The Last Night Of Truth

The Last Night Of Truth
Aria's POV

I am torn apart.

My heart felt like it was being ripped into two different pieces inside my chest. One piece belonged to the woman who was sitting on this velvet couch and looking at the most beautiful man in the world. That piece wanted to say yes. That piece wanted to scream yes until my lungs gave out. That piece wanted to wear the white dress and walk down the aisle and become Mrs Ethan Malcovich. That piece wanted to have Leo and Victoria and Nathan and cook terrible lasagna and live happily with Ethan forever.

But the other piece was black and cold and dead. That piece belonged to Aria Delaney. That piece belonged to a ghost. That piece knew that if I said yes then I would be committing the worst crime imaginable. I would be marrying a man under a fake name. I would be standing at the altar lying to God and to him. I would be bringing the daughter of his enemy into his bed every single night for the rest of his life.

How could I do that to him?

How could I destroy him like that?

Ethan was looking at me with eyes that were so full of hope and love that it physically hurt to look at him. He was waiting for an answer. He was waiting for me to plan our future. He didn't know that I was sitting there planning how to steal from his father and run away.

I felt the heat rise in my eyes. It started as a burning sensation in the corners and then it overflowed.

Tears started coming out from my eyes again. They were hot and heavy and they rolled down my cheeks like rivers. I couldn't stop them. I tried to smile because I didn't want him to worry but the smile just made the tears fall faster.

Ethan saw the tears. His face changed instantly. The happy excitement vanished and was replaced by deep concern.

He reached out his hand. His fingers were warm and rough and gentle all at the same time.

Ethan caressed my cheek. His thumb brushed away the wetness. He leaned in close and kissed the spot where the tear had fallen. Then he kissed my other cheek. Then he kissed my eyelids.

"Baby," he whispered against my skin. "Why are you crying? Talk to me Norah. Did I scare you? Is it too fast? I am sorry if I pushed you."

I shook my head. I couldn't tell him the truth. I couldn't tell him I was crying because I was a liar. I couldn't tell him I was crying because this felt like a goodbye.

So I lied again.

"No," I choked out. I forced my smile to get bigger even though my chin was trembling. "I am not scared Ethan. I am just... I am just so happy."

"Happy," he asked softly. He looked into my eyes searching for the truth.

"Yes," I whispered. "I am happy that we are together. I never thought I could have this. I never thought anyone could love me like this."

It was the truth mixed with the lie.

I leaned forward and captured his lips with mine. I didn't want to talk anymore. Talking was dangerous. Talking led to questions and questions led to lies. I needed him to stop thinking. I needed him to just feel.

I kissed Ethan more passionately allowing myself to melt to the last. I poured every ounce of my love and my pain and my guilt into that kiss. I kissed him like a drowning woman clinging to a life raft. I opened my mouth and let him taste my desperation.

I knew I had a mission coming back to the old estate. I knew that upstairs in that dark library there was a file with my family name on it. I knew that Marcus was waiting for me to deliver the blow that would kill the Malcovich empire or make them pay for their crimes.

But right now I didn't care about Marcus. I didn't care about Norman. I didn't care about my father's legacy.

I just cared about this man. I just cared about the way his hands felt on my waist. I just cared about the way he smelled like rain and expensive cologne and safety.

I thought this might be my last with Ethan because I can't stand with him at the altar bearing Norah as a name that would be the worst betrayal but that will be only if Marcus would let it be. And Marcus would never let it be. Marcus would never let me be happy.

Ethan sensed the shift in me. He felt the way my fingers were digging into his shoulders. He felt the way my body was pressing against his like I was trying to merge our souls. He felt the frantic energy in my kiss.

He pulled back just an inch. His breathing was heavy. His pupils were blown wide.

"Baby what is wrong," he asked, his voice husky and low.

I looked at him. I looked at the man I was about to destroy.

"Nothing," I whispered. "I just missed you badly Ethan. I missed you so much it hurts."

Ethan let out a groan. It was a deep animalistic sound that rumbled in his chest.

"I missed you too," he said. "God I missed you."

