Chapter 1 Give Up Your Seat

• ARIA
• "Katherine heard about the trip and wanted to join us. Our flight is full, so you'll need to take the train. I’ve already bought your ticket, " my husband Damian said, and I looked at him like he had grown two heads.
• I hated that he always pissed me off with a casual voice as if he were discussing the weather. Though Damian did mafia business, he cared about me less lately, and he barely glanced at me, busy on his phone texting God knows who
• The words hung in the air for a moment, cold and sharp. I couldn’t immediately grasp their weight. Honestly, I felt dumb for a moment.
• Surely he didn’t mean what I thought he meant right?
• This was the first time we were going to go on a fucking holiday and he wanted his childhood sweetheart to tag along?
• I blinked. “What do you mean?”
• He sighed, like I was being unreasonable for asking for clarification.
• “There’s no seat for you on the flight. Katherine will take your place. You’ll catch up with us later.”
• ‘Catch up with us later.’ The words echoed in my mind like a fucking song on the loop.
• He wanted to leave me behind on a trip that was supposed to be our romantic getaway?
• One that I planned. All by myself? With my fucking money?
• Delusional much?
• "That doesn’t make sense,” I said, trying to keep my voice even. “I booked the tickets months ago. I even upgraded us. Why would—”
• “Don’t make this a big deal,” he cut in, placing the cup on the table with unnecessary force.
• “If Kate wants to come. Then she can. Her body is weak and she can’t handle long train rides. You’re fine with trains, aren’t you? You like… adventure and shit.”
• I stared at him, waiting for some punchline that never came.
• When I finally found my voice, it cracked.
• “You’re saying I should take a 36-hour train ride so she can fly first class?”
• Damian shrugged, completely unaffected by the absurdity of his suggestion.
• "It’s already sorted. I’ve sent you a ticket on whatsapp."
• And right on time, my phone vibrated showing a notification I didn’t want to open for fear of confirming what my husband was saying.
• I looked at my screen brightening, and my stomach twisted...
• “Are you not checking it?” His voice taunted me and it took every fiber of my being to keep my head leveled.
• I opened my WhatsApp expecting there to be a text telling me it was a fucking prank and he didn’t mean it.
• But it was real.
• He was serious.
• "You’ve got to be fucking kidding me." I looked up, my voice trembling with disbelief. "This is supposed to be our Romantic getaway. Just the two of us.”
• Damian ran a hand down his face like he was irritated. Well if he was then he should know that I was fucking furious.
• “Aria,” He began. “Having Kate tag along doesn't mean we won't be on holiday. Are you insecure?” he taunted.
• “So, you wouldn't mind if I called my ex to tag along?” I crossed my arms and in a split second he was on me.
• His hand on my neck and pressing me against the wall.
• “Don't fucking push my buttons. I'm your husband and what I say goes. Don't forget that you're the one who proposed this marriage. So you should be willing to compromise to my demands.” he growled.
• Tears stung my eyes and I felt like I had been stabbed in the chest with a hot knife.
• My head tilted back as Damian's grip tightened enough to leave a mark. It wasn’t the first time he’d flexed his power this way, but I thought it would get easier.
• My stomach churned, not out of fear but out of the sheer rage boiling under my skin.
• I had given up so much for this marriage.
• It was a marriage of convenience that I had agreed to in order to clear off my father's debt.
• And the man I thought I'd be standing beside wasn’t the one currently pinning me to the fucking wall.
• “Let me go, Damian,” I said, my voice a stern warning.
• His dark eyes bore into mine, daring me to challenge him further. But I didn't back down. How could this bastard choke me over an Ex?
• Was that even making sense?
• Seeing the fire in my eyes made him realize I wasn't going to give in. I'd rather die than let some whore try to ruin my holiday.
• He released me abruptly, stepping back like I’d burned him.
• “You need to learn your place, Aria,” he muttered, adjusting the cuffs of his tailored shirt.
• “This isn’t about you or your feelings. It’s about the bigger picture. Kate’s family is important to me—important to the Family. If you can’t handle that, then maybe you should be the one to remain behind.”