Aria’s POV

Shane was still chattering away, showing me off. Her voice grated on my nerves. "You see, Aria, I've been working with Victor's company for years while managing my own. I know everyone and everything here," she said condescendingly. "Victor's lucky to have me as a good friend and business partner."

"Oh, there's Samantha," Shane pointed out, waving across the room. "She handles all the important accounts. I recommended her for the position, actually."

"And over there," she continued, oblivious to my lack of enthusiasm, "that's Peter. He's in charge of marketing. I often give him tips."

“Are you done? I don’t have time for this, Shane, just take me to Victor’s office.” I interrupted her, feeling my patience wear thin.

She paused and sneered. Just as we turned a corner, she stopped suddenly and I looked back at her in confusion. But then I collided with someone carrying a glass of water. The cold liquid splashed all over me, soaking my blouse and making me gasp.

"Oh, my god, I'm so sorry!" the person exclaimed, looking horrified.

"It's okay, really," I said quickly, even though I felt the wet fabric clinging uncomfortably to my skin.

Shane immediately stepped in. "Aria, let's get you out of those wet clothes. I have some extras in the room down the hall."

Now I knew why she'd just stopped; she'd seen someone there. But she didn't warn me. She just wanted to see me make a fool. I'm so sick of her boring behavior.

Before I could protest, she gently but firmly steered me into a nearby office. She rummaged through a drawer and pulled out a dry shirt.

I took the shirt, but threw it to the side. “Just stop pretending already, Shane.”

Her expression changed instantly, morphing into that familiar mean look. “Look at you, no wonder Victor doesn't want to recognize you as his wife.”

Her words stung, but I refused to let her get to me. I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “I'm already divorcing Victor, Shane. So, no matter what you say, it won't piss me off anymore.”

Shane was momentarily surprised, but then she laughed, a cruel sound that echoed in the room. She thought she had won.

“Hmm… Divorcing Victor? Don’t be silly, Aria!” she said sarcastically. “Nobody will believe that for a second. Victor probably realized already that you’re just a nuisance in his life. He no longer has any use for you, after all.”

She continued to taunt me, trying to provoke a reaction. But I was done playing her games. I looked at her flatly, uninterested in her attempts to rile me up. And strangely, that seemed to anger her even more.

“Stop pretending you don’t care!” she suddenly snapped at me. Then to my shock, she took out her phone and began showing me photos of Victor and me lying naked in bed together. “You think he’d learn to love you after tricking him to sleep with you?!”

My heart stopped for a second as I stared at the familiar photos. That familiar feeling of dread and humiliation washed over me. “H-How did you get hold of those?” I stammered, not believing my eyes.

She scoffed and looked at me mockingly. Then it hit me. What a stupid question I had just asked! Of course it was her all along! She’d taken those photos of us and sent them to Victor!

I stood there, my hands clenched into fists at my sides, staring at Shane with disbelief and rage burning in my chest.

"It was you!" I accused, my voice shaking with anger. "You took those photos and sent them to Victor and put them in my phone! You set me up!"

Shane smirked as if reveling in my anger. "See? All it takes is a miniature camera, and a hack, and I can get you hated by Victor. I thought it would make him despise you, but he married you anyway... but I guess it worked out just as well.”

I wanted to strangle her. She just grinned at me devilishly with her arms crossed in front of her chest. She said, “Don't bother speaking ill of me because it will do you no good... you won’t be able to find a single thing to use against me! So guess who Victor will believe?"

I couldn't believe the audacity, the sheer cruelty of what she had done.

I stepped forward quickly, trying to grab Shane's phone to take evidence and prove my innocence to Victor. If I could just get my hands on it, I could expose Shane's lies. But of course, Shane wouldn't let me near it.

"Stay back, Aria!" Shane shouted, clutching the phone tightly. Her face contorted with fury, and her voice echoed through the lobby. Almost instantly, security guards rushed over, drawn by the commotion.

She suddenly started yelling, but now she played the victim, casting fearful glances my way. "She's trying to attack me!" she cried out.

The guards, unfamiliar with me, moved to intervene. "Ma'am, step away," one of them ordered, his tone firm.

Shane's smug expression was infuriating, a twisted mix of triumph and deceit. I clenched my fists, feeling the heat of my anger boiling just beneath the surface.

Just then I glanced at the divorce agreement in my hand, its stark black letters almost mocking me. The reality of my nearing freedom stared back at me, and in that moment, a wave of calm washed over me. Why did any of this matter when we were on the verge of divorce?

I took a deep breath and straightened my posture, meeting Shane's eyes with a cold, steady gaze. "Fine, you win," I said, my voice steady and resolute.

I placed the divorce agreement on the table, pushing it towards Shane. "I don’t want to waste any more time here. Just give this to Victor. Tell him to sign this damn agreement and send it to me immediately.”

Shane blinked, momentarily caught off guard. She hadn't expected me to surrender so easily. But this wasn't surrender. It was liberation.

As I walked away, leaving the chaos behind, I felt a sense of freedom I hadn't experienced in years. This would be the beginning of my new life, free from the toxic marriage that had imprisoned me and made me so unhappy.

Aria’s POV

I emerged from Victor’s company building, feeling unsure of my next move. As I hailed a cab, I found myself giving the driver Jessica's home address.

