CHAPTER FIFTY SIX

CHAPTER FIFTY SIX
Aria's POV

I sat still in the parlour, waiting for Ethan and Sophie to be back from wherever it was that they went to.

I had thought I would meet both of them at home when I got back but I didn't, so I had no choice but to wait for them. 

I didn't know when I fell asleep on the couch where I sat.

It made no sense to me to explain to Roseline or Miranda the things Kael found out about Ethan. I was so sure Roseline wouldn't even believe a thing that Kael said.

I slept in so much worry and hoped that none of that would be the truth, and Kael would just be lying because I know how much he wishes for our relationship to come crumbling down. 

“Why does this girl like to get too much of your attention? She didn't even arrange the house? The hell?” Linda said to Ethan. I was still lying on the couch with my eyes closed when I heard her speak. I didn't even hear when they got into the house. 

“She's probably so tired. You can't expect her to arrange the house you scattered all the time.” I felt irritated as Ethan placed his hands on my face before he said carefully, “Babe, Babe? Wake up. You can't sleep here. Let's go to the room.”

I opened my eyes slowly and helped myself to sit upright. 

“What's the time?” I asked him.

He turned to the wall clock and said, “It's past eleven at night.”

“Eleven in the night? That's basically midnight, you meant. Why were you so late?” I couldn't even hold my breath with how badly he smelled of alcohol. “I don't know how many times, I'd have to tell your sister to stop taking you to these places, where you waste your organs on dangerous drinks.”

I didn't know Linda was in the parlour as I was scolding Ethan about how uncomfortable I was with such an attitude. 

She cut me off immediately, “What are you trying to insinuate?” 

I had not seen her anywhere nearer to where I was, I didn't even know where she came from.

“Why do you always try to cage my brother into being someone who he isn't?” Linda started again and I wasn't even in the mood to keep my mouth shut for peace to reign.

“Yes, girl, what I said isn't wrong. I've been saying it many times, but you never seem to get it, do you? Why should it be that every time you come here, my house will turn into a mess, and my boyfriend is always a mess as well? You should be concerned for the kind of impact you're leaving on your brother.”

“Don't you dare talk to me about impact! Don't you dare! Who do you think you are? A saint? Oh please! Wasn't it you, who was just called out for human trafficking and the like? You are a dirty criminal, and you belong with your fellow animals in prison.” Linda growled at me. 

I didn't expect her words to be as piercing as they were to my soul. 

I believe I have endured too much of her nonsense for her to come to me and speak to me in such a condescending manner.

“How dare you?” I held back strongly the tears that filled my eyes. I felt so bad as I remembered that Ethan could be the reason behind tarnishing my name and image publicly.

I turned to look at Ethan, who was now seated on the chair. He just acted all tired and sleepy, as though he was taking no interest in the fight that was slowly erupting between Linda and me. 

“Aren't you going to say anything to what your sister has said to me, Ethan?” I asked him.

“You people can't always fight and try to put me in the middle all the time. It's very wrong. I'm too tired for all this.” He spoke sluggishly, maintaining his position on the chair. 

I shook my head for him. No, for myself. 

I had allowed too much nonsense from both of them, and now I was left to get all that I had sown. 

“You're leaving my house tonight. I will not take any more disrespect from you.” I said firmly.

Linda looked at me in the eyes like she didn't hear a thing I had said to her before she burst out laughing. 

“Wait, you mean, you want to send me out of this house? You can't!” Linda responded boldly to me, packing her shoes from the floor as she turned to go up the stairs.

“You don't want to know what I am capable of doing. Don't test me. You have nothing that you've ever contributed to me. All you do is take and take as much as you can, then still speak rudely to me. I'm not going to allow all this anymore. You're leaving this house today, and that's final.” I insisted, walking over to her, to block her from walking out on me.

“Aria, now is not the time to do all these. You're reacting too much to the words my sister is saying. You know she doesn't have anywhere else to sleep. It's currently too late for all this. Just ignore her.” Ethan said to me. 

I had never considered him to be that silly in responses as he was that night.

“What do you mean I'm reacting too much? Ethan, did you even hear what she just called me? Did you?”

“And so? That's how many people will perceive you as, and it's not their fault. You've not even proved to the public that you're not at fault. Everyone just knows you're on home arrest. And you're still moving out. I don't even know if I can trust you either.”

I don't know if Ethan is spilling nonsense because he was tipsy but I couldn't understand his words. 

“Ethan! You, of all people, are saying this? Did you even know I know you've been stealing money from me?”