Seventy-Nine

ARIA'S POV

Reading all the hate comments directed at me on social media was depressing. I had to turn off my phone when I began to receive calls from colleagues and friends from both high school and college.

Throughout that day, I lay on the couch and stared at the ceiling after crying my eyes out as I thought of the next step to take. All my plans to forget about everything and move on went down the drain, leaving me with no choice of hope. I couldn't get justice for my parents and I couldn't even defend myself. I was sure my parents were disappointed in me for the way things turned out for me.

I wonder how my brother was coping with all the news. Dragging his name into this mess was the last thing I needed. He already had a lot on his plate and I didn't want to add my scandal to it.

How I regretted the day I stepped into Styles. I regretted it more that I got myself entangled with Dave Mendez. I was convinced that I had committed a great sin in my past life that was why I was bein