Chapter 3 Morning After

Aria's POV

Sunlight pushed through the curtains and landed on my face. I blinked and pulled the sheet higher, my heart thumping fast. My body felt sore in a strange way. Memories rushed back, bright and messy. Dante's voice. His hands. The way he looked at me like I mattered.

I sat up quickly, the sheet slipping to my waist.

The bed beside me was empty.

The room held his scent, rain mixed with smoke, warm and sharp. My cheeks heated as I remembered how close we had been. How bold I had felt. How free. A smile tried to form, but worry followed right after.

He was gone.

No note, No message, Nothing.

I pressed my fingers to my lips. They still tingled. My chest felt tight, not with regret, but with questions. What if Rhys found out? He would not just shout. He would punish. Still, another thought whispered louder.

Last night, I felt alive.

I slid out of bed and walked to the bathroom, wrapping the sheet around me. The mirror showed faint marks on my neck. My eyes widened. I touched them softly. My heart raced. This was careless, This was dangerous.

The shower helped clear my head. Warm water ran over my skin, calming and sharp at the same time. When I finished, I dressed in yesterday's clothes. The dress looked tired, like me.

My phone waited on the table. Ten missed calls, All from Rhys.

My stomach twisted. I placed the phone in my bag without calling back and left the room.

The hotel lobby buzzed with voices and rolling suitcases. I kept my head low. Outside, a familiar car waited. Jameson stood by the door, calm as always.

"Miss Belmont," he said, opening the door. "Everything alright?"

"Yes," I replied, sliding inside. "Just a long night. Please take me home."

The city passed by in flashes of glass and steel. I stared through the window, but my thoughts stayed elsewhere. Dante's dark eyes followed me in my mind. He felt nothing like Rhys. Strong, quiet, watchful.

My phone buzzed again. I answered.

"Where are you?" Rhys snapped.

"Out with a friend," I said. The lie came easily, which surprised me.

"You disappeared," he said. "Dinner tonight, Wear something decent."

The call ended.

The house came into view, tall and cold. Jameson stopped the car.

"Thank you," I said.

Inside, the halls felt empty. I went straight to my room and locked the door. My body sank onto the bed. I closed my eyes, but sleep would not come. Dante's face filled the dark.

A knock broke the quiet.

"Aria?" Catherine's voice called. Sweet, Fake.

"What?" I asked.

She entered anyway, dressed perfectly, hair shining. Her eyes scanned me.

"Rhys called," she said. "You ran off again."

"Mind your own life," I replied.

She laughed and sat near the window. "Big dinner tonight, Important talk do not ruin it."

"Important how?" I asked.

"Business," she said. "You would not understand."

She stood and looked me over. "Wear blue and hide those marks."

My breath caught. She left before I could speak.

I rushed to the mirror and covered my neck as best I could. My hands shook. Dinner with Rhys felt like a storm waiting to break.

That night, candles lit the long table. Voices filled the room. I sat beside Rhys. His hand rested on my knee, gripping too tight.

"So," he said, smiling for show. "How was your day?"

"Quiet," I answered. He leaned closer. "You smell different."

I stiffened. "You are imagining things."

Across the table, my parents watched. Catherine laughed with Victor Granger.

"Contracts are ready," Victor said. "The land deal stands."

"Yes," my father replied. "And the Blackwood promise."

My heart skipped. Blackwood. I said nothing, but my thoughts raced.

After dinner, Rhys pulled me outside. The garden glowed under the moon.

"Tell me the truth," he said. "Now."

"I did nothing wrong," I replied. His hand struck my face, Pain flashed bright.

"You belong to me," he hissed.

Anger burst free. "No, I do not."

He grabbed my wrist. "Your family needs this, You cannot leave."

I pulled away and ran. Then I saw Dante stood near the trees, calm and solid. My breath caught.

"Aria," he said. Rhys turned. "You again?"Dante stepped forward. "Let her go."

Rhys laughed. "You think you can take what is mine?"

"I am not his," I said.

Rhys lunged, Dante moved fast. A punch landed. Rhys fell back, shocked.

Then a blade flashed in his hand. I screamed.

Dante tackled him. The knife flew away. They struggled until sirens sounded.

Catherine ran out, shouting. My parents followed. Police lights painted the garden red and blue.

Dante held Rhys down. "It ends here."

Rhys laughed through blood. "Ask her about the pact. Ask him why he is here."

I looked at Dante. His face went still. He leaned close and whispered, "Trust me."

My heart raced as the officers stepped forward.