Chapter 32
Aria’s POV
"I've been following you all day," Scarlett admitted, her voice quavering. "I couldn't believe it when I heard you were shopping for an engagement ring for her."
I pressed record on my phone, capturing every word.
"Keep your voice down," Ethan warned, looking increasingly uncomfortable. "Someone might hear you."
"Is it true?" Scarlett demanded, tears welling in her eyes. "Are you really going to marry her?"
Ethan ran a hand through his hair, clearly agitated. "It's complicated. The merger—"
"I don't care about the merger!" Scarlett's voice rose dangerously. "What about us? What about everything you said to me?"
Ethan grabbed her arm, pulling her closer to whisper something I couldn't hear. Scarlett's expression hardened briefly before she composed herself, reverting to her vulnerable act.
"I understand," she said, loud enough for me to hear. "I won't stand in your way if this is what you really want. I don't expect you to acknowledge me publicly or give me a ring. I just... I just want to still see you sometimes."
Ethan's posture relaxed, his relief evident. "That's my good girl," he said, smiling now. "We can still meet at our old place. Nothing has to change."
"Promise?" Scarlett asked, batting her eyelashes.
"Promise," Ethan confirmed, and then, looking around to ensure no one was watching, he leaned in and kissed her directly on the lips.
My stomach turned as I captured the moment on video. The kiss wasn't brief or chaste—it was the familiar kiss of lovers who knew each other intimately. When they finally broke apart, Scarlett giggled.
"I should go before she comes back," Scarlett said, adjusting her dress. "Call me later?"
"Of course," Ethan agreed, looking decidedly more relaxed than he had been while shopping with me.
I waited until Scarlett had disappeared from view before stopping the recording and composing myself. My hands were shaking with anger, not at the betrayal—I had already known about that—but at the sheer audacity of them both. Ethan was prepared to marry me while continuing his affair with my stepsister.
Taking a deep breath, I walked back to the private viewing area where Ethan was now chatting amiably with the consultant.
"Sorry about that," I said, forcing brightness into my voice. "Actually, I'm not feeling too well suddenly. I think it might be something I ate at lunch."
Concern crossed Ethan's face, though I suspected it was more for appearances than genuine worry. "Do you want to go to a doctor?"
"No, I just need to lie down. Would you mind taking me back to my father's place?"
"Of course," Ethan agreed quickly, clearly relieved to escape the ring shopping. He turned to the consultant. "We'll have to continue this another time."
"Certainly, Mr. Blake. The rings will be here whenever you're ready."
The drive back to the Harper residence was mercifully silent, with Ethan assuming my "illness" required quiet. When we arrived, he helped me to the door, playing the concerned fiancé to perfection.
"I'll call you later to check on you," he promised, kissing my cheek.
"Don't bother," I replied coolly. "I'll be busy."
Before he could respond, I entered the house and closed the door behind me, leaning against it for a moment to collect my thoughts. The shopping spree had cost Ethan a small fortune, and I had evidence of his affair with Scarlett. It wasn't enough to satisfy my need for revenge, but it was a start.
"Aria? Is that you?" My father's voice called from the living room.
I pushed away from the door and walked toward his voice, finding him sitting in his favorite leather armchair, nursing a glass of scotch.
"How was your shopping trip?" he asked, eyeing me with something that might have been genuine interest.
"Educational," I replied cryptically.
William set his glass down and stood. "I have something for you. Come outside."
Curious despite my exhaustion, I followed him through the house and out to the circular driveway. There, gleaming in the late afternoon sun, sat a brand new Porsche Panamera in midnight blue.
"What's this?" I asked, though the answer was obvious.
"An engagement gift," William announced proudly. "Every successful woman needs the right car to make an impression."
I stared at the vehicle, torn between admiration for its beauty and resentment at what it represented—another attempt to buy my compliance.
"Thank you," I said finally, because what else could I say? Refusing the gift would only create more conflict, and I needed to maintain the illusion of cooperation for now.
"You're welcome," William replied, handing me the keys. "I know things haven't always been easy between us since your mother died, but I do want what's best for you, Aria."
The mention of my mother sparked a sudden thought. "Speaking of Mom, now that I'm engaged again, I was wondering about the beach house in the Hamptons. The one she promised would be mine."
William's expression clouded immediately. "What about it?"
"Well, since I'm doing what you asked—reuniting with Ethan, supporting the merger—I thought perhaps we could discuss transferring ownership now rather than waiting until my twenty-fifth birthday."
Before William could respond, the sound of heels clicking on marble announced Victoria's arrival. She descended the grand staircase with practiced grace, her face a perfect mask of pleasant interest.
"Discussing real estate, are we?" she asked lightly, though her eyes were sharp.
"Aria was asking about Elizabeth's beach house," William explained, his earlier warmth evaporating.
Victoria's smile tightened almost imperceptibly. "Oh, that old place? It needs so much work, darling. The property taxes alone are astronomical, and there are some... complications with the deed that need to be sorted out."
"Complications?" I echoed, suspicion flaring. "What kind of complications?"
William's face hardened. "This isn't the time to discuss it. The house will be yours when you turn twenty-five, as stipulated in your mother's will. Until then, the subject is closed."
"But—"
"I said the subject is closed, Aria," William snapped, his voice rising. "You'd do well to focus on your engagement and the Blake merger instead of constantly reaching for more from this family."
Without another word, he turned and strode back into the house, leaving me alone with Victoria and a growing sense of unease.
Victoria's smile turned predatory as she approached me. "New car? How lovely. William is always so generous with his gifts."
"It's an engagement present," I replied stiffly. "For agreeing to marry Ethan."
"How fortunate for you," Victoria purred. "Most daughters would be grateful for such generosity instead of immediately asking for more."