Chapter 6

Aria's POV

Adrian was being surrounded by a group of people when he heard the commotion and strode over.

He glanced at Rosalie, then at the cheap goods on my chest, his brow slightly raised.

Rosalie immediately stirred the pot.

"Mr. Hale, look at her. How can she wear cheap stuff to this kind of event..."

"Shut up." Adrian coldly cut her off.

He walked to my side, put his arm around my shoulder, his gaze sweeping the entire venue, his tone supremely arrogant.

"This is last year's one-of-a-kind piece from an independent European designer. In this circle, taste matters more than price. Some things aren't fashionable just because you're covered in logos."

The tide turned.

The society ladies who'd been covering their mouths and laughing moments ago immediately changed their tune.

"I knew it! That cut is obviously extraordinary, so clear and transparent."

"Mr. Hale's taste is truly impeccable. The design is so strong."

Rosalie's face turned red. The hand holding her wine glass froze in mid-air, so embarrassed she wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

Adrian glanced at her coldly.

"Aren't you going to apologize?"

Rosalie bit her lip, her eyes reddening, reluctantly lowering her head to me.

"I'm sorry. My mistake."

My fingers gently stroked that crude fake crystal, suppressing the urge to laugh.

"It's fine."

Adrian was satisfied with my magnanimity, even more satisfied with the face he'd just gained from that protective display.

He didn't know that his arrogance was the best medicine.

He'd personally stamped that fake with his approval. From now on, no one would ever suspect I'd sold the real diamond.

In the stretch limousine on the way back.

Adrian was in a good mood, unusually holding my hand.

"You performed well tonight."

He probably thought that recently I hadn't made a fuss, had obediently put away the multi-million dollar pink diamond, wore cheap junk without complaint, and even helped him save face in front of outsiders.

This was the result of domestication he wanted.

The car stopped at the villa entrance.

Adrian instructed the head bodyguard.

"Lower tomorrow's security level. Mrs. Hale is going to the private hospital for a checkup. No need to follow into the examination room, just wait downstairs."

The head bodyguard nodded.

"Yes, sir."

I sat in the shadows, my heart racing wildly, yet I still nodded.

"Thank you, honey."

He'd personally unlocked the cage door.

At home, Adrian went to the office for a meeting. Only a few cleaning servants remained in the house.

I opened the deepest hidden compartment of the safe and took out a divorce agreement.

I'd signed it three months ago.

I placed it on the bedside table, under the velvet box containing the fake crystal brooch.

Anyone lifting the box would find it.

Next, I took out my phone. I deleted every cloud backup and wiped all message histories with the nanny.

Finally, from the inner pocket of my wallet, I drew out a single photograph.

A blurred silhouette, taken in secret on the day Wesley was born.

I kept the photo close to my body.

I looked around the room I'd lived in for five years. No trace of Aria remained.

The wardrobe was filled with haute couture that belonged to Mrs. Hale. The vanity was crowded with luxury skincare that belonged to Mrs. Hale.

None of this had anything to do with me anymore.

Because I was leaving.