The Kidnapped Heiress

Chapter Two

Aria mumbled a thank you as she handed the driver a hundred that was always tucked in her phone for emergencies. Not looking at him or waiting for her change, she exited the cab and walked to the door of her parents’ SoHo home. Ever since she was a kid, it remained her favorite of all their family homes.

It had always been full of warmth and love, but it seemed cold and foreboding now. She really didn’t want to face her family, who would have questions once they saw her state. Luck, however, was on her side as it was only her brother putting around in the kitchen when she walked in. Kicking off her shoes, she made a hurried retreat to her bedroom without so much as a greeting.

“Aria?” Caden called after her, but she didn’t respond.

Instead, she locked herself in her room. From the age of ten, she had her own room for which she was grateful. When she was little, it had been a princess room, but that was a long time ago. Now, it was simple and sophisticated in warm tones.

Pulling the curtains closed, she tossed her phone on her desk. Aria locked her door, barring it against unwanted intrusions before retreating to her ensuite bathroom. Tossing away her clothes, she ran the bath and sank into the nearly scalding water to stew in her misery. Yanking out the rubber band pulled out a lot more hair than she anticipated, but she tossed it in the trash without a second thought.

She wished the earth would just swallow her up and spare her the humiliation she experienced. Aria still couldn’t believe it. How long had he been planning to break up with her? Why didn’t he do it before they went so far and at least spared her some shame? Did he really care for her so little?

Eventually, the bath water cooled, and she reluctantly emerged, scrubbed clean. Some of her family members had knocked on her door, but she hadn’t answered. Her body ached, and her mind was a mess. Ignoring her growling stomach, she pulled on a pair of pajama flannels and a cami before curling up under her covers, determined to block out the world. Eventually, she fell asleep.

* * *

“Aria? Aria, are you all right?” Macey called as she gently knocked on the door. “Aria? Please answer. Your father is ready to break down the door. Aria?”

As predicted, her siblings had tried to barge in earlier. She ignored their entreats until they went away. But she couldn’t do that to her mother. Macey was far more persistent and wasn’t going to leave without an answer.

“…I’m fine, maman,” Aria replied, poking her head out from under her blanket.

“Sweetie, you’ve been in there all day. Do you want to come out for dinner?”

“Not hungry,” Aria said even as her stomach grumbled. Thankfully, her mother couldn’t hear that.

“Aria, it’s not good to stay locked up in your room.”

“I said I’m not hungry.”

“Do you want to talk about it? I’m here to listen,” Macey said.

“No maman. I just want to be alone.”

“Okay, sweetie. I’ll leave you be, but I am always here for you,” Macey finally relented. “I’ll make you a sandwich, okay?”

Aria didn’t bother to answer. Her mother would make a sandwich regardless of what she said. It was actually comforting to know her mother was so close, but she wasn’t ready to talk about her humiliation.

After several minutes, her mother knocked again, “Here’s your sandwich, sweetie. I’ll just leave it by the door.”

Aria listened to her mother leave. She still hesitated, not sure if she wanted to risk her siblings potentially ambushing her. Finally, her protesting stomach made her reluctantly emerge from under the covers. Walking across the room, she paused before unlocking the door and cracking it open.

The hallway beyond was empty. Evidently, her mother was keeping her siblings in line and giving her some space. At her feet was a tray with not just a sandwich but also a glass of juice. Smiling at her mother’s care, Aria picked it up and retreated into her room, locking the door. She returned to bed and took small bites of the egg-salad sandwich, chewing each one carefully.

She glanced at her phone which remained where she had tossed it. It had been silent all day, and she couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Aria had expected Theo to call, or at least text her an apology, but nothing had come through. Was that really it then? Did he not care about her at all? He said his final word, and now he wouldn’t think of her anymore.

Hesitating, she finally reached for her phone and looked at the time. It was later than she realized. How long had she been asleep?

A quick check confirmed she had no new messages, and sorrow filled her empty pit of self-pity. A new notification chimed, and Aria checked on it without thinking. Suddenly, a picture appeared of Theo out at a bar with a blonde hanging on his arm. Aria felt her blood run cold as she read the caption: Theo Prescott out on the town with model Gigi Malone.

Really? They had only woken up together that morning, and he was already in the arms of another woman! Was that why he was so eager to break up with her? He already had another woman on the side? Did he sleep with her too? Was that why he seemed so adept when he was with her?

Her stomach churned, and she rushed to the bathroom, throwing up the sandwich her mother had prepared. Just when she thought she was out of tears, they flowed freely again. Weakly, she returned to bed and curled up under her blanket again. She just wanted to disappear forever. Would her humiliation never end?