Chapter 0011
tirety of the pack
The news of Dr. A’s return, by now, had seemed to spread throughout the
Headlines about me covered the newspapers and tabloids. Even the nightly news dedicated a brief segment to my
return.
And the [Experts Agree, Aria Reed Not Proper Decorum For A Luna!!!]–was completely buried beneath it. No one cared about it anymore.
My office at the hospital had become the hottest spot in town, with the most influential and wealthy individuals all congregating here, trying to meet me.
Even the highest tier upper–class nobles, the ones who were so reserved they very rarely left their mansions and clubs, took the time to come and see me, their curiosity winning out over their propriety.
Before my disappearance, I’d been well–regarded with many patients and even a waiting list, but since my return, my popularity had absolutely skyrocketed. I couldn’t walk down to the bathroom without being stopped six or seven times to shake hands or be asked about some kind of medical ailment.
Cathy, acting as my assistant, talked on the phone so much that she was starting to lose her voice. She’d stopped personally taking down the information of everyone who walked into the office.
Instead there was a sign with directions to fill out a form to fill out and then leave it behind, so no one had to wait around.
As it was, my appointment schedule was already set for six months out. Even if the commission for Sheila fell through, I could still earn enough in that time to earn back the money I paid the lawyer and have enough left over to leave the pack for good.
“Maybe we should hire you a full–time handsome assistant “Cathy joked during one of breaks.
She laughed, but I could see how tired she already was. Maybe we really did need to hire more help.
Especially since I didn’t know how long this divorce was going to go on for.
Lucian still refused to sign the papers. The lawyer had called me at Cathy’s house last night to discuss the case.
Lucian’s message this time had been, “Once you are done playing outside, there are chores waiting for you at home.”
He continued to patronize me, still treating me like a child rather than his wife.
After hearing that, I had scolded myself twenty times over for believing, even for a moment, that Lucian might
care about me.
He just wanted his best servant back to order around.
I would never be so foolish again.
Cathy noticed my sudden dip in mood. “Are you alright?”
“I want to get back to work.”
Cathy checked her watch. She still had another five minutes in her break.
“You relax,” I told her. “I just can’t stay Idle right now. I need to do something.”
For the rest of the day, I kept myself hard at work. With as popular as I was, it wasn’t difficult to stay busy.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0011
Once Cathy and I walked back into Cathy’s house, we were both exhaled deeply, our bodies slumping.
“We can change back now,” I whispered to Luna, who complied immediately, shifting my hair from black to its usual honey brown.
Taking off my domino mask, I started to feel like Aria again.
“We’ve earned a drink tonight,” Cathy said and headed into the kitchen.
“I can’t agree more,” I said, following her.
Just as we entered the kitchen, the phone on the wall started to ring.
“Do you mind grabbing that?” Cathy asked. “I’ve only got wine on my mind right now.
“Sure,” I said and picked up the phone. “Cathy’s residence.
“You should come back, Aria,” Lucian said, his voice deep and alluring through the phone.
I closed my eyes, pushing away the memories of how his voice made me feel. He was a liar now, someone who had chosen his ex over his wife. He wasn’t worth my affection.
“I got your message,” I told him, keeping my own voice cold and detached.
“I’m assuming my lawyer sent you my reply.”
Lucian scoffed. “We both know you will return sooner or later. Why play these games?”
“If that’s all you have to say, I’m hanging up.”
“Wait,” he said suddenly. “There is something else.”
My heart jumped up into my throat again, the treacherous thing. Even though I’d been heartbroken so before, I just couldn’t seem to let him go.
many times
“Aria,
“he said, claiming every bit of my attention.
“Do you remember where I put my gray tie with the blue diamonds? The one I just bought. I need to attend an official meeting tonight, and neither the maid nor Sheila can find it.”
Π
Dates 2017
