Love In The Fast Lane.

EPIC APPEARANCE

MAXWELL

I stood there, feeling the weight of my own regret, I couldn't help but wonder how things had escalated so quickly. One minute we were arguing, the next she was storming out of the room, leaving me feeling like a villain.

I took a deep breath and followed her out of the room, determined to make things right between us. But as I walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking further into darkness, rather than into the light.

As I walked out of the room, I was confronted with a figure from my past. Mia, my ex-wife, stood before me, her eyes gleaming with a mix of malice and triumph.

"Maxwell, darling," she purred, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I see you're still playing the hero. But do you really think you can protect Aria from the truth?"

I felt a chill run down my spine as Mia's words struck a nerve. What did she want now? And what did she plan to do with it?

I quickly dragged Mia into the room, my grip on her arm tight. "What are you doing in my house?" I demanded roughly, my voice low and menacing. "Who granted you entry?"

Mia's smile never wavered, even as I towered over her, my anger palpable. "Oh, Maxwell," she purred, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I don't need an invitation to enter your home. I have a key, remember?"

"How did you still have a key?" I growled, my eyes narrowing.

Mia shrugged, her expression nonchalant. "I made a copy, darling. You should know me better than that."

"Cut me that bull s**t! what is it you want?"

"Ever the business man, huh? I have come back to my husband shouldn't you be glad?"

Be glad my foot!

"You destroyed me Mia, you wrecked every fibre of humanity I had in me and suddenly you make an epic appearance and expect me to jump for joy? you're still dumb !" I spat.

she dramatically put her right hand on her forehead and the left on her waist and muttered under her breath before looking into my eyes, " I know Maxy, I sincerely regret everything I did and certainly hope you can forgive me please" she had what I assume to be a puppy face and just like every other thing in her life, it sucked.

" Unfortunately the "Maxy" you could pull that disgusting face for is long gone, you had better get your ugly self out of here this minute!"

She huffed and gave me a mean look.

This is the Mia I know , the one who wouldn't change her disgusting personality.

"Is it because of her?"

"who?"

"oh ever silly Maxwell, don't try to play dumb, is she your next plaything?" she spat.

Interesting.

"Aria?"

"Ahn ahn, now he knows," she clicked her tongue," you go way below your standards my love and I feel underappreciated for that". she paced to and fro.

"Leave Aria out of this! and for your information there is nothing going on between us"

"Interesting!" she exclaimed with her fake British accent, "you know..."

Just then, Aria appeared in the doorway, her eyes fixed intently on Mia.

Seems like she had been standing outside, her ear pressed against the door, waiting for the perfect moment to enter. And when she heard her name whispered, she knew it was time to come in.

Always on the watch.

"What's going on here? I heard my name and who's this?"

I turned to her, my expression grim. "Mia was just leaving," I growled, my eyes never leaving Mia's face.

Mia just laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Oh, no, Maxwell. I'm just getting started."

Aria's eyes widened as she stared at Mia, her expression frozen in shock. Her voice was barely audible, a whispered "You..." that hung in the air like a challenge.

Mia's smile faltered for a moment, before she regained her composure. Her eyes flashed with amusement, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Ah, Aria recognizes me," she said, her tone sweet as honey. "How sweet."

Aria's gaze remained fixed on Mia, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions. Confusion, anger, and fear swirled together in a toxic mix, her face pale and drawn.

"Mia, what's going on?" I demanded, trying to intervene.

Mia just laughed. "Oh, Maxwell. You're so predictable. You always were."

Aria took a step forward, her eyes still locked on Mia. "You're...," she started to say, but then she stopped, as if unsure of how to continue.

Mia raised an eyebrow, her expression taunting. "Yes, Aria? I'm...?"

Aria's gaze never wavered. "I know you," she said finally, her voice firm and resolute.

The air in the room seemed to thicken, heavy with tension. I had no idea what was happening, but I knew I had to find out.

"Mia, what do you want?" I demanded, my voice firm.

Mia's smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with malice. "Oh, Maxwell. I want to show Aria the truth. The truth about you, about us, about everything."

"What truth? that you're a manipulator? a liar? a serial cheater? an animal? a killer? what exactly is the truth you are "hellbent" on Aria!"

"Nice vocabulary for a woman you love, a woman you rode and a woman who knows how to make you feel like a man, huh?" she ended with a smug smile.

I gazed at Mia, I couldn't help but feel a surge of resentment coursing through my veins. Her presence was a constant reminder of the pain and betrayal she had inflicted upon me.

Her smug smile and condescending tone only added fuel to the fire, igniting a deep-seated anger within me. I resented her for manipulating me, for using me, and for destroying the trust that once existed between us.

I resented her for the memories she had tainted, for the love she had turned into a weapon, and for the scars she had left on my heart.

Most of all, I resented her for still having a hold on me, for still being able to evoke such strong emotions from me, even after all these years.

Scrap that, she doesn't.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Aria asked in disbelief.

With a smile that didn't reach her eye,"nope," popping the "P", " he's my..."

My hands moved of its own accord, before I realized what was going on, I had slapped Mia!

Gasps!