Chapter 97
Aria’s POV
The moment I walked into the foom, everything inside me froze. I hadn’t even planned on walking in, but there they were, the triplets, all sitting around like nothing had changed. Their faces lit up when they saw me, but I didn’t care. I could feel the betrayal burning through me, and the sight of them just made it worse.
“Aria,” Enzo spoke, his voice tinged with the kind of cautious hope I hated. I didn’t want hope right now. I didn’t want anything from them.
I crossed my arms, standing still, staring at them. My chest felt tight, the anger building up like a volcano ready to erupt. They couldn’t just act like nothing had happened, like everything was okay because they said a few words. No, not after everything.
They shifted uncomfortably, and for a brief moment, their eyes met, unsure of who would speak first. It was Dante who spoke up, his voice soft, trying to sound sincere. “We need to talk, Aria. We owe you an apology. We should’ve done more.”
I scoffed, not able to hold back the bitterness in my voice. “Apology? Really? You think a few words are going to fix this? How about you tell me why you thought it was okay to run background checks on me? Huh? You think I didn’t see that?”
The words came out before I could stop them, and as soon as I said them, I felt the full weight of my anger take over. How could they? How could they not trust me after everything I’d shared with them? After everything they knew about my past?
Enzo flinched, and for a moment, I saw regret flash across his face. But it wasn’t enough. Not after what they’d done.
“Aria, listen,” Matteo tried, his voice pleading, but I cut him off. I didn’t want to hear it.
“Listen to what? Your excuses?” My voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade. “You really think I’m just going to forget? You sat there, letting Cassandra manipulate you. You didn’t even ask me about it, didn’t even give me the benefit of the doubt.”
I could see their guilt building in the room, but it didn’t make me feel any better. It didn’t fix what was broken. Their faces fell as my words struck deep, and the anger swelled in my chest. The disappointment was overwhelming, and I couldn’t look at them the same way anymore.
“You knew exactly who she was, who my family is,” I said, shaking my head. “And you still let her fill your heads with lies about me? After everything I’ve been through? After everything I’ve told you about my family? How could you even listen to her?”
Dante ran a hand through his hair, visibly uncomfortable. “We didn’t believe everything she said, Aria. We just… didn’t know what to think.”
“Well, maybe you should’ve come to me first,” I shot back, my eyes flashing with anger. “But you didn’t. You just let her lie to you and me.”
Matteo stepped forward, his expression earnest. “We should’ve been there for you, Aria. I should’ve stepped in, and I’m sorry.”
I shook my head again, the emotional wall going up thicker with every apology they gave. “Sorry doesn’t cut it. The damage is done.” I turned away from them, my voice cracking. “I’m done talking for now. I can’t do this.”
I made my way toward the door, but before I could leave, Matteo gently grabbed my wrist. His touch was warm, but it only made my heart freeze.
“Aria,” he whispered, his voice breaking slightly, “Please, listen to me.”
I jerked my arm away, my chest tight with a mixture of anger and something else I didn’t want to acknowledge. “I can’t even look at you right now,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, filled with pain.
I walked out of the room without looking back. My steps were heavy, my heart heavier. I needed to get away from them, from everything.
The next few days were the hardest.
1/3
Chapter 97
I stayed in the stables, burying myself in work, away from the triplets and the constant reminders of how they had betrayed me. It was the only place I could find peace–among the animals that didn’t ask questions, that didn’t make me feel like I was a problem to be fixed.
But the triplets didn’t let me stay away for long.
Every day, a new gift showed up. Flowers. First a bouquet of roses. The next day, an extravagant arrangement of lilies and tulips. I didn’t even bother reading the card. It was the same every time. The same false gestures.
I hated them.
I hated how they thought they could fix everything with gifts. Flowers weren’t going to undo the betrayal. A fancy bouquet wasn’t going to heal the hurt they caused. It wasn’t enough.
I didn’t care how beautiful the flowers were, I didn’t care about the chocolate box that came a day later. Or the bracelet, so delicate and carefully crafted. I didn’t want any of it.
Each time, I took the flowers, the chocolates, the bracelet, and tossed them in the trash without a second glance. The smell of the roses lingered in the air for a moment, and it only made my stomach turn.
I didn’t need their pity. I didn’t need their apologies wrapped in pretty paper.
Days passed, and the space between us grew wider. Every time I saw them, my anger flared again. They didn’t understand. They didn’t get it. They were trying, but they weren’t getting through to me.
One evening, I stood outside the stables, watching the sunset. It was beautiful, but nothing could ease the pain that still lingered inside me. The hurt, the betrayal–it was all still fresh, too fresh to forgive.
I heard footsteps behind me, and when I turned, I saw them–Enzo, Dante, and Matteo, standing a few feet away. They didn’t speak at first, just looking at me, their eyes filled with regret and guilt.
They were waiting for me to say something, to let them in. But I wasn’t ready.
“Aria,” Dante said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Please. We’re sorry. We messed up, but we want to make it right.”
I stared at them, my chest tightening. A small part of me–one/I refused to acknowledge–wanted to believe them. Wanted to believe that they were truly sorry. But I wasn’t ready. Not yet.
“I don’t know if I can forgive you,” I said, my voice trembling. “Not right now.”
Their faces fell, but they didn’t move.
“I need time,” I added, my heart aching. “Time to figure out if I can trust you again.”
And with that, I turned away, walking back into the stables, my emotions swirling. The distance between us had never been greater.
کر
