Chapter 1 Hair disheveled , dress torn , dirt staining the hem . Aria stood at the entrance of the villa , holding a cake that was beginning to melt . ] It was their fifth wedding anniversary today . She hadn't meant to show up looking like this . But just an hour ago , she had been kidnapped . The terror still clung to her like a second skin . They'd grabbed her in the parking lot outside the bakery , right after she'd picked up Mason's favorite red velvet cake . [ ] She managed to hit Mason's contact as they dragged her toward the van - once , twice , but the calls went straight to voicemail or were declined . Normally , he would never hang up on her like that . He's planning something special , she told herself . That's why he can't answer . " Help ! Mason , I'm being - The phone was knocked from her hands before she could finish . " Where is it ? " they demanded once they'd thrown her into the van . " Where did he hide it ? " She had no idea what they meant . Just when partie was consuming her completely , a tall stranger appeared . He was walking through the parking lot when he heard the commotion . [ ] " Hey ! What's going on there ? " ] Her captors cursed and fled , leaving her shaking by the van . ] The stranger helped her up . He even brought her home . ] Now , standing at the door , Aria pushed open the heavy iron gate . ] The sound of soft music drifted through the air , loosening the tension that had gripped her since the incident . [ ] She instinctively quickened her pace , walking into the courtyard , only to be greeted by a scene filled with flowers , balloons , and a massive banner . ] From inside came bursts of laughter and cheering . There were clearly quite a few guests . Aria paused , glancing down at her messy appearance , debating whether to go upstairs and change first . ] Just then , Mason's familiar , doting voice called out : [ ] " Sweetheart , you're finally back ! What took you so long ? Everyone's been waiting for the cake ! " ] Aria looked up and was momentarily stunned . Mason stood tall in crisp white slacks , a gray plaid vest outlining his broad shoulders and slim waist . He looked every bit the elegant gentleman , warm and refined . Since their wedding , it had been a long time since he'd dressed up like this . That's when Mason noticed her torn dress , her dirt - stained skin . ] " Aria ? What happened to you ? " ] She stepped forward with the cake in hand , about to explain : ] " Honey , I just " A sweet , chirpy voice suddenly cut in from behind Mason : " Brother , is that the cake ? I just got back to the country and you already planned a birthday surprise for me ? You're the best ! " It was Crystal . Mason's younger cousin . The moment Aria heard the words " birthday surprise , " she froze . Crack . The cake slipped from her hands and hit the ground with a thud . [ ] Two weeks ago , she'd discovered Mason was secretly planning something for their anniversary . A week ago , someone had quietly told her he was even having roses flown in from Provence . [ ] Three days ago , word had it that he'd outbid everyone at the city's biggest charity auction to win a top - grade jade stone under the floating lanterns . I Aria had been full of joy and anticipation , thinking he was secretly preparing a grand romantic celebration for their fifth anniversary . Even when he didn't answer her calls during the kidnapping , she hadn't blamed him and she thought it was all part of the surprise . But now , with Crystal suddenly appearing and talking about a birthday party , every hopeful illusion in Aria's mind shattered like a soap bubble . " The party's ready . All we were missing was the cake ! Arin , what's the meaning of throwing it on the ground like that? ! " [ ] A sharp voice dragged Aria out of her daze . It was Mason's mother , Natalie Lewis , storming toward her with a glare She had disliked Aria from the moment she married into the family . And lately , she didn't even bother hiding her contempt . " What's going on here ? " Aria's hands trembled as her voice cracked . " This is our anniversary ... how did it become ... " ] Mason looked flustered . He quickly pulled Aria to the side and whispered : ] " Sweetheart , I'm sorry . I really was planning a surprise . But then Crystal came back unexpectedly and said she wanted the whole family to celebrate her birthday with her , so ... " -0 Aria's tears broke free . She shoved his hand away and took a few shaky steps back . The pain in her waist - still sore from the earlier assault - suddenly flared up . She instinctively crouched down in pain . ] Just as Mason moved to comfort her , Natalie shouted again from across the courtyard : ] " Mason ! Stop coddling her ! The guests are waiting ! So the cake's ruined - figure something else out ! " ] " ... Okay , coming . " Mason glanced at Aria again . Guilt flickered in his eyes , but things on the other side seemed urgent . In the end . he left her there . and walked away . Aria stayed crouched in the corner of the courtyard for a long time before she finally mustered the strength to stand . No one noticed her disheveled state . No one cared what she'd just been through . ] Beyond the artificial rockery , they'd already begun singing Happy Birthday with joyful cheers . ] ] As Aria listened to one wish after another being sent to Crystal , a bitter realization struck her . Since marrying into the Jensen family , she had never celebrated her own birthday again , even though hers was only a few days apart from Crystal's . ] She wiped her tears , forcing a wry smile . As the sun dipped below the horizon , she walked back upstairs in silence , her lonely shadow trailing behind her . She quietly closed the bedroom door . Standing before the bathroom mirror , Aria yanked off her filthy clothes and tossed them into the trash . ] Steam filled the air . As the memory of the kidnapping came rushing back , she curled up on the floor , burying her face in her knees. [ ] It took her a full hour to scrub herself clean She changed into loose pajamas and sat in a corner of the living room , eyes fixed on the ceiling , waiting for the noise outside the window to fade away completely . It wasn't until 11 p.m. that the bedroom door finally creaked open Aria knew it was him . But unlike before , she didn't run over to take off his coat or greet him with a smile . ] Mason quietly hung up his suit jacket and carefully walked over . Reeking of alcohol , he wrapped his arms around her from behind and spoke in a syrupy - soft voice : ] " Sweetheart , happy anniversary . Guess what I got you ? " care . " Aria peeled his hands off . " It's fine . Doesn't matter . I don't care . " He knelt down in front of her , his smile tender . " Don't be mad , okay ? Look , this jade heart pendant was custom - made just for you . Let me put it on . " He took the pendant from a delicate burgundy box and clasped it around her neck , pressing a kiss to her cheek . ] " It looks perfect on you . Sweetheart , I've decided ... let's have a baby , okay ? " ] Aria stared at the jade pendant in the mirror's reflection . The green stone caught the lamplight , beautiful and cold against her pale skin . ] ] A baby ? After everything that happened today , after he chose Crystal over their anniversary and ignored every one of her calls when she needed him most ? Aria replied flatly , " I can't . " ] Mason grinned playfully . " That's okay . You just lie there . I'll take care of everything . " Aria lifted her gaze , her eyes icy cold . " Mason , I want a divorce . " The smile froze on his lips .