Chapter 288 Daughter of the enemy

Chapter 288 Daughter of the enemy
Aria’s POV

The sound of Selene’s voice gnaws at me, smooth yet venom-laced as she and Victoria argue in the distance. They’re talking about my mother—and I don’t know what infuriates me more… the lies Selene tells so easily, or the fact that Victoria doesn’t know the truth. Not yet.

My chest tightens as memories of those nights come rushing back—my mother curled up on the thin mattress, clutching her belly, crying herself to sleep while whispering words of pain she thought I couldn’t hear. Nights when she flinched at every creak in the floorboards, too scared to even dream. Nights I couldn’t forget, no matter how hard I tried.

Selene had accused her wrongly—told Felix lies that shattered what little peace my mother had left. And when that didn’t work? She tried to kill her. All because she found out my mom was pregnant with Felix’s child. With me.

And now, here Selene is, speaking about betrayal with a wounded pout like she’s the victim. My fists clench at my sides.

Betrayal?

How dare she talk about betrayal.

How dare she act like she’s innocent when she nearly destroyed my mother’s life.

When she did destroy my chances of ever knowing what it meant to have a father.

While Selene lived lavishly, I was hiding in the shadows with my mom—two ghosts running from a storm we didn’t cause. We lived like hope didn’t exist… until we met Victoria. My mother’s old friend. She brought light back into our world, helped us get on our feet again, paid for my schooling. But even then, my mom never told her about who my real father was.

Now I understand why.

Selene isn’t just manipulative—she’s dangerous. She’ll do anything to get what she wants. Even if it means wiping out an entire family.

My eyes flick to Victoria. She’s watching me, and the pain in her gaze makes my chest squeeze. Because now—now, thanks to Selene’s daughter and their twisted hold over my mother—I betrayed the one person who ever truly showed me kindness. I hurt Victoria in ways I can’t even begin to fix.

She probably never wants to see me again. And honestly? I deserve that.

But this isn’t the time for guilt. I steady myself, drawing in a breath to calm the storm inside me.

First things first—Mom. I have to get her out of this madness.

I lift my chin and step forward, gaze locked on Selene.

She turns slowly, a sly smile playing on her lips. “We’re family now, Aria,” she says, voice like syrup over thorns. “So how do you think I’ll let you go? We have to finish what we started together, right?”

My steps halt. What?

I blink, confusion flickering in me.

“What family are you talking about?”

Before she can answer, another voice slithers in.

“Come on, sister,” Cynthia purrs beside me, her hand settling on my shoulder. “Don’t tell me you’re going to deny us now… just because you pity them?”

Her voice drips with mockery, her smirk smug and sure. I shrug her hand off with force, eyes burning.

Then Victoria speaks, her voice cracking with disbelief.

“What… what’s Selene talking about, Aria? What does she mean by family?”

Selene turns to her with a cruel grin, clicking her tongue like a scolding mother.

“Oh, you didn’t know?” She stops just inches from Victoria. “Guess you were deceived again… all because of that good heart of yours.” She laughs—a cold, gloating sound that sends chills down my spine.

She crouches, eyes glinting with pleasure. “Well, let me tell you something, dear Victoria.” She pauses, grinning wide. “Aria is… Vivianne’s and Felix’s daughter.”

She bursts into laughter like she’s just revealed the final twist of a sick joke. Victoria’s jaw slackens, eyes wide and blinking, like she’s just been dropped into a nightmare she hadn’t known she was living.

Selene nods slowly, as if pretending to understand the horror breaking across Victoria’s face.

“Yeah, it’s exactly what you’re thinking,” she says. “I had no choice but to take her out of the picture too—just like I did with you. I bet by now, you’ve seen just how far I was willing to go to keep Felix all to myself.”

She shoves Victoria back, hard. A loud gasp erupts around the room, followed by startled cries as Victoria stumbles.

Selene turns back to me.

“I just couldn’t stand Felix loving anyone else. And unfortunately…” her voice turns mocking, “…your foolish mother crossed the line.”

The rage bubbling in my veins threatens to spill over. My hands curl into fists as I glare at her.

But she doesn’t stop.

“In fact,” she says, eyes dancing, “it was quite entertaining watching your mother beg for her life.” She lifts her hands, mimicking her, “Please… please, let me go. For the sake of my child, don’t hurt me,” she whines in a cruel imitation, drawing laughter from herself and Cynthia.

That’s it.

I surge forward, fury blazing, but arms wrap around me from behind. Selene’s men. I thrash in their grip, snarling.

“You’re evil, Selene! You’re going to rot in hell for this! If you ever touch my mother again, I swear, I’ll make sure you spend your life in prison!”

Selene crosses her arms, putting on a mock pout. “Oh no,” she says flatly. Then she laughs—a deep, wicked laugh.

She steps close, our faces inches apart. Her breath hits my skin.

“And how do you plan on doing that, hmm?” she whispers.

Her fingers seize my chin roughly.

“You foolish girl. You should be thankful I spared you all those years ago. If I wanted you dead, it wouldn’t have taken a second. Even now, your life… is in my hands. So tell me, Aria, how sure are you that you’ll leave here alive?”

A chill cuts through me like a blade. My legs weaken. For a second, fear wraps its icy fingers around my spine.

Selene lets go, pushing my face aside.

“But don’t worry,” she says, voice deceptively calm. “I won’t be killing you.”

She steps back. “Instead, I’ve got a different plan.”

She paces, slowly.

“Someone has to take the blame for all these little crimes… and that someone is you.” Her eyes flick toward Cynthia. “Can’t have my daughter sharing her birthright with the likes of you, now can we?”

She smiles. “Do it for your family, won’t you? Protect your sister. Save your mother.”

My stomach drops. She’s going to frame me.

I stare, numb, as she pulls a gun from her side. She steps closer, holding it out toward me.

“We’ve talked long enough,” she says, her voice now flat and cold. “Let’s get on with the entertainment.”

She points across the room—at Isabel.

“Now shoot,” she orders, nodding toward Isabel.

My eyes snap toward Isabel, sitting by the side, frozen. Her face is pale. Fear pools in her wide, unblinking eyes.

My hand trembles. My heart pounds like a warning bell.

Then everything goes still.

The weight of the gun in my palm feels heavier than anything I’ve ever held… and for a second, I forget how to breathe.