He didn't ask any more questions. He kissed me passionately too. His mouth was hot and demanding. He moved his lips from my mouth down to my jawline. He kissed the sensitive spot behind my ear.

"Ethan," I gasped. My head fell back. The pleasure was sharp and electric. It shot through my veins and made my toes curl.

"I am sorry you missed me that bad baby," Ethan said in a tone that made me want him badly. "Let me make it up to you. Let me show you how much I missed you."

He sat up slightly. He looked at me with eyes that were dark with lust but also full of reverence.

Ethan gently pulled my t-shirt off from my body like i was a baby. He was so careful. He lifted my arms one by one. He pulled the fabric over my head without rushing. He didn't just want to get me naked. He wanted to unwrap me. He wanted to see me.

He tossed the shirt onto the floor.

My skin was exposed to the cool air of the old house but I didn't feel cold. I felt burning hot under his gaze.

He moaned softly as he took my nipples in his mouth.

The sensation was explosive. I cried out. His tongue was hot and wet and rough. He swirled it around the sensitive nub and then he sucked.

I arched my back off the cushion offering myself to him. My hands found his hair and I held him there. I wanted him to mark me. I wanted him to leave a bruise on my soul.

"You are so beautiful," he murmured against my skin. "So perfect."

He moved his hands down to my waist. His fingers fumbled with the button of my jeans.

He pulled them down my legs, throwing them aside. He took off my panties too leaving me completely bare on the dark blue velvet couch.
I felt vulnerable. I felt exposed. But I also felt powerful.

I watched him. I watched the way his muscles moved under his shirt. I watched the way his jaw clenched with restraint. He was trying to be gentle but I could see the fire burning inside him.

He stood up for a second.

He ripped his shirt off buttons flying. He kicked off his trousers. He stood there in the dim light like a Greek god carved out of marble. He was strong. He was magnificent.

I couldn't wait anymore.

I launched myself at him. I kissed his chest. I kissed his abs. I kissed the V line that disappeared into his hips.

I was biting all his muscles. I wanted to taste him. I wanted to consume him. I bit his shoulder gently. I bit his bicep.

Ethan groaned. He grabbed me.

He buried his face in my neck inhaling my scent like it was oxygen.

"Norah," he breathed. "You are driving me crazy."

"I want to drive you crazy," I whispered. "I want you to go mad for me."

He lifted me up easily. He placed me back on the couch. He hovered over me, his body creating a cage of warmth and muscle.

"I want you now," I told him. I pleaded with him. "Please Ethan. Now."

He nodded. He positioned himself between my legs.

Immediately Ethan thrusted his dick gently inside of me.

It was a slow fill. A stretch that felt like coming home. I gasped as he entered me completely. He filled every empty space inside me.

He didn't move fast at first. He held himself there deep inside me letting us both get used to the feeling of being one.

He moved his hips in slow circles. The friction was maddening. It was sweet torture.

He lowered his head so his lips were right next to my ear.

"I love you Norah," he whispered. "You are my life. You are my wife. You are everything."

The words stabbed me in the heart but the pleasure numbed the pain.

"I love you," I whispered back. "I love you Ethan."

The tempo changed. The slow circles turned into deep long strokes.

Ethan thrusted so hard. The sound of our bodies meeting filled the silent room. The old couch creaked beneath us.

"Yes baby," he groaned. "Just like that. Stay with me."

I wrapped my legs around his waist pulling him deeper. I wanted him to touch my soul. I wanted him to erase the name Aria Delaney and leave only Norah.

"Ethan," I cried. "Ethan please."

"I am here," he said. "I am right here."

The pressure built up inside me. It was a tidal wave of heat and light.

"I'm close," I sobbed. "Ethan I'm close."

"Let go baby," he commanded. "Let go for me."

He increased his pace. He was pounding into me now primal and raw.

It hit me like a lightning bolt. My body convulsed. I screamed his name into the empty house. I felt him stiffen. I felt him pour himself into me.

We collapsed together. Our bodies were slick with sweat. Our breathing was ragged and loud in the quiet room.

He didn't pull away. He stayed inside me for a long time keeping us connected.

