Chapter 29
Aria’s POV
“You’re fucking ridiculous!”
Jace shoved his chair back and stormed off without another word.
Delilah collapsed into the seat he left behind. She covered her face with both hands and started sobbing softly
“That’s how he treats you?” Grayson demanded.
“Enough” Delilah’s eyes were already brimming with tears.
“As the Hart family’s heiress, you shouldn’t let anyone treat you like this. Something needs to be done about this.” His voice was low/full of warning
“Stop it! I don’t want to hear it!” she suddenly jumped up, shouting through her tears. “Why do you always have something to say about my life? I’ve been stuck in your shadow ever since we were kids. And now I’m married but I still can’t escape your goddamn control? You know nothing about relationships Grayson. It’s not like your own marriage was so perfect either!”
With that, she spun around and bolted out the balcony door.
I just sat there, stunned, my brain still stuck on what Delilah had said.
She said Grayson’s marriage wasn’t perfect…
He’s married?!
“Aria, would you mind going to talk to Delilah?” he asked.
I blinked and was suddenly snapped out of my daze. “Of course.” I stood up and said.
“Thank you. She might actually listen to you.”
I hesitated, wanting to ask more about that whole marriage thing. But he had already gotten up and left the living room.
I headed outside, following the path from the living room’s sliding doors down a wooden walkway that led toward the lake.
I found Delilah at the very end of it, curled up and crying into her hands.
I walked over slowly. “Hey…Are you alright?”
She said nothing. Just sobbing.
“Don’t be sad. You know Alpha Grayson was only-”
she
“Trying to protect me?” She whipped her head up, her eyes blazing with anger. “If you’re just here to defend him, then don’t bother!”
I sighed. “Is it possible you’re just mad at Jace? You don’t get why he won’t let you meet his parents, and you don’t understand why he’s to moody all the time. So maybe you’re taking it out on Alpha Grayson.”
She sniffled, and then shook her head. “I don’t know, Aria.. maybe you’re right. Sometimes… sometimes I wonder if Jace even loves me. Hell I think he might care about that ex of his way more than he ever cared me?
“That’s not true. They’re over.” I said without hesitation.
“How would you know?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.
How would I know? Because I was in that relationship myself.
“Well,” she went on bitterly, “then let me tell you this–Jace’s phone password is still her birthday. When we moved into our villa, he brought this one box with him and never let me touch it. I snuck a look once. It was filled with all their vinyl records, and even pictures of them together. I told him to throw it all out, he refused. We had a huge fight about it.”
1/2
0:40 AM
Chapter 29
My heart skipped a beat.
…He kept those things!
Why on earth would he do that?
I thought he hated me
“What kind of girl do you think she was, Jace’s ex?” Delilah asked darkly.
Delilah, I really don’t think it matters what she was like. They’re done”
“No! It fucking matters. Because she’s still haunting my Jace!” she snapped. “If I could find her..if I ever know who she is, I swear to the Moon Goddess that I will ruin her. I’d erase her from this goddamn world so she’d never occupy even a second of Jace’s mind again!”
My body turned completely cold.
Just imagine… if she ever found out Jace’s ex was sitting right in front of her..I didn’t even dare think about it.
“Right now you just need to focus on you and Jace,” I said stiffly.
She let out a long breath. “You’re probably right. Well, I guess I should go find him and apologize for pushing his buttons.
She gave me a tired smile and slowly made her way back along the boardwalk.
I stayed behind, staring out at the lake.
My mind was spinning with so ways to confess the truth to her, but every single scenario I came up with a feeling like a disaster was waiting to happen
It was already dark out, but I wasn’t ready to go back yet. Not ready to face the sad Delilah, and moody Jace and Grayson and his past.
It was summer, and even after sundown the air was still warm.
I dipped a toe in the lake, testing the water. Then I stripped off my clothes, left them in a pile by the edge, and jumped in wearing only iny underwear.
The water was surprisingly warm, almost like a hot spring. I swam a few laps, enjoying the peace, then floated near the shore to catch my breath.
The lake was far from the villa, surrounded by trees. No one was around. It was completely quiet except for the gentle splash of water and rustling leaves.
I was so lost in the moment, so relaxed.
That I didn’t notice anything.
Until a shadow loomed over me.
I saw the reflection on the water first, the ripples warping their face. I jerked my head
“Who-”
Before I could even finish the sentence, a hand suddenly grabbed the top of my head and shoved me under the water!
