Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 144

Chapter 144

Chapter 144

Aria’s POV

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“Did you know Alpha Grayson was meeting her here tonight?” Quentina whispered.

I shook my head stiffly. My chest tightened, rage and panic rising so fast I could barely breathe.

Every cell in my body screamed to stand up, storm over there, and confront him about this. Was he planning to help her? Did he still have feelings for her? He knew she

Did he forget that she once tried to kill me?

Tears were already burning my eyes, but Quentina’s hand found mine. Her grip was firm and steady.

“Don’t panic,” she whispered. “Let’s hear what they’re going to say first.”

Her voice was calm like an anchor in a storm. Somehow I managed to calm down myself.

Soon, I heard the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor.

Then I saw her.

Isla.

She walked through the restaurant wearing a tight, off–shoulder purple dress that showed off every perfect line of her body. Her boobs bounced in that extreme low–cut neckline as she moved. Her hair was so glossy and full, her nails freshly polished, and her makeup flawless.

She looked gorgeous. Radiant. Nothing like a criminal waiting for her judgment day.

I clenched my fists under the table. My whole body trembled with anger.

“Looks like Isla’s doing just fine,” Quentina said coldly, her eyes narrowed.

“She shouldn’t be fine,” I spat. “Not after everything she’s done to me and to so all those innocent people! She deserves to be locked up, terrified and begging for mercy. Not prancing around in designer clothes like she’s completely innocent!”

“Maybe she’s not worried about the trial at all,” said Torvi from behind Quentina with a hint of scorn in her tone. “She’s got her Alpha father and the entire elder council behind her. Do you know that 95% of charges against nobles get thrown out anyway? The accusers usually end up in prison instead. Maybe Isla’s case will be the same.”

“But that’s not fair!” I burst out.

Torvi gave a dry laugh. “Life isn’t fair. That’s why everyone wants to be born noble. Because they have the

Moon Goddess’s favor.”

I was furious. But I couldn’t argue with that.

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Chapter 144

She was right.

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People like Isla were born with power. With protection. While people like me had to fight for every breath.

And if I had been born into a noble family–if I’d had the right bloodline–maybe everyone wouldn’t hate me so much. And maybe Grayson would’ve married me already.

I couldn’t help but lower my head. Shame and pain were twisting in my chest. Tears had blurred my vision.

“Don’t let Torvi’s words get to you,” Quentina said abruptly. She gave my hand a soft squeeze. “The trial hasn’t even started yet. Those of us who believe in justice won’t let the guilty walk free.”

Isla had reached Grayson’s table. He stood up and greeted her with a polite kiss on the cheek. I could barely breathe as I watched them standing side–by–side, acting so close and intimate.

“I knew you’d come,” she said after she took her seat. She leant forward to him eagerly, her eyes gleaming. “You still care about me, don’t you, Grayson?”

He leaned back, his expression distant. “The only reason I’m here is because your people refused to leave my door until I agreed.”

“But no one can force you to do what you don’t want to, Grayson. So when I saw you walk in, I instantly knew -deep down you want to be here. You still have feelings for me.”

My stomach twisted.

She was right about one thing: no one could ever force Grayson Hart to do anything. And that was what made this hurt so much more.

She reached across the table, trying to grab his hand. But he pulled away.

“What do you want, Isla? I don’t have all night.” His voice was cold.

“Your people have been digging into my life like crazy for the past few weeks,” she said, her voice trembling. “What are you trying to do? Are you really trying to prove me guilty and throw me in prison?”

“If you really did those guilty things, then yes, that’s what I’m doing.”

“But you wouldn’t! I know–I know you care too much about me to do that!” she cried, her voice cracking. “Grayson, please. Don’t submit those files at the trial tomorrow. I’ve been through enough already. Don’t make it worse for me…OK?”

I wanted to hurl the knife from my table straight at her face.

She’s been through enough?

She’s the one who nearly destroyed my life. How dare she sit there pretending to be the victim!

