Her Sister's Shattered Shadow

"Aria, you're insane!"

Vincent's roar echoed behind me, tinged with a panic he couldn't quite conceal.

I didn't look back. I just walked straight out of the studio.

The sharp crack of shattering porcelain echoed from the studio, followed by Isabella's screams and Vincent's roars—a grotesque symphony.

I slipped into my car and gave the driver an address.

"To the Guggenheim Museum, please."

The driver’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. He looked like he wanted to speak but thought better of it.

I knew why.

There were still wet tracks on my face.

But they weren't tears of sorrow. They were tears of release.

My phone buzzed. A text from my agent, Chloe.

"Aria, everything is ready. We're just waiting for you to cut the ribbon."

"Today, you are the only star."

I texted back a simple "Okay."

Half an hour later, the car pulled up in the heart of Manhattan.

A massive electronic screen played a news segment on a loop.

"The mysterious sculptor 'Phoenix' will make her first public appearance today. All works under her name will be auctioned for charity, with the proceeds donated to the 'Seraphina' Art Foundation."

I looked up at the sculpture on the screen, the one named "Phoenix," and a small smile touched my lips.

*Vincent, you always wanted to know who "Phoenix" was, didn't you?*

*You always wanted this statue to commemorate your one true love?*

*Today, you'll see it all.*

The museum entrance was a madhouse.

The constant flickering of camera flashes was like a galaxy of stars in broad daylight.

I took a deep breath and stepped onto the red carpet.

The moment my heel touched the first step, every lens swiveled to face me.

"Oh my god, 'Phoenix' is her!"

"The Moretti family's daughter-in-law?"

"What on earth is going on?"

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

I walked to the podium, took the microphone, and let my gaze sweep over every stunned face.

"Hello, everyone. I am 'Phoenix.' My name is Aria De Luca."

"Today, I am here to announce three things."

"First, I am here to announce my divorce from Mr. Vincent Moretti. As of today, we go our separate ways."

"Second, under the name 'Phoenix,' I am filing a lawsuit against Don Costello Moretti, head of the Moretti family, and his son, Vincent, for premeditated murder."

The moment the words left my mouth, the venue erupted.

Vincent shoved his way through the crowd and stormed the stage, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at me.

"Aria, what the hell are you talking about? What premeditated murder?"

I looked at him, my voice cold as I enunciated each word. "Five years ago. The car bomb that killed my sister, Seraphina. It was no accident."

"It was orchestrated by your father, the Don."

"And you, Vincent Moretti, were his accomplice."