Divorced, But Queen - Chapter 58: Chapter 58

With concern in his expression, pain in his eyes, and a gentle tone in his voice, Caleb looked at her deeply.
It wasn't just her he was seeing—it was someone else through her.
At that moment, Aria understood. She asked, "You went to Jamelan, didn't you?"
"Yeah." Caleb dropped his gaze, not wanting to appear too vulnerable in front of his sister.
Aria turned slightly to the side. "Come in, sit for a bit."
"Okay." Caleb gave a small nod.
Once they were on the couch, Aria poured him a glass of water. "Why'd you want to look into my past, Caleb?"
Caleb's hand paused mid-air as he reached for the glass.
Caleb tried to act calm, but the faint ripple on the water's surface gave away the turmoil inside. "I just… wanted to know what your life was like back then."
'Then why not ask me?' Aria thought.
Aria remembered bumping into Everett the other day and suddenly everything clicked. She laid it out plainly. "You probably found out I've always known I'm not Dominic and Alice's biological daughter."
Caleb nodded.
Aria continued, "They were definitely sexist, but they didn't hate me from the start. I was born with something off—emotionally. I could sense the world around me, but I didn't want to react to it. I was cold at everything.
"At first, they thought I was mute. Then one day they heard me call the old lady next door 'Grandma.' That's when they started to resent me, calling me an ungrateful brat."
Because of blood ties, Dominic and Alice didn't abuse her—at least not to the point of denying her food.
In reality, Aria never cared about whatever scraps of affection they threw her way, and she didn't feel sad about it either.
Aria had always known she was different. But she had no desire to change. Instead, she chose to outsmart that couple every chance she got.
If Dominic and Alice hit her, Aria would wait until they were asleep and pour hot water on them. They nagged her while she cooked? She'd flip the entire table.
When they threw her out, Aria ran to the village chief. He'd go straight to Dominic and call him out for child abuse.
After a while, Dominic and Alice ignored her. And Aria ignored them right back.
Caleb had met the old woman she used to call Grandma. A kind, warmhearted lady.
When she learned he was Aria's brother, she smiled, though there was a touch of resignation in her voice. "Trying to get close to Madelyn, huh? Not easy, is it?"
Caleb didn't hesitate. He nodded.
When Silvia was upset, Caleb could buy her things she liked—clothes, jewelry, handbags—or take her to an art exhibit.
But with Aria? Caleb couldn't figure her out. He didn't know what she liked or hated. He didn't even know how to connect with her.
"I figured," the old woman said with a sigh. "Madelyn's heart is huge. When someone treats her right, she gives back with everything she has.
"But her heart's also small. If there's a blood tie, and you're only good to her out of guilt—not with your whole heart—she'll walk away without hesitation. Especially if she sees you treating someone else better."
Caleb thought, 'What has the Saxon family ever really given Aria? Clothes, handbags, dresses, jewelry…
'But Aria clearly prefers pants, doesn't like jewelry, and hates carrying bags.
'Everything they give her is what Silvia liked. And then they blame her for being cold and distant.
'What Aria really wanted is love—not their self-righteous, guilt-ridden version of "kindness."'
"She just wanted a family," the old woman had said.
She also shared stories from Aria's childhood. Like the time someone yelled at her, and Aria stared them down until they left.
Or when a dog tried to bite her, and Aria grabbed a knife, ready to strike. She had a fierce streak. Even the village kids feared her. Dogs avoided her altogether.
The old woman didn't have any family. She'd often feed Aria, and Aria would quietly help around the house.
Aria's love was straightforward. If you loved her, she loved you back.
Simple as that. The old woman managed to do it. No one else had.
"Caleb!" Aria spoke up.
Caleb's thoughts snapped back. He looked into her eyes—they were calm and smiling.
Aria said softly, "You don't have to feel guilty. I actually really like the life I have now."
No missions. No bloodshed. No scheming. And more money than she could ever spend. Aria genuinely liked her life.
Caleb didn't have the courage to meet her gaze. He looked away, a bitter smile on his lips. "These days I keep thinking—if there hadn't been a switch at birth, maybe things would've turned out differently."
"No," Aria said without hesitation. "Everything happened the way it was meant to. I don't regret it."
Aria didn't really understand Silvia—but she didn't resent her either. The process had been messy, but the ending was okay.
Just like today—she managed to grab the knife in time and save the girl who lunged at her.
And Black Rose had tried to kill her and failed, ending up being forced to help her find the one who ordered the hit.