Chapter I Is It The End?

"Aria, I'm back. Alaric is mine. If you're willing to quit the game, I'll give you twenty million dollars as compensation."

Aria Havenscorft's lips curled as she looked at the text message on her phone. Alaric Hawthorne' true love, Selene Hart sent the text. Selene left Alaric four years ago for some unknown reason, and it honored Aria to be her substitute. Because the figure of Alaric Hawthorne is a life saver in her life. Although their marriage wasn't based on love, but as long as Aria could get what she wanted, it was enough for her.

Aria grabbed the phone and headed into the bedroom. She stood in the doorway for a while, enraptured by the tall figure standing by the window. She pulled herself out of her stupor after a while, striding over to him and wrapping her arms around his waist. She loved that firm, wide back, where she would lean back comfortably.

Then she whispered in his ear. "Mr. Hawthorne, Miss Hart texted me again. Shall I call her and clarify our relationship with her?"

"There's no need." Alaric said lightly, "I have asked the lawyer to draft a divorce agreement and all you have to do is to sign the papers when they are ready."

Faking a sad expression, Aria responded. "What a pity. I wanted to carry the tales to Miss Hart. But congratulations, you can finally be with the one you love."

Even if Alaric couldn't see her expression, he caught her brisk tone. Is Aria looking forward to this divorce too?

If she ever showed any sadness, it would greatly surprise him. Since Aria never showed that sadness in front of him.

Aria was about to pull her arms away when Alaric grabbed a hold of her and pulled her into his chest. Embraced in his arms, she raised her chin and welcomed his kiss.

Their lips met, and they kissed passionately for several seconds. When they parted, Aria leaned back against his arms and sighed.

"Mr. Hawthorne, Miss Hart, the lady you continuously thought about is coming back. Aren't you afraid she'll be jealous seeing us like this?"

"You're still Mrs. Hawthorne," Alaric said, implying that as long as they weren't divorced yet, Aria had to fulfill her obligations as his wife.

Alaric lifted her chin, and their lips met again in a passionate flurry.

To be honest, Alaric liked Aria quite a lot. Apart from looking almost identical to Selene, the woman he loved, Aria had a more filled-out figure. Of course, this was an additional point that made him feel that Aria was quite different from Selene.

Men were visual creatures. Unless they truly loved a woman, a woman with a better physical appearance would be more attractive to them.

Compared to women who were showing signs of aging, men preferred young and beautiful women with perfect figures.

"Mr. Hawthorne, I got back and I'm drenched in sweat. Please, let me take a shower first."

Aria slid out of Alaric's embrace like a charming serpent.

Alaric looked at her with lust in his eyes and asked, "May I join you?"

Aria winked and walked into the bathroom, leaning forward, and said, "I prefer to bathe alone." Then she closed the door.

Alaric's expression changed. He liked when Aria played hard to get, like a temptress, just waiting for him to make the wrong move.

Four years before, Selene left because of a misunderstanding and never showed up for their wedding.

After that, he found a woman who looked just like her to serve as a substitute. What was shocking to the guests was that the bride wasn't the daughter of the Hart family.

Everyone said Selene was the one at fault. Both families knew she was the one who had run away from the wedding. The Harts were ashamed and apologized profusely to him. He didn't retaliate against the Hart family because he loved Selene. Instead, he found a woman who loved money to replace Selene at a critical moment.

And the Cinderella who was brought under the spotlight was none other than Aria Havenscorft.

*

Their love making exhausted Aria and she didn't wake until seven o'clock in the evening.

After taking a shower in the bathroom, she put on a dress she had just bought and dressed up simply before going downstairs.

She walked toward Alaric, who was enjoying his dinner, and gave him a light peck on his cheek before smiling at him.

"Mr. Hawthorne, why didn't you wake me up?"

"You were sleeping like the dead. I didn't want to disturb you," Alaric said as he put some food on his plate.

Aria placed another kiss on his cheek and called out. "Mrs. Miriam, I'm hungry."

After a while, a chubby, middle-aged woman with a cheerful face walked out of the kitchen carrying a few dishes.

"Young master just said that young mistress might sleep longer as you seemed tired. So he asked me to reserve some food for you. I hadn't expected you to wake up so soon though."

Aria sat down with a smile. Seeing Mrs. Miriam had made her favorite dishes, her smile grew even wider.

"Mrs. Miriam, you're the best. You made all my favorites."

"Please eat up, young mistress. It's great to finally have you home again. I expect to see put on some weight. You look thinner now since the last time I saw you. I will prepare delicious food for you every day from now on," Mrs. Miriam replied with a smile.

"Thank you, Mrs. Miriam."

Alaric had almost finished eating when Mrs. Miriam went back to her work.

He wiped his mouth and cleared his throat. "Dad is on a business trip for a few days and Mom must be bored at home alone. I'd like you to go over and see her tomorrow"

"Okay," Aria said, smiling sweetly.

Alaric looked at her smile in a trance. He knew she looked a lot like Selene, but he always forgot she appeared even more similar when she smiled. Compared to Selene, Aria had her own unique characteristics.

"Remember to listen to Mom's words."

"Yes, Mr. Hawthorne."

When she saw Alaric getting up from his seat, Aria got up as well. Then, she pointed at her cheek Playfully and smiled at him, "Mr. Hawthorne, I want an evening kiss."

Alaric glanced at her before walking over and placed a light peck on her cheek.

"You'll have to eat alone. I still have some unfinished work to attend to."

"Okay."

They were like an old married couple who'd been together for many years; a couple who knew each other's living habits inside and out.

Although there were no pretty flowes or fancy accessories to prove it, one could feel their silent understanding through their way of getting along with each other.

Though who would have thought their marriage was on the verge of divorce?