My Underboss, Your Troublemaker Is Gone

"I hear you went to see my grandpa."

Grant's arm snaked around my waist, yanking me flush against his hard chest with a force that knocked the air from my lungs.

"Well played, Aria, after you burn everything this afternoon."

"Then you go running to my grandpa? Were you that desperate to trap me?"

"You knew he owes your grandpa his life, so you used his guilt to force my hand. To lock me down and secure the Ricci family's future. Is that it?"

"Are you satisfied now?"

I wrenched myself from his grasp, panting heavily.

"That's not what happened, Grant. I didn't go crying to anyone."

Grant let out a cold laugh. "You didn't say anything? Then how would he know what happened?"

I looked at the man who had once been my gentle protector, feeling nothing but exhaustion.

"Think whatever you want. I told you, I didn't."

My cold indifference finally pushed Grant over the edge.

"Look at you, acting so high and mighty. Who was it that schemed their way into my bed?"

"Let me tell you, even if you were the last woman on earth, I would never..."

His phone rang.

Grant glanced at the caller ID, and his face changed instantly.

"Boss! Something's happened to Miss Claire, she's been kidnapped! They left a threatening note at the scene!"

"It looks like... it's in Miss Aria's handwriting."

So, Claire had made her move. It was just like the last time. She staged her own kidnapping and pinned all the blame on me.

Grant hung up, the fury in his eyes hot enough to burn me alive.

"Aria, you did this, didn't you?"

"You kidnapped her because you were jealous of her!"

The injustice of it all hit me like a physical blow.

I laughed bitterly. "Grant, do you really think I'm that stupid? If I had done it, why would I leave my own necklace behind as evidence?"

"Do you think the whole world is as blind as you are?"

Grant slammed his fist into the wall in a blind rage. Blood splattered onto my face.

"Aria, you venomous bitch! I underestimated you."

"She's your sister! How could you do that to her?"

I closed my eyes. "I told you, I didn't do it."

"But I know you've already condemned me."

Grant was beyond listening. He stormed toward the door.

"I'm going to save Claire. And you, Aria, you just wait. When I get her back, I'll make you pay!"

The door slammed shut. He didn't even give me a chance to explain.

I collapsed onto the floor, a familiar despair washing over me.

Grant didn't come back that night.

The next morning, news spread like wildfire through the family.

Claire had been "successfully rescued," completely unharmed.

But the bigger bombshell was the marriage announcement:

[Miss Claire has been safely recovered. The Boss has announced his engagement to the Ricci family.]

[Congratulations to Miss Claire, soon to be the wife of the Bennett family heir.]

He was marrying into the Ricci family, but not to me, the woman who had grown up by his side.

Luca, the family's majordomo, entered my room with a worried expression.

"Miss Aria, Boss, he..."

"I know," I cut him off.

"It's for the best. Claire finally got what she wanted."

Luca looked at my pale face, hesitating.

"Miss Aria, you look unwell. Should I call a doctor?"

"No need." I waved his concern away. "Luca, I'll be at the celebration dinner tonight."

"After all, I have to celebrate my dear sister's safe return, don't I?"

As night fell, the main hall of the Bennett estate was ablaze with light.

Everyone was celebrating Claire's safe return and the upcoming union between the two families.

The grounds outside the estate had been transformed into a sea of champagne-colored roses, Claire's favorite flower.

The murmurs of the guests swirled around me, drilling into my ears.

"Look, that's Aria Ricci. I heard she almost got her sister killed out of jealousy."

"Who would have thought? She looks like such an elegant princess, but she's so vicious on the inside."

"After her mother died, the Ricci family lost its footing. She's just an empty shell, a porcelain princess."

"Haven't you heard? Her father and Claire are the ambitious ones. They'll kick her out sooner or later."

"She spent all those years kissing up to Grant, and for what? He chose Claire in the end. She's lost everything."

I walked through the crowd with a blank expression, heading for a corner seat.

But on the inside, their words had already ground me to dust.

Grant and Claire stood in the center of the hall. His hand rested gently on the small of her back, his eyes full of tenderness.

Her gaze met mine from across the room, triumphant.

I picked up a glass of champagne but found I couldn't drink it.

My stomach churned, and a wave of nausea rose in my throat.

I fled to the restroom.

Grant followed me.

"Aria, what the hell are you doing?"

I gripped the sink, my face as white as a sheet.

"I'm sorry, I don't feel well."

Seeing my state, Grant's concern was replaced by even greater anger.

"Are you doing this on purpose? Trying to ruin our big night by faking sick?"

"Aria, can you stop being so childish?"

I choked back the feeling of my heart tearing apart and took a deep breath.

"I never wanted to come to this sham of a party."

"Are you satisfied, hearing them all talk about me like I'm some kind of clown?"

Grant sneered. "What's with the attitude, Aria? Claire almost died because of your jealousy!"

My voice was hoarse as I shot back, "Grant, you accuse me without even knowing the truth?"

"Am I the monster, Grant, or have you just always chosen to see me as one?"

"A distorted lens? Name one time I've wrongly accused you of anything."

"Claire is back, safe and sound. You should be happy for us!"

I looked up, meeting the eyes of a stranger in the mirror.

"I am happy for you. Truly, Grant."

Grant froze for a second, seemingly surprised by my words. But he quickly reverted to his cold demeanor.

"At least you have some self-awareness."

He turned and left, leaving me alone in the restroom.

I was so tired. I had never been this exhausted in my life.

I touched my chest, where a dull ache throbbed.

Suddenly, a violent coughing fit seized me.

I covered my mouth and felt the wetness in my palm.

Staring at the bright red blood on my hand, I suddenly understood.

My body could no longer bear the weight of this life.

In this new life, I had only been granted three days.

Now, only one day remained.