A Signature Away
1275 Words
Aria’s POV
The pen hovered over the line meant for my signature over the paper.n
Sean’s gaze fixed on me like he could see through every thought going on in my head.
“You know you can always back out if you’re not sure,” he said softly, but his voice carried a quiet persuasion.
I swallowed, my fingers trembling slightly as they gripped the pen.
“I’m sure.”
I signed my name. The ink signing my name. A one year contract that promised stability, respect, and leverage, but also freedom.
Sean slid the contract to himself.
“Welcome to the Hunter world.”
I didn’t smile. My chest felt heavy. My thoughts were racing. Monica. Enzo. My father. Sean.
And me. Aria Romano. Well, soon to be Hunter. The girl who had always faded into the background.
Sean’s hand brushed mine briefly as he collected the signed papers.
“We’ll discuss the logistics tomorrow during the court wedding,” he said, voice smooth. “But for now, go home. Rest and process this.”
I nodded, tugging my clutch closer, and I took the elevator down where a sleek black car was waiting for me, the driver already opening the door.
The city lights stretched endlessly as we drove. I stared out the window, my reflection in the window glass. I looked poised, calm, untouchable but inside…
The contract mostly consumed my thoughts. I was getting married to a man I barely knew. One year. That was all the contract demanded. One year of appearances, one year of carefully curated public smiles and private rules. But would I be able to go through with it?
I pushed open my apartment door, and just as I was about to step in, I heard my name.
“Aria.”
My heart lurched.
I turned slowly. And there he was.
Enzo Hart.
His blond hair slightly tousled as if he’d run his hands through it multiple times.
His usual calm demeanor was replaced by something else. His stormy blue eyes that had once grounded me bore into me.
“Enzo…” My voice was small, tentative.
He didn’t move, didn’t soften. He just stared, lips pressed in a tight line.
“How… how? When did—how?”
“How what?” I asked, my voice louder than I intended.
His jaw tightened.
“Don’t play dumb,” he snapped. “How did you get engaged to him? To Sean Hunter.”
His voice cracked slightly.
“I—” I started, and stopped. “It’s complicated.”
“Complicated?” He laughed bitterly.
“Complicated? Aria, do you have any idea ho—”
“Oh please, shut it.”
He looked taken aback.
“Enzo, you cheated. With my sister. I had always told you how I felt about Monica and you went ahead and f**k her.”
His jaw tightened, his eyes flicking away for a brief moment.
“I didn’t sleep with her,” he whispered.
“Yeah, right you didn’t.”
“Look, I made a mistake, okay.”
“Mistake?” I laughed dryly. “You call betrayal a mistake?”
He ran a hand through his hair again.
“I never wanted… I never meant—”
“You never meant?” I repeated sharply, stepping closer. “You never meant anything, Enzo. You stole my heart, you promised me forever, and then you run to Monica’s bed after I told you I felt uncomfortable and inferior around her. But I guess you never meant that too, did you? And now you come here, like… like what?”
“Aria,” he pressed, stepping closer.
“Get away from me,” I retorted, moving backwards.
He stopped.
“Aria, listen to me—”
“No,” I snapped.
His face hardened.
“I didn’t plan it. It just… happened.”
I let out a humorless laugh.
“That’s always the excuse, isn’t it? Things just happen. Clothes fall off themselves.”
“That’s not fair,” he said sharply.
“Fair?” My voice rose. “Fair would have been you breaking up with me before crawling into her bed. Fair would have you been honest with me. Fair would have been you choosing me like you promised to.”
His jaw clenched.
“I chose you for years.”
“And still cheated,” I shot back, tears starting to cloud my vision, but I blinked them back. “So clearly, that choice didn’t mean much.”
Uncomfortable silence stretched between us. The hallway lights buzzed faintly above and a car honked in the distance.
“You’re really marrying him?” Enzo asked quietly.
The question hit harder than I expected.
“I didn’t say that,” I croaked.
“But you didn’t deny it,” he said, eyes narrowing.
I stiffened.
“Don’t twist this,” I warned. “You lost the right to question my choices the moment you betrayed me.”
His gaze searched my face.
“You think Sean Hunter just fell for you overnight?” he asked, mockery dripping from every word. “Men like him don’t love Aria. They only do things that benefit them.”
My stomach flipped but I kept my face neutral.
“And men like you,” I said coldly, “don’t do loyalty. So forgive me if I don’t take your concern seriously.”
Something flashed across his face. Perhaps anger, wounded pride, I wasn’t sure.
“You’re making a mistake,” he said. “You don’t know him. You don’t know what kind of world you’re stepping into.”
I stepped closer this time, refusing to shrink.
“And you don’t know me anymore. But at least he’d give me money rather than taking it from me. Unlike some men.”
He stared at me, breathing hard.
“I f*****g loved you.”
The words used to mean everything.
Now they felt… late.
I scoffed.
“Sure you did.”
His hands curled into fists.
“I can fix this.”
I shook my head.
“No, Enzo. You already broke it. There is nothing to fix.”
For a moment, it looked like he might say more. Like he might beg. Or shout. Or convince me.
Instead, his lips curved into a bitter smile.
“So that’s it?” he asked.
“You throw me away the moment you find someone richer? Maybe Monica is right.”
“I didn’t throw you away,” I said evenly. “You were a spineless coward who only cares about himself.”
That did it.
His smile vanished.
“This won’t end the way you think it will.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I asked.
He stepped back, eyes cold now.
“Sean Hunter doesn’t like surprises. And he definitely does not like scandals.”
I stiffened.
“What are you talking about?”
“You really think this will stays quiet?” he continued. “New York doesn’t have secrets.”
My brows furrowed.
“You wouldn’t,” I said, my voice wavering.
He tilted his head.
“Wouldn’t I?”
He turned toward the elevator, pressing the button.
“Goodnight, Aria,” he added without looking back. “Enjoy your engagement.”
The elevator doors slid open.
He stepped inside.
And just before the doors closed, he glanced back at me.
The doors shut.
I stood there long after the elevator disappeared, my heart racing, my hands shaking.
I went into my apartment and locked the door and leaned against it, breathing hard.
- Writer
