Revenge marriage to my ex-husband’s Rival

4.

Aunt Marie's eyes widened as she looked at her niece as though she grew another head. Of all the names she expected her to call out, never in her wildest imaginations did she think it was going to be that man.

Her heart thundered in her throat, fearing the worst. "Please, tell me you're joking," she pleaded, her voice barely a whisper, betraying her shock and concern. Just a few seconds ago, she thought the biggest obstacle to her niece's perfect return to society was her inability to dance due to her injuries, who would've thought it was the gentleman she would be dancing with that deserved all her concern.

No..not even a gentleman. That.. that barbarian! She thought in indignation for lack of better words. She looked at Aria critically, feeling her blood pressure rising as she looked at the young woman's satisfied grin, "Aria Vittoria Moretti, are you trying to give mother another heart attack? Have you tired of the old woman already and wanted to give her a nudge into an early grave?" Aunt Marie's voice trembled with a mixture of resignation and disbelief.

"Oh, Aunt Marie don't be like that," Aria giggled, keeping down her mug to approach her. "I promise, it's not as bad as it seems. Besides, I've made up my mind, and I won't be swayed."

Aunt Marie’s brows remained fixed in a crease, “Ari, you know you don’t have to go to such lengths for that stupid man, right? Lord knows he doesn’t deserve you, and you are way better off without him. You should just forget about him and move on..” she said slowly, not wanting to offend her but still trying to make her see reason.

Move on? Aria’s eyes darkened, her smile dropping. There was no way she could just “move on” with her life when that man was still thriving. When he was still out there, living his life as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t shattered hers into a thousand pieces. The thought of him continuing his life without a care while she was left to pick up the remnants of her own was infuriating. She made him who he was, and he had no right to walk away unscathed. Her fists clenched, her knuckles turning white, as she locked eyes with her aunt.

"Aunt Marie," Aria began, her voice steady but filled with a cold fury, "You don’t understand. This isn't about him deserving me or not. It’s about justice. It's about making sure he pays for what he did. I can't just let it go. What he did was unforgivable, and I will deal with him my way."

Marie sighed deeply, the lines on her face deepening with worry. "I understand your anger, Aria. I truly do. But seeking revenge, it won't bring you peace. It might even destroy you further." She understood what her niece must be feeling, but this just isn’t the way. She had the family at her disposal if she wished for revenge, but she shouldn’t have to take it upon herself to do it.

Aria's expression softened slightly at her aunt's words, but her resolve remained unshaken. She knew Marie's concerns came from a place of love, but they still couldn't deter her from the path she had chosen. Besides it’s too late for her to change anything. She’d already made a deal with the devil. And she didn’t dare think of the consequences of not following through.

"Aunt Marie," Aria said quietly, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion, "I know you're worried about me. And I appreciate it, more than you know. But I’m a grown woman and I can make my own decisions.” Trust me this time.

Marie sighed again, more deeply this time, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her concerns. "I know you're strong, Aria. But I just don't want to see you lose yourself. Promise me you'll be careful. Promise me you won't let it consume you."

But I can’t promise you that, Aria thought, her eyes vacant. What flows through my veins is more than just blood. It's anger, pain, and humiliation. Every beat of my heart reminds me of the betrayal I faced, and the humiliation that man and his mistress put me through. How am I supposed to move on when all I feel is this burning need for justice?

He was a nobody when they met that fateful day. He was just a struggling unpaid intern in one of the family’s many companies. She was the one who saw the potential in him, she was the one who gave him opportunities, who believed in him when no one else did. He never would’ve dreamt of rising to the heights that he did today without her efforts. It was by no means a stretch to say she was the one who made him.

She was young and naive, and he was handsome and charismatic and knew just what to say to get her heart pounding. It was no surprise that she fell in love in him. But it was probably not a coincidence on his part that he just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

But again she was naive and stupid, and when he proposed to her not three months after they met, she accepted without a second thought thinking she’d found her soulmate. She was blinded by love, unable to see the warning signs that were glaringly obvious. And yes, she had no one to blame but herself for her misjudgment. But he however was also completely responsible for his own actions. And naturally just as she paid the price for hers, he would have to pay the price for his.

“How dramatic Aunt Marie,” She forced herself to laugh till her eyes crinkled, “You’ve been watching too many soap operas. Nothing of that sorts would happen, come on, let’s not sour the mood.” She said, her tone lightening as she moved closer to embrace her aunt. "I've got it all under control, trust me." Aunt Marie sighed, leaning into it.

“Now!” Aunt Marie said after leaving her embrace, now satisfied that her niece wouldn’t do anything rash or stupid. She might be a troublemaker at times, but she trusted her to do the right thing. “Though I do not in anyway approve of your date, you will still have to look your very best tonight..” she could only hope her niece’s overwhelming beauty and elegance would take away from the crassness of the beast she chose to accompany her.

Oh whatever could she be thinking? She had no idea how Aria got to be in presence with such a man, but she didn’t have a good feeling about tonight at all. Hopefully the bad feeling in her gut was just indigestion because absolutely nothing could go wrong tonight.

It was after all, the Moretti Heiress’s re-debut to society and anything less than perfection would be utterly unacceptable.