Chapter 19
Still reeling from the operation, Aria quickly succumbed to exhaustion after Cade left.
When she woke the next morning, the space beside her was empty. He hadn't come back.
A bitter laugh escaped her lips. He was with Kendra, of course. Doting on her and their unborn child.
He was a man who wanted everything. He wanted Aria's forgiveness while refusing to let go of the woman who had destroyed her.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the slam of her door. Kendra stood there, radiating an air of smug satisfaction.
“Well, look at you. Still breathing.”
Kendra’s expression was pure poison. A triumphant smile played on her lips as she approached the bed, her every word dripping with malice.
“I’m so glad you’re alive. Now you won’t have to miss our wedding.”
With a flourish, she dropped a heavy, cream-colored invitation onto Aria's lap. It was a prop, of course, designed for this very moment.
She knew it was a twisted thing to do, to torment a woman in her condition, but she couldn't resist. The only time she felt truly at peace was when she knew her rival was miserable.
Aria ignored her, her eyes drawn to the invitation against her will. A photo of Cade and Kendra graced the front, the two of them locked in a loving gaze. They looked perfect together, and the sight of it was a physical blow.
In her own wedding photo, Cade’s expression had been a tight, pained grimace, as if he were attending a funeral. In this picture, he looked genuinely happy. Could Kendra truly bring him that kind of joy?
Maybe that was the difference between being with the woman you loved and the one you were forced to marry. They weren't even divorced yet, and here he was, planning a future with someone else.
Aria pushed the invitation aside, taking a deep, steadying breath. When she met Kendra’s eyes, her own held a cool, contemptuous smile.
“Are you really that desperate to make your affair public, Kendra?” She let the question hang in the air for a moment before adding, “I am, and always will be, Mrs. Sterling. You’re just the other woman. I’d keep a low profile if I were you. A scandal like this could do serious damage to your precious reputation.”
The barb hit its mark. Kendra’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, her expression hardening.
“A low profile? Funny, coming from the woman who didn’t even get a real wedding. You’re the one who should be hiding. Do you really think you can hold onto him, Aria? He can cut you loose whenever he wants. In fact, the divorce papers are already drawn up. You’ll be left with nothing. All you have to do is sign.”
“And don’t even think about refusing. You know Cade. If he wants your signature, he’ll get it. Even if he has to take your hand and sign it for you.”
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Kendra’s face as she watched the color drain from Aria’s. She leaned in closer, her voice a triumphant whisper. “You will always be the loser, Aria.”
“Your audacity is truly something, Kendra. Everyone in this city knows you’re my father’s widow. Isn’t it a bit trashy to marry your own step-son-in-law?”
“Oh, I’m not just going to marry him. I’m going to give him a family. And who cares what people know? They also know your father raped me. Or so they think.”
“That’s a lie! You drugged him! You seduced him when he was vulnerable!” The memory of her father’s death sent a fresh wave of grief and anger through Aria. “He was so good to you, Kendra. Why did you kill him!?”