Chapter 4

Aria POV

Back at the villa that had been my prison for three years, I took a hot shower to wash away the cold.

I put on some clean clothes and sat at the vanity, looking at my pale face and empty eyes. I took out a piece of paper and calmly made a checklist.

Resign. Pack. Delete everything related to Ethan. Leave New York.

I grabbed some heavy-duty black trash bags from the closet and started throwing things away.

The matching couple cups? Trashed. The cashmere scarf I hand-knitted for him that he never wore? Trashed. The expensive but thoughtless jewelry he had his assistant buy to pacify me? All of it went straight into the trash bags.

I worked like a machine. No tears, no hesitation. Just disgust.

By evening, Ethan came home.

He smelled of whiskey, clearly having celebrated at the afterparty. He loosened his tie and walked into the living room. When he saw the massive trash bags piled by the door, his brows furrowed.

He walked up behind me and hugged me out of habit. "Babe, what is all this? Why are you throwing things out? Don't like them anymore?"

I didn't pull away. I let him hold me, my voice as flat as dead water. "I'm bored of them. They take up too much space. I want new things."

Ethan probably thought I was throwing a tantrum about the launch. After all, the news was everywhere.

He chuckled, reached into his suit, and pulled out an unlimited black card, slipping it into my hand. His voice was gentle but carried the arrogance of a master throwing a bone to a dog.

"I know today was hard on you, babe. But Chloe just got back, and the Miller Group needs the Sinclair family's backing. She needed a launchpad. You're my girl, you don't need those petty titles. You'll still run the design team behind the scenes. Be good, okay? Take the card and buy whatever bags or diamonds you want."

I looked down at the cold piece of plastic. It was hilarious.

He stole my work, claimed my designs as his, and crushed my pride. And he thought a credit card could fix it. What was I to him? Just a well-kept pet.

"Okay," I said quietly, tossing the card onto the side table.

Ethan was pleased with my obedience. He kissed my hair. "Next week is your birthday. I'm hosting a huge party for you at 'Midnight'. I've invited the biggest names in New York. I have a huge surprise for you."

I kept my eyes down to hide the sheer hatred in them.

A surprise? More like a public execution to humiliate me and my brother.

The next day, Ethan went to the office.

But the villa welcomed an uninvited guest, Chloe.

Chloe walked in wearing six-inch Louboutins, strutting like she owned the place. She looked at me sitting on the couch with pure disgust.

"Aria, why are you still here? Didn't you watch the news? Ethan is marrying me. A side-chick like you should pack up and get lost."

I turned a page of my book, not even looking up. "Congratulations. The door is behind you. I won't see you out."

My calm attitude drove her crazy.

"What are you acting high and mighty for?" Chloe rushed over, snatching the book from my hands and slamming it to the floor.

"You think Ethan loves you? You're just a tool to hurt your brother! To him, you're cheaper than a street girl! And guess what? Your precious designs have my name on them now. How does that feel?"

"Are you done?" I finally looked up, staring at her with pity. "If you're done, get out. You're getting grease on my floor."

Chloe's face twisted in rage. Her eyes locked onto a glass display case nearby.

Inside was a vintage violin. It was my eighteenth birthday gift from Julian, bought at a prestigious auction in London. It was my most prized possession.

A wicked smirk played on Chloe's lips. She marched over and shoved the display case with all her might.

Crash!

The thick glass shattered across the floor. The priceless violin slammed onto the hardwood, its strings snapping with a screeching sound. The wooden body split wide open, ruined forever.

I stood up, my face instantly pale, blood rushing to my head.