Winter in Riverdale, 2 AM. In her drowsy state, Aria Summer felt a chill creep in. Just as she was about to pull the blanket tighter, it was suddenly yanked away. The bitter winter wind whipped through the air as strong, slender fingers tore at Aria’s nightgown. Lips reeking of alcohol frantically sucked at every inch of her pale skin. Aria squeezed her eyes shut against the searing pain below. She forced herself to enjoy this almost violent coupling, for it was her only chance to be intimate with Lucas Stark. With a click, the flame of a lighter briefly illuminated the darkness. The sharp scent of menthol cigarettes filled the air. Aria curled up in the corner of the bed, clutching her stomach. Her beautiful face was contorted with pain. “It’s not like this is your first time. Why are you still in so much pain?” Lucas’s voice was cold and indifferent. Aria opened her mouth but couldn’t make a sound through the agony. “I guess rich girls really are delicate,” Lucas sneered. With that parting jab, Lucas strode into the bathroom on his long legs. The sound of falling water droplets stabbed at Aria’s heart. Aria struggled to sit up and fumbled for the medicine box on the nightstand. She dry swallowed a painkiller. There was drinking water in the living room, but she couldn’t make it that far. And she certainly wouldn’t expect Lucas to bring her a glass. A gentle melody began to play, repeating over and over. Aria glanced at the steamy bathroom, then inexplicably answered the phone. A saccharine female voice grated on her ears: “Lucas, my flight time changed to tomorrow afternoon. Make sure you pick me up, okay? I want to see you as soon as I land!” Aria froze. She knew that voice all too well. It was her. She was back… On the other end, the woman kept calling out when she got no response. “Lucas, can you hear me? Hello? Hello?” The bathroom door opened and Lucas emerged wrapped in a towel, just in time to hear the woman’s shouts. He snatched the phone from the dazed Aria and replied softly, “Mm, I got it. I won’t be late.” “She’s back?” Aria’s voice was as cold as ice. Lucas lay down without even looking at her. “The driver will pick you up at 10 AM tomorrow to go to the courthouse and finalize the divorce. You can keep this apartment and this credit card – it’s enough for you and your mother to live comfortably.” Lucas’s deep, magnetic voice carried an air of undeniable authority. A wave of intense pain surged through Aria’s body from her abdomen. She gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles turning white. “It’s because she’s back that you want to divorce me? Is that it?” Aria’s pale lips trembled violently as she asked, as if using all her strength. Lucas paused his texting and looked her directly in the eye: “You seem to have forgotten your place, Aria Summer!” Aria’s body shook like a sieve as she collapsed to the floor. Lucas was right. In their five years of marriage, she had forgotten her place. She truly believed that holding that marriage certificate made her Mrs. Stark… But in Lucas’s heart, she was nothing more than a bed warmer. Their marriage was just her using her family’s status to trap him… In Lucas’s eyes, she was just a scheming woman who would do anything to possess him. What right did she have to argue with him? Aria Summer had no leverage! Lucas’s true love was back. It was time for the scheming stand-in to leave. What was there to fuss about? Was she really unwilling to let go of five years of devotion? Or was she just bitter about losing to his true love? “Lucas, divorce is such a big decision. Shouldn’t you at least let me discuss it with my family?” Aria’s voice was as humble as dust. Lucas put down his phone and tightly gripped Aria’s slender neck. Aria immediately struggled to breathe. “Discuss with who? Your frail, helpless mother? Aria, remember this – our marriage was always just a contract. You’ve had me for five years. I’ve given you compensation. Learn to be satisfied, understand?” Lucas released his grip and Aria gasped for air, tears spilling from her eyes along with her broken heart. Another wave of intense pain racked her abdomen. Aria finally collapsed, her entire body violently shaking on the floor. “Don’t be late tomorrow. Bring all the necessary documents.” With that cold instruction, Lucas stepped right over Aria’s prone form. His disgusted look was like he was seeing a stray dog on the street. The sharp smell of disinfectant cleared Aria’s head. She sat up straight, looking directly into the doctor’s eyes, trying to read his expression behind the mask. “Dr. Shaw, what were the biopsy results?” Dr. Shaw adjusted his glasses, hesitating. “I can make my own decisions about my health. Please just tell me – I’m prepared for anything.” Aria’s voice was as cold as if it had been disinfected too. Dr. Shaw sighed and handed Aria the test results. “Stage 2 brain cancer, with metastasis to the intestines. That’s why your stomach has been hurting.” Dr. Shaw looked at the quiet Aria, unable to hold back his regret. Twenty-five was far too young for this. “If I don’t get treatment, how long do I have?” Aria’s gaze was steady, as if discussing someone else’s fate. “You’re still young. The chances of a cure are quite high, especially if we use targeted therapy…” Aria cut him off. “If I don’t get treatment or surgery, how long do I have?” “Three to six months. But if we operate…” A small smile played on Aria’s lips as she slowly stood. “That’s enough. Thank you. Could you please prescribe some extra painkillers for me?” Aria tucked away the test results, bowed in thanks, and left Dr. Shaw’s sympathy behind the closed door. Rushing as fast as she could, Aria was still half an hour late to the courthouse. Lucas’s face was stormy as he waited in the Mercedes. With all the paperwork in order and no disputes over assets, the clerk quickly processed everything and handed over the divorce certificates. Aria carefully placed the divorce certificate on top of her medical report as she prepared to leave. Lucas’s low voice came from behind her. “Where did you run off to? Why didn’t the driver pick you up?” Aria smiled faintly. “Mr. Stark, we’re no longer husband and wife. I don’t need to report my whereabouts to you.” Thanks to Riverdale’s congested traffic, it was already dusk by the time Aria made it home. The gated community was eerily quiet, devoid of any homey warmth. After boiling some water, Aria swallowed a few painkillers and began packing her things. Lucas had left her the villa, but it was far from the city center. With no car, it would be inconvenient. Since she didn’t have long to live anyway, she might as well sell it and leave her mother some money for retirement. As Aria packed, she realized all of Lucas’s belongings had vanished. There wasn’t a single trace of him left in the house, as if their five-year marriage had never existed. It seemed she truly was just a stain on his life that needed to be thoroughly scrubbed away. Aria efficiently packed up her things and called a realtor. She climbed into the moving truck with the movers. “Ma’am, do you want to keep this photo?” Just as the truck was about to leave, Aria’s gaze fell on their wedding portrait. “No, you can dispose of everything inside as you see fit.” Aria clutched the divorce certificate in her purse and waved goodbye as the truck drove off in a cloud of dust. By the time she got settled at her mother’s place, it was the middle of the night. The next day at work, Aria had dark circles under her eyes and looked terribly haggard. Aria’s desk was in a corner, surrounded by stacks of blueprints and books. As a junior draftsman at Stark Architecture, none of her coworkers knew about her relationship with Lucas Stark.
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