Too Late, Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now

Aria's POV

I never thought Valentine's Day would be the day my heart would truly break.

Liam had reserved a table at La Perle, the crown jewel of Manhattan dining-crystal chandeliers glowing above us, the air humming with soft jazz and the scent of roses at every table. It should have been the perfect Valentine's date, the kind you tell your kids about one day.

"You look beautiful tonight, Aria," Liam whispered, reaching across the table to take my hand.

I smiled, trying to ignore how distant he'd been lately. Ever since Sophia Clarke came back to New York two months ago, my relationship with Liam had changed. Still, I clung to hope. After all, we were getting married in just five days.

"I'm glad we could spend Valentine's Day together," I said softly.

Liam nodded, but his eyes seemed distracted. "Of course. I wouldn't miss it."

Despite the words, I couldn't help remembering all the dinner dates he'd canceled recently. Always with the same excuse: "Sophia needs me."

Just as our appetizers arrived, I noticed Liam's eyes widen. Following his gaze, my heart sank.

Sophia Clarke stood there, radiant in a white dress that clung to her slender frame, her blonde hair cascading down her shoulders. Her eyes-those large, seemingly innocent blue eyes-scanned the room until they landed on our table. A slow smile spread across her face.

"Well, isn't this adorable?" Sophia's voice rang out as she glided toward us, her white silk dress clinging like it was painted on. "Liam, Aria-what are the odds? Manhattan's massive, yet somehow I keep stumbling into you two." Her smile was sugar-sweet, her eyes anything but.

I bit the inside of my cheek. This was the third "coincidence" this month.

Liam stood up immediately. "Sophia, what a surprise."

The warmth in his voice was unmistakable.

"I'm just meeting some friends," she said, her eyes darting to me briefly before focusing back on Liam. "But they seem to be running late."

"Why don't you join us while you wait?" Liam said-too quickly, too eagerly.

I was momentarily stunned, yet my chest felt like being struck by a blunt object, a dull ache spreading outward.

Our romantic Valentine's dinner had just become a party of three.

As the evening progressed, Sophia dominated the conversation with stories that seemed designed to remind Liam of their shared past. Each time, Liam would nod enthusiastically, lost in memories that didn't include me.

I sat there, invisible, watching as my fiancé and his first love flirted right in front of me.

"Sophia," I finally said, my patience wearing thin, "it's Valentine's Day. Liam and I were having a private dinner."

"Oh, Aria," Sophia's voice dripped with false sympathy. "Don't be so possessive. Liam and I are just old friends catching up. Isn't that right, Li?"

"Aria," Liam's voice was sharp. "Don't be so sensitive. Sophia's just making conversation."

I stared at him, stunned by the rebuke. This was supposed to be our night, and yet he was