Game Empire's CEO, My Accidental Husband

Aria. I thought I was the luckiest girl tonight. Christmas Eve in New York—crowds were flooding Rockefeller Center, lights glittering everywhere—yet somehow, I made it to Marcus’s apartment without getting stuck in traffic. In my hand, I carried a paper bag with his Christmas gift—a hand-knitted sweater I’d wrapped carefully with love. Just this afternoon he told me he couldn’t wait to see what I got him. I smiled at the thought of his boyish grin when he opened it. Marcus had been my boyfriend for the last three years. Out of every man I’d dated, he was the most patient, the one who made me believe love could last. He was five years younger, but he’d sworn that age didn’t matter. And I believed him. At least… until tonight. From the street, I could see his apartment lights shining on the third floor. My heart warmed. Finally, after years of him being stuck in his college dorm for the holidays, this Christmas we’d actually spend together. I placed my finger on the keypad, surprised when the door pushed open without resistance. Typical Marcus—always careless. I crept in, ready to surprise him. But the deeper I walked inside, the clearer the sounds became. Soft moans. From the bedroom. I froze. “Marcus, are you sure Aria won’t find out about this?” A woman’s voice. Sharp. Familiar. Sophie. My stomach dropped. “She won’t, Sophie,” Marcus groaned back, breathless. “She told me traffic was insane. She won’t be here for another hour. We’ve got time.” My hands shook. The gift bag nearly slipped from my grip. “Besides,” Sophie purred, “you’re breaking up with her anyway, aren’t you?” “Stop talking about her. Turn around. I want to take you from behind. You’re so f*****g good like this.” My body went numb. The sweater slid out of the bag and hit the hardwood floor with a dull thud. The sound echoed louder than church bells in my ears. Before I knew it, I was slamming the bedroom door wide open. “WHAT THE f**k ARE YOU DOING?!” “Aria?!” Marcus’s eyes widened. He was naked, tangled with Sophie, who scrambled to cover herself, her face burning red. Rage surged through me. I lunged, grabbed Sophie’s hair, and smacked her across the face so hard the crack echoed. “You slut! You called yourself a friend—since the day Marcus and I together! This is how you repay me? By spreading your legs for him?!” My voice shook, fierce and broken. I spun on Marcus. “And you! I trusted you for three goddamn years! This is what I get?!” He fumbled for his jeans. “Aria, wait—it’s not what it looks like—” I laughed bitterly, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Not what it looks like? I just heard you moaning her name. I just saw you inside her. Don’t you dare lie to me!” “Aria, I—” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m confused, okay? You’re too… grown-up for me. The age difference—it’s too much. I just want to have fun. Sophie gets me in ways you don’t.” His words hit harder than any slap. I could barely breathe. “So all those promises—saying age didn’t matter, saying I was the one—you were just feeding me bullshit? What the hell was I to you, Marcus? Just a pit stop?” Sophie smirked, already slipping back into her dress. “Face it, Aria. You’re too old for him. Marcus needs someone his own age—someone who actually fits his world. You’re just dead weight.” My glare burned through her. “Don’t flatter yourself, Sophie. You’re not better than me. You’re a manipulative b***h who saw an opening and took it.” Marcus raised his hands. “Stop blaming her. This was my choice. I can’t keep doing this with you.” My chest ached so bad it felt like it might cave in. “You… f*****g bastard. Three years I gave you. And you betray me on Christmas f*****g Eve?!” Sophie’s lips curled into a smug little smile. She’d already won. I wiped my tears harshly, forcing strength into my voice. “Fine. You want her? Have her. I won’t waste another second on a traitor.” And then I spat the words like venom: “I hope both of you burn in hell.” I stormed out. My eyes caught the gift bag lying by the door. My hands trembled as I yanked the sweater out—each stitch I had poured my love into now mocking me. I hurled it into the crackling fireplace. Flames devoured it instantly, sparks dancing as if laughing at my stupidity. Without looking back, I left. Snowflakes drifted from the sky as I stepped outside, landing cold on my hair and shoulders. But nothing felt colder than my shattered heart. I walked aimlessly until the glow of a neon bar sign pulled me in. Red light bled across the wet sidewalk. Inside, the music was loud, the air heavy with alcohol and escape. One vodka. Then two. The burn was sharp, but it didn’t come close to numbing the pain inside me. My phone buzzed. “Mom” flashed on the screen. With shaky fingers, I answered. “Merry Christmas, honey! Your dad says hi. How’s Marcus? Are you two—” The sob tore out of me. “Mom… I… I just broke up with him. Marcus—he cheated on me.” Silence. Then my father’s furious growl thundered through the speaker. “WHAT?! That bastard! How dare he treat my daughter like this! If I ever see him, I’ll beat him to a pulp!” I covered my face, tears pouring uncontrollably. “Aria,” Mom’s voice softened, “don’t cry over that piece of s**t. Starting tomorrow, I’m setting you up on a blind date. You deserve a real man—not some immature little boy.” I let out a bitter smile, my eyes still swollen. “Okay, then. Find me a man who’s mature... like the one right in front of me right now.” My gaze landed on a handsome guy at the bar—tall, broad shoulders, sharp jawline. He was standing in front of the bartender, ordering a drink. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was desperation. But I stood, my stiletto heels clicking against the wooden floor as I walked straight to him. “Hey,” I rasped, my voice raw. “I’m Aria.” He turned, meeting my gaze with piercing yet warm eyes. “Ethan.” I gave him a crooked smile. Bold. Reckless. “You know what? I just threw my cheating ex straight into hell. So I figured… why not marry a complete stranger on Christmas Eve?” Before I could stop myself, I grabbed his collar, yanked him down, and crushed my lips to his. The kiss was hot, salty with vodka and tears. His lips curved against mine. “Yeah. Let’s get married, Aria.”