Aria
I can’t fucking believe this. This bastard actually has the audacity to show up in front of me-after everything.
I stare at him, my rage boiling under my skin. He looks like shit, to be honest. Like life’s been kicking his ass in all the right ways. His face is sunken, his eyes dull, and he’s lost so much weight he barely looks like the same arrogant prick who almost ruined me.
Good.
I cross my arms, my stance firm. “Didn’t you hear what I said? What the fuck are you doing here?”
Ethan stands there, shifting on his feet like he wishes the ground would just swallow him whole. Honestly, if he wanted that, he should’ve stayed the hell away in the first place.
“Aria, I wanted to… to apologize for everything,” he says, voice hesitant, like even he knows how ridiculous that sounds.
I scoff, tilting my head. “First off, how the fuck did you even know I was here?”
He swallows hard. “I… did some investigation. Found out you and your friends were schooling together.”
I blink. Then blink again.
“And then you stalked me?” My voice rises, dripping with disbelief. “Are you kidding me? And you expect me to believe you’re just here to apologize? You must think I’m some kind of idiot.”
I move to slam the door in his face, but he catches it at the last second.
“Wait, please… I’m begging you,” he says desperately.
I glare at his hand on the door. “Let. Go.”
“Aria, just…just listen to me. I swear I won’t take up much of your time. I’ll be out of here before you know it.” His voice is shaky, pleading.
I don’t trust this bastard one bit. Not now, not ever. But… fine. I’ll let him say his nonsense and then I’ll kick him the fuck out.
I sigh, stepping back. “Five minutes. That’s it.”
Relief washes over his face. “Thank you… Thank you so much.”
He steps inside hesitantly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I… I’ve been in werewolf rehab for almost a year now. Been doing a lot of self-reflection and… I realized I was a fucking jerk to you, Aria. I’m not proud of what I did.”
I laugh, sharp and bitter. “And you think an apology is just gonna erase everything? Ethan, you tried to turn me into a sex slave, you threatened to kill me, you and your piece-of-shit dad insulted my entire existence-all because, what? I was a lowly omega?” My voice cracks at the end, and I hate myself for it.
Ethan flinches like I slapped him. “Aria…”
“Don’t Aria me!” My voice rises. “I fucking loved you! I trusted you! And what did you do? You betrayed me, you cheated on me, you rejected me like I was nothing, and after all that, you still couldn’t leave me the fuck alone! You bullied me every chance you got! I hate you!”
Tears spill down my cheeks, hot and furious. I wipe them away angrily. I thought I was over this. Thought I had healed.
Clearly, I was wrong.
Ethan looks down, his jaw clenched. “I know… and I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”
“Then why the fuck are you here?”
He exhales, shoulders sagging. “Because… I just needed you to know that I was the problem. I was selfish. Arrogant. A fucking monster. And… I did love you, Aria.”
I bark out another bitter laugh.”What the fuck?” I shake my head, running a hand through my hair. “You don’t get to say that. You don’t get to pull that shit now.”
“I went about it the wrong way,” he continues, his voice breaking. “I was prideful, an asshole. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Aria. The best time of my life was when I was with you… and I ruined it.”
I freeze.
Because now…now he’s crying.
And it pisses me the fuck off.
He thinks shedding a few tears is gonna make me forgive him? Like I’m supposed to feel sorry for him?
Fuck. That.
He wipes his face, sniffling. “I’m glad you found another mate. Someone who’ll love and cherish you the way I should have. I… I wish you nothing but happiness.” He steps back, his lips trembling. “Thank you for giving me this chance. I won’t bother you again.”
Then he turns and walks away.
I open my mouth, wanting to say something, maybe even wish him well too-but the words won’t come out.
I shut the door with shaky hands and collapse against it, the sobs ripping out of me.
I fucking hate him.
But at the same time… I’m so glad he rejected me. If he hadn’t, I never would’ve met Lucas.
Lucas.
I sit up abruptly, wiping my face.
Where the fuck is that jerk?
I told him to visit his dad, but did that mean completely ignoring me? He hasn’t even checked in once! Not even a text.
I scowl, my mood shifting from heartbreak to pissed the fuck off in two seconds flat.
I sniff, crossing my arms. That fucking jerk lied.
He said he was obsessed with me. Said he couldn’t live a second without me. But look at him! Completely MIA!
I huff, kicking my legs in the air.
I won’t forgive you for this, Lucas Russo.