Chapter 5

Aria POV

I returned to the apartment the next day to get that old design drawing from the study.

I'd originally planned to grab it and leave, but when my car reached the station, Ethan's driver was already waiting. The driver opened the car door for me, saying quietly, "Mr. Hart asked me to bring you home."

I didn't make things difficult for the driver and bent down to get in. Ethan sat inside the car. Seeing the gauze on my arm and how my lower back stiffened when I sat down, his expression immediately darkened.

"Injured this badly, and you still want to leave home?"

I looked out the window. "I need to submit the old design drawing to the project team."

Anger threaded through Ethan's voice. "Let's go eat first. I still have last night's restaurant reservation."

I didn't refuse. I knew Ethan wanted to turn the master bedroom and bathroom incident into a small conflict that could be resolved over one meal.

The car didn't go directly to the restaurant. Ethan brought me back to the apartment first. "Sofia's not here today," he said. "Take your time packing things. No rush."

I entered the master bedroom and my steps halted. Things here had been changed. The spot in the bathroom that used to belong to me was cleared out, Sofia's frequently used items displayed in the most prominent places. A section of the walk-in closet had also been emptied, hung with Sofia's clothes.

Ethan stood behind me. "This is just a temporary arrangement. She'll move out once her condition stabilizes."

I nodded, walked to the drawer, and took out the old design drawing. I didn't touch the bed or the closet.

Ethan frowned. "You really don't mind at all?"

I put the old design drawing in a document folder. "Since it's already been changed, let her use it."

Ethan was about to speak when the doorbell rang downstairs. Sofia entered with several mutual friends.

Seeing me, she froze for a moment, then quickly smiled.

"Aria's here too? I just invited friends over to visit. I didn't expect you'd be back today."

As she spoke, she'd already naturally had the housekeeper serve coffee to the friends.

The friends saw her enter the master bedroom with familiarity, and someone soon laughed. "Sofia, you're way too familiar with this place."

Sofia lowered her head with a smile. "I haven't been doing well lately. Ethan didn't feel comfortable with me living alone, so he let me stay here for a few days. At night I'm afraid of the dark, so he comes to check on me too."

Those friends' gazes landed on my face. Someone immediately said, "Aria's so gentle, not even minding something like this."

I didn't explain that I was the actual owner of this place. I simply yielded the living room, saying to Sofia, "These are your guests. Entertain them well."

Ethan stood at the doorway, his expression already very dark. He called Sofia aside. "Have them leave immediately."

Sofia's eyes reddened. "I just wanted them to know I'm not suffering alone. If you make them leave now, what will they think of me?"

Ethan's voice grew colder. "This isn't your home."

Sofia seemed pierced by those words, her face going white instantly. "I know." She said quietly, "Then I'll just move out. Anyway, if I go back alone, no one will care about me at night."

Ethan fell silent.

I'd heard their conversation. But I simply put the document folder in my bag, preparing to leave.

Ethan followed me to the door. "The restaurant's already booked."

I glanced at the living room. "You don't have time right now."

"I can leave with you."

Sofia immediately stood up, her face pale. "Ethan, you're leaving now? They're all here. I was already embarrassed enough just now."

A friend also tried to lighten the mood. "Yeah, don't make things so awkward."

Ethan's steps stopped in place.

I spoke first. "Restaurants are available anytime. I have things to do, so I'm leaving first." After speaking, I had the driver take me to the station.

As the car left the complex, the project manager sent the long-term housing contract. I opened it and looked for a long time.

Ethan's message also popped up at that moment. He said Sofia was just emotionally unstable, told me not to misunderstand, and said he'd handle it later.

I didn't reply. I signed the contract. A few seconds later, the project manager sent official notification: "Report for duty in five days."

I put down my phone. Outside the car window was the city I'd lived in for many years. I didn't look back toward the apartment.