Chapter 1 — The House We Had to Share
Mom, please tell me you're joking.
Aria stood in the middle of her bedroom, staring at the two suitcases lying open on her bed.
Her mother, Elena, was folding clothes into one of them, looking far too cheerful for someone who had just announced that their entire life was about to change.
"I'm not joking, sweetheart."
"You're actually moving us into his house?"
"His name is Richard, Aria. And yes, we're moving in with him."
Aria let out a long breath.
She had nothing against her mother's happiness. After years of watching Elena work two jobs, skip holidays, and put everyone else's needs before her own, Aria genuinely wanted her to find someone who made her feel loved.
But marriage?
Moving into a stranger's mansion?
Having a completely new family overnight?
That was a little too much.
"Couldn't you two just get married and live here?" Aria asked.
Elena smiled patiently. "Richard's house is bigger, and it's closer to your university. Besides, he has already arranged a room for you."
"How thoughtful."
"Aria."
"What? I'm being polite."
Her mother shook her head, hiding a smile.
"Just give him a chance. He's a good man."
Aria didn't answer.
She had heard that sentence enough times over the past six months.
Richard was a good man.
Richard was understanding.
Richard wanted them to feel comfortable.
Apparently, nobody had thought to mention whether Aria wanted any of this.
***
The Blackwood mansion was exactly what Aria had expected.
Huge gates. A perfectly maintained garden. Expensive cars parked near the entrance and windows so tall they almost reached the ceiling.
It didn't look like a home.
It looked like a place where people whispered instead of talked.
"Welcome home," Richard said as they stepped inside.
He was standing near the staircase in a navy-blue suit, looking genuinely happy to see them.
"Thank you," Elena replied warmly.
Richard kissed her forehead before turning toward Aria.
"And you must be exhausted. How was the journey?"
"Fine, thank you."
"Good. Your room is upstairs, on the left. Adrian will show you around."
Aria glanced toward the staircase.
"Adrian?"
"My son," Richard explained. "I believe you've heard about him."
Unfortunately, she had.
Twenty-five years old. Successful. Business-minded. Apparently, the perfect son.
Elena had mentioned him several times, but Aria had never actually met him.
"ADRIAN!"
Richard's voice echoed through the house.
A moment later, footsteps sounded from upstairs.
And then he appeared.
Black shirt. Dark trousers. Messy hair. A phone in one hand and an expression that suggested he had absolutely no interest in whatever was happening downstairs.
He stopped halfway down the stairs.
His eyes moved from his father to Elena and finally settled on Aria.
For a few seconds, nobody spoke.
"You're late," Richard said.
Adrian checked his watch.
"I was working."
"You're always working. At least try to behave like a normal human being when guests arrive."
Adrian slipped his phone into his pocket.
"Right."
Richard gestured toward Aria.
"This is Aria. Elena's daughter. She'll be staying with us now."
Adrian looked at her again.
"Okay."
Aria blinked.
Okay?
That was his entire reaction?
She gave him a small smile.
"Hi."
"Hey."
And just like that, he turned around.
"Adrian!" Richard called.
"What?"
"Show her the room."
Adrian closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if asking the universe for patience.
Then he looked at Aria.
"Come on."
***
"Do you always talk this much?" Aria asked as she followed him upstairs.
Adrian stopped.
Slowly, he turned around.
"What?"
"You heard me."
"Have we met before?"
"No. But I already know you're not very friendly."
He stared at her for a second.
Then, surprisingly, the corner of his mouth moved.
"At least we're getting somewhere."
Aria rolled her eyes.
He continued walking.
The hallway was long, with several framed photographs hanging along the walls. Aria noticed one picture of a younger Adrian standing beside his father.
He looked different back then.
Less serious. Almost happy.
"Your room is here."
Adrian opened a door.
The bedroom was beautiful. Cream walls, a large window overlooking the garden, a king-sized bed, and a small balcony.
Aria stepped inside.
"Wow."
"Bathroom's through that door. Closet is on the right. Don't touch the locked room at the end of the hallway."
She turned toward him.
"Why?"
"Because it's locked."
"That's not an explanation."
"It's the only one you're getting."
Before she could respond, he walked away.
Aria stared at his retreating back.
"Charming," she muttered.
***
Dinner was supposed to be a family affair.
At least, that's what Elena had told her.
But Adrian spent most of the meal looking at his phone, while Richard kept trying to involve him in conversations.
"So, Aria," Richard began, "what are you planning to do after graduation?"
"I'm still figuring that out."
"Don't rush. You have time."
"She has always been independent," Elena added proudly.
Richard nodded.
