The private elevator rose steadily toward the top floor of Chen Group.Aria stood still, arms folded across her chest, her reflection cold and unreadable in the mirrored walls. Her phoenix pendant caught the light, flashing briefly like fire — or warning.
This wasn't a friendly meeting,this was unfinished business the doors slid open to reveal a wide corridor lined with glass walls, modern artwork, and silence. At the end, a pair of sleek double doors stood slightly ajar.
She didn't knock,she didn't need to.
Liam Chen was already waiting — standing tall behind his massive glass desk, dressed in a tailored dark suit, arms crossed as though he'd been replaying this moment for hours Aria.
She stepped inside Mr. Chen.
His lips twitched — not a smile, but something close so formal.
Well,she said coolly,you're a stranger now I need to address strangers with titles."
Ouch that hit
He gestured to the seat in front of him sit?
I'll stand a beat passed,you're angry.
No she said I'm just remembering how well silence suited you when I needed you most."
That stung he didn't hide it.
I had reasons.
You had excuses her voice was calm, but her eyes were sharp enough to draw blood. I stood in the rain outside your building, Liam. I waited for seven hours no call,no message Nothing Liam
Liam was silent,you watched me burn from a distance, she continued, stepping closer everyone turned their back on me, and you… were the loudest one to say nothing.
I wanted to protect you,you let me rot!Liam
The room fell silent. The weight of her words sank deep i had no one not a single person stood by me,she said, voice trembling and the one man who could've crushed the lies with one sentence? You turned away.
Liam's expression finally cracked I didn't think they would destroy you,he admitted i thought it would pass,I thought if I stayed quiet, I could handle it from behind the scenes you thought I'd survive it,she whispered, bitter tears stinging behind her lashes but I didn't I died Liam
He took a step toward her Aria
No She held up a hand i didn't come here for closure or apologies I came to see if you were still a coward.
He froze and I see now… maybe you are.
---
She turned to leave — but his voice stopped her cold.
You think I didn't fight for you?he said quietly you think I just let it happen?"
He walked around the desk and stopped a few feet away from her. "You don't know the pressure I was under. I had to protect my company, my people—
I was a person too that silenced him.
I wasn't asking you to risk your company, Aria continued I was asking you to tell the world I didn't do it just once.
He looked down.
Why are you really here?he asked finally.
I need namesshe said the people who orchestrated it the ones my father worked with you know more than you're saying.
And what will you do with them?Destroy them,she said simply.
He sighed you've changed.
No,she said I just stopped being the version of me everyone could walk over."
She turned again. But this time, he didn't stop her.
Not with words not with silence.
Just a whisper that followed her as she walked away.
I did love you, Aria that was never the lie.
She didn't turn back.
Because she wasn't that girl anymore.
---
Back in her car, Aria let the tears fall freely not because she still loved him but because she almost believed him again and that scared her more than any lie.
---
1. Do you believe Liam truly loved Aria?
2. Should she give him a second chance… or shut the door forever?
3. What kind of revenge move should Aria make next — business takedown, family exposure, or public scandal