my fingers. The silence in the house felt heavy, pressing down on me. Za

elf they didn't mean anything. But the doubt had already settled in. Was she calling me a replacement for Ava? Was Zane telling her too m

ughts. I quickly dried my hands and turned around to see Zan

rly," I said, t

ase by the door. "The meeting

ing in my throat. I couldn't keep quiet any

ng the seriousness in

breath. "It'

nst the kitchen counter and cro

o stay calm. "At the offi

my secretary and a frien

een happening for a while now." I couldn't hold back my feelings anymore. Yes, I was jealous. Can you blame me? I had been fighting for h

"Are you accusing

just... I feel like there's something you're not t

You're being paranoid, Aria. Maya is just my secr

es she know about you and Ava? Why did she say I'm just a replacement

ing. She's always like that. Don't take her words seriously," h

tried. I've done everything I can to make this marriage work. But y

Aria," he said quietly, frustrati

ed. "But I thought... I thought we could make it work. I thou

ween us felt even bigger now, and

is voice softer. "Yo

off. "Tell me why you're pushing me

before I could say anything else, he stepped

, but he silenced

pull away at first, not understanding what was happening, but hi

is lips pressed against mine. For a moment, I felt

ouch was strong but soft, his lips trailing down my neck as he whispered my na

top wondering. Was this real love, or j

I reached out to touch his arm, but he pulled a

a shower," he sai

door shutting softly behind him. I felt

ing to push away the thoughts th

Zane stayed by her side, doing everything he could to help her. And when she died, it broke him. I saw t

thought marrying Zane would help me get out of that shadow, but

he moment. I took a deep breath, trying to s

cared. Maybe if I reminded him of the good times

ing special for his birthday tomorrow. I

e out of the bathroom, wearing just a towel. He didn't look

jealousy as I watched

asked, trying

he replied, putting the

ng a smile. "Go

e said, turning

ared at the ceiling, feelin

eep, I reached for his phone. The scre

wait for

he phone back on the nigh

orr

ng. What did she mean? What w

ness, I realized I wasn't