“When I found out you tried to hurt Aria, I told you already. I wouldn’t show mercy again.” Grayson’s tone was like ice. “So if I have proof of your crimes, I’ll present them in court. No matter what you say.”

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Chapter 144

Isla let out a short, broken sob.

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“And you think…you think that’s fair to me?!” she gasped, shaking. “I became this person because of YOU! When we were married, you left me to drown in loneliness and despair. I almost couldn’t get out of those dark day’s alive. And after that, I changed. Never that innocent girl who first married you again. You changed me, Grayson. So yes–you owe me! You, of all people, have no right to call me guilty!”

There’s a long silence after that.

I couldn’t see his face from where I sat, but I saw his hand gripping the armrest so hard his knuckles turned white.

“… You weren’t the only one who suffered in that marriage,” he said finally, his voice tense. “Do I feel guilty? Yes. I always will. But that doesn’t mean I’ll hide the evidence. That wouldn’t be fair to Aria.”

“Aria!” Isla screamed my name like poison. “Fine. Let’s talk about her. You really think she is the one for you? You really think she understands your scars, your darkness, the years of pain you’ve lived through? She’s just a naive and stupid little girl playing at love, Grayson.”

His tone dropped another degree colder. “I didn’t come here to talk about Aria. If you have nothing else to say, I’ll see you tomorrow at the trial.”

“Don’t go! Please!”

She lunged forward, this time gripping his hand tightly. “Just tell me one last thing. Everyone says you’re getting married soon. So… is it gonna be her? Are you going to marry Aria?”

My heart jumped up to my throat. I forgot how to breathe. My whole body froze in horror and anticipation as I waited for his answer.

And then I heard it.

His voice was low but clear enough to slice through me:

“…No. I won’t. Aria isn’t the right one.”

My heart plummeted to the floor. I collapsed into my chair as cold despair swallowed me as a whole. It felt like the world split open beneath me.

Isla let out a tearful laugh. She brought his hand to her cheek. “But you married me. Because you know deep down, we’re the ones who belong together. Wake up, Grayson. Sooner or later, you’ll realize it.”

He didn’t pull his hand away. And when she leaned in to kiss his palm, I couldn’t watch anymore. I shot to my feet and stormed out the other way.

Hot tears burned in my eyes, blinding my vision. The world spun around me, my chest burning so bad I could barely breathe. I stumbled out of the restaurant doors, gasping for air.

I never knew heartbreak could actually hurt physically–but now I do.

I wasn’t even watching where I was going. I didn’t realize I’d stepped straight into the street until a hand

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Chapter 144

yanked me backward.

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“Don’t tell me you’re trying to kill yourself,” Torvi snapped, still holding my shoulder. “Over a man?”

“Let me go! You don’t understand!” I choked out.

She scoffed. “All I know is Frostpine women don’t fall apart over love. We don’t cry over toxic relationships. From what I see, you’re way too fragile to be one of us.”

I glared at her through tears, shaking with fury. But before I could yell at her again, she added quickly, “Lady sent me after you. You ran out too soon. The real show’s just getting started.”

I didn’t know what she meant by “real show.” But after everything Lady Quentina had done for me, I couldn’t just walk away like that.

I wiped my face hard and murmured, “…Fine. Let’s go.”

When we returned to the restaurant, Grayson was gone. Isla’s still at the table, calmly redoing her makeup. There’s a satisfied smirk curling her lips.

Then she stood up, grabbed her purse, and started toward the exit.

“Look,” Torvi murmured beside me.

“At what?”

“The show. Lady Quentina asked us to teach that bitch a lesson.”

At the far end of the corridor, that maid with the long braids Selena appeared holding a bottle of wine. She walked quickly toward Isla.

Just as she passed Isla, she gasped loudly and stumbled forward.

The bottle smashed against the edge of the table. The wine splashed all over Isla. Selena grabbed at Isla to steady herself-

And tore that slutty purple dress straight down the middle in front of the entire restaurant.

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