Chapter 5 Difficult Conversation

Clarrisa

I stood rooted to the spot, my pulse racing as I stared at the figures standing on my

doorstep. My mother dressed impeccably as always. My eyes were fixed on mom, before I saw the figure standing beside her.

Aaron's mother. She was looking equally poised. My mind spun with confusion. What on earth were they doing here, together?

For a moment, I wondered if I was hallucinating. My mother and Aaron's mother weren't the type to visit unannounced, especially not in tandem. They hadn't even informed me of their visit, and that could only mean one thing: they were up to something.

Their eyes fixed on me, silently demanding acknowledgment, and I realised I'd been standing there, gaping like a fool. My mother's brow arched in that way she did when she was displeased, and I shook myself out of the haze. "Mom... Mrs. Thorne," I said, forcing a polite smile. "I didn't know you were coming."

"Yes, darling," my mother said, her voice smooth but firm. "We tried calling, but I suppose you've been busy."

Busy? The word sounded like a joke in my head. What exactly did she think I was busy with? Playing the dutiful wife to a man I despised? Planning how to ruin Aaron's life without raising any suspicions?

"I've been caught up with a few things," I replied, sidestepping the question as best I could. "Please, come in."

They stepped inside, and I shut the door, my heart thudding in my chest. I watched them walk ahead of me toward the dining room, their presence making the air around me feel heavy, like the walls of the house were closing in.

The maid hurried over to serve them, and I stayed back, taking a deep breath as I tried to collect myself. Something wasn't right. My mother rarely dropped by without a purpose, and Aaron's mother-well, she had always been fond of me, but there was something unnerving about seeing them together like this.

Once they were settled, I joined them in the sitting room. Aaron's mother, Evelyn, gave me a warm smile, the kind of smile that would have melted me years ago when Aaron and I were in love-before everything had soured. But now, it only made me feel more uncomfortable. Her affection felt misplaced, like she was still holding on to the idea of me as the perfect daughter-in-law.

"How have you been, Clarissa?" Evelyn asked, her voice soft but probing.

"I've been alright," I lied, folding my hands neatly in my lap. "And you?"

"Oh, we're fine," she said, her eyes glimmering with the same polite warmth. "Aaron's been busy with work, hasn't he?"

Busy with work. I held back a bitter laugh. Busy lying to me, hiding things from me, pretending like we were still the couple we used to be. But of course, she didn't know any of that. Aaron was her perfect son, the successful businessman, the loving husband. If only she knew the truth.

"Yes," I said with a nod. "He's been quite occupied."

There was a moment of silence, thick and suffocating, before my mother cleared her throat. I knew that sound all too well. She had something to say, and I wasn't going to like it.

"We're here because there's something important we need to discuss," she began, her eyes flicking toward Evelyn, who nodded in agreement.

My stomach twisted into a knot. This was it. Whatever they were here for, it wasn't good.

"You remember the agreement we had when this marriage was arranged," my mother said, her tone more serious now.

I blinked, trying to keep my expression neutral, but the mention of the agreement sent a wave of anger coursing through me. Of course, I remembered. How could I forget? The arrangement that had bound me to Aaron in the first place, turning what we once had into nothing more than a business transaction.

"Yes, I remember," I replied coolly.

"The reason for our visit," Evelyn chimed in, her voice calm but with an edge of excitement, "is because we want to discuss the next step."

"The next step?" I repeated, my heart sinking.

"Yes," my mother said, her voice gentle but firm. "You and Aaron have been married for a while now, and it's time to start thinking about expanding the family."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I sat there, stunned, as they continued to talk about children, legacies, and carrying on the family name as if I wasn't even there. As if they didn't care about what I wanted or how I felt. The anger bubbled up inside me, hot and fierce, but I bit my tongue, trying to maintain the façade.

They couldn't be serious. A child? With Aaron? I could barely stand to be in the same room with him, let alone think about bringing a child into this miserable excuse for a marriage.

Evelyn smiled at me again, her eyes soft. "We know how much you and Aaron loved each other once," she said. "And we believe that love is still there. A child would only bring you two closer."

Closer? I wanted to scream. They had no idea what was really happening behind the closed doors of our house. They didn't know that every time I looked at Aaron, all I felt was hatred and betrayal. They didn't know that the only reason I was still here was to destroy him, piece by piece, just like he had destroyed my family.

I forced another smile, trying to keep the rage from spilling over. "I'm not sure Aaron and I are ready for that yet," I said carefully, choosing my words with precision. "We've both been focused on work."

Evelyn exchanged a glance with my mother, and I could see the disappointment flicker in their eyes. But I didn't care. I wasn't going to let them manipulate me into taking the next step in their twisted plan. I was done being their pawn.

"Well," my mother said, her voice cool but edged with steel, "you should start thinking about it seriously. It's important for the future of both families."

I clenched my fists, feeling the fury rise up like a tidal wave. This marriage, this life they had trapped me in-it was all a lie. And soon, I would burn it all to the ground.

I shook my head in disapproval. "It is too early for that."