Chapter 14 Mina Spoke Her Mind
Chapter 14 — Mina’s POV
The room was still, but my mind was a storm.
Aria’s words… they echoed in my head again and again. “Mina, do you want me to stay here and claim your parents’ love, or leave to your fiancée, so you can have them yourself?”
The words struck me like a blade. My chest tightened, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst. What… what is she saying? I wanted to shout, to cry, to accuse her—but I couldn’t. I had to think. I had to act. I had to control this.
For a moment, I froze. My mind raced. I had spent years making sure I had a place in this family. My parents, my brothers… even Aiden. I had worked, begged, fought for my position, and now… now she was giving me a choice. A choice I didn’t want to make.
If I went with Aiden now… I could claim him, maybe even force him to pay attention to me. But what about my family? Aria had already captured their hearts. She had that… innate pull that made them care, made them forget me. I could never let that happen. I would lose them all.
If I stayed here with my family, though… yes, I could watch, I could wait, I could plan. I could find ways to push Aria away, make her leave Aiden. Even if he was cold, even if he frustrated her life… I could let him do that. I could watch her struggle, see her falter, and then—when the right moment came—strike. I would not lose.
My hands trembled slightly as I pressed them to my face. I tried to keep calm, but the emotions were too much—jealousy, fear, panic, determination—they all crashed inside me at once.
Then I let the tears fall. I let my shoulders shake. I let my voice quiver.
“I… I know you don’t like me, Aria,” I whispered, the fake sobs trembling through my words. “Because I… I have your family. I… I have everything you want. That’s why you don’t like me.”
I let the tears stream freely now, letting them trickle down my cheeks. I wanted everyone to see me as broken, as weak, as desperate for their love and attention. My mother gasped, and without a second thought, she rushed toward me, wrapping her arms around me.
“Mina! Please… please don’t cry! Don’t ever think we don’t love you! You’re our daughter! You are our family!”
I pressed my face into her chest, letting her feel my “pain.” Every movement, every breath, every word was carefully staged. My heart was racing, but my mind was sharp. I needed them to see me as innocent, as fragile, as someone who couldn’t survive without them.
“I love my family,” I murmured, my voice muffled. “I won’t trade them for anything… nothing in this world.”
I slowly pulled back, letting my eyes meet Aria’s. She stood frozen, small, fragile, unsure. I could see the panic flickering beneath her calm exterior. Yes… she’s thinking of leaving. She’s thinking of giving up everything because of me.
“You… you can go with Aiden,” I said softly, my voice trembling, but there was steel underneath it. Not a single crack of hesitation, not a single sign of fear. I need them all to believe this is my choice, and yet, I am the one controlling it.
Aria nodded slowly, a faint tremor in her lips. “I… I’ll go pack my things,” she whispered. She turned, moving toward the door, her hands brushing against the hem of her dress.
I watched her leave, feeling a mix of triumph, unease, and anticipation swirling inside me. Yes… she’s gone for now. But I knew, deep down, that this was only the beginning. I would have to watch her, wait for the perfect moment, and when the time came… I would act.
My parents and brothers crowded around me, wrapping me in their warmth and attention. “We’ll always protect you,” my father said, his voice low but firm. “Nothing will harm you as long as we’re here.”
I let them comfort me, letting the affection wash over me—but my mind was already spinning, planning. Every word, every gesture, every promise was another piece of the board I had to control.
I thought of Aria’s pregnancy, of Aiden’s coldness, of my family’s love… and I realized how much power I had. If I played this right, I could keep everyone exactly where I wanted them. I could keep Aiden distracted, Aria cautious, and my family firmly under my influence.
A soft, almost bitter smile curled on my lips. Yes… they think I am crying, broken, powerless. But I am not. I am stronger than they know. I am careful. I am patient. And one day… one day, they will see that I am the one they cannot ignore.
I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of my family and the thrill of my own scheming wash over me. The storm inside me had not calmed—it had only grown sharper, brighter, hungrier.
Because Aria might have left the room… but she had not left my mind. Not even for a second.
And I would make sure… she never took what was mine. Not my family. Not Aiden. Not my place.
Not now.
Not