Chapter 3

I arrived at the bar Howard mentioned. Following the VIP room number, I walked up to the second floor and stood before the heavy wooden door.

Just as I was about to push it open, a burst of laughter drifted out from inside.

"Is she actually coming?"

"Hey Lucas, do you think she’ll really show up? It’s past midnight."

"Who cares if she comes or not? She should have learned her place by now. Chloe is back, yet she’s still clinging to that Luna title like a leech."

After a wave of mocking laughter, Chloe’s voice chimed in, playing the peacemaker. "Alright, guys, stop it. Lucas and I are in the past now."

"What past, Chloe? You have no idea how much Lucas missed you while you were in Europe."

"Exactly! The only reason he even bonded with Aria was to make you angry. Who knew things would turn out like this..."

*What?!*

The loud voices inside crashed into my ears, suddenly becoming piercingly clear.

Lucas didn't mate with me because of any sudden affection.

He did it... just to spite Chloe?

In an instant, my mind went completely blank. I stood there, utterly numb.

"Right? And Aria actually thought Lucas fell in love with her..."

The mocking continued.

Until Lucas’s deep voice cut them off. "Enough. Drop it."

The room fell dead silent.

Someone quickly tried to smooth things over. "Yeah, she should be here soon anyway. Aria... she’s probably rushing over as we speak."

Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open.

"Aria—Aria!"

The speaker’s voice died in his throat.

In an instant, every eye in the room locked onto me.

"Aria, you're here!"

Chloe was the first to react. She immediately stood up and walked over to me, looking both welcoming and completely innocent.

I ignored her. My eyes went straight to Lucas, who was sitting in the center of the plush leather sofa.

His eyes were perfectly clear. He didn't look drunk at all.

Then I looked at Howard, who had called me. He immediately avoided my gaze, looking highly uncomfortable.

"Aria, please don't be mad. We were just playing Truth or Dare and lost. It was just a joke," Chloe said, reaching out to grab my hand.

A joke?

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Seeing her fake, hypocritical face, I couldn't take it anymore. I forcefully yanked my hand back to leave.

But the moment I pulled away, Chloe let out a soft cry and collapsed onto the floor.

"Aria! I just wanted you to stay and hang out with us. Why did you push me?" she whimpered, looking up with tears in her eyes.

Immediately, everyone's gaze turned hostile.

"Aria! How can you be so vicious? Chloe just wanted to include you, was there any need to push her?"

"Exactly! She’s just bitter because Chloe has a better family background than her."

"People like her are just mentally twisted. How could she put her hands on someone as sweet as Chloe?"

I stared at them coldly and spoke up. "Are you guys done playing your pathetic games?"

They looked completely unbothered.

"It was just a harmless prank. What, can't take a joke?"

"Yeah, we were nice enough to invite you out, and you show up with this attitude?"

*Nice enough?*

I scoffed. I didn't want to waste another second on these people. I turned to walk out.

But before I could take two steps, a powerful grip clamped onto my arm, yanking me back violently.

"Apologize," Lucas’s icy, emotionless voice boomed from above.

"It's fine, Lucas," Chloe chimed in quickly, playing the victim. "Aria is probably just emotional. I'm okay, really. Don't make things hard for her."

Her words only sealed my "guilt" even further.

The whispers of disgust from the crowd grew louder, and their sympathy for Chloe reached a peak.

"Why should I apologize?" I asked, tearing my arm out of his grip.

If this were the past, I would have swallowed my pride and bowed my head.

But now, in less than a month, our bond would be completely severed. Why on earth should I apologize?

The moment the words left my mouth, Lucas’s face darkened visibly.

An aura of terrifying, icy pressure radiated from him. "Aria. Apologize. I won’t say it a third time."

"And I’m telling you, I won't!"

My voice was crystal clear and absolute. Without looking back, I ran out of the bar, leaving a room full of gasps behind me.