Chapter 5
But I had made up my mind. Nothing he said was going to stop me
I turned back, looked him in the eye and said clearly, “I’ll pass. Except the first part.”
Then I walked out.
I didn’t look back when his voice rang out behind me–mocking, bitter. “I gave you a chance, Aria. But you throw it away. Don’t expect me to open that door again when you come crawling back!
I paused briefly, took a deep breath, then picked up my pace.
As I stepped through the front gates of the Ambrose estate, it felt like a blade sliced clean through whatever thread had still tethered me to that place. I was finally free. I flagged down a cab, loaded in my suitcase and told the driver, “To Hartsfield Airport, please.“)
The car pulled away from the curb. As I watched the streets blur past the window, my eyes fell on the only thing my mom had ever left me -a simple bracelet. My throat tightened.
Finally, I was free.
Nick’s POV:
Back in the Ambrose Family’s lavish living room, Nick’s expression darkened the moment Aria climbed into that cab without even looking back. It was as if a storm rolled through the space, dropping the room’s temperature by several degrees. His jaw o
clenched and a dangerous stillness settled in the air?
Valentina sensed the shift immediately. She slipped her arm through his, pressing close with feigned concern as she soothed, “Mr. Ambrose, don’t be upset. If Aria wants to leave, let her go. I’ll take good care of you and Jayden from now on
She turned slightly, leaning down to ruffle Jayden’s hair with a sweet smile. “Jayden, how about this? Aunt Vee will buy you all your favorite toys and candy. Would you like that?“}}
At her words, the last flicker of guilt Jayden might’ve had for Aria disappeared in an instant. He beamed and nodded enthusiastically. “T knew Aunt Vee is the best! I like you the most! Can you be my new mommy?”
Children were simple creatures. They gravitated toward whoever indulged them without limits. They couldn’t yet understand that love sometimes meant saying no.
Aria, for example, always put rules in place. She limited how many toys Jayden could get and even then, he had to earn them, Candy was doled out sparingly–just a plece here and there. The rest of the time, she was constantly reminding him to eat proper meals and avoid junk.
He didn’t appreciate it back then. Over time, those restrictions turned into resentment. Add in the whispers and rumors he overheard- most planted by others–and Jayden had gradually grown to dislike her.
Valentina, on the other hand, gave him whatever he wanted with no strings attached. That alone made her a goddess in his eyes.X
Now that no one was around to say no, he felt giddy with the idea of freedom. No more lectures, no more limits–and no one stopping his dad from being with Aunt Vee either. With a wide grin, Jayden tugged on Nick’s hand.
“Isn’t it great? Now we can be with Aunt Vee for real. I’m gonna be the happiest kid in the whole world!”
Nick didn’t flinch. He was certain of one thing–he never loved Aria. Losing her shouldn’t feel like anything more than tossing away an old toy.Z
So why, then, was his chest so heavy?!
Why did her last glance–po calm, so final–linger in his mind like an
echo?
The longer he thought about it, the more it grated on him. Frustrated, he shook it off and muttered, “I’m tired. I’m going to my room.”
Valentina caught the shift in his tone. She tried to follow him, but Nick turned and stopped her cold. “Stay with Jayden. Also, speak to the head butler—starting today, you’re in charge of taking care of him.”
For a second, her eyes widened with excitement. She nodded eagerly, convinced that Nick was finally making her the lady of the house.
Nick didn’t say anything more. He turned and made his way upstairs–not to rest, but to shut himself in his study.
