My Aunt Refused the Billionaire, So They Made Me His Bride

Silas felt a flicker of awkwardness. He’d never been this close to a woman before. Yet, to his surprise, the sensation wasn’t entirely unpleasant...

Victor, sensing the awkward tension between them, stepped in quickly to break the ice. “Why don’t we all head inside? Aria, you and Silas can get settled in.” There was a subtle warning under his words as he shot Aria a stern glance. She’d only just gotten home, and she was already stirring up trouble.

Still riding high from recent events, Aria looped her arm through Silas’s and led him into the house, while Fiona trailed behind with an annoyed huff.

The Turners were still processing what had just gone down. Aria had refused to play the grateful bride, and Fiona no longer controlled the room.

Aria had barely sat down when Fiona let out an exaggerated gasp. “Oh, Aria, what happened to your head? Did someone treat you badly?”

Fiona’s eyes sparkled with mockery. So Aria had married into the Collins family—and she was still bound for a hard life!

Aria gave her a side-eye. “Are you saying the Collins family mistreated me?”

Fiona was so fixated on poking Aria’s sore spot that she forgot who was sitting right beside her.

Sure enough, Silas, irritated by Fiona’s insinuations, cut her a look cold enough to freeze water. His expression turned hard, his features darkening with irritation.

“I—I didn’t mean it like that at all... I’m just worried because you look hurt,” Fiona stammered, visibly shrinking.

Victor shot Aria a reproachful look. “You’re our guest today, Aria. Try to be gracious. Fiona, check whether dinner is ready.” He cast Fiona a meaningful look.

Eager to escape the tense atmosphere, Fiona was more than happy to leave. Silas’s presence was overwhelming; one glance from him sent shivers down her spine.

But Aria wasn’t letting her off that easy. “How about a cup of coffee for your guests?” Aria settled beside Silas. “You did invite everyone here to celebrate our marriage.”

“Why can’t you get it yourself? Why do I have to fetch it?” Fiona snapped without thinking, her tone defiant. Aria’s commanding attitude was infuriating.

Aria’s lips curved into a smile. “You made a point of inviting the whole family. Is this how you treat Silas’s wife?” Her gaze was sharp and unyielding, pinning Fiona in place.

Fiona’s face burned. Aria was making her play the gracious hostess in her own home, with every relative watching.

Watching his sister get treated poorly, Victor’s heart softened. “Oh, come now. There’s no need to hold grudges. Where’s the maid? Someone get Miss Aria a coffee...”

“Hold on.” A cold voice cut through the room.

A hush fell over everyone.

Silas’s commanding presence made every person hold their breath.

Fiona kept her head down, feeling the chill of his stare.

“You invited my wife here, then insulted her for asking for coffee?” His voice grew colder, full of unspoken authority.

Fear gripped Fiona. She managed a smile. “Of course not. I’ll get it right away.” She spun around and darted off.

Aria realized just how crucial power was in this dynamic; she wasn’t going to be pushed around anymore.

Fiona soon returned, carefully holding a cup of coffee, which she handed to Aria.

The cup was hot. Before Aria could get a firm grip, Fiona let go, and scalding coffee sloshed over Aria’s hand.

“Ah—” Aria cried out as the hot coffee seared her fair skin, leaving an angry red mark.

Aria jerked back, catching the cup against its saucer. Porcelain cracked and fell to the floor. Coffee ran over her wrist. She went straight to the kitchen sink and held the burn under cool running water.

“You let go before I had it,” she said, meeting Fiona’s eyes. “Don’t touch me again.”

“It was an accident,” Fiona protested.

“Then apologize.”

Fiona looked to Victor, but Silas had followed Aria into the kitchen. He fetched a clean towel and laid it beside her uninjured hand.

“She asked you a question,” he said.

Fiona’s expression tightened. “I’m sorry.”

No one laughed. No one hurried to defend her. For the first time since Aria’s return, Fiona looked uncertain of the room.

Silas asked a member of staff to clear the broken cup with a brush and dustpan. “No one needs another injury.”

Aria glanced at him. He did not look to the others for approval. That small act of care unsettled her more than she wanted to admit.

Just then, the maid announced dinner. Victor exhaled in relief and invited everyone to the table.

What should have been a simple family visit felt more like a tense courtroom drama.

After cleaning up, Fiona shot Aria a venomous glare and stormed upstairs, refusing to dine with such company.

At the table, Silas stayed impassive, not bothering to touch his cutlery.

Eager to please, Victor offered Silas a serving of slow-roasted pork. “Silas, I’m sure you’ve heard about the challenges Turner Enterprises is facing?”

Aria stifled a snort. Her father never missed a chance to talk business.

Silas eyed the bowl with disdain, then unceremoniously dumped the pork aside.

Aria silently cheered. That’s what you get for sucking up!

Silas’s voice was cold. “Not interested. Turner Enterprises doesn’t even register on my radar.”

Victor swallowed his anger. His company still mattered—how dare anyone dismiss it? But with finances bleeding out, he had no choice but to ask for help.

He swallowed his pride and plastered on a smile. “It’s just a rough patch. I thought maybe we could work together...”

Silas set down his fork and turned to Aria. “What do you think?”

Aria stayed quiet, keeping her focus on her meal.

Victor offered her the breadbasket with a smile that never reached his eyes.

When she ignored the offer, Victor lowered his voice. “Aria, you know we’re under financial strain. If the company fails, we won’t be able to continue your mother’s treatment.”

Aria’s heart lurched. Was he really using her mother’s health as leverage?

Silas’s patience snapped. “Enough. We’re leaving.”

He pulled Aria to her feet without hesitation and led her outside.

Victor hurried after them, but they were already in Silas’s car, pulling away.

Watching the taillights fade, Victor cursed under his breath.

Hearing the commotion, Fiona rushed downstairs.

Seeing her brother’s fury, she piled on. “See how Aria acts? Just because she married into the Collins family, she thinks she’s all that! She owes us everything. Ungrateful brat!”

Fiona’s indignation was practically radiating off her—never mind that Aria had been pushed into the marriage because of their schemes.

Victor, already furious, was only provoked further by Fiona’s complaints. “Next time she visits, keep your temper. We need Silas’s investment to keep Turner Enterprises afloat.”

“Absolutely not! I’ll teach her a lesson—for acting so bold! I’ll put her in her place!” Fiona stormed off, phone already in hand, ready to text Aria.