Aria’s POV
The morning sun was gentle. Warm. Perfect for a second day of school.
Lina practically vibrated with excitement in the backseat. She’d been up since six, demanding pancakes and asking every five minutes if it was time to leave yet.
"Mommy, can we go NOW?"
"We’re going, baby. See? We’re in the car."
"But we’re not MOVING."
Cassius chuckled from the driver’s seat. "Someone’s eager."
"I want to see Sage!" Lina bounced against her seatbelt. "We’re going to play wolves today! She’s going to be the alpha and I’m going to be the beta and we’re going to hunt for treasure!"
"That sounds very important," I said seriously. "Better not keep your beta duties waiting."
Cassius started the car. We pulled out of the driveway and onto the winding road toward Silverpine Academy.
The school appeared through the trees. Stone buildings. Ivy-covered walls. That beautiful fountain sparkling in the morning light.
Lina was unbuckling herself before we even stopped.
"Whoa, whoa." I caught her arm. "Wait until Uncle Cassius parks."
"But Sage is WAITING."
"Sage can wait thirty more seconds."
She huffed. Dramatically. Like I’d asked her to wait thirty years.
Cassius found a spot near the front entrance. We all climbed out together.
That’s when I saw them.
My blood turned to ice.
Finn and Celestia stood near the school gates. They were arguing. Voices low but sharp. Their body language screamed hostility. Celestia’s arms were crossed. Finn’s jaw was tight.
Then Celestia spotted us.
Her expression transformed instantly. Like flipping a switch. The anger melted away. A sweet, loving smile took its place.
She grabbed Finn’s arm. Pressed herself against him. Gazed up at him adoringly.
"Darling, look who’s here."
Finn turned.
Our eyes met.
Three years.
Three years since I’d seen that face. Those amber eyes. That cold, calculated expression that used to make me feel like nothing.
He looked older. Worn. The expensive clothes were gone. His suit was cheap. Ill-fitting. His hair was longer than he used to keep it. Less polished.
Life had not been kind to Finn Nightfang.
"Aria." He said my name like it tasted sour. "I heard you were back."
"News travels fast."
Cassius stepped closer to me. A subtle movement. Protective.
Celestia’s smile widened. She was draped over Finn like a designer accessory. Showing off. Performing.
"Isn’t it wonderful, darling?" Her voice dripped with false sweetness. "Your ex-wife finally decided to grace us with her presence again."
"Mommy?" Lina tugged at my hand. "Can I go to class now?"
I crouched down. Cupped her face in my hands.
"Yes, baby. Go find Sage. I’ll be right here when school ends." She nodded. Squeezed my hand once. Then ran toward the school entrance without looking back.
Finn’s eyes followed Lina until she disappeared through the doors. Something strange crossed his face.
"So." He crossed his arms. "You ran away. Abandoned your family. Left without paying what you owed."
"What I owed?" I laughed. Actually laughed. "That’s rich, Finn. Truly."
"Two hundred thousand dollars." His voice hardened. "My lawyers calculated everything. You lived in my home for five years. Ate my food. Wore my clothes. That debt doesn’t disappear just because you decided to vanish."
"Your lawyers." I tilted my head. "The same lawyers who got arrested when your family was raided?"
Finn’s face went pale.
"Oh, I heard about that." I smiled sweetly. "The Nightfang empire. Crumbled to dust. Tax evasion. Money laundering. Fraud." I ticked each crime off on my fingers. "What was it? Twenty years for your parents?"
"Shut up."
"So when you say I owe you money..." I stepped closer. "Are you sure you want to go down that road? Because if you’re making up fake debts again, I’m pretty sure that’s a crime. What do they call it? Fabricating financial records? Extortion?"
Finn’s jaw clenched so tight I could hear his teeth grinding.
"I could make one phone call," I continued. "One call to the enforcement council. Tell them you’re harassing me for manufactured debts. How do you think that would go? Given your family’s history?"
His hands were shaking. I could see it. The rage barely contained beneath the surface.
"You bitch," he whispered.
"That’s the best you’ve got?" I raised an eyebrow. "You used to be so much more creative with your insults."
Celestia stepped forward. Her fake smile had cracked. Irritation showed through the perfect makeup.
"Listen here, you little—"
"Oh, Celestia." I turned to her. Let my eyes travel up and down her body. "You’re still here."
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Just surprising." I shrugged. "When Finn had money, you couldn’t keep your hands off him. Called him the love of your life. Said you’d do anything for him."
Her face reddened.
"But now?" I gestured at Finn’s cheap suit. At the worn shoes. At the tired lines around his eyes. "Now that there’s nothing left? No mansions. No cars. No servants."
I paused. Let the words sink in.
"And yet here you are." I smiled. Almost genuine. "Standing by your man. How romantic."
Celestia’s composure shattered.
"Is it love?" I asked innocently. "Or is it just that no one else will have you? The woman who broke up a marriage. Who had a child with a married man. Who watched that marriage implode and thought she’d won."
Finn grabbed Celestia’s arm. Pulled her back.
"That’s enough," he snapped. But he wasn’t looking at me.
He was looking at Cassius.
Something shifted in his expression. Recognition dawning.
"I know you." Finn’s eyes narrowed. "You’re that healer. The one who was always sniffing around my wife. You are now playing house with her? Raising some other man’s bastard?"
My blood boiled.
"You son of a—"
Cassius moved before I could stop him.
He stepped in front of me. His body was rigid with barely contained anger.
"Walk away, Nightfang." Cassius’s hands were clenched at his sides. "While you still can."
The threat hung in the air.
Celestia grabbed Finn’s arm. Tugged.
"Finn, let’s go. Felix is waiting."
"Goodbye, Finn." I turned to Cassius. "Let’s go."
We started walking toward the school entrance. Away from them. Away from the past.
"MOMMY?"
The voice came from behind us.
"Mommy? Is that you?"