Sold to Bastard Alpha after My Divorce!-Chapter 160

Aria’s POV

The rain started when I was halfway home.

Just a few drops at first. Then more. Then a downpour that soaked through my coat in seconds.

I didn’t care.

Barely noticed.

My mind was still stuck in that assembly ground. Replaying everything that had happened. Over and over like a broken record.

Rebecca.

The confession.

The exile.

I pressed my hand against my chest. Felt my heart racing beneath my palm.

Rebecca had tried to kill me.

She’d been the one who followed me that night. Who drugged me. Who stole Artemis.

My throat tightened.

The taxi pulled up to my building. I paid. Got out. Stood in the rain for a moment.

Just breathing.

In. Out. In. Out.

The water ran down my face. Through my hair. Soaking everything.

I didn’t move.

Couldn’t move.

My legs felt like lead. My whole body felt heavy. Like I was carrying the weight of those three years all at once.

Finally, I forced myself to walk.

Up the steps. Through the door. Down the hallway to my apartment.

My hands were shaking as I fumbled with the keys.

Inside, everything was warm. Bright. Normal.

Lina’s face lit up when she saw me.

"MOMMY!"

She launched herself off the couch. Ran straight at me.

I caught her. Held her tight. Buried my face in her hair.

"Hey, baby." My voice came out rough. Thick. "I missed you."

"I missed you TOO!" She pulled back. Her face scrunched up. "Mommy, you’re all wet! Why are you all wet?"

"It’s raining outside."

"You should have used an umbrella!"

"I know. I forgot."

The next hour passed in a blur.

Dinner. Bath time. Bedtime routine.

I went through the motions automatically. Smiled when I was supposed to. Laughed when Lina said something funny. Read her favorite story about the princess and the dragon.

But my mind was somewhere else.

Stuck in that moment when Rebecca had looked at me. When she’d screamed about how everything was my fault. How I’d ruined her life.

Like I was the villain in her story.

"Mommy?"

I blinked. Focused on Lina’s face.

She was tucked into bed. Her unicorn clutched against her chest. Those black-gold eyes watching me with concern.

"Yes, baby?"

"Are you sad?"

My heart clenched.

"Why do you think I’m sad?"

"Because you have your sad face on." She reached up. Touched my cheek with her tiny hand. "The one you make when you think I’m not looking."

I caught her hand. Pressed it against my face.

"I’m okay, sweetheart. Just tired."

"Is it because of work?"

"Something like that."

She studied me for a long moment. Then her expression brightened.

"I know what will make you feel better!"

"What’s that?"

"A hug!" She threw her arms wide. "The biggest hug EVER!"

Despite everything, I laughed.

A real laugh that came from somewhere deep in my chest.

I leaned down. Let her wrap her little arms around my neck. Felt her squeeze with all the strength her three-year-old body could muster.

"Better?" Her voice was muffled against my shoulder.

"Better." I kissed the top of her head. "Thank you, baby."

I pulled back. Tucked the blanket around her.

"Sleep tight, okay? Sweet dreams."

"Okay." She yawned. Already half-asleep. "Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"Is Kael going to come visit again soon?"

My hand froze on the blanket.

"What?"

"Kael." She said it so casually. Like we were discussing the weather. "When he stayed over. He was really nice. He made me soup. Even though it was terrible."

She giggled at the memory.

"And he held me all night. Like you do when I have bad dreams. And he was warm. And safe."

Her eyes were getting heavier. The words coming slower.

"I like him, Mommy. He’s nice. Can he come visit again?"

I stared at her.

"I..." My voice caught. "I don’t know, baby." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"I hope he does." Another yawn. Bigger this time. "I want to show him my drawings. And my toys. And maybe we can make better soup next time."

Her eyes closed.

Within seconds, she was asleep.

I sat there on the edge of her bed. Watching her breathe. Watching her face relax into that perfect, peaceful expression only children could manage.

*Can he come visit again?*

The question echoed in my head.

I stood slowly. Carefully. Trying not to wake her.

Turned off the light. Left the door open just a crack.

Then walked back to the living room.

I collapsed onto the cushions. Grabbed one of the cups. Let the warmth seep into my cold hands.

Did I want to give Kael a second chance?

I thought about everything that had happened. The ceremony. The dance. The way he’d held me when I was drunk. The terrible soup he’d made with Lina. The gentle way he’d carried her to bed.

The fury in his eyes when he’d learned what Rebecca had done.

The absolute conviction when he’d defended me in front of the pack.

Something warm bloomed in my chest.

Dangerous. Terrifying.

Undeniable.

Before I could have my answer, the sound cut through the apartment.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

"Who..." I started.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

More insistent this time.

I stood. Walked toward the door.

My heart was pounding. My hands were shaking.

I reached for the handle.

Hesitated.

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

I opened the door.