365 days with Ethan Cole

You will step aside for your sister

Ariana pov

The moment passed, thankfully, when the cook announced that lunch was ready. I wasn’t used to having so much attention on me.

From the second I sat down, Linda hadn’t stopped shooting glares my way. I responded with the only weapon I had—a smile.

At the end of this one-year arrangement, I’d be done and out of their way. Ethan could return to whoever this Cassandra person was—the woman his sister clearly preferred. But that thought—it didn’t sit well. Why was he here with me if he promised marriage to someone else?

I bit my lip, forcing the question down.

Would asking him be overstepping? Or worse, would it make me sound like I cared so much about his business?

I was still lost in thought when the butler appeared at the door and announced the arrival of my family.

A strange smile bloomed on my face. I hadn’t wanted them to come initially—I was terrified that everything would be awkward ,but they were still my family. And I loved them.

I sat up straighter as they entered the room.

My mother, ever the fashion icon, walked in first with her glossy curls perfectly pinned and her heels clicking like a metronome of judgment. Emma followed, every bit as breathtaking as I remembered—glowing, confident and born to be admired. And then my father, trailing behind them with a practiced smile and a stiff jacket that looked like it had never bent for comfort.

I rose quickly. “Welcome,” I said softly.

“My precious daughter,” my mother cooed, pulling me into a brief hug, then turned to the others without waiting. “Sorry we’re late, everyone.”

Mrs. Vivian stood with grace and offered her hand. “You must be Ariana’s mother. Please—join us.”

The butler pulled out chairs for them, and we all sat.

“My, what a beautiful home,” my mother remarked, looking around with dramatic interest.

“Thank you,” Mrs. Vivian replied warmly. “It’s been in the Cole family for generations.”

“How lovely,” my mom said, but her eyes were already drifting toward Emma, who smiled sweetly across the table.

“Emma’s always loved traditional homes, haven’t you, darling?” she added casually.

Emma tilted her head with a smile. “I do. I’m actually taking interior design classes now. I’ve always had an eye for elegance.”

“That’s wonderful,” Mrs. Vivian replied politely, before turning toward me. “Ariana has always had an eye for people. That’s why she makes such a remarkable nurse.”

I blinked, momentarily stunned. Did she just… compliment me? In front of my family?

“Oh, she’s always been the quiet one,” my mother cut in. “Emma was the one winning awards and getting featured in magazines.”

Emma chuckled modestly. “Oh, Mom.”

“She was just featured in Belle Life Weekly,” she added, turning to Linda. “You’ve probably heard of it?”

“Of course,” Linda said, glancing at me with a hint of smugness. “I actually introduced Cassandra to the editor. She’s one of my dearest friends.”

And there it was. Cassandra.

I tried not to flinch.

“She and Ethan were quite close,” my mother said, eyes sparkling like she’d just told the best joke. “I always thought they were perfect for each other. But then… life surprises us.”

I swallowed hard and forced a smile.

Mrs. Vivian’s tone didn’t waver. “Sometimes life knows exactly what it’s doing.”

“Oh, of course,” my mother said with a chuckle. “Emma would’ve made a perfect Cole. But I suppose it’s Ariana wearing the ring.”

My fork froze halfway to my mouth. My stomach flipped. And before I could say anything to fill the silence, a voice cut through the tension.

Low. Calm and Unmistakably Ethan’s.

“Ariana doesn’t have to be Emma to be worthy of this family,” he said quietly, not even lifting his head. “She already is.”

The room went utterly still.

Even I forgot how to breathe.

Mrs. Vivian’s smile grew just slightly, eyes proud. Linda blinked, clearly thrown off. Emma’s lips parted like she wanted to say something—but couldn’t.

I just sat there, stunned, staring at the man beside me like I’d never seen him before.

“Oh, Ariana darling, could you please show me to the bathroom?” my mother asked, flashing her ever-charming smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Sure, Mom,” I said, standing up and returning the smile, even if mine was a bit forced.

I led her down the hallway to the guest bathroom. When we reached the door, I stepped aside to let her in, but she paused and turned to me instead.

“Come with me, dear. I want to have a word with you.”

I blinked. “Alright,” I said softly, following her into the small sitting room beside the bathroom instead.

The moment the door clicked shut behind us, her smile vanished completely.

“Ariana,” she said, crossing her arms, “what exactly are you doing?”

My brows pulled together in confusion. “Doing?”

She sighed like I had disappointed her for something I didn’t even know I’d done. “You know your sister has always dreamed of marrying into a good family. A wealthy family. And you… you’ve always been the sweet one. The practical one. The one who was content with what she had.”

Her eyes scanned me, and there was nothing warm about them now.

“But suddenly, you’re here, living in this mansion, playing house with Ethan Cole,” she continued, her voice sharp. “Why are you being so… useless?”

My heart stuttered. “Mom, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying,” she said, leaning in slightly, “you should step aside and let your sister have this. You’ve had your little moment, but this life? It’s not for you. Emma belongs in a world like this—she thrives in it. She’s better suited for social events, the spotlight, everything this kind of life demands. You—” she looked me up and down “—you’re a good little nurse. You belong somewhere quiet. Safe. Ordinary.”

I stared at her, words caught somewhere between my chest and my throat. “So you want me to give Ethan up?”

“Yes,” she said without hesitation. “Let Emma have him. It’s what’s best for everyone.”

Best for everyone—except me.

I forced myself to stand tall, even though her words hit like cold water on bare skin. “Mom… I didn’t take Ethan from anyone. I didn’t ask for this.”

“No,” she said, her expression hardening, “but you didn’t walk away either.”

The silence that followed was suffocating. I’d never felt so small in my own mother’s presence before. But something deep inside me—something I hadn’t even known was there—stirred.

“I’m not trying to hurt Emma,” I said quietly. “But I won’t let you speak to me like I’m nothing.”

Her jaw tightened, but I could see the surprise flicker in her eyes.

“You ungrateful brat,” she snapped, her voice cutting like glass. “After everything we’ve done for you, this is how you repay us? If you don’t give up Ethan—don’t you dare blame me when this family turns its back on you.”

“Mom,” I gasped, the word escaping my lips before I could stop it. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, hot and unbidden, but I refused to let them fall. Not here. Not in front of her.

“You will do what’s best for all of us,” she said, her voice low and steely. “And that means stepping aside. Emma was meant for this. Not you. You were always the one who blended into the background—our little helper, not the star.”

I took a breath, shaky but deep, and raised my chin.

“No, Mom,” I said, my voice trembling but growing steadier with every word. “Not this time.”

Her eyes narrowed, but I didn’t stop.

“I’m staying in this marriage. And I’m going to prove you wrong. I will thrive in the spotlight. Not for Emma. Not for you. For me.”

“I’ve always let you treat me like second place,” I said, my voice breaking just slightly. “Always hoping that one day, maybe, you’d look at me and… love me the same way. But maybe I was wrong.”

Her expression hardened. “Ariana, just shut up—”

“No, Mom,” I said, louder this time. “No. I won’t.”

The words came pouring out now, unstoppable. Honest. Raw.

“All my life, it’s been like this. Emma was the shining star, and I was the one who just… existed. You always said we couldn’t afford this or that when it came to me. School, clothes, everything—but somehow there was always a little extra for Emma.”

Her silence said more than any denial ever could.

“But it’s fine, Mom,” I said, standing straighter now. “Because this marriage? I’m keeping it. And I won’t apologize for that.”