Chapter 61 Chapter Sixty-one

Chapter 61 Chapter Sixty-one
CHAPTER 61

Aria didn't want to attend the charity gala.

The invitation had arrived three days earlier, embossed in gold and impossible to ignore. It was one of those events the wealthy attended not because they cared about the cause but because appearances mattered.

Normally, Damian would have skipped it.

But after publicly rejecting Mr. Voss's ultimatum and marrying Aria, avoiding every public appearance would only make people think he was hiding.

So they were going, and Aria hated every second of it.

The ballroom glittered beneath crystal chandeliers, overflowing with politicians, CEOs, investors, and socialites dressed in gowns worth more than most people's yearly salaries.

The moment she entered on Damian's arm, conversations shifted, all eyes followed her, whispers could be heard.
Aria felt every single one of them.

"Relax.” Damian's voice was low beside her.

"I'm trying."

His hand settled against the small of her back. "They can't touch you here."

Aria almost laughed. The problem wasn't being touched. The problem was being judged. Every woman in the room seemed to know exactly who she was, the maid.
She smiled politely through introductions and endured countless fake compliments while feeling increasingly trapped.

After nearly an hour, Damian was pulled into a conversation with investors.

"You okay?" he asked quietly.

Aria nodded. "I'll survive."

His eyes lingered on her face, he knew she was lying. But eventually he let her go.

"I'll be right there."

Aria watched him disappear into the crowd before releasing a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She needed air.

Moving toward one of the quieter balconies, she slipped away from the center of the ballroom. The sounds of the event faded behind her. For the first time all evening, she felt herself relax.

Until she heard a familiar voice.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Aria closed her eyes.

Of course. Selene stood near the balcony entrance, elegant in a silver gown, looking like she'd stepped off the cover of a magazine.
Her smile wasn't friendly, neither was the look in her eyes.

Aria turned slowly. "What do you want, bitch?"

Selene laughed softly. "Straight to the point. Watch your tone, maid.”

"I'm not in the mood."

"No," Selene agreed. "You never seem to be when I show up."

Aria folded her arms. "You got me fired."

The smile on Selene's face disappeared. For a second, genuine surprise crossed Selene's face.

"So you finally found out."

The casualness of it made Aria's stomach turn.

"You destroyed my life."

Selene shrugged. "You're dramatic."

Aria stared at her. "Dramatic?"

"Well, you survived. Didn't you?" The words landed like a slap.

"You don't get to decide whether that makes it okay."

Selene's expression hardened slightly. "And you don't get to pretend you're innocent."

Aria blinked. "What?"

Selene stepped closer.

"You walked into a world you didn't belong in and acted surprised when people reacted."

"I saved Damian's life."

"You got his attention."

The bitterness in Selene's voice was impossible to miss.

For a moment none of them spoke. The world carried on completely unaware of the war unfolding a few feet away.

Aria shook her head. "You know what?"

Selene arched a brow.

"I used to think you hated me because of Damian."

Selene remained silent.

"But that's not it. You hate me because he chose me. That's why you're sad and miserable.”

The words struck their target.

Immediately.

Selene's jaw tightened.

"Careful, maid."

"No," Aria replied. "You had everything. Money, power, influence, what else could you possibly want?”

Selene laughed coldly. "And yet he still married you."

"Yes. As you can see."

The word echoed between them. Selene's eyes darkened. For the first time, Aria wasn't backing down and Selene hated it.

"You think that marriage means something?"

Aria didn't answer.

"You're temporary."

Still no answer.

"Women like you always are."

Aria took a slow breath.

Then she said quietly: "At least he loves me."

Silence. Absolute silence. The words hit harder than any slap ever could.

For a moment, Selene looked devastated. Then the devastation became rage, pure rage.

"You little bitch."

Aria barely had time to react.

Selene shoved her. Very hard.

The force caught Aria completely off guard. One second she was standing.
The next, she was falling. Everything happened too quickly. Her heel slipped and the marble floor rushed toward her.
Instinct took over. Her hands flew downward.
Her body twisted desperately.

Anything, anything to protect her stomach. Pain exploded through her side as she hit the ground. A sharp cry escaped her lips. The impact echoed across the balcony.

For one horrifying second, Aria couldn't breathe. Her entire body locked. Her hand immediately flew to her abdomen.
Oh God.
Oh God.
Please.
Please.

The balcony doors burst open. People rushed outside.

"What happened to her?"

"Someone call security!"

"Jesus Christ—"

Aria heard none of it clearly. Everything sounded distant and muffled.

She wasn't thinking of anything else except her stomach.

Then another voice cut through the chaos.

"ARIA!" Damian shouted.

The crowd parted instantly. He reached her in seconds. Dropping to his knees beside her, with his face that had gone completely white.

"Are you hurt?"

Aria couldn't answer immediately.

His hands shook as he helped support her.

"Talk to me."