Jessica had been my best friend since high school, but our communication had dwindled. Since I’d gotten married, she had persistently advised me to consider divorce, a sentiment she had expressed numerous times.

Perhaps I should heed her advice. I’ve just been too stubborn, not listening to her all these years.

Despite Jessica's disapproval and anger over my unwavering support for Victor, I held onto the hope that he would eventually reciprocate my feelings.

Oh God, I was so stupid.

I stood at her doorstep, mustered up the courage, and knocked on the door. When Jessica opened it, she didn’t say anything at first but just looked at me as if she'd seen a ghost.

“Hi,” I tentatively greeted her and managed to force a smile.

"Aria?” She let me in, but then, she seemed to instantly notice the troubled look on my face. Frowning, she added, “If you're here just to complain about Victor and not to finally leave him, then I think it’s best that you just go back to him.”

I sighed. This was exactly what I used to do. Now I realized how disappointed and frustrated Jessica had been with me.

"Jessica, I... I'm deeply sorry. I want you to know that I've made the decision to divorce him." Despite my stumbling words, I pushed myself to express it clearly.

She remained silent, her frown unchanged. "I mean it," I continued. "I've already left the divorce papers in his office."

"Can I stay at your place for a while?” I went on. “I have nowhere else to go... But if it's too much to ask, I completely under —."

Before I could finish, she cut me off. "Are you serious? Of course, you can stay! Thank goodness you're finally leaving that jerk!"

"Come here, you," she said, enveloping me in a tight hug. I welcomed her embrace, grateful for the warmth and support it offered. My heart raced with excitement and nervousness.

"Wait a moment," Jessica said, guiding me to the couch.

To my surprise, she produced two beers from the freezer. I chuckled, "Are we celebrating?"

"Yes, absolutely! I'm thrilled!"

"I'm sorry, Jess, but I can't," I said. She paused, stunned and confused. So I quickly explained, "I'm pregnant."

Her mouth hung open, as if her jaw might hit the floor. "What? That jerk treated you so badly and still got you pregnant?!"

I was speechless, concerned that she might be angry with me. Then, she crouched down and addressed my belly solemnly, "Don't grow up to be like your dad." We locked eyes and burst into laughter.

We sank into the plush cushions and began chatting. I sensed that Jessica was gearing up to criticize Victor, but I didn't intervene because I knew she was defending me.

"He made you do everything for him! Treated you like a maid. He only cares about his damn work. Has he ever thanked you even once? Never!" Jessica's arms crossed over her chest, her voice growing more heated with each word.

"If it wasn't for your dad's help, he’d still be nobody. And you graduated from a prestigious university. Who the hell is he to look down on you?"

Jessica's words reminded me of my own worth. Seeing her so passionate warmed my heart, and I was grateful she was still my friend. I gently patted her hands. "Don't be angry. It's not worth it. I really don't care about him anymore."

Suddenly, Jessica sat up straight, her expression serious. I felt a pang of unease, unsure what had changed. Then she nodded and said, "That's good. Now you're completely Aria Everhart, not Mrs. Thorn."

“Yeah, you bet! And I never really felt like Mrs. Thorn to start with.” We both laughed, and I felt a wave of relaxation wash over me.

Suddenly, a loud knock on the door startled us, and we exchanged anxious glances.

Jessica, with a hint of trepidation, called out, "Who is it?"

"It's me, Victor," came the somewhat distorted reply from the other side.

Surprised, I whispered, "How did he find this place?"

Sensing my unease, Jessica quickly gestured for me to retreat inside, saying, "Get in. Let me handle him." Understanding her intention to shield me from the impending confrontation, I complied and disappeared into a nearby room.

From my hiding spot, I heard Jessica open the door, and Victor's urgent, slightly angry voice inquiring about my whereabouts. Jessica's response was curt and cold, "How would I know? She's your wife. Just go home and check, okay?"

"I did check home, I'm not clueless. But she wasn't there!" Victor sounded exasperated. "I went to the office and heard that she had caused trouble again. Where could she..."

"Hey, watch your mouth!" Jessica interjected, her voice now sharp with anger. “She’s never been a troublemaker. There’s nothing wrong with Aria, so maybe it’s you. You’re the one who’s to blame!”

He was at it again, unjustly blaming me. With a heavy sigh, I realized I couldn't keep avoiding the confrontation. I couldn’t just leave it for Jessica to handle. Stepping out, I faced Victor, who paused upon seeing me, then demanded, "I knew you were here. Come home with me now."

Calmly, I replied, "I've told you, I want a divorce. This isn't a joke. I've already given the papers to Shane; you can ask her."

Victor's expression turned sour immediately. "Can't we talk at home? Don't embarrass me."

Surprisingly, I should have been furious, but instead, I felt oddly calm. "See, Victor, you always think I embarrass you. Why can't we just let each other go?"

With a bitter sigh, I added, "I really loved you, Victor. But I don't think I can hold on any longer." Exhaustion weighed heavily on me as I tried to close the door, signaling for him to leave.

However, he grabbed my arm, forcing me to face him again. "You will never divorce me, Aria!" he spat angrily. "Never. Because you are mine. Only mine!"