The Billionaire Betrayed Heiress

n rumbled up the long, winding driveway of the Kingsley estate, the distant echo of its tires on the grave

e-filled with laughter had grown to become a shadow of its old self. Every inch of her body felt heavy with dread, each breath an effort to mask the rising

out. The night air felt colder than before, as if the very atmosphere understood the weight of her sorrow. She could already see the tall, intimidating f

t. As soon as she crossed the threshold, Celeste's piercing gaze fixed on her, a look of utter disdain cutting through

lence. "Do you have any idea how much damage you've caused tonight?"

't in a position to talk back at anyone so she bowed her head in su

," Aria whispered, he

gh the hallway. The force of the slap sent Aria stumbling to the side, her cheek stinging with the burn of humilia

omous growl. "You humiliated this family! You have no respect for anyone, do you? You think you can

ck the sting of tears, knowing they would only fuel Celeste's wrath. The words of apolo

er voice cracking slightly as

her shoulder and tossed it violently onto the floor, the contents spilling out onto t

ched out, gripping Aria's hair in a cruel fist, yanking her head ba

ing up in her eyes. At this moment her head felt

I can't even look at you!" she shouted, shaking Aria as though her very exis

ged as she gasped for air. "Please,

. "You're pathetic!" she said, as if the weight of Aria's mist

e grip loosened, and Celeste released her with a harsh sh

e wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I'm sorry... I never meant to ruin anything. I'm sorry..." Ar

ng to make sure this is the last time you ever cause such a mess." Celeste said as she walke

bout him. I didn't even get his name." Aria said her voice muffled under her sob.

pped. "You expect m

ootsteps. The house was instantly plunged into a deep silence followed with chaos

te screamed. "W

, eyes wide with panic. "Dad

, her legs shaking as she tried to make her way up to her father's room. She had never been to this part of the house ever since h

the grip sit firmly on her hands. "What do you think you're doing?" she hisse

perate, her hand gripping the doorframe for support. "H

rd. "Stay out of it. You'll do nothing but make thing

d see Amelia, her face pale with worry. Without thinking,

arms and yanked her away. "You don't belong here Aria. You better listen to w

"You don't belong here," she hissed, shoving her a

his frail body limp in their arms, and the cold, detached expression on her stepmother's face. With no ch

what would happen to her father, or if he would even survive this fall. All she could do was cry, the wei

of her future seemed even more terri