Aria POV 

I was engrossed in the book in front of me, pouring over the assignment that had consumed my evening. It was a crucial course, and I couldn't afford to ignore it.

Just as I refocused, the door swung open, and my mother burst in. Her excitement was palpable, and I wondered why she was home early. wasn't she supposed to be at work? And wasn't she usually out at her clubs?

"Welcome, Mummy," I said, not looking up from my book.

"Is that how you greet your mother?" she asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice. I chuckled, hoping she wouldn't start with her drama.

"How else should I greet you?" I asked, finally meeting her gaze. My eyes narrowed, ready for a fight.

But instead of escalating, she said, "Let's not fight today." I was taken aback - she usually wouldn't hesitate to call me names and compare me to my father.

"Okay, agreed," I said, returning my focus to my book.

"Look, baby," she said, flaunting her hand with a dazzling ring that sparkled on her finger. The flashy gemstone seemed to scream of her excessive spending habits.

I raised an eyebrow, my annoyance simmering. "You didn't dip into the education fund Dad set up for me to buy that...thing, did you?" I asked, struggling to keep my tone neutral.

Her expression transformed, and she looked defensive, but I could sense the guilt lurking beneath. "Why are you so bitter? Do you think I'd jeopardize your education?" she asked, her voice laced with indignation, but her eyes betraying a hint of shame.

I let out a dry, disbelieving chuckle, my skepticism evident.

"I'm not surprised, to be honest. You've made questionable decisions before, like that betting scam just a few days ago," I reminded her.

"I told you that wouldn't happen again! I'm sorry, I just thought the money would double," she shouted, her voice defensive.

I chose not to respond, letting the tension hang in the air.

"Anyway, congratulations on the new ring. Just make sure it wasn't bought with my school fees," I said, trying to keep my emotions in check.

"You're really slow to catch on," she said, and I chuckled.

"Then how did you get the ring? Did you steal it? Or did you buy it on installment?" I asked, my tone laced with sarcasm.

I saw the disappointment in her eyes, but I didn't care. It was just like her to pull something like this.

"When Dad was alive, you borrowed jewelry and gold chains in his name, and he had to pay for them for months," I reminded her. "So, yeah, it's totally possible you'd do something like this again."

"Can't you just take my side for once, Aria?" she asked, her voice laced with desperation. "Do you really think your mother is incapable of doing anything good, that all I can do is cause trouble?"

I nodded, my expression unyielding.

"Yes, because that's what you're good at," I said, my voice trembling. "Remember how you got drunk and came home late? And how you didn't come home yesterday and didn't even bother to call me until I called you, just to say you were with your boyfriend?"

She took a deep breath, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of remorse. "I'm sorry, Aria. I know things have gotten messy, but I'm just trying to give us a better life."

I shrugged, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Is this really how you're going to do that? No one wants to be friends with me because of you. Why are you so selfish?" Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I continued. "Everyone's telling their kids to stay away from me because of your behavior. I'm so ashamed."

"We're leaving here tomorrow," she announced, and I felt a mix of shock and relief. "We're finally getting out of this environment, and you can start fresh."

Even though I'd spent my childhood here, the thought of escaping felt liberating.

"Did you find a new place for us?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

She flashed the ring again, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. "He proposed, and we're getting married in a few days. We'll be moving in with him... and his son."

My eyes widened as I processed the news. "I'll have a brother?" I asked, trying to wrap my head around it.

She nodded, her grip on my shoulder tightening. "You'll have the life you've always wanted, Aria."

"Are you kidding me?" I asked, my mind reeling from the news.

"It's true, baby," she said, a wide smile on her face. "We're finally leaving this place behind. We'll be living in a big house, and you'll have a father."

I jerked my hand out of hers, anger rising up. "Who said my father isn't enough? Who said I wanted another father?" I demanded, feeling a deep hurt.

How could she move on so fast? It had only been a year since Dad passed away. I knew she had been seeing those two men, but I thought she was just using them to pass the time. I never thought she'd actually marry one of them.

"It's been a year, Aria. Your dad is gone, and I need to take care of you. This is the best way I can think of," she said, her voice laced with a mix of guilt and justification.

I scoffed, trying to keep my emotions in check. "And this is really the best life you can provide for us?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She nodded, beaming with pride. "Yes, baby. You should be happy for me, and for us. You'll have a new father and a brother now."

I nodded, my expression dripping with sarcasm. "Wow, just what I always wanted."

I bit my lower lip, trying to process everything. "Yeah, a new father, right?" I said, my voice laced with sarcasm.

"You need to learn to accept your new life, baby," she said, her tone gentle but firm.

I burst out laughing, unable to contain my amusement. "So, tell me, Mummy, which of your boyfriends proposed?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She blushed and playfully hit me, thinking I was in a lighthearted mood. "I broke up with Josh about two months ago," she admitted.

I was amused. "So, Francis was the one who proposed?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

She nodded, a sheepish grin on her face.

"Yes, Francis is the best father I can get for you," she said, her voice dripping with insincerity. "He's wealthy and has all the qualities of a good father. Unlike Josh, who's broke and doesn't know how to take care of a woman."

I burst out laughing, but tears quickly welled up in my eyes.

"Stop pretending like you did all this for me!" I yelled, my emotions boiling over. "We both know the truth. You did this for yourself, so you can show off to your friends. You're just using me as an excuse to justify your selfish decisions!"

"Stop yelling!" she thundered, her face reddening. "I'm your mother, and I'll make the decisions, not you!"

I smirked, expecting this outburst. This was the real her, beneath the facade of a caring mother.

"I'm not going anywhere with you," I said, turning my back on her and walking away.

Her voice echoed through the building as she shouted, "Just try me! You have no one else but me, and I'll make the decisions for you. There's nothing you can do!"

I halted, spun around, and shouted back, "I'm over 18! I can make my own decisions!"

Her response was laced with venom. "We'll see about that! You don't have access to your father's trust fund, and without my approval, you won't get a dime when you turn 21. You're just an arrogant kid!"

I felt a surge of anger and frustration. I stormed into my room, slamming the door shut behind me. I rested my head against the door, feeling overwhelmed and trapped.

I wondered what kind of life this was, and why I was stuck with a mother like her. The thought of being tied to her for even longer, financially and emotionally, was suffocating.

I mustered up the strength to walk over to the framed photo of my dad and me. We had taken it together, just before he left for work that fateful day. The day he had the accident and left me behind.

I gazed up at his smiling face, feeling a deep sense of longing. "Daddy, things are falling apart," I whispered, my voice cracking. "Did you hear what she said? Why did you choose her as my mom? Out of all the women in the world, why her?"

Tears streamed down my face as I hugged the frame tightly. "Please, Daddy, your baby girl Aria is lost. I need you. Please, just do something," I begged, believing with all my heart that he could hear my cry.