Aria’s pov
Caras flashed like gunfire. Phones were thrust forward from every angle. Reporters who had initially co to cover the gala event shoved past security, voices overlapping in a chaotic roar.
"Mrs. Voss! Did you plan this?"
"Is the arrest your doing?"
"Comnt on the charges Aria,did Lucian abuse you too?"
"Was the whole thing staged to fra Ethan?"
I stood frozen in the center of it all, guests stared openly.So with pity, most with disgust. Whispers turned into open accusations.
"It’s her fault."
"She’s bad luck, look how she got two billionaires destroyed."
"Gold-digger finally took down the big one."
"She does nothing but irritates , she’s nothing but a gutter rat."
Security grabbed my arms, pulling toward the side exit. My heels caught on the carpet. I stumbled. A reporter lunged, microphone in my face.
"Aria! Is this revenge for Ethan’s proposal to Mia?"
"Did you set up the fight to make Lucian look like a hero?"
"Are you the reason Voss is going to jail?"
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My throat was locked, tears burning behind my eyes. The security team shoved the crowd back, half-carrying through the door into the service corridor. The noise dulled to a muffled roar behind us.
Outside, cold air slapped my face. More reporters waited at the curb with their caras rolling, questions screaming.
"Mrs. Voss, did you provoke the assault?"
"Is Lucian violent at ho?"
The SUV door opened. They pushed inside. The door slamd. Tires screeched as we pulled away.
I sat alone in the back seat, hands clenched so hard my nails drew blood. Where the hell was the press getting all this information? It was as if they had known Lucian would be arrested.
To make it all worse,so many narratives have filled the air.
Lucian was in a holding cell right now.
Because of . All because he’d stord into that hotel room when Ethan tried to force himself on just to protect .
The SUV pulled up to the police station. Security stayed in the car. I stepped out alone.
Reporters were already here—how do they always do this? It’s like they’re everywhere .Flashes exploded again. There was almost a stampede as each reporter tried to get a response from
"Mrs. Voss! Are you here to bail him out?"
"Did you fra Ethan?"
"Is the marriage over?"
I pushed past them, head down, my heart hamring. Inside, a desk sergeant looked up. He looked tired and unapproachable but I didn’t care, after all he was doing his job.
"I’m here for Lucian Voss."
He raised an eyebrow. "He’s in holding. No visitors."
"I’m his wife."
The sergeant studied for a mont, then nodded toward a hallway. "Five minutes.Take her to room 3 officer."
I walked down the corridor on numb legs. The door to Room 3 was tal almost as if it was built to hold so big criminal.A uniford officer stood outside.
"Five minutes," he said, unlocking the door.
Lucian sat on a tal bench, still in his tuxedo. His bow tie was gone and his shirt was roughly untucked. He looked up when I entered.
His eyes t mine.
"Aria."
I stepped inside. The door closed behind .
"You shouldn’t be here," he said.
"I had to see you."
He leaned back against the wall, exhaling slowly. "Go ho."
"No."
He looked . "You’re shaking."
"I’m angry," I said. "You got arrested Lucian.What do you expect?"
I stepped closer. "They’re saying you’re violent. The dia’s tearing you apart. They’re saying I’m the reason—"
"I don’t care what they say," he cut in. "I care what you say."
I stared at him. "I don’t know what to say."
He stood slowly. The chain on his ankle rattled. He walked to the small window, looking out at nothing.
"Go ho, Aria," he said again. "Stay away from the press and most especially Ethan. I’ll be out by morning."
"How can you be so calm?" My voice cracked. "They could keep you here. They could—"
"I have lawyers and the necessary evidence. Ethan’s story won’t hold." He turned. "You need to stay safe.
The officer knocked. "Ti’s up."
Lucian looked at one last ti. "Go ho. Lock the door and don’t open it for anyone but ."
I nodded, throat too tight to speak.
The officer led out.
The hallway blurred. Reporters were still outside.They were fewer this ti but persistent. I pushed past them, head down once again, into the waiting SUV.
The driver didn’t speak. Just drove.
I leaned my head against the window, closing my eyes.
My phone buzzed. Andre.
I answered.
"Aria? Jesus, are you okay? The news is everywhere. I’m coming to get you."
"No," I said quietly. "Don’t. I’m fine."
"You’re not fine. You’re shaking. I can hear it. Let co"
"I said no, Andre." My voice broke. "I’m going ho. I’ll call you tomorrow."
He was silent for a long mont. "Okay. But if you need —"
"I know."
I hung up.
The penthouse was dark when I stepped inside. I locked the door behind and leaned against it, breathing hard.
I walked to the living room. Collapsing on the couch,my phone buzzed.
I answered without really looking and the caller ID.
"Aria."
Ethan’s voice.My stomach dropped.
"You think you’re safe now?" he rasped. "Your husband’s in a cell. And I’m pressing charges for assault and attempted murder, maybe. He’s finished."
I swallowed. "You’re a monster Ethan."
"Maybe. But here’s the thing, Aria. I can drop the charges and make all of this go away."
I laughed "And what then master Ethan?."
His voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "I’ll drop everything if you do one thing for ."
I waited.
"Admit on social dia that Lucian abused you," he said. "Post it. A video of you admitting he hits you.Whatever. Just say he’s violent and you’re afraid. And I’ll make the charges disappear. I’ll even give you back so of the shares and you’ll be free from everything."
Silence.
My hand shook on the phone.
Ethan’s voice softened. "Think about it, Aria. You could be free tomorrow. Just tell the world what he really is."
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