Chapter 19%
Aria’s POV
I had just boarded the bus to the next city for a short getaway when my phone rang. I was juggling my backpack and a travel bag, so without even checking the caller ID, I hit answer ⠀
“Ana, I don’t care where you are. Come home. Now.”
Nick’s voice barked from the other end of the line, all command, no greeting.
My brows furrowed and my vacation mood shattered in an instant. I replied coolly, voice void of emotion, I already told you–I’m not coming back. Don’t call me again”
I was about to hang up when he cut in.
“It’s not me who wants you back. It’s Jayden. He’s been unconscious for days and the doctors believe you might be the only one who can wake him up.”}
y eyes. “If you’ve got time to bother me, maybe you should use it to
“I’m not a doctor, Nick. I can’t magically fix his coma,” I said rolling my eyes find a better doctor instead ”
There was a pause on the other end. Then Nick said, “Don’t you want to know why Jayden collapsed? You raised him for years. Doesn’t any part of you care?”
Once upon a time, it would have. 1 would’ve rushed to the hospital without hesitation. But now? Now I felt absolutely nothing for that father and son. Their lives didn’t concem me anymore. Asking would’ve just been a waste of breath.
you won’t even
Apparently, Nick wasn’t used to this version of me. He sounded frustrated. “Jayden didn’t want you to leave, Aria. And now you check on him after he got ill? What kind of mother does that?“}
I let out a short, humorless laugh. “A mother?” I scoffed. Five years of marriage and Jayden has never once called me that. Not even once. All I ever heard was ‘murderer‘ or ‘bitch,‘ and you just stood there, letting it happen. And now you expect me to act like his mother all of a sudden? That’s nich, Nick Real nich.”%
He fell silent, clearly at a loss. After a moment, he sighed and tried again, this time softer. “I know… I know we were wrong. Both Jayden and I, I’m sorry. But he needs you, Aria. Please, come back.
And there it was again–Nick’s ego. He was always so proud, so unwilling to bend, Even now, saying Jayden needed me, but still talking to me like he was giving orders. Not once had he asked what I was doing, if I could come back, or if I needed help getting there. No offer to come get me. Just that same arrogant tone, like I should drop everything and obey. Same old Nick. Always used to giving commands, never listening.
The bus engine rumbled to life and I was done listening. I ended the call without another word. He tried calling again. I hit decline. Then I blocked his number.”
Not even a second later, a DM popped up on my screen. }
Nick: [You blocked me? Don’t push your luck, Ana. I’m giving you 24 hours to get back to the city.]
Nick: [Jayden might not be your biological son, but he’s still a Fusco. The Fusco family saved you once, didn’t they? Or have you forgotten that debt and now you’re just gonna stand by and let your benefactors own child suffer?]
I frowned at the screen, fingers hovering over the keyboard for a moment before I typed out a cold, simple reply.
Aria: [Yes, the Fusco family did save me. But I’ve already paid that debt–in full. I married you for five years J
And with that, I deleted the conversation, blocked his account and shut off my phone entirely. I tucked it deep into my coat pocket and leaned back in my bus seat, finally letting myself relax as the engine rumbled to life and the scenery outside started to roll past.
I was done. Done being guilt–tripped. Done being dragged back into the chaos I worked so hard to escape.
Nick’s POVI
On the other side of the city, Nick stood frozen with the phone in his hand, his jaw tight and his face flushed with frustration. Her message hit him harder than he wanted to admit and the more he reread it, the more something about it didn’t sit right.
[But I’ve already paid that debt–in full. I married you for five years.]
Those words echoed in his head, souring in his gut.
He suddenly turned on his heel and stormed out of the house.
His first stop? The Fusco estate.
When he arrived, the grand front door was already ajar. He stepped inside just as Mrs. Fusco was gathering her purse, clearly about to head out. She looked up in mild surprise when she saw him standing there, still in a tense, rumpled state.
“Nick?” she said, puzzled “What are you doing here?”
He didn’t bother with small talk. “Mom–Aria said she only married me to repay a favor. What the hell is she talking about?”
Mrs Fusco paused, then slowly walked over to the tea table and pulled open one of the drawers. She took out a thin file and handed it to
