The charming billionaire I was married off to lied

It was a cold morning in Ashwood, but Aria seemed oblivious as she stood in her light night‑dress; in one corner of her room. Aunt Remi had just broken the news to her. Her eyes watered as she fought to suppress her emotions. “You can’t do this, Aunt Remi. You can’t just marry me off to someone I’ve never seen, just for your own selfish interests,” she muttered, sobbing. Aunt Remi stood by the door, her face impassive, watching Aria break down. “Aria, I have explained this to you. You have been a burden on me since you were a child. I took you in and raised you. This marriage is the only thing that can rid me of you,” she said, unapologetic. “I will not marry him! I’ve done everything you ever asked me to do, but this? I have dreams of my own; I can’t just give them up!” she yelled, her voice breaking. Aunt Remi stormed across the room. She grabbed Aria’s jaw, her fingers digging into her skin. “You’re just like your mother was,” she hissed. “Naive. Dumb. Just a waste.” She shoved Aria’s face away with a force that made her stumble, and groan in pain. Aunt Remi never hesitated to remind Aria how much she hated her mother. Then, as if satisfied with her cruelty, Aunt Remi’s lips curled into a smirk. “I just got off the phone with Mrs. Thorne, and preparations have been made. You will get married, Aria! or I’ll throw you out like I should have done long ago!” She placed her hands on Aria’s cheeks and wiped the tear off, passionately mocking her helplessness. Do you want your eyes to be swollen when you say your vows? Mrs. Thorne will be here with her son soon. You should thank me for arranging a marriage for you with the family’s only heir. They are among the most wealthy and influential in all of Brookstone. You better be ready before I return,” she said, storming out. Aria’s legs gave out, and she sank to the floor. She tried to hold back the sobs, but she couldn’t. She burst into a loud cry as she sat alone in her misery. She couldn’t help but wish her parents were still alive, especially in that moment. However, Aria wasn’t the type to keep fighting when she knew she didn’t stand a chance to win. She wiped the tears from her cheeks and rose to her feet. She took a deep breath and walked toward her closet, then chose a pretty slick dress, and beautiful heels. She took a quick shower, slipped them on, then sat before the mirror and stared for a while. A tear rolled down her eye and she immediately brushed it away. She pulled her long brown hair into a bun and applied light makeup; just enough to hide the swell under her eyes. “Are you ready, Aria?” Aunt Remi’s voice penetrated the door. “They’re here.” Aria said nothing. She grabbed her phone, rose, and casually approached the door. When she pulled it open, Aunt Remi’s cold smirk got on her nerves. “Congratulations on finally earning my hatred. I know you worked very hard for it,” Aria said, her voice barely above a whisper. Aria had never taken Aunt Remi’s actions to heart, but at that moment she had lost all respect for her. Aunt Remi was unmoved. “Come on, we don’t want to keep them waiting,” she said, smiling as she stretched her right hand forward, trying to guide Aria to the living room. Aria’s stomach churned with disgust as she walked past her, approaching the living room. In that moment, Aria’s dreams and desires flashed before her eyes, and with each step they slipped farther away. When a corner of the living area was revealed, Aria saw Mrs. Thorne. The woman’s face instantly lit up with a broad smile. Mrs. Thorne had always liked Aria; she had been business partners with Aunt Remi’s ex‑husband. Whenever Mrs. Thorne visited for business, she complimented Aria’s good manners and beauty. It was unknown to Aria, though, that Mrs. Thorne and Aunt Remi remained acquaintances after the divorce, and that Mrs. Thorne would pull that move. She respected Mrs. Thorne, but she didn’t even know the woman’s son, and she had dreams of her own. Aria wasn’t in her most cheerful mood, but she couldn’t help returning the warm smile. Mrs. Thorne’s smile was infectious. As Aria drew nearer, another figure gradually revealed himself beside Mrs. Thorne. “That must be her son,” Aria thought. Her footsteps caught his attention, and their eyes met. He immediately glanced away and kept pressing his phone. He had made himself comfortable, crossing his legs on the table before him, as if he owned the place. Aria felt a sudden chill down her spine. She couldn’t take her eyes off him; she had never felt that before. Meanwhile, he barely looked at her. Mrs. Thorne rose and hugged Aria enthusiastically. “You look stunning, dear,” she said, lifting Aria’s chin, then gave her a soft kiss on the forehead; almost as a husband‑to‑be would, if it were a proper wedding. “This is Zayden, my son. The one you’re going to marry.” Mrs. Thorne’s face stayed lit with a bright smile. Zayden wasn’t flattered. “H…hello, Mr. Thorne,” Aria’s voice broke. Zayden stared at her with a blank expression. Mrs. Thorne gave him a wild stare to signal him, then he extended his hand for a handshake. “Zayden,” he said, maintaining his relaxed posture. Aria tried to meet his eyes, but his gaze was too intense, so she stared at the floor while receiving his hand. He pulled it away instantly. “Shall we get this over with, then?” He glanced at the watch on his left wrist. “I have business to attend to in a couple of hours.”