Chapter 3

3.

Caleb laughed, though the amusement didn't reach his eyes.

"Aria, you're so easy to trick. If I didn't use that excuse, would you have ever agreed to come tonight?"

I froze for a second, then smiled with realization.

Of course.

The Sterling family was royalty in this city, and Caleb was the CEO.

He couldn't afford a single scandal.

He always chose girls from outside our social circle―pretty girls with no power.

When he was done with them, they couldn't make a scene even if they wanted to.

With me acting as his cleanup crew, he was free to play as hard as he wanted.

But we weren't always like this.

Caleb and I grew up together. Our families were close for generations.

Our marriage had been arranged since the day we were born.

But then, the Sterling business hit a wall after offending some powerful people.

To protect themselves, my parents cut all ties with them overnight.

They ignored my pleas and shipped me off to a foreign country.

They took my passport and gave me just enough money to survive.

I spent years adrift in a foreign land.

Penniless and powerless, I couldn't help the Sterlings.

I was too ashamed to even contact Caleb.

Three years ago, Caleb single-handedly revived his family's empire and made it the top company in the city.

My father finally allowed me to return, telling me I was to marry Caleb.

I was happy, nervous, and hopeful.

I thought my father had finally been moved by my love for Caleb.

But on our wedding day, Caleb told me the truth.

"Aria, you're just as disgusting as your father."

"Since you used that old contract to blackmail me into this, you better enjoy being Mrs. Sterling."

I had no way to defend myself. I could only suffer in silence.

For three years, I tried everything to make him hate me a little less.

But now, I was done.