Ditching My Cheating Finacé For My Worst Enemy

Chapter 4 : The Declaration

AVEN

“As I said on the phone, let's get married, Aven.”

I look at him like he just grew a second head. There is no way a normal person can say this, but this bastard’s face shows he is completely serious.

“What if your family finds out?” I ask, leaning forward. “What if they learn you are marrying an Arden?”

That gets a real reaction from him. He scoffs, takes a slow sip of water, and smirks. “It is not like I am marrying you out of love. It is just a negotiation. As long as it is a transaction, I can manage my family.”

Now I see the real Ian Dravier. The arrogant, cocky bastard. I stay silent for a second, wondering how to respond to something this insane.

“The Dravier heir is getting very bold, aren't we?”

He chuckles, and his dark eyes lock onto mine. Slowly, his expression changes back into the cold, ruthless mask he always wears. “I need cooperation from you, Aven. Not your approval.”

You are talking like I am your servant,” I snap, my voice dropping into a dangerous whisper. “Did you forget that I am an Arden? Careful, Dravier.”

“Or what?” he asks, leaning closer across the table. “Are you going to storm into another man’s house at midnight and propose to him again? You looked pathetic last night, Aven. I do not feel sorry for you. Your family is beneath mine, and I am born to destroy everything you own. Never forget that.”

What a lunatic he is. He is incredibly arrogant and thinks he is above everyone. What on earth was I thinking last night?

Ian gets up from his chair smoothly, buttoning his suit jacket like we did not just discuss the most psychotic marriage arrangement in history.

“We will continue this conversation later,” he says calmly. The sheer audacity of this man is unbelievable.

“I didn't agree to anything!” I call out, glaring at him.

“You proposed to me last night, and you came here today,” he says, adjusting his expensive watch. “That is all the agreement I need.”

“That doesn't mean I agree with your terms.”

He sighs like he is completely done dealing with me. “I do not care. We are continuing this conversation later.”

He turns on his heel and walks out of the room. My fingers grip the silver fork so tightly my knuckles turn white. I really want to sprint after him and stab him to death, but I know I cannot do that here.

This is easily the shittiest decision I have ever made in my life since high school. Ironically, both of my worst mistakes involve the exact same man.

God, what the hell was I thinking last night?

Yes, I am furious at Ethan. Yes, I want blood and revenge. But going to Ian Dravier out of every powerful man in this city? That is pure insanity.

Now this psychopath is talking about marriage like a corporate merger, and I am already trapped right in the middle of it. If my grandfather finds out, he will lose his mind and disown me on the spot.

My phone suddenly vibrates beside me before I can spiral any further.

Grandfather. Speaking of the devil.

I answer the call, and he says without even a greeting, “Come to the main house now. I won't wait long.”

He cuts the line. I glare at the dark screen, wanting to smash the device right against the wall, but I force myself to walk out to my car instead.

The rain is pouring heavily now. The storm matches the chaos in my head while I press down on the gas pedal, speeding through the slippery streets.

By the time I pull into the main driveway, my hands are cramping from holding the steering wheel so hard. A familiar black Mercedes is already parked outside the front steps.

“No way.”

I kill the engine immediately. My heels click loudly against the wet stone pathway as I storm into the mansion. Angry voices carry from the living room—one belongs to my grandfather, and the other makes my pulse race with pure irritation.

I step into the room, ready for a fight, and there he is. Sitting on the leather sofa with a cup of tea. Ethan f*****g Moretti.

He actually looks relieved when he looks up and sees me. The absolute nerve of this man.

“What the f**k is this moron doing here, Grandfather?” My voice cuts through the quiet house so sharply that the servants near the hallway instantly freeze.

Ethan stands up from the sofa, holding his hands up defensively. “Aven, listen to me first—”

“No.” I march further into the room, locking my eyes on his pathetic face. “Explain how you have the audacity to sit here drinking tea after what you did on our anniversary night.”

“Aven—”

“Grandfather,” I snap, ignoring my ex-fiancé completely.

“Kick this asshole out of the house before I drag him out myself.”

Valen Arden sits calmly in his heavy armchair, his expression completely blank. He doesn't look at me; he just stares at his tea.

“Watch your tone.”

