ARIA
By morning, I wasn't just a rumor I was a headline.
Every gossip outlet had its version.
Some called me a gold digger, others a homewrecker.
And the worst ones didn't even use my name just the woman behind Nathan Hale's downfall.
In one night, my career had turned from accomplishment to cautionary tale.
When I walked into Hale Tech that morning, the air felt heavier the kind of silence people wear when they're watching a slow-motion crash. Eyes followed me from the lobby to the elevator. Some pitied. Some judged. A few smiled like they'd been waiting for this.
I ignored them all. Or tried to.
Sophie met me at my office door, her face pale. "They pulled your name off the official campaign portal."
"What?"
"They're transferring the project to the internal team. Apparently, "for damage control purposes." She made air quotes, furious. "They're acting like you're the scandal, not the victim."
I forced a breath. "This is Vivian."
"Of course it's Vivian. She's the only one who can make an entire corporation move that fast."
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed with an incoming call Nathan.
"Don't," Sophie said. "Not right now."
But I answered anyway. "Nathan "
"I'm coming down there," he said sharply.
"Don't. It'll make it worse."
"I don't care."
"Well, I do!" My voice cracked. "You've already risked enough. Please, don't feed her more reasons to destroy me."
There was a long pause, the sound of his breath heavy through the line.
"She's not going to win this."
"She already has."
Then I hung up before my courage could waver.
By noon, I was called into a board meeting.
When I stepped into the conference room, every executive seat was filled Vivian at the head, her diamonds catching the light like a warning. Nathan wasn't there.
"Ms. Collins," she said smoothly, "thank you for joining us."
I sat, spine straight. "What's this about?"
"A discussion about brand stability," she said. "After recent media exposure, we believe it's best to suspend your current role pending an internal review."
"An internal review of what?"
"Public image. Professional conduct."
I laughed soft, bitter. "You mean my proximity to your son."
Vivian's expression didn't flicker. "The media made their own conclusions."
"And you helped them get there."
Her eyes gleamed. " You're clever, Ms. Collins . But cleverness without obedience is dangerous. Take the suspension gracefully. You'll be compensated."
I wanted to scream. Instead, I stood. "You don't get to erase me because I don't fit your narrative."
"Oh, I can," she said quietly. "And I just did."
I left before my rage turned into something reckless.
Outside, Sophie was waiting in the hall. "What happened?"
"I'm suspended."
Her jaw dropped. "They can't "
"They did."
"Aria "
"I'm fine." I forced a breath. "I'll survive this."
But the moment I stepped into the elevator, the tears came silent, shaking, and furious.
I'd built my career from nothing. I'd fought for every inch of respect. And now, it was all being buried under one headline and one powerful woman's pride.
NATHAN
The board called an emergency session without me that was my first sign something was wrong.
By the time I stormed into the room, the decision was already printed on paper. Suspension of Ms. Aria Collins pending review.
Vivian didn't even look surprised. "Nathan, you weren't invited."
"Clearly," I said, snatching the document from the table. "You went behind my back."
"This is about the company, not your impulses."
"This company was built on my name."
"And it's being destroyed by your weakness," she snapped. "You let that woman become your distraction, and now the world is laughing at you."
I slammed my palm on the table. "You humiliated her, not me!"
Her voice dropped to a hiss. "You think I'll let a scandal dictate the Hale legacy? She's gone, Nathan. Accept it."
"I won't."
"She's not worth your career."
"She's worth something, which is more than I can say for your approval."
For the first time, Vivian's mask cracked just for a second. "You sound just like your father."
"Good," I said. "He's the only one who ever taught me what love meant."
The room went silent.
Vivian stood, smoothing her jacket. "You're a fool."
"Maybe," I said. "But at least I'm a fool who still remembers how to care."
That night, I went to Aria's apartment.
She didn't answer the door at first. When she finally opened it, she looked exhausted eyes red, hair messy, and heartbreak written across her face.
"You shouldn't be here," she said quietly.
"I had to see you."
"You're making it worse."
"I don't care."
"You should."
"I can't."
The words came out raw, unfiltered. "They suspended you. My mother she's trying to destroy everything that isn't hers."
She laughed softly, bitterly. "And you think you can fix that with what? Another press statement?"
"No," I said. "With truth."
Before she could stop me, I took her hand. "We didn't do anything wrong, Aria. I'm not ashamed of this of you."
Her eyes filled again. "Then you're the only one who isn't."
She pulled her hand free, trembling. "You need to go. Before they start calling this proof of whatever story they're writing next."
"Aria "
"Please," she whispered.
And that word please was enough to make me step back.
I left, but not because I wanted to.
Because I knew what came next.
When Vivian Hale played defense, she never stopped at one move.
And if I didn't act fast, she'd bring in the one person she knew could hurt both of us in ways we wouldn't see coming.
Vanessa.