Chapter 5: Veiled Intentions

Nadia’s POV

The morning after the party, the house felt as disjointed as the forgotten party debris scattered around. I dragged myself to the kitchen, the clash from last night with Daisy echoing louder than the sound of my footsteps. The kitchen was unnaturally bright and filled with laughter that didn’t belong—Aiden’s friends, remnants of last night’s revelry, still lingered, integrating into our family scene as seamlessly as the morning sun streaming through the windows.

My mom was in the middle of them, her voice rising above the rest, her laughter a little too loud. She didn’t notice my arrival, or maybe she chose not to acknowledge it. Jasper wandered in moments later, bare-chested and carefree, grabbing ingredients from the fridge as if it were any other lazy morning.

“Seriously, Jasper? Shirt, now,” I snapped, frustration from the unresolved fight with Daisy bleeding into my tone.

He flashed a lazy grin, unfazed. “Chill, Nadia. It’s just us here.”

“Just us and half the town,” I muttered under my breath, glancing at my mom, who continued to ignore the tension between her children. She was too caught up in playing hostess, proving we belonged here in this new world of Aiden’s making.

“Nadia, come join us. Have something to eat,” Mom called out, finally noticing me standing awkwardly at the entrance.

I scanned the lavish spread on the kitchen island, noting that no single plate was set aside for me or Jasper. “Where’s Jasper’s breakfast?” I asked, my voice sharper than I meant.

Mom barely glanced up, her attention fixed on Aiden’s kids. “I thought he could figure it out himself,” she said dismissively, her tone indifferent.

Leaning against the counter, Jasper shot me a look—half-amused, half-wary. “It's not a big deal, Nadia. I’m fine.” His voice was calm, but there was a hint of something else beneath it, something I couldn’t quite place. It wasn’t that he didn’t care; it was more like he’d given up expecting anything different.

I felt the sting of her casual disregard. “You could have made him something too, Mom,” I said, my voice lower, hurt creeping in as I met Jasper's eyes.

He sighed, “Really, it’s not worth the fight. Let it go.”

I knew he was trying to keep the peace, to keep us all from another blow-up, but it only made the hurt twist deeper. “Maybe you could show a little consideration, Mom. It’s not always about making everything perfect with Aiden.”

Her eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. “This isn’t about breakfast, Nadia. This is about you refusing to accept reality.”

Jasper's gaze dropped, his expression guarded, as if he was bracing for the fallout. I could see he wanted to protect me from getting hurt but also didn't want to fuel the tension. That only made my frustration boil over. “You know what, forget it,” I muttered, turned on my heel, and stormed out of the kitchen. The door slammed shut behind me like a gunshot, ending the conversation.

School was no respite. The halls teemed with students, yet I felt isolated in the crowd, as if navigating a ghost town.

Lunch was a solitary affair, my presence at the table nothing more than a shadow. The usual cacophony of the cafeteria dulled to a background hum. My phone stayed silent beside my untouched tray—no comforting texts from Daisy, nothing to break the solitude.

As the hours ticked by, each class stretched longer than the last. The teachers' voices melded into a monotonous blur, barely registering as I replayed last night's argument over in my head. When the final bell echoed through the halls, I bolted for the door, the brief rush of relief at leaving school soured by the looming return to a home that felt just as unwelcoming.

……

I dragged myself home, the weight of my backpack mirroring the heaviness in my heart. As I got to Aiden’s opulent house, my gaze lifted, and I froze. There was my dad, standing by his old, beaten-up car parked curbside. His appearance was more haggard than I remembered, each line on his face etched with worry and fatigue. It was a punch to the gut seeing him like this, so visibly worn.

“Dad?” My voice cracked as I approached, the sight of him stirring a whirlpool of emotions within me.

He opened his arms, and I didn’t hesitate, rushing into the safety of his embrace. “Hey, Nadia,” he greeted, his voice muffled against my hair.

Pulling back, he studied my face with concern. “How are you holding up here?” he asked, his eyes searching mine for signs of the struggle I’d been facing.

“It’s been tough, Dad,” I confessed, unable to mask the strain in my voice. “I... I’ve been thinking a lot. Jasper and I, we... we want to come live with you. Is that possible?”

His expression shifted to one of concern and slight confusion. “You and Jasper?” he repeated, digesting the information. His gaze softened, filled with compassion. “I’d love that, Nadia. You know I would. But it’s complicated with your mom and everything right now.”

The hope that had sparked within me flickered uncertainly. “Why did you guys divorce? Was it because of the bankruptcy? Because mom said—”

He cut me off, gently but firmly. “It wasn’t just about the money, Nadia. It’s never that simple with relationships. Your mom and I... we saw things very differently towards the end.”

“But why?” I pressed, needing to understand, to find some clarity amidst the emotional turmoil.

