CHAPTER EIGHT- TRANSFER OWNERSHIP

The gate with a loud sound was shut which sent a rush of nerves through Aria's spine. She didn't need to check, she knew who it was. Moments later, the front door opened slightly and there he stood—Daniel—her husband. His smile stretched effortlessly across his face, eyes twinkling with the same crafted charm he offered the world.

"Hi darling." he said, stepping into the living room with open arms, as if those arms could bring warmth to her "I really missed you today."

She forced a small smile, nodding without meeting his eyes. "Welcome."

He came closer and planted a kiss on her cheek, way longer than necessary, as if trying to prove to the walls and furniture that they were still a perfect couple. Aria's skin itches form the irritation gotten from the contact, but she said nothing. Her hands curled into her palm, hidden behind the couch.

He moved around the house like he always did—at ease, affectionate, humming softly under his breath. To an outsider, he would seem the doting husband, incapable of harm. Aria knew better now.

She had seen him with his pretty secretary, making out. She knew but she wasn't ready to confront him yet. Not because she was scared—no. But because she wanted to see how long his pretense could last, while she stood right there, staring at him with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Dinner?" he asked, pulling off his jacket and tossing it onto the armrest like he owned not just the house, but the silence between them.

"Sure," Aria replied, voice smooth, practiced. "I made your favorite."

He grinned again. "You always know how to spoil me."

She quickly averted her gaze for him not to see the carefully hidden shadow in her eyes.

Yes, she thought, curling up her fist. Keep pretending. Pretend until your lies bury you.

And she would be waiting—with the truth clenched in her fist, and her heart growing colder by the hour.

He crossed his arms, his tone firm but calm. "You didn't take your calls!"

She looked up at him,she wasn't expecting that question, although her face displayed displeasure, she hid her clenched hands under the dinning table as she tried to steady her voice.

"Maybe at that point you called, I was busy with work!" she said quickly, her eyes searching around the room as if hoping she could find an excuse on the walls.

He wasn't convinced, something within him tells him something is wrong. The silence in the room grew thicker.

"It was just two calls, you were busy taking at least one! ?" he asked, a note of suspicion in his voice.

She opened her mouth, closed it again, then forced a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I didn't mean to ignore them," she mumbled. "Things just got… hectic."

He exhaled sharply, not satisfied, but said nothing more. The air between them remained thick with unspoken tension.

Daniel leaned on the edge of the dinning table, his voice low but firm. "Honey, as a legal practitioner, don't you think you should craft a document transferring all the major shares of the company to my name?"

Aria, seated directly opposite to him, slowly looked up from the food she was eating. Her brows furrowed, more in confusion than concern. "What?"

He crossed his arms, as he said, "Most clients and shareholders refuse to listen to me. They look right past me like I'm invisible. I'm your husband, not some accessory. If the shares were in my name—officially—it would make a difference."

She blinked at him, almost too quickly, and then looked away. "Daniel… This is sudden. We never talked about transferring ownership."

"We didn't need to talk about the rumour which refers to your husband as incapable," He replied, his tone sharper now.

She sighed, pushing her meal aside. "This isn't about the rumours. You're blowing this out of proportion."

Daniel felt anger within him, he thought it would be easy but she was making it hard for him. "Am I? Or are you just scared of what people will say when I'm actually given the power I deserve? You parade me around as the CEO's husband, mure like your shadow. You keep claiming you built the company for me. Is it all lies? "

Aria rubbed her temples. "This isn't a matter of acknowledgement, Daniel. Transferring shares is a huge legal move. It's not just paperwork—it's control, responsibility, tax implications. You can't just—"

His voice cracked as he cut in. "Do you think I'm incapable of handling it? Is that what this is really about?"

She stood up abruptly. "No. But there's a difference between being capable and being ready."

Silence.

That was all she needed.

"Don't be ridiculous," he snapped, his tone rising. "Is this really not about it, or is there something else stopping you? "

"No?" Her voice shook now.

"Then why do you flinch every time I ask for something that actually gives me power?" He said.

Aria stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "Because it isn't the right time yet."

"From what?" He whispered, his beat passed. He looked like he wanted to say something. To reach out, to explain. But nothing came.

And that silence spoke louder than any excuse ever could.

She turned on her heel before he could respond, the click of her heels on the marble floor echoing in the space between them—a space that, suddenly, felt like a chasm.

The very moment she turned her back and left, an eerie stillness filled the room. He sat frozen, an heaviness pressing against his chest. Something wasn't right—he could feel it in his bones. The woman who had just walked out wasn't the same one he married. Her eyes, once filled with warmth, now held shadows he couldn't name. Her embrace had felt distant lately, her laughter hollow. What had changed? What did she know that she wasn't telling him? The thought gnawed at him. She claimed it was for protection—for both of them—but was that the truth? Or a veil to hide her secrets? Doubt sprang within him thick and choking. He feared that she was slipping away, and he cannot afford to let that happen.