Sold to Bastard Alpha after My Divorce! novel Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Aria’s POV

I woke up to voices downstairs.

Feminine laughter. Lilith’s excited squeals.

My body ached. I dragged myself out of bed. Stumbled to the bathroom. Splashed cold water on my face. The mirror showed a ghost. Hollow eyes. Pale skin.

More voices from downstairs. I recognized one of them.

Celestia.

She was still here.

I gripped the sink. Took three deep breaths. Then I walked downstairs.

The kitchen was bright. Too bright. Sunlight streamed through the windows. Celestia stood at the stove, making pancakes. She wore one of Finn’s shirts. It hung to her mid-thigh.

Lilith sat at the counter, swinging her legs. Smiling. Happy.

"Good morning!" Celestia’s voice was cheerful. Like she belonged here. Like this was her home.

I looked around. "Where’s Finn?"

"Oh, he left early for work." Celestia flipped a pancake. "But he asked me to make sure Lilith ate a good breakfast."

My daughter didn’t even look at me.

"Finn." I forced the words out. "I need to talk to him."

"He’ll be back tonight." Celestia smiled. "Is there something I can help with?"

"No." My hands clenched. "When are you leaving?"

The smile didn’t falter. "Oh, didn’t Finn tell you? I’m staying here now. To help with Lilith."

The room tilted.

"What?"

"Mommy, Celestia makes the best pancakes!" Lilith finally looked at me. "Try one!"

I ignored her. Pulled out my phone. Called Finn.

He answered on the fifth ring. "What?"

"Why is she still here?"

A sigh. "We talked about this."

"No. We didn’t. I want her out of my house."

Ice in his voice. "I’ve decided. Celestia will stay. She’ll take care of Lilith."

"I’m Lilith’s mother—" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"You work all day." He cut me off. "And now you just need to prepare for the pregnancy again. You won’t have time. Celestia is better suited for this."

My nails dug into my palm. "I don’t need another woman raising my child!"

"It’s not up for discussion." Papers rustled in the background. "I have a meeting. We’ll talk later."

"Finn, wait—"

The line went dead.

I stood there. Phone in hand. Staring at nothing.

"Aria?" Celestia’s voice was soft. Concerned. "Are you alright?"

I turned. Looked at her. Really looked at her.

She was beautiful. Delicate. Everything I wasn’t. Her golden hair caught the light. Her blue eyes sparkled with false sympathy.

"I know this is hard," she continued. Her hand went to her heart. "I don’t want to intrude. But Finn thought—"

"Get out."

Her eyes widened. "I’m sorry?"

"Get. Out." I stepped closer. "This is my home. My daughter. Get out now."

"Aria, I understand you’re upset—"

"I said GET OUT!"

Lilith started crying. "Mommy, stop yelling!"

Celestia moved toward my daughter. "It’s okay, sweetheart. Your mommy is just—"

"Don’t touch her!" I grabbed Celestia’s arm. Spun her around.

And I slapped her.

Hard.

The sound cracked through the kitchen.

Celestia stumbled back. Her hand flew to her cheek. Tears sprang to her eyes.

"Aria!" Finn’s voice came from the doorway.

I turned. He stood there. Face twisted in rage.

When had he come back?

He crossed the room in three strides. Shoved me away from Celestia. Hard enough that I hit the counter.

"Are you insane?" He pulled Celestia into his arms. "Did you hurt her?"

"I’m okay," Celestia whispered. But tears streamed down her face. "I’m okay."

"Mommy!"

I looked down. Lilith stood there. Her little face red. Angry.

She ran past me. Straight to Celestia. Wrapped her arms around the woman’s legs.

"Celestia, does it hurt?" My daughter’s silver eyes—my eyes—glared up at me. Full of hate. "I’m sorry my mommy is so mean!"

Then she turned. Ran at me. Her small fists pounded against my legs.

"I hate you! I hate you! You’re a bad mommy!"

Each word was a knife.

"Lilith—"

"I wish Celestia was my mommy instead! She’s nice! She’s pretty! You’re just mean and ugly and I HATE YOU!"

The world stopped.

Finn scooped Lilith up. "Shh, baby. It’s okay." He looked at me over her head. His eyes were ice. "You need to leave."

"This is my—"

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify