Aria’s Discovery

Aria’s Pov

As i entered back into the boutique,bright chandeliers cast a warm golden glow over the elegant dresses displayed on racks. Rows of gowns in soft pastels and shimmering fabrics lined the walls, the air filled with the scent of expensive perfume. I stood in front of a mirror, smoothing down the pale blue dress I had just tried on. The silky fabric felt cool against my skin, but I couldn’t shake the discomfort twisting in my stomach.

“Aria, you look… decent,” my mother, Linda, said, barely sparing me a glance before turning to Cassandra, who twirled in a blush pink dress beside her. “Oh, my sweet girl, you look absolutely stunning!”

I clenched my jaw, swallowing down the sting of being ignored. It was always the same. Cassandra, my foster sister, was always the center of attention, while I faded into the background.

The theme of the wedding wàs blue and white but of course Cassandra could wear whatever she wanted.

Cassandra giggled, admiring herself in the mirror. “Thank's Mom,I love this dress.”

Linda reached out to adjust a strand of Cassandra’s hair, beaming with pride. “You’ll be the most beautiful bridesmaid at the wedding.”

Victor, my stepfather, stood near the doorway, arms crossed as he watched us. His gaze flickered toward me, and I stiffened, instinctively looking away. I never felt comfortable under his scrutiny. His presence always made my skin crawl, but my mother refused to acknowledge it.

“This wedding is a big deal,” he said, his voice smooth yet condescending. “It’s important to look presentable.”

I pressed my lips together and turned back to the mirror, but my heart wasn’t in it. The dress, the boutique, the entire event—it all felt meaningless. My mother’s happiness revolved around this wedding and her new husband, and I was nothing more than an afterthought.

After changing back into my jeans and sweater, I slipped away, my mother too distracted by Cassandra to notice my absence. The cool evening air was a welcome contrast to the suffocating boutique. I took a deep breath, trying to clear my thoughts as I made my way to the bus stop.

---

The bus ride home was quiet, save for the occasional chatter of passengers. I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past, my mind replaying the events of the day. But one moment stood out—the moment I had bumped into Matteo Moretti.

His deep-set sapphire eyes, the smirk tugging at his lips, the effortless confidence he carried. Your stepuncle, he had introduced himself, as if the title was amusing. There was something about him—something dangerous yet undeniably captivating.

Who exactly was Matteo Moretti?

When I arrived home, I immediately went to my room, eager to escape the chaos of my family. My small apartment, though modest, was my sanctuary. I slipped off my shoes, stretched my aching feet, and settled in front of my laptop.

Curiosity gnawed at me as I typed Moretti family into the search bar.

The first article that popped up made my breath catch.

The Moretti Empire: From Small Beginnings to Billionaire Success.

I clicked on it, my eyes scanning the page.

The Moretti brothers, known for their tight control over a chain of exclusive nightclubs and five-star restaurants, have built an empire worth billions...

My brows furrowed. Brothers? I scrolled further.

Matteo Moretti’s face appeared on the screen—a chiseled jawline, jet-black hair styled just messy enough to seem intentional, and those piercing sapphire eyes. But something was off. The article mentioned triplet brothers, yet only Matteo’s photos were available. No pictures, no names, nothing about the other two.

I frowned, clicking on another article. The same thing—mentions of three brothers, but only images of one. It didn’t add up.

Why was Matteo the only one in the spotlight? What were the other two hiding?

A chill ran down my spine. It was almost as if they didn’t exist at all.

I dug deeper, finding more information about their businesses. High-end nightclubs, five-star restaurants, exclusive private events. The Morettis weren’t just rich. They controlled a vast network of power, wealth, and secrecy.

Then, a small mention at the bottom of an article caught my attention.

The Moretti family has been linked to underground dealings, though no concrete evidence has ever surfaced...

My heart pounded as I leaned back in my chair. What have I gotten myself into?

---

Closing my laptop, I exhaled slowly, rubbing my temples. The weight of everything settled on my shoulders. A stepfather I didn’t trust, a mother too blinded by love to see it, and now a stepuncle with too many secrets.

I stood and walked to the window, my gaze drifting over the city skyline. Somewhere out there, Matteo Moretti was living in luxury, completely unaware that I was trying to figure him out.

But I wasn’t sure if I wanted to figure him out.

I sighed and turned away, pushing those thoughts aside. Instead, my mind shifted to work.

I hadn’t been to my vet clinic today. Sarah, my assistant, had assured me everything was fine, but nothing compared to being there. The animals made me feel safe, their trust in me pure and unwavering.

I thought about the golden retriever that had just given birth to a litter of puppies. I had helped deliver them last week, and I missed the soft whimpers and tiny paws reaching out for warmth. Then there was Oliver, the grumpy orange tabby who had finally warmed up to me after months of treating his injured leg.

I sighed, already feeling the pull to be there. Tomorrow, I would throw myself into work. I would forget about the Morettis, about Matteo, and focus on what truly mattered.

Slipping into bed, I let out a tired sigh. My pillow felt cool against my cheek as exhaustion pulled at me. But just before sleep took me, a familiar face flickered in my mind—dark eyes, a teasing smirk, and an unsettling sense of mystery.

Matteo Moretti.

And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.