Chapter 2 – Heartbreaking News!
Aria’s Pov
“What are you getting me to sign, Aria?”
Austin’s voice cut through the silence like a slap across the face.
froze, caught off guard. The phone was still warm against my ear. I ended the call quickly.
“I asked you something,” he said again, stepping closer.
I held the phone tighter. “Why are you back?” I asked, forcing my voice steady. “Wasn’t the meeting supposed to take time?”
“You’re dodging.” His eyes narrowed. “Who were you talking to?“!
“The doctor,” I lied. “The hospital needed some forms signed.”
He reached for the phone and tried unlocking it. I didn’t panic–at least not visibly.
“What’s your password?”
“My birthday.”
He typed it in. Nothing happened. He frowned and tried again.
“Why isn’t this working? Isn’t your birthday June third?”
I smiled. Bitter and quiet. “That’s Mira’s birthday.”
He paused.
Three years of marriage. And he didn’t even know.”
His voice turned sheepish. “Oh. I get those mixed up sometimes.”
I met his gaze. “Three years together, and you still confuse
He sighed. “You know how I am with dates.”
with her.”
“But not hers,” I whispered. “You’ve never forgotten hers. Even after she left you at the altar.”
“That’s enough,” Austin snapped, his tone turning sharp. “Mira apologized. You’re the one holding on to the past.”
I didn’t reply. I just brushed past him and walked upstairs.
The room that used to be ours had become mine alone the moment Mira moved in.
1 sat on the edge of the bed, opened my jewelry box, and pulled out the velvet pouch.
My mother’s brooch. Silver filigree. One missing stone.
It wasn’t worth much. But it was the last thing i had of her.
The only thing no one had stolen yet.
I tucked it carefully into a satin case, then I heard the front door open.
1
“I’m back!” Mira’s voice floated up, sweet and laced with venom. “Papa insisted we stop at that new boutique. You wouldn’t believe how stunning the designs are.“[
My father’s voice followed. “Mira knows quality. Not like Aria.”
gritted my teeth./
Footsteps approached. Mira appeared in my doorway, shopping bags swinging from her wrists.
“Are you packing up already?” she asked innocently.
I said nothing.
She strolled in like she owned the room and opened my drawer. “Still holding on to Jamie’s stuff? Let it go, Aria. He’s dead.”
I slammed the drawer shut. “Don’t touch that.”
Her smile sharpened. “W
not? You don’t have anything else left, do you?”
“I’ll leave soon,” I said quietly. “Then you can have everything you’ve ever wanted.”
“Oh, no,” she said, stepping closer, “I haven’t gotten everything yet.”
Then she screamed.
A shrill, high–pitched sound, and suddenly she dropped to the floor, grabbing her wrist.
“I’m sorry, Aria! I didn’t mean to ask for it! Please don’t hurt me!”
Footsteps thundered upstairs. Austin and my father appeared at the door.
“What the hell happened?!” my father barked.
“She hit me,” Mira sniffled. “I only asked her if I could have her mother’s brooch for my nightmares. I thought since we’re sisters-” “You selfish bitch!” Austin growled, glaring at me. “Give it to her! Why do you have to make everything a big deal?“>
“That’s all I have left of my mother,” I whispered.
My father’s voice cut through me like a knife. “Your mother was a selfish bitch. And you’re no better.”
Tears blurred my vision. My hands trembled as I opened the satin box.&
I remembered my mother’s voice.
D
41:58 PM D
“Guard it with your life, darling. It’s our family crest. It’ll protect you when I can’t.“}
I swallowed the lump in my throat and handed it over.
Mira smiled like a child getting candy. Then-“Oops.”
The brooch slipped from her fingers. Hit the floor. Cracked into pieces.
“You broke it,” I breathed. “You broke it.“@
“I’m sorry, Aria,” she said, holding her hand. “You gave it to me with bad intentions. See? I’m bleeding.”
Austin rushed to her side. “Let me see your palm. You’re hurt. I knew she was spiteful.“>
They hovered over her like she was glass.
My hands clenched at my sides. “It was an accident. You saw-”
“Enough!” my father growled. “You’ve always been jealous. You’re pathetic.”
Mira tumed to me, “I’m sorry, Aria, let me help you.“>
Then she knelt beside me and lowering her voice, she whispered, “Oh, Aria. You want to know why the hospital ‘rerouted‘ the transplant?” My blood went cold.
Her whisper slid into my ear. “Austin paid them off. Told them the donor heart meant for your brother should be given to me.“>
“You didn’t need it,” I said shakily, “You weren’t sick.“}
She smiled. “I know but they didn’t know. I just wanted to see the only family that loves you dead.“}]
She stood up. “Oops again.”
Her elbow knocked into the small urn on the shelf–Jamie’s ashes.
It fell and shattered.
Ashes spilled across the floor.}
Something inside me snapped.”
1 slapped her. Hard.
Her scream split the air. “She hit me!”
Austin’s hand came fast. I barely saw it before it collided with my cheek.”
Pain exploded behind my eye. I stumbled back.
My father’s cane struck next–slammed into my
I crumpled.
ribs.
“You ungrateful little bitch,” he spat. “All this fuss over a worthless urn.”
I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move.}
My breath came in short gasps.
No one reached for me.
No one noticed the blood on my lip. Or the tears slipping past my lashes. Rather they helped Mira, treating her like a fragile doll.
I closed my eyes.
Three more days.}
And I’d be gone forever.}
