Chapter 3: Aria Rollins

Aria's POV

I was the only child of the billionaire couple, Stark and Amberly Rollins. I had all the money I needed, and all the expensive cars my peers in college dreamed about were my reality.

However, my parents were always absent, especially when it mattered most. I guess that's the price I had to pay for such luxury. On the day of my graduation from college, I hoped to see my parents, since it was my last day in school.

Unfortunately, Uncle Lance showed up and broke the news to me that they weren't coming. After graduation, my parents informed me of their long stay in Shanghai to conclude a business transaction.

I was instructed to stay with Uncle Lance in Florida. I couldn't refuse the instruction as it came from my Dad.

3 days after I arrived in Florida, I walked in on Uncle Lance kissing Serena in the kitchen.

That was the night I left and decided to spend some days with Jeremy. Little did I know, that my beloved boyfriend was fucking my friend behind my back, and I was walking into the biggest shock of my life.

***

My phone rang, and I glanced at the screen while sitting in the Jacuzzi as the warm water descended on me. It was Liam on the call. I smiled and picked up the call.

“What the hell is going on? I've been trying to reach you since last night. Are you ok?” I asked, and a deep sigh from his end drew my curiosity. I quickly sat upright in the Jacuzzi.

"Liam? Is everything alright?" I asked.

“Hey, monkey, it's fine, I'm fine. How're you holding up? I heard your voice message. I'm so sorry that I wasn't here for you yesterday. How are you holding up?” He asked, and I sighed into the phone.

"I'm fine. Forget Jeremy, it's his loss. I just can't believe that they've been together for so long and I didn't find out sooner. Gosh! I was dumb." I spat.

Liam mumbled into the phone. "Watch your mouth, young lady. I don't make dumb friends. You should speak of my friend with respect," he teased, and I laughed."

“Enough talk about me," I chipped in. "Let's talk about you. What exactly is going on? Don't tell me ‘nothing,’ because I know you. I can tell when something is troubling you,” I said to him.

He let out a low laugh and exhaled deeply.

“It's my mom and Dad. I just found out that they're separating. To make matters worse, they already signed their divorce behind my back.” He spoke, with deep pain evident in his voice.

I was dismayed. “Oh my God!" I exclaimed.

My breath caught deep in my chest, as I furrowed my confused brows.

“I don't understand. You said they had a little fight months back and they've been at peace ever since. How did they get here?" I asked with deep concern.

"That's what I thought. I guess we were deceived.” He responded in a sloppy tone. I wished words could convey my sympathy to him.

“I'm so sorry," I said in a dull voice, and he chuckled silently. “It's not your fault, bestie.”

“So what do you intend to do about it? Is there no solution? Can you talk them through it and make them see reasons to stick together?" I asked, and he chuckled.

“I already tried. It's a lost cause. My mom has taken the house in NYC. My Dad is relocating to Colorado. I would've gone with him but I'm sure he wouldn't want to see me," he said.

I was confused. I stood up and walked to my room with my phone clenched tightly against my ear. “I don't understand, why wouldn't he want to see you? He is your father," I said to him, and he laughed at my words.

“That's the point. He is not. That's the whole reason for the divorce, Aria. He is not my father. My Mom lied about my birth. Everything about me was a lie. Who knows how many lies are yet to be revealed.” He rambled.

There was so much pain in his voice. I paused, and an awkward silence fell on the phone.

“Hold on. Are you saying your Dad isn't your biological father?" I inquired curiously.

"That's exactly what I'm telling you, Aria. The man you've known as my father isn't my father. A DNA test just confirmed it.”

I gasped, staring at the plain white wall before me like I was searching for answers that weren't there.

“Oh God! I'm so sorry,” I mustered a heartfelt apology like it was my crime. “What are you gonna do now? You should stay with your Mom in NYC.”

He mumbled and sighed into the phone.

"Actually, I'm coming to Florida for a holiday next to you. I can't stay here anymore. Even if I remain in NYC, I think it's about time I kiss goodbye to my Mom. I can't stand the sight of her anymore.”

At this point, I didn't know what to say to him. He was in pain, and I wasn't very good at comforting people I care about.

While thinking of what to say to him, his pleasant voice interrupted my thoughts.

“So, about Jeremy. What do you intend to do? Nothing gives me more joy than the fact that you beat his ass.” He said, and I laughed dryly.

“I just hope that when he comes begging for forgiveness, you'll have the courage to refuse him this time," he snapped, changing the topic entirely.

“Huh?" I muttered.

“Jeremy and I are done. Whatever we had is history. I just hope he finds peace with Rita," I said, but a bubble in my stomach altered the sincerity of my statement.

“Are you sure about that?” he asked, and I paused.

I hesitated for a moment, fidgeting with my fingers. My face filled with a shred of doubt and uncertainty as I buried my gaze on the ground.

“Exactly,” his voice came from the phone.

"You have to put him out of your life for good, Aria. You can't keep forgiving him and making excuses for him every time he messes up. I'm telling you, Jeremy doesn't love you. He is only interested in your father's wealth, believe me.”

"Okay, enough!” I snapped.

I inhaled deeply and ran my hand across my hair worriedly. A part of me knew that Liam was right, but I couldn't bear the thought of losing Jeremy. Especially not to Rita.

“Aria," he called, and I spat furiously "don't!”

I exhaled to calm my nerves. I opened my eyes and sighed deeply into the phone.

"You know what, let's just forget about Jeremy. Besides, he may not come begging for an apology, not when he is too busy with his new love. So please, stop reminding me of an event I'm trying so hard to forget!” I snapped angrily.

He was silent for a moment, and after a few moments, his voice came back with an apology, “I'm sorry about that. I'm just looking out for you," he said.

“Thanks, but I can look out for myself. I'm not a baby, and it's time everybody stops treating me like one," I said, and he went mute.

“I’m sorry," he said apologetically.

The call became tense, filled with unspoken words we both harbor in our hearts. An awkward silence took charge, and neither of us bothered to say a thing.

I couldn't think of anything else to say. At the moment, I was mad at Liam and I couldn't tell why. Maybe because he was policing my love life? Or maybe because he was right about Jeremy. He had always been right.

When I looked back at the phone, I realized that the call had dropped. I sighed and a feeling of relief descended on me. I took in a deep breath and lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

Suddenly, I felt bad for snapping at Liam. I picked up the phone with the thought of texting to apologize for my tone.

After typing a short apology, I had a change of heart and erased them all. I threw my phone back to the bed and closed my eyes.

Immediately, my phone rang. I quickly picked up the phone, hoping it was Liam, but as I glanced at the screen, it was Jeremy.

I swallowed hard, and a feeling of satisfaction and victory circulated in my stomach. A low smile etched across my lips, and a joyful ambiance filled the room.