Chapter 8
Aria's POV
After Aiden left, his parting words echoed relentlessly in my mind: "I'll come pick up Mrs. Carter in a week."
The way he'd said it-so calmly, so confidently-made my stomach twist into knots. My appetite had completely vanished, replaced by a knot of anxiety in my stomach. Was this his way of punishing me for my impulsive marriage proposal? To take it seriously when I had been half-expecting him to laugh in my face?
I hadn't yet found the courage to tell my father about what I'd done. How could I explain that I'd traded our most valuable property for a marriage certificate with the Carter family heir-Liam's biggest business rival, no less?
As I sat in the living room contemplating how to break the news to my father, my phone lit up with Lillian's incoming video call. Perfect timing-I needed to tell someone about this whole mess.
"Hey, Lil-"
"Aria!" Lillian's face appeared on screen, her expression livid. "Have you seen what that snake Sophia is doing now? I swear, I've never wanted to strangle someone so badly in my life!"
My confession died on my lips. "What happened?"
"Check your social media right now. You're trending again."
With a sinking feeling, I opened my phone's browser and searched for my name. Sure enough, there I was, trending at number five: "Turns out getting left at the altar isn't the worst thing."
I tapped on it with trembling fingers. The first post was a series of photos showing Liam and Sophia at a Chanel boutique, looking at engagement rings. Sophia was beaming as Liam slid a massive diamond onto her finger, her expression one of pure triumph.
An anonymous "insider" had provided context to the photos:
"Remember that nationally famous runaway groom scandal from two weeks ago? Where the bride got into a car accident while chasing after her fiancé? Well, my friend is in their social circle and just discovered something even more heartbreaking!
Today was supposed to be Aria and Liam's four-year dating anniversary-the day they planned to get their marriage license after returning from their honeymoon! Instead, I spotted the runaway groom at Chanel, buying a ring for his 'true love.' Just when you thought Aria Jones couldn't be any more pitiful, life proves you wrong!"
I scrolled down, each comment hitting like a physical blow:
"Poor Aria Jones. First abandoned at the altar, now watching her ex shop for rings with his new girlfriend ON THEIR SPECIAL DAY."
"Maybe she should take the hint? If a man risks his reputation to run from marrying you, you might be the problem..."
"Sophia Clarke looking gorgeous as always! Can we blame Liam for upgrading?"
"I feel bad for Aria, but clearly these two are meant for each other. The heart wants what it wants!"
"Anyone else think the timing is suspicious? Sophia's playing chess while Aria's still figuring out checkers."
I scrolled back up, noticing that Lillian was still ranting about Sophia and her friends.
"All of Sophia's little minions are posting the same pictures on social media with the caption 'Sophia deserves this.' Can you believe it?" Lillian was practically shouting now. "What exactly does she deserve? The chance to steal someone else's fiancé and then rub it in their face?"
Normally, such a calculated attack would have left me sobbing. But something had changed within me. Instead of feeling crushed, I felt oddly detached-almost amused by their transparent attempt to hurt me.
"Aria? Are you okay?" Lillian's concerned voice brought me back to our call. "I can come over if you need me."
I smiled at her, surprising both of us. "Actually, I'm fine,Lil.I'm better than fine."
"You don't look fine. You look... different." Lillian peered closer at her screen. "What happened ?"
"I'll tell you everything soon. Promise." I replied. "I'll call you back in a bit, okay?"
After ending the call, I did something that probably shocked Sophia's entire circle. I opened each of their smug social media posts and liked them all. Every single "Sophia deserves this" received my digital thumbs-up.
Then, with a determined grip on my crutch, I hobbled back to my bedroom. On my dresser sat the marriage certificate I'd received just hours ago-tangible proof of my impulsive decision. I picked it up, carefully angling my phone to capture the document while keeping the key details hidden.
With steady fingers, I posted it to my social media with a simple two-word caption: "Already married."
I set my phone down and took a deep breath, feeling strangely liberated. Liam wanted to turn our relationship into a public spectacle?
Fine. I'll play along - let's see who outplays who.
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