Chapter 3 Three

ARIA.

I didn't look up until I was done packing, then I clutched my suitcase and looked at him. He glared so hard at me, so hard that I feared he was going to do something again. His eyes were cold and I knew he was fighting so hard to keep the anger just beneath the surface. But I had made up my mind. I was leaving. I couldn't stay here any longer, not like this.

"I can't believe you're doing this," he growled. "You think you can just walk out on me? On this marriage?"

"I'm not doing this because I want to, Derek. I'm doing this because I have to. You don't care about me, about Lily. You never have."

"That's where you're wrong," he snapped, stepping closer. "I've given everything, Aria. A roof over your head, a life of luxury. And this is how you repay me? By walking out?"

"I don't care about the money or the house," I shot back, my hands shaking. "I care about our daughter. She needs us, Derek. She needs you. But you're too busy with your meeting and your ego to even notice. And whenever I bring it up, you suddenly sound bitter."

An enraged look crossed his face immediately. "You think you're better than me?" He sneered. "You think you’re some Saint because you play the doting mother? You don't know what it takes to be in my shoes, to carry the weight I do."

"I never wanted you to carry it alone," I said as the tears returned, filling my eyes. "I wanted to help, to be there for you, for us. But you shut me out, Derek. You shut us both out."

"And now you're leaving," he fired back. "Running away like a coward. Fine. Go. But don't ever think you're taking anything with you. I'm going to carry this cross alone and I don't need your damn help!"

'What?" I asked as my heart sank even further. "What do you mean?"

He smirked with a cruel look on his face. "You heard me. You leave here with nothing, Aria. No money, no assets, nothing. And you're not taking Lily."

I stared at him, shocked. "Y...you can't do that. She's our daughter and she deserves the best. I don't want Lily being sent to some-"

He held up his hand, cutting me off instantly. "You heard me. Not anymore. You leave, you leave her behind. She stays with me. You walk out that door, and you're on your own."

I couldn't believe he was doing this. And it was at that moment that it dawned on me what he wanted to do. I couldn't believe it. I knew battling it out with him wasn't going to help so I resorted to begging.

"Derek, please," I begged through the tears. I was a sobbing mess now. "Don't do this. She needs her mother and you're not going to do enough."

"Too bad," he said, crossing his arms. "You should have thought of that before you decided to defy me."

I felt a wave of nausea when I realised he wasn't baffling and nothing was going to change his mind. The bastard had made up his mind a long time ago. If I left, I would be leaving without my daughter, without anything. I felt my legs shaking beneath me, and at that moment it felt like I was carrying the weight of the world.

"Fine," I said with a cracking voice. "I'll leave. But know this, Derek- you'll regret this. You'll regret everything."

"That's one way to call yourself a coward and a loser. Get out, you snivelling piece of shit!" I turned away, feeling my heart break into a million pieces as I made my way towards the door. I could barely see through the tears now, but I kept going, one step at a time. I had to. There was nothing left for me here. When I stepped out of the Packhouse entrance, the harsh sunlight stung my eyes.

I tried to steady myself, to breathe, but it felt like the world was crashing down around me. My whole life, every damn thing I'd worked for, was falling apart. Just as I reached the gate, a car pulled up. It was the doctor, Browne, but in my state of mind, I didn't recognize her at first. All I saw was a woman, stepping out of a fancy car. She had a concerned look on her face.

"Hi, Aria?" She called out gently but I wasn't in the mood and attacked her without thinking.

"What do you want," I asked as my voice shook with anger and pain. "Here to see him? I suppose you're one of his lovers."

She tried to speak, probably trying to deny herself when I cut her off. "What do you want to say, bitch?! You wanna deny it? Why don't you find yourself a good thing to do rather than to go around, fucking people's hushands?! Huh?"

She was so shocked as I rolled my eyes and walked past her. With the weight of everything I was going through at that moment, I couldn't think, couldn't breathe. All I knew was that I had to get away, had to escape before I completely broke down. I wondered if I was making the right decision, or if this was horribly wrong. I was leaving my daughter to him, in an effort to save what was left of my life. I was able to flag down a cab that drove me back to my parent's house.

The familiar sight of the old, worn-out gate brought a fresh wave of tears to my eyes. I didn't want to be here, didn't want them to see me like this, but I had nowhere else to go. I pushed the gate open and walked up the path, dragging my stuff along. To my surprise, there were two luxurious cars packed along the driveway.

But I didn't stop to ponder or admire. I continued on my path and soon approached the door. I could hear the voices inside but I didn't care. I just needed to see my parents, to feel safe, even if it was just for a moment. I knocked softly, and after a few seconds, the door opened. My mother stood there and when she realised what was going on, her eyes widened in pure shock. It took a moment to register, then she asked.

"Aria? What's wrong, sweetheart?" She made her way down the staircase and grabbed the suitcase from me. "Mom..." I began, but the words got caught in my throat. I couldn't speak, couldn't explain. I just stood there as more tears came running down. When she realised how bad it was, she shook her head and gestured me inside.

"Come in, tell us what happened." That was the moment my father appeared behind her.

His expression thawed instantly, and I knew he was lost for words. I stepped inside, feeling warm once again. It felt safe, but also overwhelming, like I was finally letting down the walls I'd been holding up for so long. I barely acknowledged the two men who were sitting on the other end of the living room, on the ageing sofa.

Both were dressed in black, from their glasses to the gleaming shoe they were wearing. I knew instinctively that the car I'd seen outside belonged to them, but I didn't care. They were probably from the Packhouse and Derek just had sent them here but then again, I remembered that my parents wouldn't be asking what was wrong if they were. I didn't care, I just needed to get it out.

"What happened?" My mother asked again, guiding me to the couch.

"Derek..." I started, my voice breaking. "He...he's thrown me out. I left. I had to leave."

They both exchanged shocked looks. "What do you mean, he threw you out?" My father asked as his voice rose in anger.

"You won't understand..." I said as the memories of my suffering came crashing back. I couldn't help but bite my lips in regret. I should have known before now, I should have known better. And now it would look like I was the one giving up on Lily. My mother kept stroking my back the whole time, looking so worried.

"Oh, Aria... please take your time. You can talk to us once you feel better."

Before anyone could say more, one of the men spoke up. He had been watching me closely the whole time but his expression was unreadable. "Are you Aria?" He asked calmly.

I nodded, confused by his question. "Yes... why?"

The man exchanged a look with the other before turning back to me. "I'm sorry we are met in this circumstance but I think it's high time you knew the truth about who you really are."

I frowned and noticed almost immediately how tense my parents looked. "What do you mean?" I asked.

The man smiled gently. "You're the long lost heiress. The one we've been searching for all this time. You're not just anyone- you're the daughter of one of the most powerful families in the world."