“My tone?” I let out a harsh laugh. “He was naked with Vanessa Clarke in our penthouse yesterday, and I am supposed to be polite?”

Ethan shifts his weight from one foot to the other, looking trapped. “It is not what you think.”

“Find a new line, Ethan. That one is exhausted.”

“Aven, please.” He takes a cautious step toward me, treating me like a wild animal. “I was drugged.”

I stop in my tracks. A heavy, mocking silence fills the room. That is the best excuse his tiny brain could come up with?

“Drugged?” I mimic his panic, stepping right into his personal space. “So your body just accidentally moved on its own? Is that your defense?”

Ethan grates his teeth together, his face turning red. “You're twisting this.”

“I saw you with my own eyes!” My voice explodes, echoing off the high ceilings. “You were literally inside another woman!”

“It meant nothing!” His voice cracks halfway through, and fake tears start forming in the corners of his eyes. He looks pathetic, and I feel absolutely nothing watching him squirm.

“And somehow that makes it better?”

Grandfather finally sets his cup down on the glass table. The loud clink makes the room go dead silent.

“Enough.”

I flinch slightly at the heavy command, looking over at the old man.

“Aven,” Grandfather says firmly. “Ethan came here to correct the situation.”

“There is no situation to correct, Grandpa. He cheated on me, and you are trying to protect him instead of standing up for your own blood.”

“You are engaged.”

The cold words hit me like a physical blow, knocking the air right out of my lungs.

“How can you say that?” I whisper, staring at him in disbelief. “Do you even care about what he did to me?”

Ethan lets out a loud, frustrated sigh. “Can you stop acting emotionally for one second and let me explain?”

The sheer audacity almost makes me smile. Two days ago, I probably would have burst into tears over those words. But standing here right now, looking at his desperate face, the pain completely disappears. It leaves behind a cold, clear emptiness.

“Emotionally?” I tilt my head, examining him like a bug. “I am not being emotional, Ethan. I just think you are deeply pathetic.”

“Aven,” Grandfather warns, his voice lowering into a dangerous register.

“No.” I turn toward the old man. “You know exactly what he did, and you are still trying to force this garbage engagement down my throat.”

Valen's eyes narrow into slits. “This marriage is important for both families.”

There it is. The truth. The Arden family doesn't care about betrayal; they care about corporate power. I laugh once, a hollow sound.

“The Moretti shares matter more than me getting humiliated publicly. That's all this house cares about.”

“Watch your mouth,” Grandfather says coldly, his posture stiffening. “You are not a child anymore. Engagements between families like ours are not built on fairy tales and emotions.”

“Good,” I fire back instantly. “Because I am done pretending this contract exists.”

Ethan's face turns mean. “You're overreacting, Aven.”

I snap my gaze back to him so fast he physically steps back. “Stop telling me how to feel. Every time you open your mouth, I understand why Vanessa wanted to ruin you.”

“Do not disrespect me in this house,” he growls.

“You lost the right to respect the second you stripped naked in our bed.”

“Aven!” Grandfather's voice booms through the living room, rattling the glass decorations.I take a slow, deep breath, stabilizing my shaking knees.

“I am not marrying him.”

“You do not get to make impulsive choices because of one mistake,” Grandfather dictates from his chair.

“One mistake?” I mock, gesturing wildly to the empty air between us. “You talk about it like he forgot our dinner reservations instead of screwing my enemy.”

“Aven—” Ethan warns, taking another step forward.

“Shut up.” I point a finger directly at his nose, stopping him cold. “I don't want your apologies. I don't want your toxic excuses. And I am done with this family arrangement.”

The room goes completely quiet. Outside, a flash of lightning illuminates the windows. Then, Grandfather stands up slowly, looming over the room. “You will marry Ethan Moretti.”

Something in my mind finally snaps clean in half. The fear evaporates.

“No,” I say, my voice steady and perfectly calm. “I am marrying someone else."

Both of them freeze. Ethan looks genuinely lost, and Grandfather steps around his armchair, staring at me like he wants to destroy me.

“What did you just say?”I exhale, feeling a rush of pure adrenaline. Fine. If they want a transaction instead of a family, I will give them the biggest transaction this city has ever seen.

Grandfather steps closer, his eyes burning. “Who?”

I look directly into his eyes, smile, and deliver the final blow.

“Ian Dravier.”