Chapter 232

Aria’s POV

The producer suggested that we start with the full family interview as we eased into things, so, after the crew set up the cameras in lighting in the living room, we sat down.

The interviewer, the reporter from the station Liam had called a favor into, kept us waiting for a while, as he stayed in the kitchen, talking on the phone while the others worked. When the producer finally got him to step away, he seemed more annoyed than anything else that he was being called to work.

The reporters name was Craig. I remember seeing him on the evening news. In front of the camera, he seemed professional enough, but right now, I was less than impressed. He was acting as if he had better things to do than interview us, which was his job.

“I’m going to say something,” Liam said.

“Not in front of the children,” I told him, stopping him. “Maybe he’s just having a bad day.”

I didn’t know if I believed that. Like Liam, I thought for sure he might just be a jerk, but without knowing for sure, I didn’t want to start another feud, especially with a well-known news anchor who came into the entire community’s homes via television every night.

We were trying to end feuds, not start them

So, at least for now, I urged Liam not to start something. I tracked Craig’s disrespect, however. I observed it and filed it away in my mind of more inspection later.

Eventually, the producer was able to pull Craig out of the kitchen and his phone calls, and the pair walked into the living room.

Liam and I sat on opposite ends of the couch with the two children between us. By now, the lighting was perfect, the camera was in place. The rest of the crew was ready to go. There was even two chairs set up for the missing workers – one in front of the camera and one behind.

The producer took the chair behind and Craig, finally ready to start, sat down on the on-screen chair.

One of the staff counted down, and the interview began. While it wasn’t a live interview, we wanted to have as few edits as possible so that people would know we are genuine.

Yet, Craig treated it like we were live. As soon as that camera light came on, it was as if he switched into a different person, all bright eyes and white teeth. Turning to the camera, he laughed like we had just told him a joke.

None of us had said a word. He hadn’t made eye contact when he sat down, nor did he introduce himself.

“Welcome viewers,” Craig said to the camera, finally calm his laugh. “Tonight we bring you a special interview from former race superstar Liam. We are also joined by his wife Aria, and their two children, William and Joe.”

Turning to us, his wide smile stayed. It truly was like he was a different person and I was stunned for a moment, marveling at the change.

“Thank you for welcoming us into your lovely home for this interview, Liam. Aria. And the kids.” He paused between each, as if giving the camera some time for close-ups. I wasn’t sure where to look so I just kept looking at him.

Being on camera was always more Liam’s thing. I was used to working behind the scenes, making things happen from the shadows, without the need for fame or even recognition. I was paid well to do my work, I saw the drivers exceeding – both of these were good enough for me.

Liam slid back into his old confidence easily enough. The glint of the camera seemed to change him too, though not as dramatically as it had Craig.

“We are thrilled to have you here,” Liam said. “Welcome to you, the crew, and all of your viewers to our home.”

Craig narrowed his eyes ever-so-slightly at Liam. Liam just grinned bigger.

Despite that look, the first half of the interview seemed to go alright. Liam and I introduced Joe and William, and the kids talked for a bit about how much they loved us, as well as some of their favorite pastimes.

“I want to be a racecar driver when I get older,” William said. “Just like my dad.”

It was all very cute.

Thankfully, Craig was kinder to the children than he was to us the adults. That part of the interview was light and fun. While it lacked any controversy, I thought it helped show us as an actual family made up of actual people including children. Maybe that would be enough for some people to back off.

When that part of the interview was done, we sent away the children, telling them to go play upstairs. Then, Liam and I sat closer on the couch.

With the cameras off, Craig had gone back to his phone. He put it away just before the cameras came on again.

“So,” Craig said. “The two of you have been secretly married for some time.”

“Several years now, yes,” Liam said.

“Though we were separated for a time,” I added.

Craig ignored me. “Tell us about your love story. Liam – was it love at first sight?”

“I wanted it to be,” Liam said. “Aria is so talented and beautiful, I was drawn to her right away.”

Craig nodded. “Did you tell Aria you were already engaged?”

The question stunned us both.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

Liam’s smile slipped. “He’s talking about Joanna.”

“I am,” Craig said. The state of his smile changed, becoming more sinister, like a cat that had caught the canary. “The truth is you’ve been engaged to Joanna since you were both small, haven’t you? So my question is, did Aria know that you were betraying your fiancé, or did you keep her in the dark as well?”

I looked to the producer for help, but right as he stood, Liam held up his hand as if to keep him from interfering.

“The engagement was arranged by my overbearing father Markus,” Liam said to Craig. “It was not something that I wanted. Even then, I fought against it.”

“So is that why you rushed and secretly married Aria? To escape an arranged marriage?” Craig seemed pleased with himself, like he caught Liam in something.

Did he not understand that this was exactly what we were going public to share?

“Yes,” Liam said flatly. “In the beginning it was that way. My father controlled his household with an iron grip, while applying none of the same rules for himself. Eventually, that grip became too much for my mother, who took her own life. I would have done anything to escape him…”

Liam glanced at me. “I was drawn to Aria from the start, but it wasn’t love at first sight. We had a lot of ups and downs on the road to happiness and love. I did rush things, I made her unhappy for a long time, and she had to leave me to make me realize how much of a fool I’d been.”

Looking back to Craig, he continued. “I nearly blew things with her again by playing a game with Joanna to escape my father once more.”

“So you admit that your engagement to Joanna was real,” Craig insisted. Frustration was all over his face, as he had seemingly lost control of this interview. “You admit that you deceived her and Markus about your marital status?”

“Joanna knew –” I tried to say, but he talked right over me.

“You admit that you selfishly dashed the hopes and feelings of a woman who had been in love with you since childhood, all so you could play house with a low-class temptress?” Craig gestured to me.

At the insult, I was too stunned to react. This was not going at all how I thought it would.

Liam meanwhile leaned forward. His voice ice cold, he asked, “What did you just say?”