Chapter 9 - The Wildcard
Kade watched her from the hallway.
Aria sat curled up on the oversized armchair by the window, eyes glued to her phone but seeing nothing. The morning light poured in through the glass, catching on the strands of her hair like threads of gold. She looked like she belonged in a different world—a softer one, untouched by corporate wars and hidden threats.
She hadn't spoken to him since last night. Not really. Her footsteps were quieter now, her gaze less steady. Something had shifted between them. And he hated how much it unsettled him.
He stepped into the room. "You're not eating."
Aria blinked. She hadn't heard him approach. "I'm not hungry."
He glanced at the untouched croissant on the coffee table. "You need to keep your strength up."
"You sound like a doctor."
"I sound like a husband," he said evenly.
She looked up at him then, something unreadable flashing in her eyes. "Is that what you're trying to be?"
He paused.
For a long moment, silence stretched between them. The kind that dared either of them to speak truths they weren't ready for.
Finally, Aria stood. "I have a meeting downtown."
"I'll come with you."
She shook her head. "No, Kade. I need air. Alone."
He didn't argue.
But as she left, his jaw tightened. And he pulled out his phone.
"Follow her. Make sure she gets there safe. Don't let her see you."
---
Aria walked faster than usual. The wind tugged at her coat, and her heels echoed sharply against the pavement. The weight of the anonymous message from this morning gnawed at her spine.
"Tick-tock, Aria. The baby's not the only thing growing."
She hated the way it made her feel—like a time bomb. Like she was running out of time.
She ducked into a small café tucked between two art galleries. The interior smelled like burnt espresso and cinnamon, and for a moment, it grounded her.
She slid into a booth and pulled out her phone. One unread message from Isla.
You okay? Still want to do dinner?
Aria started to type a reply when she noticed something.
A man across the street. Leaning against a lamppost. Reading a newspaper.
It would've been unremarkable if this were 1950.
Her stomach dropped.
She turned quickly, heart hammering. Kade. He was having her followed.
Of course he was.
She left through the side door, deciding to walk to Isla's apartment early. She needed a friend's voice. Someone who wasn't tangled in this web.
---
Isla greeted her with a tight hug. "You look like you haven't slept in a month."
"It's been a long week."
They sat in the tiny living room, legs curled under them, just like they had back in college.
"Have you told him about the baby yet?" Isla asked.
Aria shook her head. "I don't know how. Or if I should."
"He's the father, Aria. He deserves to know."
"Does he?" Her voice was bitter. "He lies for a living. There's a video of him practically sentencing someone to death, and he still manages to sleep at night."
Isla was quiet for a moment. "And yet, you haven't left."
Aria blinked.
"You had every reason. But you're still there. Still married. Still... protecting him."
Aria didn't answer. Because she couldn't. Because part of her didn't want to leave. And she didn't know what that said about her.
---
When Aria returned to the penthouse, Kade was waiting. Dinner was set on the long dining table, candles lit.
She froze.
"What's this?"
He shrugged. "Dinner. For once, not catered. I cooked."
Her brows lifted. "You cook?"
"Don't sound so surprised. I wasn't born in a suit."
They sat. She took a cautious bite. Surprisingly good.
"I wanted to say something," Kade said after a moment. "About Marcus. And the video."
Aria set her fork down.
"I didn't kill him," he repeated. "But I knew he was spiraling. I knew, and I did nothing. And that's on me."
She didn't speak.
"I spent so long building something no one could touch that I forgot what it cost to stay human."
Her throat tightened. Because it was too honest. Too raw.
"And you think this dinner makes it better?"
"No," he said. "But it's a start."
They finished in silence.
Later, Aria stood on the balcony, arms crossed against the chill.
Kade stepped behind her. Not too close. But close enough she could feel the heat of his presence.
"You asked me once if I was trying to be a husband."
She nodded.
He looked out over the city. "I don't know if I know how. But I want to learn."
She didn't turn around. "Because of the baby?"
The air went still.
"What baby?" he said softly.
Her breath caught.
She turned then, slowly. He looked stunned.
And for the first time since their wedding, Aria saw real vulnerability in Kade Vale's eyes.
She opened her mouth to explain.
But before she could speak, her phone buzzed again.
Another message.
"You should have told him sooner. Now you've put him in danger too."
Her blood ran cold.
She looked up at Kade, heart racing.
"We're not safe," she whispered.
And somewhere, in the shadows of the city, someone was watching.
And waiting.