LOGINChapter 91Aria Blake ~•~ [ Call me as soon as you see this, Aria.] I stared at Samuel’s text message. Another one popped in almost immediately. [ You can’t ignore me forever, Aria. Call me so we can talk. You asked movers to come to the house without informing me.] “Aria, just call him at least,” Claire said, sounding pitiful on his behalf. “You really can’t ignore him forever.” I picked up my phone from the table and rested my head on the couch cushion. “Claire, focus on your movie and stop looking into my phone.” Claire rolled her eyes. “Just call him.” I stood up from the couch and made my way to the guest room in my mother’s house. I dialed Samuel’s number. He answered on the first ring. “Finally,” he muttered under his breath. “What’s up?” “What’s up?” he repeated with a hint of amusement in his voice. “I’ve been calling you for days and you’ve been ignoring me intentionally.” I rolled my eyes. “I’ve been busy.” “Busy?” he scoffed. “But not busy enough to send mov
Chapter 90Aria Blake ~•~ “I want you to know that I’m deeply sorry. And if I could go back in time, I would have been more careful,” Julian apologized. “I hate that you have to go through this.” “Go through what?” I asked, folding my arms around my chest. “The humiliation of—.” “We aren’t together anymore,” I cut him off before he could finish his sentence. “Nothing is humiliating.” That was a lie. It was extremely humiliating. Knowing that my ex-husband and my ex-best friend have a child together was the worst information ever. Things were better when I didn’t know about it. “Really?” Julian asked, stunned. It was as if he was expecting a different answer. I nodded firmly. “Yes.” He had a disappointed expression on his face. “Can you take me on a tour of the apartments right now? And can the kids come with us?” I asked, changing the topic. “They deserve to have a say in their new home.” Julian pinched the bridge of his nose. “Sure.” I turned off the tap and we both ma
Chapter 89Aria Blake ~•~ “Aiden! Stop running around,” I said for what felt like the millionth time. “Sit on the couch and watch the television.” Aiden paused and glared at me. “You’re not my mommy, I don’t have to listen to you,” he said firmly. “And it’s my daddy’s house, I can run around if I want to.” I was baffled. “I know it’s your daddy’s house, but you can fall and get injured. I don’t want that to happen under my watch.” “Mommy, stop wasting your time. He doesn’t listen to people,” Owen said, clearly displeased. I shook my head. Harper had spoiled her son. “Aiden, I won’t repeat myself. Stop running around. The living room isn’t a playground.” “Leave me alone!” He yelled. I blinked. I knew there was no point saying anything to him again. He would only disrespect me. It was hard to understand why a little boy would be so disrespectful. With a sigh, I sat back on the couch. Aiden continued running around the living room even though no one was chasing him. I loo
Chapter 88Julian Cross ~•~ “I don’t know if she’s going to go for it, but that’s the best I can do.” Cole sat down in the chair across from me. He looked around the office before he finally cleared his throat. “What the hell are you talking about?” He just walked into my office and that was the first thing I said to him. I chuckled. “I’m sorry.” “You’re going crazy.”“I’m talking about Aria. I told her I would give her custody of the kids if she decides to stay in New York.” His eyes widened. “You want to let go of the kids?” I shook my head. “No, I wouldn’t do that,” I answered sharply. “Shared custody. I just want her to be closer to me. That’s the best thing to do.” Cole nodded. “Yes. From what you said, I’m guessing that she didn’t agree.” I dropped the pen that I’d been squeezing for the past hour. “Yes. She said she’s going to think about it.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “There’s no way she’ll turn an offer like that down.” “But what if she doesn’t want to le
Chapter 87Aria Blake ~•~ After the study room door was shut, I leaned against the desk. “What do you want to talk about? You can’t waste my time because Claire is waiting for me in the car.” I had to warn him because I knew Julian, and there was a high chance we would go back and forth concerning whatever he was about to say. “This won’t take much of your time,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “How are you holding up?” I let out a sigh. “No small talk. Just get straight to the point.” He raised his hand in mock surrender. “I’m sorry.” “It’s fine,” I breathed. “Listen to what I have to say with an open mind.” I tilted my head. My curiosity was piqued. “I’m listening.” He swallowed hard. I could tell that he was struggling to come up with the right words to convey whatever was on his mind. My gaze darted to my wrist watch, but I didn’t pressure him. However, if he didn’t start talking soon, I’d lose my patience. “Don’t go back to Texas after the funeral.” He b
Chapter 86Aria Blake ~•~ I watched as the phone rang continuously. And when it stopped, my screen lit up with a text. It was from Samuel. And I was intentionally ignoring him. It had been three days since I left Texas for New York. During those days, he didn’t reach out to me. He didn’t care and I didn’t let it bother me. But now, he was finally reaching out. [I’m sorry. I had no idea you lost your father, please call me back or pick up the phone.] I hissed as I read the text message. How did he even know that I lost my father? “Are you going to ignore him forever?” Claire asked, placing a hand on my shoulder. I looked back and let out a sigh. “He’s the last person I want to talk to. We always end up having meaningless arguments and I can’t deal with that right now.” “Maybe he just wants to sympathize with you.” “We are no longer in a relationship, so he doesn’t have to worry about me,” I replied, my chest tight. “He chose to leave me when I needed him the most.” Claire
Chapter 81Aria Blake ~•~ I froze mid-bite, the burger suddenly tasting bland in my mouth. “What?” I demanded, my voice crackling with disbelief. “What did you just say?” My voice came out hoarse and barely above a whisper. She looked pained, like she regretted opening her mouth. But it was too
Chapter 77Aria Blake ~•~ “Are you still at his house?” That was the first thing Samuel asked me when he answered the phone. Not how is your health? Not how the kids are doing?I let it slide. He was still upset because I left Texas without telling him, and probably still mad that I went to Jul
Chapter 2Aria Blake ~•~ Tears rolled down my face as I scrolled away and dialed his number. This time it didn’t go to voicemail, the phone was ringing. But Julian was ignoring me intentionally. My chest was tight. After everything we had been through, I couldn’t believe that he would do somet
Chapter 1 Aria Blake ~•~ “He’s not coming back… should I just refrigerate the food for you?” The maid’s voice dragged me out of my thoughts. It was two days after my husband and I’s wedding anniversary. We had been married for three years. Initially, things were going great between us, but all







