Chapter 57
Chapter 57
ARIA’S POV
I didn’t leave.
I told myself I would. I told myself I was done, that I wasn’t going to stand here and cry over someone who clearly didn’t trust me.
But my body refused to move.
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I slid down slowly, my back pressing against the cold wall beside his door, my knees pulling up to my chest as the tears came harder.
Ugly. Broken. Uncontrollable.
A soft, pathetic sound escaped me, and I covered my mouth quickly, like that would somehow silence the pain tearing through me.
How could he believe that?
How could Julian of all people look at me and think I would do something like that with Professor Hensley?
A shaky breath left me. He didn’t even ask. Didn’t even give me a chance to explain. No… that wasn’t true.
He didn’t want to hear it.
Because in his head, he had already decided. Already judged. Already made me into something I wasn’t.
And that hurt more than anything. “Stupid…” I whispered to myself, wiping at my face roughly. “You’re so stupid, Aria.”
For believing in him. For believing when he said he loved me. For thinking last night meant something.
My chest tightened painfully at the memory.
The way he looked at me. The way he touched me. The way he said my name like it actually mattered.
A broken laugh slipped out. “God…”I pushed myself up slowly, my legs weak as I stumbled back into my
room.
I didn’t bother turning on the lights. Didn’t bother changing. I just crawled into bed, pulling the covers over myself like they could shield me from everything.
From him. From her. From the images my mind wouldn’t stop creating. I squeezed my eyes shut. But sleep didn’t come easily.
And when it finally did, it wasn’t peaceful.
The next morning, I woke up feeling worse. Not just emotionally… physically too. My head throbbed slightly,
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Chapter 57
my body sore in ways that made my cheeks heat despite everything.
For a brief moment, I allowed myself to feel it.
To remember. And then reality came crashing back. Julian. Leonie. Everything.
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My expression hardened slightly as I sat up. No. I wasn’t doing this today. I wasn’t going to sit around crying while he played whatever game this was.
If he wanted to act like a jerk, fine. He could go to hell.
I got out of bed, freshened up, and got dressed for school with a new kind of determination settling in my chest. Cold. Guarded.
Done. At least that’s what I told myself.
But the moment I stepped into the kitchen, everything shattered again when I saw her.
Leonie.
She was standing by the counter, casually flipping slices of bread in a pan like she owned the place.
Like she belonged there. Like she belonged with him. My stomach dropped. She was wearing his shirt. Just his shirt.
It hung loosely on her frame, the fabric brushing against her thighs, and nothing underneath. Nothing.
My breath caught slightly as my eyes flicked away, but not before I noticed. The outline.
The way the fabric clung just enough. The way she knew exactly what she was doing.
Her lips curled slowly when she noticed me.
“Well, good morning,” she said sweetly.
I didn’t respond. Couldn’t. Because my chest felt like it was being crushed all over again.
She tilted her head slightly, studying me. “You look tired,” she added casually. “Didn’t sleep well?”
Still nothing from me. I moved toward the counter, grabbing my bag like I hadn’t just walked into a nightmare. But she wasn’t done.
Of course she wasn’t. “You should have heard him last night,” she continued, her tone light. Playful.
Cruel. My fingers tightened around my bag. “I mean…” she let out a soft laugh. “I always knew Julian was good,
but wow.”
My heart stuttered painfully. “Leonie…” I started, my voice low.
But she talked over me. “He really knows how to take care of a woman,” she added, almost thoughtfully. “The way he touches… the way he…”
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Chapter 57
“Stop.” The word came out sharper than I intended. But my voice trembled. She smiled.
Satisfied.
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“Oh?” she mused. “Too much for you?” I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay composed. Not here. Not in front of her. Not like this.
I turned, ready to walk out, ready to escape before I completely lost it but then I heard it.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
I froze. That voice. My heart sank instantly.
Slowly, I turned. Julian.
He stood by the entrance, completely shirtless, his sweatpants hanging low on his hips, his hair slightly messy like he had just woken up.
And then I saw it. The mark on his neck. A hickey. Dark. Visible. Unmistakable. My chest tightened so sharply I almost gasped.
There it was. Proof. Right in front of me. Whatever tiny, stupid part of me had still been hoping, ut died right there.
“What?” I asked quietly, even though my voice felt like it was breaking apart.
His gaze was cold. Hard. “Where are you going?” he repeated.
“To school,” I replied, gripping my bag tighter.
His jaw clenched slightly. “You’re not going.”
My brows furrowed. “Excuse me?”
“I said, you’re not going,” he repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Something inside me snapped. “And who are you to decide that?” I shot back.
His eyes darkened. “The one who doesn’t want you spreading your legs for anyone who gives you a ride,” he said coldly.
The words hit like a slap. My breath hitched.
Leonie let out a quiet, entertained hum behind him, but I didn’t even look at her.
I couldn’t. All I could see was him. “How dare you…” I whispered, my voice shaking.
“Stay home,” he continued, like he hadn’t just torn me apart. “Until you figure out how to act properly.”
I stared at him. Completely stunned. Completely broken. “You don’t get to control me,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
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Chapter 57
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“Watch me,” he replied flatly and then there was silence. Heavy. Suffocating. My chest rose and fell unevenly as tears burned behind my eyes again.
Not again. Please not again. But I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t stop anything anymore. “Fine,” I choked out, dropping my bag to the floor.
“Fine, Julian.” If he wanted to cage me here, if he wanted to humiliate me like this, then fine.
I turned and walked back to my room without another word.
And this time, I didn’t hold back. The moment the door shut, I collapsed onto the bed, the sobs ripping out of me uncontrollably.
My whole body shook with it. Because this? This wasn’t love. This wasn’t what love was supposed to feel like. And it hurt like hell anyway.
And the worst part? I was stuck in this house.
With him. And her. And no matter how much I cried, it didn’t change a thing.
And somewhere deep down, I had a feeling this was only the beginning.
AD
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11:48 Thu, May 14
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.

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