He wrapped his arms around me pulling me onto his chest. His hand stroked my hair over and over again. It was a rhythmic calming motion.

"I love you," he mumbled, his voice heavy with sleep. "My Norah."

I didn't answer. I couldn't. I just lay there listening to his heart slow down.

I waited.

I waited as his breathing evened out. I waited as his hand stopped stroking my hair and fell limp against my back. I waited as the tension left his body.

He thought we were dreaming the same dream. He thought we were safe in our future home.

But I wasn't sleeping. I was wide awake. My eyes were open staring into the darkness of the room.

The guilt came rushing back. It was colder than before. It settled in my stomach like a stone.

I had to go.

I moved slowly. Millimeter by millimeter. I lifted his heavy arm. He mumbled something in his sleep and shifted but he didn't wake up. He trusted me. He trusted that I would be there when he woke up.

I slid out from under him. The loss of his warmth was a physical shock. I shivered.

I picked up my t-shirt from the floor and pulled it on. I didn't bother with my jeans. I needed to be quiet.

I looked at him one last time. He looked so peaceful. He looked like an angel.

"I am sorry," I whispered to the sleeping man. "I am so sorry."

I walked barefoot across the dusty floor. The wood felt cold under my feet.

And heading to the other room.

I went out into the hallway. It was dark. The shadows seemed to be reaching out for me. I looked up the grand staircase. It spiraled up into the gloom.

Every step I took felt like a betrayal. Every creak of the wood sounded like an accusation. Liar. Traitor. Thief.

I reached the top landing. I knew exactly where to go. I have been here before. Ethan has taken me here before.

I walked down the corridor to the double doors at the end. The library.

I pushed the door open. It didn't make a sound.

The moonlight was streaming in through the tall windows illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. The room smelled of old paper and secrets.

I walked over to the massive oak desk in the corner. It was the desk where Ethan's father used to sit. It was the desk where the corruption began.

My hands were shaking.

Definitely the file was still there inside the drawer.

I opened the bottom drawer. It wasn't locked. They were so arrogant. They thought no one would ever look here.

There it was. A thick manila folder. It had no label. Just a red stamp on the corner.

I reached in and pulled it out. My fingers brushed against the paper. This was it. This was the weapon. This was the thing that Marcus wanted. This was the thing that would free me.

I flipped open the cover. I expected to see papers. I expected to see bank statements. I expected to see signatures.

There were papers, yes. But resting on top of the stack of papers taped to the inside of the folder was something else.

A small black object.

A USB drive. It looked modern. It looked out of place among the yellowing papers from twenty years ago.

Why was there a drive here? Marcus hadn't mentioned a drive. He had just talked about documents to scan and burn.

Curiosity got the better of me. I looked around the room. In the corner on a smaller table there was an old desktop computer. It looked like it hadn't been used in years but the little red light on the power strip was glowing.

I walked over to it. I sat down in the dusty chair.

I plugged the drive into the USB port. The computer whirred to life. The fan was loud in the silence. I held my breath praying that Ethan wouldn't wake up.

The screen flickered. It was an old operating system. A window popped up.

Removable Disk (E:)

I clicked on it.

There were no documents. No PDFs. Just three audio files.

Record 1.wav Record 2.wav Record 3.wav

My breath hitched.

Audio files. Recordings.

Who was speaking? Was it Norman? Was it my father?

Why were they on a modern drive inside an old file?

And then a terrifying thought hit me.

Marcus had told me to get the file. He had told me to scan and send it to him. But he had also said something else months ago. He had said destroy the evidence if you're done scanning.

He wanted this gone.

Why would Marcus want me to burn a file that contained audio recordings?

I stared at the screen. The blue light reflected in my eyes.

It didn't make sense. Unless... unless Marcus didn't know what was on the drive. 

I looked at the file name again.

Record 1.wav

My finger hovered over the mouse. I wanted to click it. I wanted to hear the voice.

But I couldn't play it. Not here. Not now.

I looked back at the door. I thought about Ethan sleeping downstairs.

What if this drive wasn't proof of Norman's guilt.

What if it was proof of something else entirely.