o the background. A small smile tugging at her lips as she took in the soft light of the morni

wift. As she bent slightly to set a file on the table, the necklace

Her eyes lingered on the necklace, unmoving, while the corner of her mouth twitched ever so s

she said, her tone light b

ned, brushing

or a moment. "Oh, this? Yes. A

aned back, one brow rising slowly. "Funny. I co

y that was auctioned two days

necklace dangle a little longer. H

e said, feigning surprise. "I wasn't sure

aw it, I just knew it had to be mine. It's Something ab

s face, trying so hard to

can be... a bit intimidating. Take the right kind o

could respond, the faintes

d bothered, but laced with quiet veno

lancing over

n Ann's with unsettling calm. "You're right. It does take a certain kind of woman to wear s

blin

e with her presence alone. "enjoy it while it lasts. T

to let out a word but found none. Aria's face lit with a smile

as she held the file in her hands.She forced a laugh, but it

too high, "I suppose some women cling to what they

ly sipped from her teacup, gaze steady, the sil

than it did earlier on, her hand reflexively reached up t

of her head, " I don't think your husband t

," she said quietly. "It's easy to confuse a borrowed moment for some

parting, but no comeback

looked away, as if

act falling away. "Sitting here in your little throne, sipping tea like you're

it does about me." Aria shot

ld snapback, t

sion that smacked him the second he entered. He took one look at Ar

asked, stepping closer

ing the victim. "Nothing, I just- I think I

rk and hollow. "Tell him what poi

knotting in his jaw. "Aria, whatev

ice calm but cold. "You walk in just

uld take a moment to realize it rather than

ide, wounded. "Daniel, it's fine. I shoul

cutting through it, Aria's chest rose, her breath hitche

my husband. And now she's pretending to be the injured one?" She looked at Daniel the

didn't

d ugly-was louder than an

en slowly, she gave a single nod. Not in agreemen

pain. "I used to pray you'd choose me. I used to think if I was patient, if I

-it was steady, sharp,

. "You didn't stop loving me-you stopped

flickering across his face, but Aria

defend you now, but one day, you'll realize the same man who betray

pened, but no

ht in their own lie-then adjusted her coat, str

, she paused wit

necklace. I don't wear thing

ng with quiet power-leaving behind a silence