Chapter 3

Aria POV

After Sofia moved in, the apartment no longer felt like my home.

Her cup appeared on the dining table, her toiletries in the master bathroom, and even the throw pillows on the living room sofa had been replaced.

I used to tidy up every day by habit.

Now I only glanced at things as I passed. I stopped organizing those items and stopped asking questions.

When Ethan came home, he finally noticed the changes in the living room and asked, "Why were these things changed?"

Sofia immediately put down her cup, her eyes reddening first. "Did I cause trouble again? I just felt the original colors were too dark. They reminded me of the old building. If Aria doesn't like it, I'll have someone change everything back right away."

I immediately said, "No need. Keep what you like."

Ethan looked at me, his brow furrowing deeper.

That afternoon, Sofia directly invited several mutual friends to the apartment. She didn't ask me or Ethan.

When the housekeeper brought out desserts, she sat in the living room greeting friends, as if she'd always been in charge of this home.

When a friend entered and saw her in loungewear, then noticed her coming down from the master bedroom direction, someone quickly teased her. "Sofia, you act way too much like you're in your own home, don't you?"

Sofia smiled, pressing her lips together, but her gaze drifted toward the stairs.

I happened to be coming down with project materials. All eyes in the living room suddenly fell on me.

Sofia seemed to just notice me and quickly explained.

"Aria, don't get the wrong idea. I'm only staying temporarily for a few days. Ethan was afraid I'd be scared alone at night, so he insisted I stay in the master bedroom."

She stressed the words "master bedroom" just lightly enough for everyone to hear.

Someone laughed awkwardly. "Aria's really generous. Anyone else would've made a scene by now."

I didn't expose her scheme or explain who was actually staying in the master bedroom. I put my materials in my bag and only said to Sofia, "These are your guests. You entertain them properly." Then I turned and went upstairs.

Ethan entered through the front door just in time to hear those words. His expression darkened. He called Sofia aside, lowering his voice. "Who told you to bring people into this house?"

Sofia's tears fell quickly. "I just hadn't seen friends in so long. I wanted them to know I'm not doing as badly as they think. Is Aria upset? Then I'll move out right now."

She brought up the old building again. She said living alone made her lose sleep. She said last night when she closed her eyes, the darkness still pressed down so she couldn't breathe.

Ethan irritably pinched the bridge of his nose but didn't mention kicking her out again.

I stood at the stair landing, listening to everything, but didn't go down.

My phone lit up. The project manager asked if I could go to the old town earlier to check the site.

I replied directly: "I'll go tomorrow."

That evening, Ethan knocked on my door holding a restaurant reservation. "Let's go out for dinner tomorrow night." He said, "Things have been chaotic at home lately. I want to have a proper talk with you."

I looked at the reservation and nodded. I didn't tell him the seven o'clock morning ticket had already been issued.

That night, Sofia called for me again at the master bedroom door. "Aria, I think I left my medicine in the bathroom cabinet."

Sofia leaned against the doorframe, her face pale. "I don't dare go in alone. If something happens to me, Ethan will worry."

I said nothing but eventually entered the master bathroom.

The floor was wet. The aromatherapy bottle sat at the edge of the sink.

Just as I bent down to pull open the cabinet, Sofia suddenly rushed in from behind, her whole body colliding into me.

My lower back hit the sink, my arm sweeping the aromatherapy bottle. Glass shards exploded, cutting my skin.

Sofia screamed and tumbled right into Ethan's arms as he rushed in.

Ethan's first reaction was to steady her. "Are you hurt?"

Sofia clutched his arm, crying and trembling. "I just wanted to get my medicine. I didn't know Aria was also in there..."

I steadied myself against the sink, blood from my arm dripping down my fingertips.

Only then did Ethan see me. His expression changed.