Aria’s POV
I stared at my phone. Two ssages. Two n. Two completely different paths.
My head throbbed. The wine from last night still pounded behind my eyes. But my mind was clearer than it had been in years.
I read Finn’s text again.
*Co to Lilith’s family gathering tomorrow. Your daughter wants to see you. After that, I’ll sign the papers imdiately.*
Then Kael’s.
*When do you want the third date?*
I let out a long breath. Rubbed my face with both hands. Ran my fingers through my tangled hair.
This was it. The final Chapter of my marriage. The last performance before the curtain fell.
Finn wanted there? Fine. I’d go. But not as the broken Oga he expected. Not as the pathetic wife crawling back for scraps of attention.
I was done being invisible.
My fingers moved across the screen before I could second-guess myself.
To Finn: *I’ll be there.*
To Kael: *Tomorrow afternoon? I’ll be at my daughter’s school.*
I hit send on both. My heart hamred against my ribs.
Kael’s reply ca within seconds.
*OK.*
Then another ssage.
*What do you need?*
I hesitated. My pride scread at to refuse. To handle this on my own. To prove I didn’t need anyone.
But pride was a luxury I couldn’t afford anymore.
*The money from our deal. Can I have part of it now?*
The typing dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
*Check your account.*
I blinked. Opened my banking app with trembling fingers.
The number stared back at . Twenty-five thousand dollars. Already deposited. No questions asked.
*Thank you.* I typed. A smile tugged at my lips. The first real smile in days.
---
The shopping district glead under afternoon sunlight.
I walked through stores I’d never dared enter before. Places where sales associates looked at custors like they were either royalty or insects. No in-between.
Today, I was royalty.
The dress found in the third boutique. Deep erald green. Silk that flowed like water. It hugged my waist and cascaded down in waves that caught the light with every step.
"That’s stunning on you," the saleswoman said. Her smile was genuine. Not the fake politeness I was used to.
I turned in the mirror. Hardly recognized myself.
The woman staring back had silver-grey eyes that actually sparkled. Curves that looked elegant instead of hidden. A presence that demanded attention.
"I’ll take it," I said.
Next ca makeup. Not the cheap drugstore stuff I’d been using for years. Real products. Quality brushes. Things I’d only seen in magazines.
The total made wince. But I paid anyway.
---
The family gathering was held at the kindergarten’s garden pavilion.
I’d been here before. Many tis. But I’d never arrived like this.
The cab pulled up to the entrance. I paid. Stepped out.
And every head turned.
I felt it imdiately. The weight of their stares. The sudden hush that fell over the crowd.
Parents stopped mid-conversation. Children paused their gas. Even the servers holding trays of champagne froze.
I walked forward. One step. Then another.
The whispers started.
"Who is that?"
"Is she new? I’ve never seen her before."
"Look at that dress..."
"Wait—is that Alpha scent? She slls like—"
"Blood Crown. She slls like Blood Crown."
My spine straightened. I lifted my chin higher.
Yes. Look at . Really look at .
A little girl tugged on her mother’s sleeve. "Mommy, she’s so pretty!"
The mother hushed her quickly. But I heard it. Felt it warm sothing cold inside my chest.
I scanned the crowd. Looking for Lilith. Looking for—
There.
By the fountain in the center of the garden.
Celestia sat on a stone bench. Her golden hair caught the sunlight like spun gold. She wore a white dress that made her look angelic. Pure. Perfect.
My daughter was laughing. Her little face lit up as Celestia showed her sothing on her phone. Their heads were bent close together. Intimate. Familiar.
Like mother and daughter.
Celestia noticed first. Her blue eyes widened. The smile froze on her perfect face.
"Aria?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
Lilith looked up.
Our eyes t.
My daughter’s expression shifted. From surprise to confusion to sothing harder. Colder.
Around us, the other families had started to notice. Conversations died. Attention focused.
A little boy near the fountain tugged on Lilith’s sleeve.
"Lilith! Lilith!" His voice was loud with childish excitent. "Is that your mommy? She’s so pretty!"
Lilith stood slowly. Her silver eyes—my eyes—were cold. Assessing. She smoothed her little dress like she’d seen Irene do a thousand tis.
Then she walked toward .
Each step was deliberate. asured. So unlike the bouncing, happy child she’d been with Celestia monts ago.
She stopped right in front of . Tilted her chin up. Her expression was haughty. Dismissive.
"You dressed up nicely today," she said. Her voice carried across the silent garden. "I suppose that’s an improvent."
The words stung. But I held my ground. Didn’t flinch.
Lilith crossed her arms. A perfect imitation of her grandmother.
"But I’ll only forgive you if you apologize to Celestia first."
Everyone was watching now. Parents. Children. Servants. Even Celestia, still sitting on that bench, her hand pressed to her chest in that practiced gesture of innocent concern.
The old Aria would have done it. Would have swallowed her pride and begged for forgiveness she didn’t owe. Would have done anything—anything—to make her daughter smile at her again.
But I wasn’t that Aria anymore.
I looked at my daughter. Really looked at her.
She was beautiful. She was mine. And she hated .
"I don’t know what I’ve done that needs to be forgiven."
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