CHAPTER 11

Aria’s POV

I glanced at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time. It was 11 o'clock, and Victor was exactly an hour late. My fingers drummed impatiently on the polished mahogany table in Atty. Parker's office. “He demanded I be punctual all the time,” I muttered, my voice edged with frustration. “He'd start urging me the moment I was even a little slow. Now look at him.”

Atty. Parker, my lawyer, gave me a sympathetic nod. “We'll give him a few more minutes, Aria,” he said, her tone calm and professional. “He's probably stuck in traffic.”

I wasn't convinced. I felt like he was doing this on purpose. I pulled out my phone and dialed Victor's number again, but it went straight to voicemail, just like the previous times. “He's not answering,” I said, exasperation seeping into my voice.

“Let's wait a bit longer,” Atty. Parker suggested, trying to soothe my impatience.

Just as I was about to lose my temper completely, the door swung open. Victor walked in, looking disheveled and tired