Chapter 2 Hidden billonaire

Aria's POV

I folded the pen tighter in my hand, every nerve in my body screaming for release. But the pain in my heart was louder. So much better.

"It's not your fault, Liam," I said, my voice shaking. "You judge me now because of how I look. You use that reason to cheat. But you forget..." My words caught in my throat, thick with years of hidden pain. "I look this way because of you."

Liam didn't even move.

I took a shaky breath. "You couldn't walk. You couldn't even hold a spoon. And I was the one who carried you to the toilet... bathed you like a child... fed you every single day." My lips quivered. "I sacrificed everything for you. My nature. My life. And this... this is how you repay me."

Liam's mouth curled into a grin, cruel and cold. "You sound like a broken record," he said with a casual shrug. "Sign the divorce papers and get out of my life for good."

For a moment, the room spun. Everything we had...everything I had endured...reduced to a single piece of paper.

Fine.

Without a word, I grabbed the pen, wrote my name in angry strokes across the page, and slammed it back into his chest.

"Have fun with your newfound love," I spat, my voice shaking as I turned and walked out of his office.

The cold air hit me like a slap, but it wasn't half as painful as the ache tearing through my chest. Tears blurred my view as the realization sank in.

I had abandoned my kingdom for Liam. I had hidden my real name to stand by his side when he had nothing.

And now that he was fit and strong again... he dumped me like trash. All those years and All that work has Gone.

I stumbled to the side of the road, putting a hand against my hurting chest. 'You'll regret this, Liam,' I swore angrily. 'I will make you regret ever leaving me.'

I pulled out my phone, blinking away the tears, and called a number I hadn't used in years. It rang once before a familiar, eager voice answered.

"Smith! Come pick me up. Ring Road. Off Block 28," I said sharply, wiping at my face. "The business queen is back."

A stunned pause, then Smith let out an excited laugh. "I'm on my way, ma'am!" I ended the call without another word. Smith had been my steady driver before I slipped into Liam's world.

And if there was anyone who could help me recover my throne, it was him. A few minutes later, the roar of expensive engines filled the street.

I turned and wasn't even shocked. Smith had arrived in full, dramatic style... a fleet of Lamborghinis pulling up, bodyguards jumping out in black suits and dark sWolfes.

I shook my head. Same old Smith. He jogged toward me, a big grin splitting his face. "Welcome back, Mrs. Aria!" he said happily, bending slightly.

I narrowed my eyes. "I'm single now, Smith." The smile slipped off his face as he straightened awkwardly.

"Sorry, ma'am. Old habits." I didn't answer. I simply slid into the back seat of the sleek black Lamborghini, crossing my legs as Smith jumped into the driver's seat and took off.

The familiar hum of power beneath me felt like home. "Should I take you back to your empire, ma'am?" Smith asked, looking at me through the rearview mirror.

"Yes," I said without question. "Return me to my empire." He smiled but quickly schooled his face into something more professional.

It didn't stop him from stealing looks at me, worry clear in his eyes. After a few minutes of quiet, he finally asked, "If you don't mind me saying... you don't look good, ma'am. What happened?"

I turned my face to the window, the city blurring past. "We divorced," I said simply.

Smith gripped the steering wheel tighter. "I'm sorry, ma'am. He didn't deserve you."

I didn't answer. I didn't have the energy to.

Forty-five minutes later, we pulled up in front of my kingdom... a tall glass building that once made the city shake at the mention of my name.

I had abandoned all of this for Liam. A sour laugh slipped me.

Pulling out my phone again, I called another number. This one was even more familiar - and infinitely more dangerous.

My father picked up on the first ring.

"Hello, daughter. Have you finally come to your senses?" His deep, strong voice filled my ear.

I folded my jaw. "Yes, Father. You were right. Men are just tools for business." He let out a satisfied laugh. "Nice quote, daughter. Now, don't you think it's time to scale even higher by marrying into the Thomson family?"

My heart squeezed with fresh disgust. "I'm not interested in any relationship, Father. Not now." I ended the call before he could say another word.

I knew him too well. He would never stop pushing until he got what he wanted.

The Thomsons were rich, and my marriage into their family would be a golden pass... for him.

But I was broken. I needed time. Space. And he wouldn't even give me that.

As if called by my thoughts, the deep purr of an expensive engine echoed outside. I frowned, moving to the window.

A sleek Bugatti pulled up in front of my house. A man stepped out, fixing his snug jacket.

Even from here, I recognized him. Wolfes Thomson. My hands balled into fists.

Father. You really had to stoop this low?

A quick knock at the door followed seconds later. I paused, every sense screaming to ignore it.

But I was Aria. And Aria didn't run from anything.

I swung the door open. Wolfes stood there, a lazy smile pulling at his lips. "Your father is right," he said easily. "You've finally come to your senses."

I stared at him, disgust curling in my stomach. "What do you want?" I snapped.

He laughed, pushing past me like he owned the place. I stumbled back from the sheer arrogance coming off him.

"So hostile," he said mockingly, throwing his jacket onto my couch. "You really have no manners, do you?"

I slammed the door harder than necessary. "Get out." He turned slowly, his dark eyes sparkling with dangerous amusement.

"Why do you hate me so much, Aria?

You chose marrying a cripple to being with me." His voice dropped, every word dripping with threat.

"Maybe because you're a spoiled, entitled jerk who thinks women are prizes to be won," I spat.

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes. Anger. He walked toward me, grabbing my chin roughly.

"You will marry me, Aria," he said through gritted teeth. "Whether you like it or not. And if you ever reject me again..."

His lips brushed my ear, and a cold shiver ran down my spine. "I'll ruin you." I yanked away from him, anger and fear fighting in my chest.

Wolfes smiled, happy by my answer, and walked out of my house like he hadn't just threatened my entire life.

The door slammed behind him with a loud bang. I fell onto the couch, shivering. This wasn't over. Not even close. and if I wasn't careful, I was going to lose everything I fought so hard to rebuild.

My phone rigging again. I looked down. Hade again. I tossed the phone away, tears burning the back of my eyes.

I had just fled one monster... only to fall into the hands of another.