Chapter 2 Sidelined

• ARIA
• My throat burned, not just from his grip but from the anger clawing its way out.
• I clenched my hands into fucking fists, my nails digging into my palms, grounding myself.
• “You’re really a shocker, Damian. I’ve cleaned up your messes, lied to the authorities, and covered for you more times than I can count. Don’t you dare make me feel like I'm not good enough to be your wife!”
• He smirked, a cruel twist of his lips.
• “You should understand, Katherine is more than just an old friend. She’s leverage, a symbol. Her father controls the northern territories, and his loyalty doesn’t come cheap. You’re the one who always talks about strategy. Well, this is a strategy.”
• My chest heaved, and I fought the urge to slap the smug expression off his face.
• So he was keeping her close for a power grab?
• Before I could respond, a knock echoed through the room.
• “Are you expecting-”
• My words were left hanging in the air as the door creaked open, revealing Katherine.
• She wore a tight white dress, the kind designed to seduce any man she met.
• Ignoring me, she strode into the house and ran into Damien’s arms like he was a fucking single man.
• “Damien!” Katherine exclaimed.
• My mouth twitched in irritation, but what came next felt like a hot slap to my face.
• Damien hugged her back, his hands resting on her waist as he murmured something I couldn’t hear.
• But what I could hear loud and clear was the sound of my own heart breaking, followed closely by the quiet fury rising in my chest.
• Katherine pulled back slightly, her arms still looped around Damien’s neck, and finally turned her gaze to face me.
• Her smile widened, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh, Aria. I didn’t see you there. It’s so sweet of you to let me join the trip. I know how much Damien wanted this to be special.”
• There are certain times when you think through your decision and conclude murder isn't such a bad thing after all.
• But I had more to lose, so I forced a tight smile, my nails digging into my palms so hard I nearly drew blood.
• “Of course,” I said, my voice as calm as a storm about to unleash its wrath.
• “Anything for my dear husband.”
• “You’re such a good wife,” she said, turning her attention back to Damien. “I don’t know how you found someone so understanding.”
• “She is, isn't she?” Damien smiled back, and I felt suffocated.
• Katherine glanced around the room with the air of someone who already owned it.
• Her fingers trailed lazily across the back of the couch as if staking her claim, and then she turned to Damien with a pout that made my stomach churn.
• “I’m starving,” she said with a little laugh, like it was some sort of joke. “I didn’t have time to eat before coming over.”
• Damien’s gaze softened instantly.
• “You should’ve said something earlier, tesoro. Aria can make you something quick.”
• I blinked, certain I’d misheard him.
• My nails dug deeper into my palms as I bit the inside of my cheek. “Excuse me?”
• He barely glanced my way, his attention still fixed on Katherine.
• “You know the kitchen better than anyone, Aria. Just whip something up for her. She needs to eat. Her body’s fragile.”
• Fragile.
• That damn word hung in the air, acidic and cruel.
• I laughed bitterly, the sound sharp enough to slice through the tension in the room
• “Of course. Because nothing screams romantic getaway like me cooking for your guest while you two relax. Shall I fetch her a warm blanket, too? Maybe some herbal tea for her fragile body?”
• Damien’s jaw tightened, his dark eyes flashing with anger, but he said nothing.
• Instead, he turned back to Katherine, his voice gentle in a way it never was with me.
• “Forget it. We’ll eat out tonight. You shouldn’t have to wait.”
• My breath hitched, but I forced my expression to remain neutral.
• Eating out? He’d never taken me out for dinner unless it was a public event meant to display our ‘perfect’ marriage to the world. The sharp sting of betrayal was almost unbearable, but I swallowed it down.
• Katherine beamed, clasping her hands together as if she’d just won some prize. “You’re so thoughtful, Damien. I knew I could count on you.”
• “Pack my clothes. And hers too,” he said, gesturing toward Katherine. “Make sure everything is perfect for the trip.”
• I didn’t respond. How could I?
• “Oh, and Aria?” Damien added, his voice lower, more cutting. “You can book an extra room for the vacation.”
• My mouth opened and closed like a damn fish.
• Surely he didn't mean he'd sleep with Katherine in the room I booked while I slept in another room.
• Right?