Free Web NovelChapter 372: Chapter 372
Aria’s POV
Rowland pouted, my wolf rolled her eyes.
Logan looked wounded, like a kicked pup, but his scent told a different story. He was jealous, agitated and territorial.
“Aria,” he said, stepping forward, all pale and fragile-looking in his lounge clothes. “Why did you let him stay?”
Rowland immediately draped an arm over my shoulder, possessive as hell. My wolf twitched at the contact but didn’t shove him off.
“Shouldn’t I ask you that?” Rowland shot back. “An alpha who is also a famous artist, yet you can’t afford a hotel?”
Logan’s eyes snapped to him, and just like that, the softness vanished. His wolf surfaced as though he had been challenged.
“And you?” Logan bit out. “Why aren’t you at a hotel?”
“Because Aria can’t bear to let me,” Rowland said smugly, leaning closer to me just to provoke him.
I did not confirm that.
Logan’s eyes went red at the edges, his wolf pressing forward. He looked at me like I’d stabbed him. “Aria—”
He reached for my hand.
Rowland smacked his hand away mid-air, glaring at him.
Logan’s fingers curled slowly, his face confused and hurt, but his scent was icy and dangerous.
“Enough!” I snapped.
The air shifted instantly. Both men went still.
I crossed my arms, my wolf pushing forward just enough to remind them who actually held the ground here.
“If you two don’t go back to your rooms right now, you’re both out. Today. Not tomorrow.”
That did it.
Logan backed down first, heading back to his room with defeated steps.
Rowland, on the other hand, threw me a flirtatious look and practically skipped off.
I opened my mouth to yell after him he disappeared. Chloe and Amelia both rubbed their foreheads.
Sometimes even I wondered what weird cosmic force kept throwing these men into my life.
Amelia had once idolized Logan. Now she looked like she’d accidentally adopted two overgrown wolf pups.
“If you’re going to the Darvin family tonight,” Amelia said, “should we wait outside for you?”
I shook my head. “No. If I’m acting, I’ll act properly. I’ll probably stay overnight.”
They nodded, understanding.
To me, this wasn’t an visit, it was infiltration.
By afternoon, I stood in front of my closet. My fingers brushed over fabrics until they stopped at the White tulle.
It was soft, light and almost fragile-looking.
Grandma used to dress me like this. Even when the Darvin house felt like winter, she made sure I had warmth somewhere. My suitcase back then had held this exact kind of dress.
A little princess costume... sent back into a house that never wanted her.
I slipped it on anyway, not because I was that girl, but because they still thought I was.
In the cab, I watched the city blur past, my wolf calm but alert. Darvin Villa rose ahead like a memory I’d buried and dug up again on purpose.
“Hey! She’s here!” Patrick’s voice carried even before the car stopped. The door opened. My skirt spilled out first, soft and white.
Margaret stood at the entrance. She didn’t move, she just stared.
Sophia nudged her. “Mom?”
Still she said nothing. I walked up the path slowly, my heels quiet against stone, my scent controlled and unreadable.
“Aria, come in,” Patrick said, overly welcoming. “Your mom cooked just for you.”
“Okay,” I replied, glancing back briefly at Margaret.
Her eyes were still on me, but not really seeing me. It was as though she was thinking of a memory from the past. When she glanced at my dress, I could tell that was it. She was affected by it. It must have dug up old memories.
I saw it hit her, I saw the way her scent shifted with confusion, guilt and something tight and suffocating.
Her hand pressed lightly to her chest. For the first time...She looked like she couldn’t breathe.
“Margaret! What are you standing there for?”
Patrick’s voice cracked through the entry hall like a whip. I paused and turned my head slightly, calm as still water. My wolf stayed quiet, but her ears were up, watching and listening.
Margaret stood a few steps behind us, still staring at my profile like it offended her.
“Dinner’s ready,” she finally said, her tone falling flat as she moved past us, walking ahead.
Patrick gave her a stern look that must have meant something. Margaret bit her lip and forced a smile so wide it looked painful.
“I’m just so happy you’re home, Aria. Come, let’s eat. I made your favorite, spicy fish head stew.”
My steps slowed. That dish. For a split second, my wolf stilled.
Spicy fish head stew wasn’t hers. She never made it. It was usually Grandma who did.
I hadn’t expected this. freewёbnoνel.com
The ice in my expression cracked just a little. I didn’t speak, I just nodded and followed.
The dining room lights were warm. Patrick cleared his throat, hiding his satisfaction. Sophia straightened in her seat, trying to look gentle and loving. Her leg dragged slightly when she moved, she’d rushed her discharge for this performance.
All for money, for Osborne family assets obviously. They believed I was the key to getting it, especially since I had the heirloom.
“Here, sis,” Sophia said, pulling out a chair. “Sit.”
I gave her a sidelong look and sat like I belonged at the head of the table.
“I heard you were attacked recently?” I asked lightly.
Her shoulders stiffened.
