Chapter 4
1480 Words
Aria's POV
“The rumours were true. You broke us.”
His words kept replaying in my mind.
“Adrian, please… it wasn’t like that,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “You don’t know the whole story—”
He cut me off, his voice was sharp.
“I don’t care about your story. I deleted you from my life a long time ago, Aria. And you should do the same. Erase me. Erase us. If you bring up the past again…” His jaw tightened. “…you won’t just lose your dignity. You’ll lose your job.”
My chest heaved. “Adrian, don’t say that—”
But he had already turned, moving steadily as he walked away without looking back, without hesitation, as though I had never existed.
The sound of his footsteps faded, but my heart felt like it had stopped beating.
I stood frozen in the hallway, my whole body trembling, tears spilling silently. He was so cold. So distant. Nothing like the boy I once loved.
Finally, my legs gave in and I forced myself outside. A taxi slowed down, the driver rolling down his window.
“Miss, you need a ride?” he asked kindly.
I nodded quickly, wiping my face with the back of my hand. “Yes, please.”
The car smelled faintly of cigarettes and cheap air freshener. I sank into the back seat, pressing my forehead to the window.
The driver glanced at me through the mirror. “Rough night?”
I forced a weak smile. “Something like that.”
He didn’t ask again. Silence filled the ride, broken only by the hum of the engine and the occasional horn. My mind replayed Adrian’s words over and over. ‘You broke us.’
Streetlights flashed past. Couples laughed on sidewalks, the city alive and buzzing. Yet inside, I felt dead.
By the time we reached my street, the night was very quiet. I paid him quickly, muttered thanks, and stepped into the darkness of the familiar hell I called home.
---
The house was silent. They must have gone to bed. I slipped inside, avoiding the creak of the wooden stairs. My body ached with exhaustion, but I dragged myself to the bathroom.
The water was warm, steaming against my skin. I let it wash over me, mixing with my tears. For a moment, I closed my eyes and pretended the water was erasing everything—Adrian’s words, Selena’s cruelty, my father’s indifference. Everything damn thing I've been going through in this unfortunate life of mine.
But nothing washed away. The pain clung like a second skin.
Afterwards, I changed into my nightdress, brushed my damp hair, and crawled into bed. My limbs felt heavy, my chest hollow.
Just as I closed my eyes, my phone buzzed.
I grabbed it lazily, but the screen made my heart jolt. Notifications filled my feed—news, posts, pictures. Adrian’s hockey game.
The headlines screamed about the victory. “Wolfe leads his team to another win!”
My fingers shook as I tapped one of the pictures.
There he was. Smiling. Sweaty. Surrounded by teammates and adoring fans. His eyes sparkled with confidence, his grin wide, the same grin that used to make me melt when we were teenagers.
I zoomed in, staring at his face. So handsome. So far out of reach.
“What if…” I whispered to the darkness. “What if we never separated?”
Tears blurred my vision, but I didn’t look away. I still imagined us together—him holding my hand after a win, him kissing my forehead when no one was watching, him still being the Adrian who once swore he’d never let me go.
My lips trembled. “I still love him,” I confessed softly, like a sin.
A sudden banging shattered my thoughts.
I jumped, heart racing, the phone nearly slipping from my hand. The banging grew louder, urgent.
“Aria!” A harsh voice snapped. Selena.
I scrambled up and opened the door, startled. “What is it?”
She stood there with a cruel smirk, arms crossed. “Where’s the rent money?”
My brows are knitted. “Rent? What are you talking about? This is my father’s house.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t play dumb. I warned you. You have a job now, so you’ll pay if you want to stay here.”
My mouth dropped open. “Selena, this is my home. I’m not paying rent.”
She stepped closer, her perfume suffocating. “News flash, darling. Nobody wants you here. Not even your own father. Pay up, or get out.”
The words cut deep. My hands clenched at my sides. “I don’t have any money right now. I haven’t even been paid yet.”
Selena’s smirk widened. “Then I guess you’ll be gone sooner than you think.” She spun on her heels and walked away.
She turned around and walked away. I stood in the doorway, feeling shocked and scared. I thought she was just joking. She had threatened me before, but I didn't think she would really do it.
A few minutes later, I heard loud footsteps. Selena came back with Phoebe and Chloe.
Phoebe grinned wickedly. “Time to clear this trash out.”
Before I could react, Chloe grabbed my bag from the corner. “Let’s throw her things out”
“No!” I rushed forward, trying to snatch it back.
Phoebe shoved me hard. I stumbled and fell to the floor. “Stay down, loser.”
Anger flared. I pushed myself up, my voice trembling but strong. “Hell no. I won’t let you people throw me out of the house my mother built with her husband. This is my house too!”
Selena’s eyes flashed as she leaned in close. “Well, news flash, darling. Have you forgotten? You killed your mother fourteen years ago.”
Her words pierced me like a dagger. My breath caught. My chest tightened.
For a moment, I couldn’t move. I couldn't think.
But I refused to cry.
Chloe dragged another bag out. Phoebe started pulling clothes from the wardrobe, tossing them carelessly.
“No!” I screamed, rushing to stop her. I wrestled Chloe for my bag, but Selena joined, yanking me back. Phoebe shoved me again, harder this time.
The three of them pushed me out of my own room and slammed the door.
“Open it!” I banged my fists against the wood. “This is my room!”
My heart raced, panic choking me. I ran down the hall, desperate, and found my father sitting on the verandah, cigarette smoke curling in the air.
“Dad!” My voice cracked. “Selena and the girls—they’re throwing me out! Please, stop them!”
He turned his head lazily, eyes glazed, exhaling smoke. “So what? Let them.”
I gasped. “What? You’re just going to let them throw me out?”
He shrugged, flicking ash into the dark. “I don’t care, Aria. You can disappear for all I care.”
My vision blurred with tears. “How could you say that? You would watch them throw your own daughter out? Mom would be so ashamed of the man you’ve become.”
His face didn’t change. He didn’t even look at me.
Broken, I ran back to the room, pounding the door until my fists ached. Finally, it opened—but only because they were done packing my stuffs.
Phoebe sneered as she and Chloe dragged my bags out, shoving me aside. Clothes spilled from the sides.
“Stop! Please don’t do this!” I begged, trying to grab one bag.
Phoebe yanked it away. “I’ve waited for this day my whole life. I hate you, Aria. You don’t belong here.”
Selena stood tall, arms folded. “If you want a roof over your head, pay rent. Otherwise, you’re gone.”
I fell to my knees, tears streaming. “Please… I’ll pay as soon as I get my salary. Please, don’t do this.”
Selena’s face hardened as she pushed me outside. “Too late.” She slammed the door in my face.
The sound echoed like a gunshot.
I banged on the door desperately. “Please! Don’t do this to me!”
“Keep quiet, Aria!” Phoebe’s voice snapped from inside. “Don’t disturb the neighbors. They’re sleeping peacefully.”
Suddenly thunder rolled.
It starts raining. Rain drops fell on me and soon the rain started getting heavier.
I stood there, drenched, my bags scattered on the wet ground.
I broke down in tears. Releasing all the pains I've been feeling.
Then a thought came to my mind—Adrian.
He's the only one I know. How can I reach him? Will he help me or humiliate me again?
- Writer
