Caspian didn’t need to tell Evelyn to leave.
One look was enough.
The door clicked shut behind her.
He crossed the floor in three long strides and stopped in front of Aria.
His eyes studying the woman who used to look at him like he was a diamond collection.
“You’re not supposed to be here,” Aria said coldly, her eyes on him.
“Why not?” He stopped in front of her.
Hands going to her hair out of habit and she slapped it off.
You’d say she’s a reserved woman.
She’s never let him touch her even for a little second no matter how much she liked him.
She always said she was trained to wait till she’s married no matter what.
“What’s gotten into you?
First you vanish on our wedding night, then you sent your plaques and trophies back to my office like they’re trash.”
“I’m the one chasing you now, Aria.” His voice dropped, sharp with irritation.
“Even after you cheated on me.”
Aria’s green eyes didn’t flicker.
“Weren’t you too busy with Lydia?”
Caspian’s jaw tightened.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Let’s get divorced.” Her tone was almost casual.
“I want to focus on my career.
I’m not interested in being tied down.”
The words hit him harder than he expected.
For years she had chased him, cried for him, fought other women for him.
Now she was the one walking away.
What would the world say?
What name would they tag him?
A wife who left him so soon after the wedding would make him look weak.
“What the hell has gotten into you?” he raised his voice.
“Nothing.
I just love my career more.
Is that so hard to understand Mr Graves?”
Caspian stared at her for a long second, then exhaled through his nose.
“I’m giving you one week to get over whatever this is and come home.
We’re married, Aria.
There’s no going back.”
He turned toward the door.
He really didn’t know what has come over her.
Has she seen what she’s not meant to see?
But he knows Aria so we’ll.
It wasn’t the first time he would cheat with another woman.
She always fought them away from him, claiming he was hers alone.
She’s quick to forgive him.
Quick to apologies even though he’s always wrong.
She listens to him, never argues, and does whatever he ask.
“Caspian.”
He paused but didn’t look back.
A small smile curving his lips.
Maybe she’s about to apologize, but the mean ass he is.
He wouldn’t accept immediately.
“You have one week to stop Leah from stealing my songs,” Aria said quietly.
“Or we’re getting a divorce.”
That made him turn.
Shock evident on his face.
This woman…
They get married and now she’s tired of chasing him?
“Is that what this is about?”
“She’s releasing my music the same day I write it.
Sometimes the same hour.”
Caspian’s expression didn’t change.
“We signed a deal we can’t get out of.
You’ll still get more buzz than she does.”
“That’s not what I’m asking for.
Tell her to stop stealing my song.”
“No she won’t.” He said.
“You’re better off as a songwriter anyway.
You’re my wife.
Leah is good business.
She’s the better option right now.”
The exact same words he had used in her past life.
Aria almost smiled.
“You have one week,” she repeated.
“Pull her tracks, or I’m done.”
Caspian’s eyes darkened.
“You have one week to come back to me, Aria.
Or we’re done for good.”
He walked out without another word, Aria watched the door close.
Later that evening, it was announced on the news that Leah was releasing her new ep.
All four song consisted of Aria’s songs.
Aria stared at the news and smiled.
In her last life, she had no money to fight Caspian back.
He had convinced her that they should open a joint account with all her assets transfered into his account and in his name.
It’s one of the reasons she couldn’t fight back.
None of those were yet to happen, yet, she was still somewhat broke.
Being a new artist who had barely sang any hit song, she barely had money to her name.
Aria sighed.
She needed to find a way, and soon.
And just then, she remembered the grey man.
The man that had raped her that night.
Though she had said she didn’t want anything to do with him, she was desperate.
But the man she had looked at, didn’t seem to match any description she has seen.
She picked out her cellphone and started searching for several billionaire names online.
Clement Hardison?
No!
Philip Ticker?
No!
Dalton Sanchez?
No!
She looked up several names, but none matched the image of the man in her mind.
Maybe he’s meant to be invisible.
Maybe he’s a nobody.
As she dropped her cellphone on the table, “Miss Aria.” Evelyn rushed in.
“Miss Aria, you need to see this.” Evelyn walked towards her.
“What is it?”
“Silver Crown entertainment just announced their new top artist of the month.
She’s replacing you.
Her debut album drops next month after her ep.” Evelyn showed her her cellphone, and Aria saw the ranking behind displayed to the public.
People were already talking about it.
Caspian was really out for her.
“Mr Graves is furious, and he won’t stop until you apologize.”
Evelyn’s voice trembled.
“Miss Aria, she’s getting everything meant for you, endorsements deals, fan activities, all of it!
Meanwhile, the only thing left for you is that cheap Tamu deal.
Those people are scammers!
Signing with them will destroy your brand!”
Her hands shook.
“Please, make things right with Mr.
Graves before he buries you completely.”
Caspian owned not just Aria’s music, but Aria herself.
Her name, her songs, her next one year.
Every release had to pass through him.
She owed him one year of her life and every cent his label had poured into her.
If she were still his wife, maybe she could have survived it.
But that would mean dying again, and Aria refused to die twice.