Chapter Eight: Fiancee

Aria hummed softly to herself as she scrubbed the ground in the front yard, a task she had taken upon herself to please Grandma. Her mind wandered to thoughts of impressing Mr. Sinclair. "Maybe if I show how hardworking I am, he'll be pleased and might even consider raising my salary," she mused, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. The joy of potentially making things better for herself was evident in the way she moved, her steps light, and her energy boundless. She was so absorbed in her task and thoughts that she didn't notice the figure standing a few feet away, watching her with smoldering anger.

Jessica had arrived at the Sinclair estate in a fury. After receiving the call from the housekeeper, her chest had been tight with rage and disbelief. She couldn't fathom how Alexander—"her" Alexander—could possibly marry another woman without her knowledge. Jessica, the daughter of the prestigious David family, had grown up believing she was the only suitable match for Alexander. Their families had practically raised them as a future couple. And now, there was someone else? A lowly, unknown woman?

"No way. No way am I letting this happen," Jessica muttered to herself, her eyes blazing as she parked her car and strode toward the front yard of the Sinclair mansion. As she approached, she noticed Aria bending down to clean the area. The sight of her, smiling as if she belonged there, enraged Jessica further. "Who does this woman think she is?" she thought, her eyes narrowing.

Without a second thought, Jessica kicked the bucket of water Aria had set beside her, causing it to tip over and splash across the ground. Aria, startled, jumped back in surprise, her eyes wide with confusion.

"What idiot leaves a bucket of water in the middle of the path?" Jessica spat, her voice dripping with condescension. "Do you have any sense at all?"

Aria, not realizing the situation, scrambled to her feet and rushed to apologize. "I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there—let me clean that up for you," she stammered, bending down to try and dry Jessica's feet.

But Jessica wasn't having it. She watched Aria with a cold, calculating gaze. "So this is her," she thought, disgusted by how simple and naive Aria seemed. "She's the one Alexander married?"

In one swift movement, Jessica lifted her foot and cruelly pressed down on Aria's hand, crushing her fingers beneath the heel of her designer shoe. The pain shot through Aria's hand, and she gasped, trying to pull free. "Please, stop! You're hurting me!" she cried, struggling to break free from Jessica's grip.

Jessica looked down at her with disdain. "You think you can just waltz in here and take what's mine?" she hissed. "You have no idea who you're dealing with. Alexander belongs to me. He always has, and he always will."

Aria, tears welling in her eyes from the pain, didn't understand what Jessica was talking about. Who was this woman? And what was she saying about Mr. Sinclair? Confused and in agony, she managed to stammer, "I-I don't know what you mean. I didn't—"

Before she could finish her sentence, the door to the house swung open, and Alexander stepped out. His sharp eyes immediately took in the scene before him—Aria kneeling on the ground, Jessica's foot pressing down on her hand, and the unmistakable look of pain on Aria's face. His expression darkened.

"Jessica," he said in a cold, firm tone. "What are you doing?"

Jessica immediately straightened up, a sweet smile replacing her earlier anger as she looked at Alexander. "Oh, Alexander! I didn't see you there. I was just teaching your new maid some manners. She was being careless and nearly caused an accident."

But Alexander wasn't buying it. His gaze shifted from Jessica to Aria, whose hand was still red and bruised from the encounter. His jaw tightened. "Aria," he said softly, kneeling beside her. "Are you hurt?"

Aria blinked in surprise, still in shock from what had just happened. She nodded slowly, her voice barely a whisper. "I—I'm okay, Mr. Sinclair. It was just an accident."

But Alexander wasn't fooled. He stood up, facing Jessica with a steely expression. "This is Aria," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "She's not the maid. She's my wife."

The words hit Jessica like a punch to the gut. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "W-what?" she stammered, unable to comprehend what she was hearing.

"Yes, you heard me right," Alexander continued, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Aria is my wife now. And I expect you to treat her with the respect she deserves."

Jessica froze in place, her eyes widening in shock. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of the words she just heard. Wife? Her lips parted, and her face twisted with disbelief. "What do you mean she's your wife?" Jessica snapped, her voice filled with frustration. "You can't just marry someone else! I'm your fiancée, Alexander. You belong to me!"

Her words hung in the air, but Alexander didn't bother responding. Instead, he turned away from Jessica, his attention entirely focused on Aria, who stood there, her fingers trembling. Without a second thought, he reached out, gently taking her bruised hand in his own. His touch was firm yet comforting as he examined her injury with concern.

Alexander turned back to Aria. "Let me see your hand," he said gently, taking her injured hand in his.

Aria flinched, embarrassed by the whole situation. "I'm fine, really," she said quietly, trying to pull her hand away.But Alexander didn't let go. His touch was firm but gentle as he examined her bruised fingers."

Jessica watched them, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. She was furious—not only had this nobody taken her place, but Alexander was touching her. Holding her hand. The very same man who had avoided physical contact with women his entire life, now holding this woman as though it were nothing.

Could it be...? A thought crossed her mind that made her blood run cold.