Dad sighed, a deep, weary sound. “It’s complicated, sweetheart. Sometimes, people just grow apart. It wasn’t your fault, or Jasper’s, or anyone’s. These things happen.”

The conversation felt frustratingly vague, but as he shifted topics, his tone became more serious. “I’m going away on a business trip soon, Nadia. A long one. It might help sort things out financially for us,” he explained, the lines of worry deepening around his eyes.

A pang of loneliness hit me. “I’ll miss you,” I admitted, the prospect of his absence adding to my current turmoil.

“And I’ll miss you. But let’s talk, okay? Keep the lines open.” He paused, his expression softening. “How are things otherwise? School? Friends?”

The word ‘friends’ struck a chord, and the recent fallout with Daisy surfaced like a sore wound. “Daisy and I aren’t friends anymore,” I confessed, the words tasting bitter. “We had a fight… It got pretty bad.”

Dad’s face clouded with concern. “I’m sorry to hear that, Nadia. Friendships, even the best ones, can face tough times. It’s part of growing up.”

His words, meant to comfort, somehow did. “It’s just hard, you know? Feeling like I don’t really fit anywhere right now.”

He pulled me into another hug, strong and reassuring. “You’re strong, Nadia. Stronger than you think. And no matter what, you’re not alone. You have me, always.”

The warmth of his assurance wrapped around me like a shield as we parted ways. Watching him drive off was hard, each turn of the wheels a reminder of the increasing distance between us. But his visit, his words, had encouraged me.

…..

After the tense morning and unsettling conversation with my dad, I stormed through the doors of Aiden's house, my emotions in turmoil. I pushed past the noise and the chaos of the living room where Aiden's family was gathered and made my way straight to my room, shutting the world out with a slam of the door. Once inside my sanctuary, I headed for the shower, trying to scrub away not just the physical residue but the emotional turmoil that the altercation with Daisy had stirred.

The warmth of the water was a minor solace, and as it cascaded down, I felt a momentary relief from the relentless pressure of living in Aiden’s sprawling, castle-like house.

Wrapped in a bath towel, with my mind still a tumultuous cloud of thoughts, I found myself wandering the corridors of the house. With its vast and intricate layout, the old structure could disorient even those familiar with its many wings. I pushed open a door, thinking it led to my room, but the space I entered was unfamiliar, draped in shadows and silence.

It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dim light filtering through the heavy curtains. As I turned around to leave, a voice stopped me dead in my tracks.

“You seem lost,” Ethan said, his voice calm and unnervingly close. I spun around to find him lounging in an armchair, a book in hand, an eyebrow raised in amusement.

My heart raced, and my grip on the towel tightened. “I... I thought this was my room. I’m sorry,” I stammered, cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Ethan marked his place in the book and set it aside, his gaze lingering a moment too long. “This is actually one of my rooms,” he explained with a nonchalant shrug, as if the encounter were an everyday occurrence.

The awkwardness enveloped me, and it deepened abruptly when the door swung open. A girl entered—Ethan’s new girlfriend, judging by her demeanor.

She was tall and willowy, her long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders with an effortless elegance. Her confidence seemed to take up the room, a sharp contrast to my towel-clad vulnerability. She moved with a poised grace, her gaze quickly assessing me as she sauntered over to Ethan.

Her eyes slid over me, lingering just a little too long on the edge of my towel. I could feel my face heat up, my cheeks turning a shade of red I hoped wasn't too obvious. Ethan, sprawled across the chair with that familiar, careless grin, barely reacted. He was used to women drifting in and out, barely clothed, his reputation as a playboy well-earned.

I felt naked under her scrutiny and unconsciously clutched my towel tighter.

She tilted her head, a playful smirk on her lips. "What’s the matter, sweetie? Trying to seduce Ethan with that innocent act?" Her voice was honeyed with mockery, her gaze appraising me like I was some new toy she was curious to inspect. "Or are you just clueless about how things work? Maybe a virgin who doesn't even know how to handle a man.”

She smirked, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “Maybe you’re just trying to get a taste of the wild side before you run back to mommy and daddy?”

I felt a surge of irritation mixed with embarrassment. “Maybe I don’t need to throw myself at every guy to feel worth something,” I shot back, my voice laced with a calm I didn’t quite feel. “Not that you’d know anything about that. I assure you, I have zero interest in anyone, especially not with Ethan,” I retorted, my tone sharper than I intended.

Her eyes narrowed, but Ethan chuckled, clearly amused by the exchange. “Alright, alright,” he drawled, standing up and walking over with the book he had been reading, his smirk widening.

“You’re better off fantasizing about the wonderful world in books,” He said, placing the book firmly in my arms.

His girlfriend tugged at his arm, and they turned to leave together, their laughter mingling as they exited. The door shut behind them with a soft click, leaving me alone with the book in my hands.