"That's good. This house is yours too. You should never feel like a guest here."
Aria smiled.
"Thank you."
Across the table, Adrian suddenly spoke.
"Don't make promises you can't keep, Dad."
The atmosphere changed.
Richard put down his fork.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing."
"Then stop making unnecessary comments."
Adrian leaned back in his chair.
"Sure."
He stood up.
"You're leaving?" Richard asked.
"I'm done."
"You barely ate."
"I'm not hungry."
He walked out without looking at anyone.
Elena gave Richard an apologetic smile.
"He's probably just tired."
Richard nodded, but Aria noticed the disappointment on his face.
She wondered what had happened between them.
More importantly, she wondered why Adrian seemed so determined to make their arrival uncomfortable.
***
Later that night, Aria couldn't sleep.
The house was too quiet.
She had spent the last hour unpacking, arranging her books, and trying to convince herself that this new arrangement wasn't going to be a disaster.
Eventually, she gave up and stepped into the hallway.
She was heading toward the kitchen when she heard a voice.
"You're making a mistake."
Aria stopped.
It was Adrian.
He was standing near the staircase, speaking on the phone.
"No, I'm serious. You don't know what you're getting into."
A pause.
Then he laughed bitterly.
"Of course, Dad doesn't care. He never does."
Aria tried to walk past without making a sound.
Unfortunately, the floor creaked.
Adrian immediately turned.
His eyes landed on her.
"Can I call you back?" he said into the phone.
He ended the call.
"What are you doing here?"
"Getting water."
"At midnight?"
"People do that sometimes."
He looked at her for a moment before slipping his phone into his pocket.
"Listen, Aria. I don't know what my father has told you, but don't get too comfortable here."
Her expression changed.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
She crossed her arms.
"Is there a reason you're being so rude to me?"
"Because you don't know this family."
"And you think I moved here because I wanted to?"
Something flickered across his face.
For the first time that evening, he seemed to understand that she hadn't exactly chosen this situation either.
But the expression disappeared quickly.
"Good. Then we're on the same page."
He walked past her.
Aria turned.
"One more thing."
He stopped without looking back.
"I'm not interested in your family drama, Adrian. I came here because my mother married your father. That's it. You don't have to like me, and I don't have to like you. But don't expect me to spend my time being afraid of you."
For a moment, the hallway was silent.
Then Adrian looked over his shoulder.
"Let's see how long that attitude lasts."
He disappeared into his room.
Aria stood there, annoyed beyond words.
"Unbelievable."
***
The following morning, Aria woke up earlier than usual.
She got dressed, tied her hair into a loose ponytail, and went downstairs.
The kitchen was empty.
She was reaching for a glass when she noticed something on the counter.
A photograph.
It showed Richard, a younger Adrian, and a woman Aria didn't recognize.
The woman was beautiful. She had her arm around Adrian's shoulders, and he was smiling in a way Aria hadn't seen yesterday.
She picked up the photograph.
"Don't touch that."
Adrian's voice came from behind her.
Aria turned.
He was standing in the doorway, his expression completely different from the night before.
Not irritated.
Not sarcastic.
Just cold.
"I was only looking."
"I said don't touch it."
He took the photograph from her hand and placed it inside a drawer.
Aria frowned.
"Who is she?"
"Nobody you need to know."
"She's in your family photograph. I think I'm allowed to ask."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"She's my mother."
Aria's expression softened.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't know."
He looked away.
"She died five years ago."
"I'm sorry, Adrian."
He didn't respond.
Instead, he picked up his car keys from the counter.
"Stay out of my things, and we'll get along just fine."
He left.
Aria watched him go.
For the first time, she wondered whether his arrogance was hiding something much more painful.
But she didn't get the chance to think about it for long.
As she turned toward the kitchen, she noticed a folded piece of paper lying beneath the photograph's old frame.
Her name was written on it.
**ARIA.**
She stared at it.
Nobody in this house had any reason to leave her a note.
Slowly, she unfolded it.
There were only two sentences.
*Your mother doesn't know the truth about Richard.*
*And neither do you.*
Aria read it twice.
Then she turned toward the staircase.
Adrian was standing there.
Watching her.
His expression had changed completely.
"Where did you get that?" he asked.
Aria held up the note.
"Why? Do you know who wrote it?"
Adrian came downstairs, his eyes fixed on the paper.
"Give it to me."
"No. Tell me what's going on."
He stopped in front of her.
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
Then he said something that made her stomach drop.
"Because whoever wrote that note was supposed to be dead."
**END OF CHAPTER 1**
**Tell me in the comments:** Who do you think wrote the mysterious note, and what is Richard hiding?
