**Chapter 8: Shattered Trust**

The truth came out on a rain-soaked Sunday afternoon, when Sophie showed up unannounced at Ethan's penthouse with a bottle of wine and a stack of takeout containers. Aria had been lounging on the couch in one of Ethan's dress shirts, her legs tangled with his under a blanket, when the elevator dinged.

They froze.

"Ethan? You home?" Sophie's voice echoed down the hallway, followed by the clatter of dishes.

Aria's blood turned to ice. She bolted upright, her heart slamming against her ribs. "Oh my God - Sophie can't see me like this!"

Ethan cursed under his breath, snatching his discarded sweater off the floor and thrusting it at her. "Get dressed. *Now*."

But it was too late.

Sophie rounded the corner, her cheerful smile dying the moment she saw Aria scrambling to button her jeans, her hair disheveled, Ethan's shirt hanging off her shoulder. The takeout bag slipped from Sophie's grip, crashing to the floor.

"What the *hell* is this?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Aria's throat closed. "Sophie, let me explain - "

"Explain?!" Sophie's eyes blazed, darting between her brother and her best friend. "How long has this been going on? Weeks? *Months?*"

Ethan stepped forward, his tone firm but calm. "Sophie, this isn't what it looks like."

"Don't lie to me!" she snapped, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I'm not stupid! I've seen the way you two look at each other - the *tension*. But I never thought? How could you do this, Aria? With *him*? After everything I warned you about?"

Aria flinched, guilt clawing at her chest. "It just? happened. I didn't plan - "

"Bullshit!" Sophie's voice cracked. "You lied to me. Both of you!"

Ethan moved closer to Aria, a protective instinct she hadn't seen before flashing in his eyes. "This isn't her fault. I pursued her."

Sophie laughed bitterly. "Of course you did. Because you *always* get what you want, don't you, Ethan? Even if it destroys everyone else!"

The words hung in the air like a grenade pin pulled. Aria reached for Sophie's arm, desperate. "Please, let's talk about this - "

"Don't touch me!" Sophie jerked away, her voice raw. "You're my best friend. My *sister*. And you chose *him* over me. Over us."

Ethan's jaw tightened. "Sophie, enough. This isn't about you."

"Isn't it?" She turned on him, her fists clenched. "You've always been selfish. Always put your ego first. But Aria? I thought she was different. I thought she cared about me."

Aria's vision blurred. "I *do* care about you! This doesn't change that - "

"It changes *everything*!" Sophie's scream echoed off the glass walls. "Do you have any idea what this will do to our family? To *Mom and Dad*? They'll never accept this, Ethan. You're their golden boy, and she's - she's just some intern!"

The words struck like a slap. Aria recoiled, but Ethan stepped between them, his voice a dangerous growl. "You're out of line, Sophie."

"Am I?" She wiped her face furiously, backing toward the elevator. "Enjoy your little fling. But when this blows up - and it *will* - don't come crying to me."

The elevator doors closed behind her, leaving silence in their wake.

Aria sank onto the couch, trembling. Ethan knelt in front of her, his hands gripping hers. "Look at me. *Look at me*. We'll fix this."

But the crack in his voice betrayed him. For the first time, Ethan Blackwood looked uncertain.

Aria pulled her hands away, her own tears falling. "She's right. This was a mistake. I never should've let this happen."

He caught her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Don't say that. What we have? it's not a mistake."

But the doubt lingered, heavy and suffocating.

When Aria left that night, the rain matched her tears. Sophie's words haunted her - *just some intern* - and for the first time, she wondered if Ethan's world would ever truly have room for her.

Or if she'd only ever be a secret.