Chapter 68: A Beakoning Ghost

She stood still, her body tense, consumed by a sense of shame as if she had been apprehended in the act of theft.

A whirlwind of emotions stormed within her. The weight of her decision to leave him for Brad, hung heavily in the air, and Adrian's knowledge of her intentions only intensified the tension.

She saw the hurt in his eyes, a stark reflection of the pain she was causing him. A regret and longing tugged at her heart.

"You know about Brad?" she asked, turning around.

"Of course, I know about Brad. You're my girl and I know everything there is to know about you," he said.

She found herself speechless, unable to utter a word, while carrying the weight of her guilt like a pendant hanging heavily around her neck.

He knew? How could he have known?

"There's something you should know about me. I don't do second chances. That is why Jeanne is desperate, and I will never take her back," he said, emphasizing never.

"If you walk out that door, that is it. It will truly be over between us."

She turned to the door once again.

"Aria..." he called to her as if warning her, unable to hide the hurt in his voice.

She was about to turn the knob when something occurred to her. It was like pieces of puzzles coming together to make a whole picture.

Heartstone Hotels were the property of the Everdeen family, while Sterling Hotels were under the ownership of the Sterling family. Adrian's surname happened to be Sterling. Was it possible that their families' shared involvement in the same industry led to their meeting?

On their first date, he had brought her to the rooftop of a Sterling Hotel, which exuded an air of exclusivity, resembling something the hotel owner's son might arrange.

However, the one aspect that didn't quite match was their house on Wayne Street. Billionaires typically don't reside in homes like that.

"How did you meet Jeanne," Aria asked with the little courage she could muster.

"At a party, why?" he answered. There was no way he could tell her the truth now. There was no point to it.

"It's just her family is super wealthy, they own Heartstone Hotels all over the world. You both don't belong in the same class."

"You aren't in the same status as the friends you keep on campus either," he said, putting her in her place. He could see in her eyes that his words burned her.

Aria folded her fingers into a fist and chewed on her thumbnail, pondering on her newfound realization.

"You are not related to the Sterlings', are you?" she asked.

"Which Sterlings'? My family?" he asked aloof, knowing exactly what she was talking about.

"Owners of the Sterling hotel chain."

"I'm...not related to them," he said, denying his own legacy.

"It's just that Jeanne's family is into the hotel business and the Sterlings' are also a giant in the business. We used the rooftop of a Sterling hotel on our first date."

"I just used the hotel because of name similarity, hoping it will help me get you. It did, didn't it?" he said, holding her gaze.

He witnessed the searing burn once more reflecting in her eyes, wishing he could have said or done more to inflict the same hurt upon her that she had caused him.

He felt no remorse to spell out her reality to her face. She was undeniably a full-blown gold digger. He had given her the benefit of the doubt, but she had proven him so right.

Nothing held significance anymore. In that instance, he rejected her in his heart. She was his one chance to get back on the love track, but she hurt him too. Just like Jeanne did.

Different motives for the two women, even though it had the same end.

'Too bad,' she mused. 'It could have been a reason for me to stay.'

She spun on her heel and departed, emphatically slamming the door behind her as she exited his presence.

***

The following week was very difficult for Aria. The difficult choice she made to end her relationship with Adrian, made guilt and regret weigh heavily on her conscience.

Although she was excited about the prospect of a new and potentially wonderful relationship, the conflicting emotions of guilt and anticipation warred within her.

She couldn't help but feel remorseful for leaving Adrian, who had always been loving and supportive. The thought of the pain she had caused him haunted her.

She felt bad that she had pushed him to utter the nasty things he remarked about her.

The excitement of this fresh beginning with Brad was hard to resist.

Caught between these conflicting emotions, Aria navigated the complex terrain of guilt and anticipation.

It will be a journey filled with uncertainty, marked by the bittersweet taste of what she had left behind and the promises of what lay ahead.