Chapter 15 I'm Pregnant!
The apartment was pitch black.
Aria didn't turn on the lights. She kicked off her heels and stepped onto the cold floor.
She was tired. As soon as she got home, she collapsed on the sofa, pressing her temples.
Her head hurt, and her stomach twisted.
She admitted that when Arthur said he wanted to give her that crown, she was shocked.
After the shock came an unfamiliar touch of emotion.
In three years of marriage, this was the first time Arthur had offered to give her something.
The feeling was so strange that it took her a long time to process it.
She knew this was his way of expressing an apology.
But the feeling didn't last long.
Sophie begged and he gave in - her smug provocation felt like a slap across Aria's face.
How ridiculous.
Sophie cried, and he stopped caring about everything else.
Her grandmother's keepsake? What a coincidence!
Aria wasn't stupid. She could tell that the so-called keepsake was just an excuse!
But Arthur couldn't see it, or maybe he knew but still instinctively sided with Sophie!
In his heart, Sophie's tears mattered more than her feelings.
It had always been this way.
So she left before the banquet even ended.
Aria raised her hand and touched the spot over her heart.
It didn't hurt anymore. What remained was mostly emptiness. The part that loved him had been carved out long ago.
Suddenly, her stomach started bothering her again.
She frowned, got up to pour herself a glass of warm water, and drank it. Her stomach felt slightly better.
The door handle suddenly moved, followed by urgent knocking.
Arthur was back.
"Aria, open the door. We need to talk."
Aria didn't move.
"Aria, don't forget this apartment is mine. Even if you don't open it, I can open it myself."
Aria took several deep breaths. Finally, she opened the door.
As soon as the door opened, Arthur stepped inside.
The smell of alcohol mixed with faint perfume hit her in the face.
Aria's stomach lurched. She frowned and backed away.
If she didn't keep her distance, she might throw up right there.
But her retreat made Arthur's eyes darken.
She could chat happily with other men, but when he merely got close, she didn't want him near?
He grabbed Aria's wrist and pinned her against the wall, demanding, "Why did you leave early? The banquet wasn't over. You're the hostess—what does it look like for you to just walk out!"
Aria found it laughable.
Did he really care about her role as hostess?
"When I leave doesn't matter. Besides, with Miss Smith there, she'd be happy to play the role of hostess."
Arthur's brow furrowed. "Why are you bringing her up again? Are you angry about the crown? But that was her grandmother's keepsake. I thought you'd understand."
"If you like crowns, I'll take you to buy a better one. Why does it have to be that one?"
Aria crossed her arms coldly and said mockingly, "I don't need any crown. Forget the crown—she wants my husband, and didn't I give him to her too?"
Arthur froze, then said, "The divorce is between us. What does it have to do with her? Aria, why do you always have it out for her!"
Aria almost laughed. Even now, he refused to admit Sophie was the other woman.
"I'm tired and want to rest," she sighed, exhaustion written all over her face.
"No!" Arthur caught up to her in a few steps and grabbed her wrist.
Skin touching skin, he couldn't help but shiver.
The air conditioning was clearly on, but her skin was frighteningly cold.
He knew he was in the wrong. After calming down, his tone softened a bit.
"Aria, let's talk this through."
"I know you're angry about this. I apologize, okay?"
"That was her grandmother's keepsake. I was just returning it to its rightful owner."
Aria didn't want to hear his explanations. She just felt irritated.
"Yes, you did nothing wrong. Can you stop bothering me now?"
"Since you also think I did the right thing, what are you still upset about?"
He turned her by the shoulders. "Listen to me, Aria."
"I admit I've been a bit much with you lately."
"But that day at the estate, Sophie suffered a lot because of you. Stop making things difficult for her."
"Besides, we're getting divorced soon. Can't you just peacefully be Mrs. Grant for this period?"
Aria's emotions were stirred up by his words. Her calm facade completely shattered, and tears slowly filled her eyes.
Even though she knew Arthur had no feelings for her, hearing these words actually come out of his mouth made her heart feel like it was being crushed!
In his eyes, this was just ending a loveless marriage.
For her, it was ending seven years of one-sided love.
She turned her head, not wanting him to see her tears, her voice hoarse.
After a moment, she forced out from her throat: "I understand."
She had no energy left to argue or care anymore.
So be it.
Arthur looked at her, his eyes darkening, his throat moving up and down.
Suddenly he reached out, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her into his embrace.
"Don't be sad anymore, Aria. I'll make it up to you. Tonight... I'm not leaving."
Aria sensed something was wrong and froze. "What did you say?"
"Aria..." He breathed hotly in her ear. "Hasn't it been a long time since we made love?"
Alarm bells went off in Aria's mind.
Before she could react, he suddenly lowered his head and kissed her lips hard.
Like a beast devouring, he took away all her breath, invading her mouth with his tongue.
"No..."
Aria struggled desperately, but her strength was nothing compared to Arthur's.
"Aria..."
He kissed her passionately, unzipping her dress, tearing at her clothes.
His rough palms touched the skin on her back. Aria felt no pleasure, only fear and terror.
No, she had a baby in her belly. She couldn't sleep with him!
She completely panicked, pounding him with her fists.
But Arthur seemed to have completely lost his mind, ignoring her resistance entirely.
He picked her up, laid her on the bed, then quickly pressed down on top of her.
Aria had barely caught her breath when she fell into despair again.
"No! You bastard! I'm pregnant!" In her desperation, the words burst out.