Chapter 63

"Mom, dad what's going on?" Aria questioned coming out of the shadows.

The room went dead with silence as Aria's questioned hovered in the air. Her mother looked like she would pass out. Her father was sweating all over and he looked paler than he did a few seconds before Aria made her entrance.

"Mom, I am asking you a question, what is going on?" Aria repeated. Her heart was already broken and she couldn't stop the pain from hurting.

Did they lie to her?

Her mother looked at her husband and they both looked clueless. Aria narrowed her eyes at the both of them. It was obvious that they had lied. They were both liars!

"You lied to me!" Aria's voice shook as she accused her parents. She had been working day and night. Accepting insults from her boss and her cruel sister, just to be able to raise some money for them —yet, it was all a lie.

"Baby, listen we can explain this-" her mother started to say and Aria interrupted her.

"Please do because that's what I am waiting for. I need that explanation mom!" Aria snapped as she slumped on the closest chair glaring at her parents.

Her heart was thumping rapidly and it felt like her entire world would crash down on her. But she kept herself under control. She had to at least give them the benefit of doubt before proceeding to yell at them.

"Aria, your mother and I... We- we really needed money..." Her father stuttered.

"Please go on Dad, why did you need the money?" Aria said through clenched teeth.

Her father opened his mouth to respond but her mother held his hand back. He looked at her and she shook her head.

"Ariana, we are your parents! There is nothing wrong if we spend a little of your money!" She snapped.

Ariana's heart fell off her chest and she felt the crack as it landed on the floor.

"What?" She whispered.

"You heard me! You have been working for a multinational company that is owned by your best friend's family! Do you think I don't know how much you are paid?" She cried out.

Aria was struggling to see clearly as her emotions clouded her vision. "Mom what are you saying?"

"I am saying everything you are hearing! What is wrong with you!" Her mother added bitterly.

"Mom I give you everything you ask. I send you pocket money and food and everything-" Aria started saying but her mother cut her off.

"Everything my foot! It was never enough! You are living in the city with luxury and we are here getting scraps! Did we give you scraps when you went to college?!"

"Brenda, stop!" Her father said as he covered his face in shame.

Aria was certain her ears were failing her. Everything her mother was saying couldnt be coming out of her mouth. Her sweet and ever caring mother coukd never say those horrible things her brain was forcing her to believe came from her.

"I will not stop! I have had enough of the pretence! Look at yiu!" She screamed pointing at her husband. "There is barely any life left in you! All because of Ariana!"

"What?" Aria found herself repeating the same word over and over. She was starting to lose her mind from the outrageous things her mother was saying.

"That is not true Brenda," Her father added weakly.

"Yes it is. You spent all our money on her and what happened in the end? We became broke and she is the rich one now!" She spat.

"I am not rich! Mother I got fired yesterday and the money I sent to you thinking it was a part of the fake treatment you made me believe —was my compensation fee!" Aria yelled. She clenched her fist stopping herself from cursing out loud.

"You have quit your job?" Her father asked in a shocked voice.

"I didn't quit dad, I was fired!" She didn't feel bad when she got fired. She was even relieved but right now, the whole ordeal made her feel horrible.

"How can Sofia's sister fire you?" Her mother scoffed folding her hands on her chest.

Aria glared at her and it was just the little bit of self-control left in her that didn't make her jump at her own mother.

"Sofia? Did you even care to ask about our relationship?" Aria's voice wobbled and it became difficult to speak but she had to go on.

"Did you even bother mother? I had told you several times that Sofia was never real with me! She only came after me because she wanted Ethan!" Aria felt a bitterness in her throat as she mentioned their names. They were an episode she never wanted to remember.

"I told you Sofia was not a good friend... And what did you say? I should stick with her because the Brentwood's were rich people!"

"I was only looking out for you! Be grateful because that relationship gave you your job!" My mother said arrogantly.

"A job she no longer has! Brenda why can't you put aside your love for money and see the pain we have brought on our daughter!" Her father cried out.

Brenda kept fuming from her corner, refusing to believe that Ariana had quit her job.

Who would quit such a job? —she thought.

"You should feel ashamed!" Aria's dad continued.

Aria remembered how she almost accepted to marry Ethan just to get money for them. That was how she would have ended up in a relationship she never wanted to be in, just because of their lies!

"I am so sorry Aria..." Her father pleaded.

"No one has answered my question. Why did you take the money. I suffered for that money. I toiled day and night. I received thousands of insults and humiliation for that money." Her tears had filled her face and she had giving up trying to wipe it off. "All I want to know is why you needed the money!"

"We needed it for our upkeep! We needed to spend money and look good too! That's why? So now what, you will call the lawyers and sue us to court? We are your parents we deserve to spend out of your earnings and quit saying you suffered every one has to work hard to make a living!" Her mother hissed and walked out of the room.

Aria stood up and her shoulders shook as she watched her mother leave. No one would think her own parents would cheat her in this manner and for no good reason.

"Aria, please," her father's hoarse voice filled the room but Aria raised her hands to stop him from coming closer to her.

"Don't say anything... Because you have no justification dad. You know I would have giving you my life if only you asked. You know you didn't have to lie. Yet you did! I am so ashamed!"

Aria packed up the pieces of her broken heart and returned to her room. She needed to leave. This place wasn't the sanctuary it used to be anymore. There was no peace, only pain and heartbreak.