Married, Divorced And His Again

ARIA

Knock. Knock. Knock.

It wasn't gentle. It wasn't even polite.

The kind of knock that demanded attention, not permission.

I blinked, half-awake, the weight in my chest heavier than my body. Morning sun crept through the curtains, but it didn't bring warmth-just another reminder I was still here. In this house. Still trapped.

I walked myself to the door then I opened it.

Cassandra Reed stood in her pristine, ivory silk robe, already dressed like she had brunch with royalty lined up. Her sharp eyes scanned me from head to toe, landing squarely on my wrinkled shirt and bare feet.

"Sleeping?" she scoffed, stepping past me without waiting for an invitation. "Be helpful for once. How did you not know I came back already? As a wife, shouldn't you be cooking this morning?"

Her voice was cold, clipped. Every syllable laced with disdain, like I'd offended her simply by breathing.

My mouth parted to respond, but I heard another voice.

"Mom," Kate said flatly from the hallway, "the maids can do it."

Cassandra turned her head slowly, eyes narrowing. "I wasn't talking to you, Kate."

I looked at Kate, silently thanking her. She stood tall in her hoodie and sweatpants, barely flinching under her mother's gaze. The only person in this family who didn't treat me like trash.

"Then maybe don't bark orders at someone who's clearly not a servant," Kate added, crossing her arms.

"Don't start," Cassandra hissed under her breath, then turned back to me. "You're living under our roof and we are the family of your husband. Show some gratitude and do something useful. No one wants a lazy wife."

"I'll be out in a minute," I said, teeth clenched, barely keeping it in.

"Better be, Aria," she muttered, heels clicking as she walked off like a queen in a court she built to crush people like me.

As soon as she disappeared down the hall, I shut my door and locked it. My breath came out ragged, my chest rising and falling too fast. I paced for half a second before grabbing my phone from the nightstand.

I hit the contact I knew by heart.

Sienna.

She picked up on the second ring.

"Sienna," I said sharply, urgency laced in my tone.

Her voice was calm, chipper even. "How are you doing?"

"I need you to come over. Now. I want to go visit someone-an old friend-but you're the only one who can talk Cassandra down and get her to let me out of here."

Sienna sighed like it was mildly inconvenient, then laughed softly. "That's right. Your mother-in-law adores me and hates you. That's pathetic. I'm kidding," she added, almost too quickly. "I'll be there soon."

I exhaled. Relief... and something else. That weird twist in my gut again.

She always said the right thing. Always did the right thing.

Too right. Too perfect.

But now wasn't the time to think about that.

I threw on jeans, a sweater, and pulled my hair into a ponytail. Just as I was slipping my feet into shoes, I heard the doorbell ring.

Voices filtered in from the hallway.

Cassandra's high-pitched delight. "Sienna! Darling, you look radiant."

"Of course, ma'am." Sienna said, her voice low.

I opened my door just enough to peek through the crack. Cassandra's face had softened like melted butter, practically glowing at Sienna, who smiled sweetly, leaning in to kiss both her cheeks like they were old-money socialites.

Sienna looked past her and met my eyes. She gave me a tiny wink.

I came out slowly, trying not to let the mix of gratitude and suspicion show on my face.

"Aria," Sienna said warmly, "You ready?"

"She's going out?" Cassandra asked, suddenly skeptical again.

Sienna turned to her like it was an inside joke. "She just needs some fresh air. She'll be with me. I'll take full responsibility."

Cassandra waved her hand like she was blessing us both. "Fine. If you say so."

"Oh trust me,mom, she'll be fine." Sienna smiled wider, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

We walked out together, silence hanging between us until we reached the car. Sienna slid into the driver's seat like she owned it. I closed the passenger door gently, watching her.

"Thanks," I said.

She didn't look at me. Just turned the key in the ignition. "You look like hell, by the way."

I snorted. "Appreciate that."

"You said you were visiting someone?" she asked, eyes still on the road.

"Yeah. An old friend."

She hummed. "Old friend, huh? Anyone I know? Or do I need to know who he is?"

"How do you know he is a guy?" I asked, my voice low and firm.

Sienna smirked.

"You don't have any female friends, I am your only friend." Sienna said, then she turned her gaze to me. "Have you forgotten tomorrow is your husband's birthday?"

I froze. "Right, thank you for letting me know on time." I said, smiling, then I gestured for her to pull over.

"Here?" She asked, looking at the mansion.

"Daniel. We were close in high school, and somehow-we ran into each other again."

Sienna frowned then she nodded and drove off.

The scent of polished wood and citrus cleaner hit me the second I stepped into Daniel's mansion. It was beautiful-sleek floors, minimalist furniture, and a massive chandelier that dangled like a glass crown over the entryway.

Daniel was already waiting at the bottom of the staircase, dressed casually in a black T-shirt and jeans, a disarming smile stretched across his face.

"And here I thought you wouldn't come again," he said, arms spread like he was welcoming home a lost friend.

I smiled faintly, brushing hair from my face. "My friend drove me here anyway. I told her I wouldn't stay too long."

"Well, I'm glad you came. It's been, what... ten years since high school?"

"Something like that," I said, stepping in further.

He looked the same. Kind eyes. Easy smile. The type of guy who used to lend me his hoodie in chemistry class when the lab room felt like an icebox. Back then, he was my quiet anchor-nothing flashy, just reliable. The friend who stayed up late helping me study even when he didn't have to. No agendas. No expectations.

"Come on," he said, waving me toward the living room. "Let's sit. Are you hungry? Thirsty?"

"Just thirsty," I said, dropping onto the cream-colored couch.

"Juice okay? I remember you hated soda."

I blinked. "You remember that?"

Daniel smiled. "I remember everything."

He came back with two glasses. "No alcohol. I swear."

I took the glass, eyeing the pale orange liquid. "If I end up dancing on the table, I'll know who to blame."

He laughed.

I sipped the juice slowly. It was tangy and chilled. "Tastes fine."

"Yeah." Daniel said firmly.

We talked for a while-about old teachers, people from school, how ridiculous prom had been. Laughter came easier than I expected. For a moment, I forgot about the cage I called home, about Cassandra's voice in my head, about Jaxon's coldness.

I let out a deep breath. "My marriage is not really doing well." I said, my voice low and firm.

Daniel leaned back, his gaze soft. "You okay, Aria? You are starting to speak like you are drunk"

I didn't respond, just then, the air grew hotter. I fanned my neck with my hand. "God, is it warm in here? Or just me?"