The diamond ring caught the aftemoon light, sending prins dancing across the hotel room walls. Marras bell it out like an offering, his usual confidence tinged with desperation
“you’ve been avolding me,” he said. “Since the… since we lost the baby.”
Aria stood by the window, maintaining her distance. The city sprawled below, oblivious to the drama unfolding in Suite 1801. “I needed time,
“We’ve had time.” Manus crossed the room, the ring still extended, “David’s spiralling. The company’s suffering. Let me tell him about us, give him a reason to
The mention of David sent a familiar spark through her veins. “And what reason is that? That his father and fiancée have been fucking behind his back Marcus flinched at her crude language. “That we fell in love. That these things happen ”
These things happen?” Arta tumed to face him, seeing the raw need in his eyes. “A son’s fiancée falling in love with his father just… happens?
“You know what I mean.” He grabbed her hand, pressing the ring into her palm. “We can handle the scandal. I’ll protect you from the press, from the gossip.” Arta looked at the ring – bigger than the one David had given her, of course. More expensive. More ostentations. Everything Marcus did was a power play “Think about David,” she said softly, closing Marcus’s fingers back over the ring. “He’s already so fragile. The drinking, the obsession with Sofia’s death. This would destroy ban”
Maris’s jaw tightened at the mention of Sofia. “I hate seeing you with him.”
“Just a little longer.” She stepped closer, letting her hand rest on his chest. “Let him heal first. For his sake.”
Later that evening, Aria stood in her bedroom at the mansion, carefully arranging the scene. A hotel receipt lett carelessly in her coat pocket, visible enough to catch David’s rye when he helped her remove it.
The thought of his face when he found it made her smile. Would he recognize the hotel? Would he remember passing it on his way to meet Sotia?
She spritzed Marcus’s cologne on her scart -not enough to be obvious, just a hint to plant the seed of doubt, Every detail had to be perfect, had to lead David down the path she chose without him realizing he was being led.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Marcus, she left it face–up on the dresser, his name visible but the message hidden. A breadcrumb for David to follow. The front door slammed downstairs Right on schedule.
David found her in their room, the cologne just starting to disperse through the air. She watched in the mirror as he paused, nostrils flaring slightly. “New profuite? His voice was carefully neutral.
“Hmm?” She continued removing her jewelry, each movement deliberately casual “oh, no. Same as always.”
He picked up her coat, the hotel receipt flattering to the floor. Aria held her breath, waiting
“What’s this?
“What’s what?” she tumed, watching him bend to retrieve the paper.
David’s eyes narrowed ashe read. “The Grand Metropolitan? Since when do you go there?”
Aria blinked innocently and tilted her bead. “David, what’s really bothering you?”
“Are you sleeping with someone?”
The question hung in the air like smoke. Arta let her eyes widen in shock, let her lower lip tremble just slightly.
“How dare you?” She injected just the right amount of hurt into her valce. “After everything we’ve been through? The baby-
“Don’t.” David ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “The hotel, the cologne, the late nights…
“I’m working!” She stepped closer, grabbing his hands. “I’m trying to keep my career going while planning our wedding and grieving our child, and you’re
accusing the of cheating?”
David’s anger faltered, guilt creeping into his expression. Perfect.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled. “I just everything’s so messed up lately.”
Arta pulled him close, pressing her lips to his. He tasted like whiskey and desperation. His hands clutched at her waist, seeking an anchor he didn’t deserve.
She lossed lain until she felt the tension leave his shoulders, umil she was sure he believed her performance. Then she pulled back, stroking his cheek tenderly “Why don’t you get some test? You see stressed ”
David nodded, already tracking for the bottle on his nightstand. Aria watched him take a long swallow, disappointment souring her triumph She’d wanted filan destroyed, yes, but this slow dissolution into paranoia and alcohol? This wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough.
CHARTER LEEVEN.
