Her Breaking Point
1113 Words
Aria’s voice rang through the room and everyone stared at her. Her body shook with rage and exhaustion as the machine beeps even louder and faster.
She didn’t care, she felt lightheaded but she was ready for a fight.
Kieran looked taken aback, his eyes wide. It was clear that he was not expecting such a reaction from her.
She had never been the one to be explosive with her emotions so he definitely felt hesitant.
But as for Aria’s mother, the woman did not care.
She glared at Aria as if the girl had lost her mind. “You are such a disgrace. A complete disappointment. I always knew you would never amount to anything, and every time that I think you’re going to prove me wrong, you just end up doing the exact opposite!” Her words were a bit slurred.
It was clear she was drunk.
Aria felt like someone had hit her with a brick. A knot formed in her throat and she willed herself not to cry.
Everytime her mother would make her feel small and useless, she would always cry. But not this time.
After what happened at the ballroom, Aria felt like she had nothing else to lose. “I’m the disappointment?” She chuckled dryly. “You’re my f*cking mother and was not able to even pay my tuition. I had to beg for a scholarship! We barely had food to eat, and one time, for a week, I ate from people’s trash cans.”
“It’s not my fault your father left us,” The woman replied, folding her arms on her chest. “He took it all!!!” She shouted suddenly, and so loudly that people started to crowd at the door to see what was happening. “He took it all,” She repeated, but this time, softer. “He broke me, Aria. He left us for a f*cking 24-year old. And you want to blame me?”
“No one is blaming you, but you had a choice. And guess what you chose, mom?! Alcohol!” Tears burned her eyes.
The stranger who had hit Aria stood there, feeling like he did not belong there. He felt like he was not supposed to hear all of this.
“Please,” Kieran tried to stop what was happening. “Now is not the time.”
Aria scoffed rudely, turning her attention to him. “It’s a surprise you’re not already between Sara’s legs.”
Kieran blinked rapidly for a few seconds. “You know what? I’m glad I didn’t propose to your a**. You’re insufferable,” He spat the words at her. “I don’t even know why I’m here. You can get hit by a truck for all I care. I’m out of here.” He turned and stormed out of the room.
Aria’s palms were sweating and her heart was pounding so hard in her chest that it felt like she was going to have a heart attack.
The tears she was trying so hard to hold back came rushing out of her eyes. “I’m so tired,” She sobbed. “I just want to be happy. Is that too much?”
Silence fell and after a few seconds, her mom walked up to the bed. In a soft voice, she said, “you lost a good man, Aria. He was going to change our lives. And yet, you messed it all up like you always do. I hope you live with that.”
“I—-“ Aria did not even know what to say. More tears flowed from her eyes as she watched her mom walk out of the room.
The only people left now were her and the stranger.
She felt so embarrassed that the guy had heard and witnessed all of that. She felt like running again, but she didn't even have the strength.
“Um…” The guy began.
“Just leave, please.” Aria could barely look at him. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to sue you for hitting me with your car. You can leave now, like everyone else.”
The guy walked up to the bed and stood there for a few seconds in silence before saying, “Look at me.”
Aria did not listen, she just covered her face with her hands and continued to cry softly.
“Aria…” He said her name gently. “Look at me.” He touched her hair with grace. “Please.”
She finally listened and removed her hands, looking up at the guy. “What do you want?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“I’m so sorry. And I’m not just talking about the car accident. I’m talking about what just happened here. No one deserves that. Especially not you.”
His words felt nice to hear but she didn’t believe them. She believed that she was broken and that she would always be that way.
“What do you want?” She repeated, locking eyes with him.
“I want to help you,” He replied, withdrawing his hand. “I normally don’t do this but I want to change your life. I want to make the people who hurt you pay.”
Aria sniffled and wiped her face with her hand. “Change my life? Who are you?” She could not help but ask.
The man smiled lopsidedly. “I’m Cassian Wolfe, and I’m the CEO of Wolfe Enterprises; one of the biggest companies in America.”
The name was familiar. In fact, almost everyone knew it. And the realization that it was the guy who had hit her with his car seemed surreal.
“Oh my—“ She adjusted herself on the bed. She had not really paid attention to him at first, but now, looking at him, it was true! He was Cassian Wolfe.
“I will take care of your bills and everything else, and you can move in with me. If you don’t want to, I can get you your own place. But you’re not going back to your mother. At least not for a while.”
Aria stared at Cassian, her breath shallow. She was supposed to be grateful, right? But something about his offer sent a chill down her spine.
“What’s the catch?” she asked, her voice hoarse.
Cassian tilted his head slightly, his smirk unreadable. “I don’t do charity, Aria.” His gaze darkened. “You’ll have to work for it.”
Aria’s stomach twisted. This wasn’t just kindness. This was a deal—one she might not be able to refuse.
- Writer
