An Emotional Repercussion

An Emotional Repercussion
Aria's POV

Something about treachery doesn't hurt immediately.

It doesn't yell. It doesn't cut.

The silence that is louder than any cry steadily seeps in until you are drowning in it.

I had assumed that the worst was over.

Victor revealed himself. Kaitlyn has left.

Now, however, my name was popular once more.

But this time, Cole wasn't the reason. Or Victor.

I was the one.

The world seemed to be peering through my skin's cracks.

It was shortly after midday when Maya called.

Her voice was tense as she said, "You must see this." It's not Kaitlyn's. It's deeper.

A knot formed in my chest. "What is it?"

I got a link from her.

An exposé.

An in-person exposé.

"The Secrets of Aria Bennett's Past That She Kept From Cole Montgomery."

pictures. school documents. A juvenile court case that was sealed when I was sixteen years old.

Things I believed I had buried.

I never wanted anyone to know these things.

And it had all been unearthed.

"Who granted them entry?" I muttered.

Maya paused. "You will not be pleased with the response."

It was me who knocked on Cole's office door.

Sharp. Accurate. Unforgiving.

His eyes were warm and sleepy when he looked up from his desk. "Hey. I was simply—

"You allowed them to attack me?" My voice was hardly steady as I spoke. "Into my life?"

He furrowed his brows. "What are you discussing?"

I raised my phone. "This. The full article. This exposé. You were unaware of these things.

He slowly got to his feet. "I didn't approve of this, Aria. I promise.

I yelled, "You didn't have to." "You allowed your team complete freedom to preserve our reputation. Must stay ahead of any controversy. I was included in your plan by you.

He took a step closer and added, "That's not true." "I would never permit such an invasion of your privacy."

"So how in hell did they obtain sealed court documents?"

Not a word.

Then I saw it in his face.

Not remorse.

But insight.

He was aware.

"Cole," I murmured. "Tell me."

His jaw tightened as he exhaled. "After Victor threatened you a month ago... I requested that everyone near you undergo a thorough security evaluation. To keep you safe. I had no intention of any of it going public.

I stumbled back as if he had slapped me.

"You what?"

He stepped up and stated, "I wanted to keep you safe." "I only needed to know what threats could be used against you; I didn't care about your past."

"You didn't inquire," I muttered. "You didn't have enough faith in me to ask."

"I wanted to keep you safe!"

"No, you were attempting to stop the harm before it started. Similar to him.

Like gunfire, the words lingered in the air.

He stopped. His face fell apart.

"Don't," he muttered. "Avoid equating me with Victor."

With a trembling voice, I answered, "Then stop making the same choices he made." "Confidentiality. Techniques. Sacrificing someone's dignity for the sake of safety.

He turned away from me and ran a hand through his hair.

He said, "I didn't think you'd want to relive that part of your life." "I wondered if I could hide it—"

"You were mistaken," I interrupted. "Because it's out now." Additionally, the public is aware of something I wasn't prepared to reveal. Even worse, you were aware. And failed to inform me.

His eyes were hurt, and he turned back to me.

"I knew I went too far, so I kept it from you. Behind the scenes, I was attempting to correct things.

I remarked in a quiet voice, "You went too far." "You betrayed me."

The depth of his regret was evident to me at the time.

However, regret does not repair harm.

Cole, I'm more than just a cog in your machine. I am not a piece to be polished, shielded, or concealed by public relations tactics.

"I am aware of that," he inhaled.

"Then begin to treat me as such."

I couldn't stand the weight of our quiet.

With a heavy heart, I turned and headed for the door.

His voice flickered with terror as he said, "Where are you going?"

To be honest, I responded, "I don't know." However, I require room. From this. From you.

I didn't have a destination when I drove.

Only me. My history. My rage.

Additionally, the memories I had buried are suddenly attempting to resurface.

The hardest year of my life had been contained in that locked file.

The one in which I fled my house. Was taken into custody. I was brought back to a mother who never showed me forgiveness.

Cole was unaware that certain scars were not intended to be opened.

Not by someone who professed to love you, in particular.

Later that evening, I nestled up on Maya's couch in her apartment and wrapped a blanket around my shoulders.

Not questioning me, she brought me a mug of tea.

"Do you still love him?" she asked quietly as she sat next to me.

My throat shut.

"Yes."

Then return. However, only if he learns to love you in the manner that you require.

Not Victor.

Not a guardian.

Similar to a partner.

I heard my phone vibrate at midnight.

Cole sent a message.

"I won't defend my actions. I only want to apologize.

And I'm willing to regain your trust if necessary.

No secrets. Not a shadow. Only us.

I'm available when you're ready.

I didn't respond.

Not quite yet.

A few things required time.

And faith?

He would have to start from scratch to rebuild that.