Chapter 5 Not Your Wife Anymore

Aria I stood at the elevator in our penthouse, tapping my manicured nails against the metal panel as I waited. Every second felt like a countdown to freedom. The sleek elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and I stepped inside, my fingers tapping rhythmically against my palm as I hit the button for the ground floor. The cold, metallic interior reflected my image back at me—sharp, composed, untouchable. Behind me, Brandon stormed out of the study, his heavy steps echoing like warning shots. “Aria!” “Aria!” His deep, commanding voice sliced through the silence like a whip. I smirked but didn’t turn around. Let him chase. The doors began to close, but at the last second, his hand shot between them, forcing them open with a frustrated exhale. He stepped inside, standing too close, his presence demanding attention even when I was trying my hardest to ignore him. I sighed, arms crossed, staring straight ahead. “To what do I owe the honor? ” The elevator dinged, doors sliding open. I stepped in and pressed the ground floor button. “You’re really walking out?” He demanded, striding closer like he could stop me with words alone. I slowly turned my head, tilting it as I looked him up and down, smirking. “Was I unclear when I said I’m taking everything that’s mine? Did I maybe stutter?” His jaw ticked. “This isn’t you. You’re overreacting. You’re being emotional—” His lips pressed into a thin line. “You’re making a mistake.” “Oh, sweetheart, trust me. If I were emotional, you’d know. This?” I gestured at myself. “This is me being done.” I placed a finger on my chin in mock thought. “See, I would’ve thought the mistake happened when you decided to bring another woman into our marriage.” He exhaled sharply. “I told you—” “Yes, yes, you love her,” I said, waving a hand dismissively. “That doesn’t change the fact that you played me like a fool.” Brandon’s gaze flickered, but he recovered fast. “I don’t expect you to understand.” I let out a short, humorless laugh. “Oh, I understand just fine. You think you can have it all—your company, your public image, your obedient wife, and now your precious little Savannah wrapped around your finger, too.” His jaw ticked, a sign that I was getting under his skin. Good! “You think you can just leave and walk away like nothing happened?” I raised a brow, leaning against the side of the elevator. “Watch me.” “You’re still my wife, Aria. That title means something.” I laughed—an actual, full-on laugh that echoed down the hallway. “To whom? You? Don’t make me gag.” The elevator doors began to close, but Brandon shoved his arm between them, forcing them open again. “Aria, don’t do this. Don’t throw away everything we’ve built,” he said, quieter now, like softening his voice would change my mind. I stared at him, cold and unflinching. “Brandon, we didn’t build anything. I built. You just took.” The doors dinged again, threatening to close. “Last chance,” he said, voice tight. “Stay, and we can figure this out. I’m offering you a choice.” He said, his voice quieter now and more controlled. I blinked once. Then twice. Then I laughed—really laughed. “Oh, Brandon,” I cooed, turning to face him fully. “That is the funniest thing you’ve ever said to me. You want me to stay? To be your well-behaved wife while you play house with her?" I smirked and continued. "You’re right,” I said, stepping forward so we were nose-to-nose. “Let me figure it out for you. You made a choice when you brought another woman into our home. So, congrats. You can have her. But you don’t get to have me too.” He blinked, caught off guard by my calm. “And just so we’re clear,” I added with a sharp smile. “You’re not my husband anymore. You’re just another man who lost the best thing he ever had.” Before he could say another word, the doors slid shut in his face. I leaned against the wall of the elevator, finally breathing. Not because I was scared—no, never that—but because I knew walking away would be the first battle in a very ugly war. By the time I walked into the luxury suite I kept for moments like these—because you never trust a billionaire husband to actually be faithful—my assistant, Talia, was already waiting. She took one look at me and narrowed her eyes. “Girl. Tell me you didn’t kill him.” “Not yet,” I smirked, tossing my coat onto the velvet couch. “But I’m definitely thinking about it.” “Okay, spill. What did he do this time?” Talia asked, handing me a glass of champagne like she already knew I was about to destroy lives. I took a sip, letting the bubbles calm the fire raging inside me. “He’s moving her into my house.” Talia choked on her own drink. “The Savannah chick?” I nodded, eyes sharp. “As a second wife. A flat wife, like this, is some damn medieval kingdom. The audacity.” “Please tell me you didn’t agree.” “Agree?” I snorted. “Oh, baby, I walked out. And I’m calling my lawyer in the morning.” Talia’s eyes gleamed with pride. “Now that’s my girl. What do you need me to do?” “Get me every bit of dirt on Savannah—past, present, and especially anything that could end up on the front page,” I said, my voice cool. “If he wants a scandal, I’ll give him one.” “And Brandon?” I smirked. “Brandon’s going to learn the hard way that when you betray a woman like me, you don’t just lose a wife—you lose everything.” Talia grinned, already pulling out her phone. “Consider it done.” Brandon POV Brandon sat in his office, running a hand through his hair. He didn’t expect Aria to walk out so easily. He thought she’d fight, cry—maybe even beg. But instead, she left him standing there like a fool. Savannah came up behind him, rubbing his shoulders. “She’ll come around,” she purred. But as Brandon stared out the window at the city skyline, a dark feeling settled in his gut. Because something told him this wasn’t over. Aria wasn’t the kind of woman you betrayed and got away with it.