The Devil's Contractual Bride-Chapter 15: Where Is Your Loyalty?

Aria’s pov

Cameras flashed like gunfire. Phones were thrust forward from every angle. Reporters who had initially come to cover the gala event shoved past security, voices overlapping in a chaotic roar.

"Mrs. Voss! Did you plan this?"

"Is the arrest your doing?"

"Comment on the charges Aria,did Lucian abuse you too?"

"Was the whole thing staged to frame Ethan?"

I stood frozen in the center of it all, guests stared openly.Some with pity, most with disgust. Whispers turned into open accusations.

"It’s her fault."

"She’s bad luck, look how she got two billionaires destroyed."

"Gold-digger finally took down the big one."

"She does nothing but irritates me, she’s nothing but a gutter rat."

Security grabbed my arms, pulling me toward the side exit. My heels caught on the carpet. I stumbled. A reporter lunged, microphone in my face.

"Aria! Is this revenge for Ethan’s proposal to Mia?"

"Did you set up the fight to make Lucian look like a hero?"

"Are you the reason Voss is going to jail?"

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My throat was locked, tears burning behind my eyes. The security team shoved the crowd back, half-carrying me through the door into the service corridor. The noise dulled to a muffled roar behind us.

Outside, cold air slapped my face. More reporters waited at the curb with their cameras rolling, questions screaming.

"Mrs. Voss, did you provoke the assault?"

"Is Lucian violent at home?"

The SUV door opened. They pushed me inside. The door slammed. Tires screeched as we pulled away.

I sat alone in the back seat, hands clenched so hard my nails drew blood. Where the hell was the press getting all this information? It was as if they had known Lucian would be arrested.

To make it all worse,so many narratives have filled the air.

Lucian was in a holding cell right now.

Because of me. All because he’d stormed into that hotel room when Ethan tried to force himself on me just to protect me.

The SUV pulled up to the police station. Security stayed in the car. I stepped out alone.

Reporters were already here—how do they always do this? It’s like they’re everywhere .Flashes exploded again. There was almost a stampede as each reporter tried to get a response from me 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Mrs. Voss! Are you here to bail him out?"

"Did you frame Ethan?"

"Is the marriage over?"

I pushed past them, head down, my heart hammering. Inside, a desk sergeant looked up. He looked tired and unapproachable but I didn’t care, after all he was doing his job.

"I’m here for Lucian Voss."

He raised an eyebrow. "He’s in holding. No visitors."

"I’m his wife."

The sergeant studied me for a moment, then nodded toward a hallway. "Five minutes.Take her to room 3 officer."

I walked down the corridor on numb legs. The door to Room 3 was metal almost as if it was built to hold some big criminal.A uniformed officer stood outside.

"Five minutes," he said, unlocking the door.

Lucian sat on a metal bench, still in his tuxedo. His bow tie was gone and his shirt was roughly untucked. He looked up when I entered.

His eyes met mine.

"Aria."

I stepped inside. The door closed behind me.

"You shouldn’t be here," he said.

"I had to see you."

He leaned back against the wall, exhaling slowly. "Go home."

"No."

He looked . "You’re shaking."

"I’m angry," I said. "You got arrested Lucian.What do you expect?"

I stepped closer. "They’re saying you’re violent. The media’s tearing you apart. They’re saying I’m the reason—"

"I don’t care what they say," he cut in. "I care what you say."

I stared at him. "I don’t know what to say."

He stood slowly. The chain on his ankle rattled. He walked to the small window, looking out at nothing.

"Go home, Aria," he said again. "Stay away from the press and most especially Ethan. I’ll be out by morning."

"How can you be so calm?" My voice cracked. "They could keep you here. They could—"

"I have lawyers and the necessary evidence. Ethan’s story won’t hold." He turned. "You need to stay safe.

The officer knocked. "Time’s up."

Lucian looked at me one last time. "Go home. Lock the door and don’t open it for anyone but me."

I nodded, throat too tight to speak.

The officer led me out.

The hallway blurred. Reporters were still outside.They were fewer this time but persistent. I pushed past them, head down once again, into the waiting SUV.

The driver didn’t speak. Just drove.

I leaned my head against the window, closing my eyes.

My phone buzzed. Andre.

I answered.

"Aria? Jesus, are you okay? The news is everywhere. I’m coming to get you."

"No," I said quietly. "Don’t. I’m fine."

"You’re not fine. You’re shaking. I can hear it. Let me come"

"I said no, Andre." My voice broke. "I’m going home. I’ll call you tomorrow."

He was silent for a long moment. "Okay. But if you need me—"

"I know."

I hung up.

The penthouse was dark when I stepped inside. I locked the door behind me and leaned against it, breathing hard.

I walked to the living room. Collapsing on the couch,my phone buzzed.

I answered without really looking and the caller ID.

"Aria."

Ethan’s voice.My stomach dropped.

"You think you’re safe now?" he rasped. "Your husband’s in a cell. And I’m pressing charges for assault and attempted murder, maybe. He’s finished."

I swallowed. "You’re a monster Ethan."

"Maybe. But here’s the thing, Aria. I can drop the charges and make all of this go away."

I laughed "And what then master Ethan?."

His voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "I’ll drop everything if you do one thing for me."

I waited.

"Admit on social media that Lucian abused you," he said. "Post it. A video of you admitting he hits you.Whatever. Just say he’s violent and you’re afraid. And I’ll make the charges disappear. I’ll even give you back some of the shares and you’ll be free from everything."

Silence.

My hand shook on the phone.

Ethan’s voice softened. "Think about it, Aria. You could be free tomorrow. Just tell the world what he really is."