Aria, are you sure about divorcing Nick? Mrs. Fusco asked me over the phone, her voice full of concern. Jaydens still so young. He needs you.
I stood at the stove, one hand braced on the counter and replied calmly, I married Nick because of the agreement. Jaydens five nowhe can take care of himself. He doesnt need me anymore.
I owed Mrs. Fusco a huge debt. To repay her kindness, I agreed to a five-year marriage contract. Five years of playing house, acting like the perfect Ambrose wife, taking care of Nick and his son. But the contract ends tomorrow. Im finally free.
Before she could respond, I felt a sharp sting on my forehead. Something hard hit me.
A rock clattered onto the tiled floor.
My hands flew up to cover the gash. Blood trickled down my face as I turned to see Jayden standing just outside the window.
His arms were crossed, eyes narrowed with disdain.
Snitching to Grandma again? Looks like that little lesson I gave you wasnt enough. I should be sending you to the ground, keep my mom a company!
I stared at him, stunned, as everything from an hour ago came rushing back.
It was my twenty-fifth birthday. Id never celebrated one before, so I treated myself to a small cake. But I accidentally wore my late sisters dress and the sight of it sent Jayden into a rage.
He snatched the cake and scrawled RIP across it with black paint. Then, for the final touch, he stuck white chrysanthemums on topflowers meant for the dead.
My birthday cake had turned into a funeral offering.
He laughed, delighted with his work. You think you deserve a birthday? If it werent for you, my mom wouldnt be dead. And would have a broken family. Remember this: from now on, today isnt your birthdayits your death day.
Then, with everyone watching, he slammed the cake into my face and ruined the only day Id been looking forward to.
I didnt yell. I didnt cry. I just walked to the kitchen in silence.
He followed me in, angry that I hadnt reacted.
Jayden wasnt satisfied. What, you upset now? Youre so petty! he snapped. I swear, when I grow up, the first thing Im doing is kicking you out of this house!
I looked at himthis child Id poured five years of love and energy intoand felt my heart sink.
I was so tired.
You wont need to, I told him quietly. Im leaving this house tomorrow.
Then I walked out and went to the living room to clean up the wound on my forehead. I was bandaging my bleeding forehead when I heard the shattering of glass from upstairs.
A chill ran down my spine.
I ran up the stairs and found the only keepsake my mother had left mea jade braceletsmashed into glittering pieces. The shards sparkled under the light, stabbing into my heart.
I dropped to my knees and picked them up one by one, careful not to cut myself. I hadnt cried when Nicks parent gave me hell for years. I hadnt cried when Nick treated me like a stand-in for my sister, using me for stress relief and never anything more. I didnt even cry when Jayden publicly humiliated me with the cake.
But now, looking at the broken bracelet my mom left me?
I broke.
The tears came fast, hot and out of control.
That bracelet was the last thing I had from someone who truly loved me. Jayden stood nearby, watching me crumble. Then, he smirked. Hurts, doesnt it? Having the one thing you care about destroyed? Thats what you get for killing my mom. Now Ill destroy everything you care about. Murderer!
Thats when I finally lost it.
I grabbed him by the arm and dragged him forward. You pick all the pieces up now and put them back together!
Shock flashed in his eyes. Probably because he had never seen me in such state. But before he could react, a hand shoved me hardsending me back to the ground.?
What the hell is wrong with you? Nick glared at me with bloodshot eyes. Its just a bracelet. How could you go off on a kid over it?
I sat there on the floor, stunned, staring up at the man Id once vowed to love.
To him, it was just a cheap piece of jewelry. But to me, it was a treasurethe most priceless thing in the world.
Ten years ago, there was an earthquake in my hometown. My mother died protecting meshe used her body to shield me from falling concrete. The cement slab pierced right through her.
I lost her that day.
Mrs. Fusco found me years later when I was fifteen, paid for my schooling, gave me a future. Thats how I ended up here.
Nick mustve realized hed gone too far. He pushed Jayden out of the room and closed the door.
He came over, lifted me from the floor and laid me down on the bed, gently brushing away my tears.
I thought you were more mature than this, he said softly. You shouldnt be lashing out at a kid. You owe Jayden an apology.
Then he leaned down and started unbuttoning my blouse.
Its your birthday. Let me make it up to you. Consider it a reward for everything youve done for this family.
I inhaled sharply and pushed his hand away.
Nick, I said, voice calm but firm, I want a divorce.


Jayden throws tantrums and now you too? Nicks face twisted in frustration. Hes just a kid, but you? Youre an adult. Why cant you try to understand him? Once he grows up, hell get it.
Im tired from work. Stop adding to my stress, okay? I dont have the energy to deal with you,
I wanted to tell him I didnt need him to fix anything. Just listen.
But to Nick, everything I said sounded like complain. His eyes turned cold, all traces of desire gone.
Ive got work to do, he muttered, storming out and slamming the door behind him. Im not sleeping with you tonight.
I didnt even bother counting how many times hed left me like that. At this point, I was nothing more than a convenient toy to himthere when he wanted me, invisible when he didnt.
But after tonight, I wouldnt be anyones toy anymore.
I spent the whole night at the table, carefully trying to glue my mothers bracelet back together. It was hopeless, of coursejade doesnt mend easy. But I still tried. All I had was some cheap superglue and a prayer.
By the time I looked out the window, the sun was up.
Mrs. Fusco had sent me a message, asking me to come over.?I threw on a coat and went.
She was sitting in the living room when I arrived, her face tight with worry. When she saw me, she sighed.
I heard about what happened yesterday. Jaydens a lot like his dadstubborn and hard to handle. But you raised him, Aria. There has to be some part of him that cares about you. Give him time. Hell understand one day.
Then she looked me in the eyes. Are you really ready to walk away from the family youve built all these years?
Her words gave me pause.
But can it still be called a family if theres no love left in it?
My thoughts drifted back to the late Gianna.
Gianna and Nick had been inseparable since childhoodbest friends, sweethearts, soulmates. They grew up side by side, went through every phase of life together and eventually got married. They were the kind of couple people looked at with envy.
Until five years ago, when Gianna died suddenly. Nick was never the same after that. It was like half of him had died with her. He walked around like an empty shell, neglecting even his most basic needsand that included their young son.
Mrs. Fusco was worried sick. She didnt want Jayden to grow up without a mothers love. But she couldnt just trust anyone to fill that role. She was terrified some random woman would ruin everything. So one day, she came to me with a proposalmarry Nick, raise Jayden and be a mother figure to her only grandson.