed his eyes and stayed quiet for a few seconds before he asked, "Are you still in love with that classmate from high school?"

Aria blinked. "What?"

It took her a while to realize he meant the year she asked Bruce to cancel the engagement, claiming she liked a boy in her class. He still remembered that after all this time.

A shadow passed through his dark eyes, and his voice turned cold. "Do you really not want to be married to me?"

Aria felt baffled. Did he really want to marry her?

His gaze fixed on her with an unreadable weight. "If that is the case, I will have someone draft a divorce agreement. We'll stay married for one year. After that, we'll get a divorce."

A year?

Aria froze, then understood. They could end it after a year, and Thomas probably wouldn't put up much of a fight.

"Alright," she agreed.

A year from now, she and Gabriel would go their separate ways.

"So tonight," she said, looking at the only bed in the room, "what's the sleeping arrangement?"

Gabriel gave her a long, deep look, then headed for the door. "I'll sleep in the guest room."

The door closed with a loud thud, and Aria was alone again.

The look he had given her as he left felt like the one from when they were kids, layered and hard to read.

They really couldn't get along in peace.

A short while later, there was a knock. Aria opened the door to find Albert Thompson, the old butler, standing outside.

Dressed in a tailcoat with a kindly expression, he handed her a tube of ointment. "Ms. Whitmore, your leg is injured. This works well and will not leave a scar."

She hadn't expected anyone to notice her leg, and warmth rose in her chest. "Thank you."

Albert smiled with gentle eyes. "Ms. Whitmore, Mr. Ashford prepared it for you."

Aria was stunned.

Albert was straightforward and added, "Mr. Ashford told me, 'Take the ointment to Aria, and don't say I sent it.'"

With that, Albert turned and walked away.

Aria stared at the ointment, at a loss for what to feel. It turned out Gabriel had prepared it for her.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a text from Nadia.

"Aria, are you okay right now? Where are you staying tonight? Are you at the Ashfords?"

Aria read it and smirked. Nadia was still playing the sweet act.

She had once longed for family so badly that she gave in to Nadia at every turn, and this was where it had gotten her.

Starting today, she wouldn't give in to Nadia again. She wouldn't put up with the Whitmores.

She would live for herself!