I didn’t even glance at him as I zipped the bag. “If you’re not going to agree to a divorce, then that’s fine. I’m still leaving. I’m not staying here while you slowly destroy me.”
His expression darkened instantly. “You don’t get to leave.”
I finally looked at him. “I already decided I am.”
He moved forward fast, grabbing my wrist. “Don’t push me, Aria.”
I jerked my arm away. “I’m done being pushed around.”
His hand came down before I could react.
The slap rang out loud across the room—sharp, humiliating, burning on impact. My face turned with the force of it, pain blooming instantly across my cheek.
Something inside me snapped.
Without thinking, I swung back and hit him across the face. “How dare you!” I shouted. “I’ve tolerated you long enough! I’m not letting you control me anymore—”
A small voice suddenly cut through the chaos.
“Aunt Aria?”
Mason stood at the doorway, holding his toy car tightly in both hands. His eyes were wide, already glassy with tears. “Why are you fighting? Are you okay? Are you hurting my Aunt Aria? You’re mean!”
Matteo hesitated for a fraction of a second. Annoyance flickered… then something almost like guilt.
“I thought you were good,” Mason said shakily, his voice breaking.
“Mason, go to your room,” Matteo ordered, sharper now.
Behind him, Bianca appeared, slightly out of breath. “Hey—hey, it’s okay,” she said quickly, forcing a nervous smile. “Bad timing. I just came to check on Aria… Mason just wanted to see her.”
“Wanted to see me?” I let out a bitter laugh. “How touching. Everyone’s just playing roles now, huh?”
Bianca blinked like she didn’t understand. “What are you talking about? Did you two argue again? Aria, you should calm down before this gets worse—”
“Shut up,” I said suddenly.
Before anyone could react, I stepped forward and slapped her across the face.
The sound cracked through the room like a gunshot.
She staggered back, clutching her cheek. “Aria… what are you doing? Why are you like this?”
“Stop acting innocent,” I hissed. “Tell me the truth—who is Mason’s father?”
Her eyes flickered. “This isn’t the right time… Mason is here—this is sensitive—”
“Don’t you dare use him as an excuse!” I snapped. I grabbed the photos I had been holding and threw them at her.
They scattered across the floor—images of Matteo and Bianca together, too close, too familiar… and Mason in the middle like proof of everything I had refused to see.