Aria’s Pov

I just told the biggest lie ever known. I can't believe I looked the man I used to love in the eye and denied myself. Do I feel bad? Yes. Do I want to take it back? No. I believe it's good for us. We should continue with our different lives.

His look after I told him it was over was calculated. I know that look. I saw it every time he took me to bed or when we got into an argument. He hadn't changed.

My heart couldn't keep calm until I reached my house. It felt like my body was breaking like glass. As soon as I entered my apartment and closed the door, I let myself fall to the floor.

I was breathing hard and I felt weak.

Could he really tell I was lying? From the way he looked at me, I sensed he would do everything to prove he was right. I had to be attentive.

But I really pray he believed me. That he left second-guessing himself. That he'll just go home, drink whiskey, sleep, and forget about it. He should just bury the thought under a rock.

But I know better than to think that way. I don't sleep that night. After picking myself from the floor, I spend the night going through the events until I fell asleep.

“Mommy, mommy. Wake up.” I feel small hands patting and pulling my jaw and I know who it is.

“Are you up,” Lila asks in her baby voice.

“Yes, baby. I'm up,” I say as I take in her appearance. Her hair is all over the place and her green eyes are looking at me with expectation. She is the replica of her father. He won't need a DNA test to confirm that she's his daughter once he sees her.

“Mommy the monsters are talking in my tummy. Can we please feed them so they don't eat my tummy,” she asks, making an adorable face that I can't ignore.

“Really? Oh no. I must tell them to stop,” I grab her and blow on her tummy with my mouth and she squeals loudly. A sound that calms me and makes me forget all my problems.

“Did they stop talking?” I ask as we both breathe heavily. It was our silky way of saying we are hungry.

“Yes, mommy. They need pancakes. And strawberries. And syrup. And whipped cream,” she lists all the things she likes.

“If you feed them so well they won't leave.” I scratch her hair as we move to the kitchen. Luckily for us, it's the weekend. We can spend more time in our little bubble before we face reality on Monday. My daughter means everything to me and I'll do well to shield her from everything.

“They’ll be too full to eat my tummy,” says my smart girl, and I chuckle.

“Why were you sleeping on the chair, mommy?”

“I was working, baby, and I fell asleep there,” The lie comes out smoothly. Guess it's becoming part of me now.

We make breakfast, eat, play some games, and then study a little before bedtime at night.

We had so much fun during the weekend that I forgot reality was waiting ahead. I kiss her goodnight as I hold her to my chest. She is the reason I continue to live and the reason I picked myself up from the ashes. She’s the only secret I can't let Adrian find out. If he finds the truth about her then he'll discover her existence too.

When Monday comes around, my paranoia also shows its ugly face. I drop Lila off at school and I can't help but scan the surroundings to see if something looks off. Like if a strange car or strange men were hovering around. I kiss her goodbye and she runs off to her class without a care in the world.

“Bye, mommy.”

Nothing changes when I get to work. If anything, it becomes worse. I'm restless because Lila is not close to me. I rub her bracelet trying to calm myself. I try to focus but the lines and numbers blur before my eyes.

“Are you okay, Aria,” Murphy asks when he finds me daydreaming during our conversation. I was lost and didn't realize he asked me a question.

“Yeah, yeah. I'm good,” I say as I adjust myself on my seat.

“Are you sure? You've been acting strange since the night of the gala. Especially after you saw that man,” he says and my eyes snap to his. “Yes, I noticed that. I won't push you to tell me. Tell me when you're willing. But I hope he isn't a person to worry about.”

“Of course, Murph, I will. Thanks. And no, he's not dangerous.” And that's the truth. I think. He is just desperate to understand what is happening.

“Good. You'll tell me if that changes right?” He asks.

“I will.” I give him a soft smile.

“Why don't we revisit these blueprints later? Try clearing your head.

Since I’m not productive the whole day, I decide to pick Lila up from school. We order her favourite pizza and watch a movie while eating.

When it's time to tuck her into bed she says something that makes ice film my veins.

“Mommy?”

“Yes, baby.”

“A man was standing outside my school today looking at me.”

“What man, honey?” I was immediately on alert.

“A tall man in a suit. He was writing something on a paper and when he finished, he smiled at me,” she tells me easily. Not knowing what it is doing to my heart.

“Did he say anything?”

“No, mommy. Do you know him?”

“He was probably visiting the school. But remember, don't talk to strangers and only mommy and nanny get to pick you up from school okay?” I tell her, making sure she understands. “Promise?”

“Promise.” She smiles as we do a pinky swear but my heart doesn't slow down.

I make my way to the kitchen and drink a glass of water to wet my dry mouth. My hands were shaking.

Adrian has connections. If he wants information, he knows the right people who will dig up anything for a price.

This simply means one thing.

He didn't accept my lie.