When they hung up, Arianne felt inexplicably gratified. It was strange, but nonetheless, she could get used to this feeling. For once, she actually felt the pleasure of revenge. She could understand why Mark liked tormenting her. Did he feel like she did when he watched her being tormented and miserable?“What are you thinking about? Are you hungry? Wanna go down and have something?” Mark did not know what was going through her head but his sudden amiability caught her off guard. “A little but I don’t want to eat downstairs. Have Mary send it to the room…”Mark did not force her to go down. “Go back to bed then.”Lunch was sent to Arianne in the room by Mark, and Rice Ball followed at a leisurely pace as though it was the master of the place.Arianne could see that Mark was afraid of cats. Once Rice Ball touched him, he would freeze up. While she was eating, she asked, “You aren’t allergic to cats so this means you’re afraid of them, right?”“Eat.” He refused to answer her question, b
As Arianne thought of ways to cover for her slip of the tongue, Mark had already lay down next to her. He took her phone away before he said, “Then what kind of tone do you want me to use with you?”Arianne’s face felt a little hot when she caught a whiff of the manly scent that belonged uniquely to him. “Give me back my phone… I’ll sleep after replying to Tiffany.”Mark raised his hand that was holding the phone high up. There was no way she would be able to reach it. “Answer my question first.”Bracing herself, Arianne replied, “I’m not your daughter… What tone do you think you should use?”“Teach me?” Mark looked at her with gleaming eyes.Arianne felt as though doing that was akin to going on a suicide mission. She punched his chest softly and said, “Let’s sleep.”Lo and behold, Mark suddenly swooped down to kiss Arianne’s forehead. “You don’t even know how to act cute. Are you even a woman?” After that, he returned the phone to her before he adjusted himself into a comfortable pos
After breakfast, Arianne and Mark headed out together. In the car, Mark’s ‘dutiful father’ mode kicked into gear. “Call me if you feel unwell in the office. If I’m busy and don’t pick up, have Eric send you home and ask Henry to call the doctor to the house for a checkup. Don’t push yourself. Poor health means a poor immune system. Try not to go to places like the hospital. It’s not that I don’t want you to go work. I’m afraid of something happening to you. As long as you’re fine, you can do anything you want.”Arianne looked at him as though she was looking at a monster. “Did you take the wrong medication today?Mark’s expression darkened. “What did you say?”Arianne quickly phrased her words differently. “No. I mean, why are you being so naggy. I’m not a child anymore. I won’t insist on working if I feel unwell. I work to earn money, not for fun. I won’t push myself. You don’t have to worry…”Brian was inwardly startled. Arianne was not the only one who thought Mark had changed, he t
Arianne was perplexed. The only landline phone in the entire design department was at Lily’s table, and it was normally used for work. Usually, she would not be asked for work matters. She rose to her feet and went over to pick up the phone.Arianne answered the phone, “Hello? Good morning, this is Glide Design.”“Hah, it’s me, Wendy Galena.”Hearing the voice at the other end of the line, Arianne was even more bewildered. “Wendy? Can I help you?”“Nothing much. I passed by your office earlier and saw Mark dropping you off at work. You were smiling really happily as though you like him. I genuinely thought you like Will. I really didn’t expect that you’re not even affected by what Mark did to the Sivans. You’re quite ruthless. Well, I guess everyone would be thrilled to become Mrs. Tremont. You must have done good in your past life for being able to cling onto someone like Mark despite your identity.”“Is there anything else you want to say?” Arianne frowned.Wendy chuckled dryly. “Wil
“It’s fair. If it were any other woman, she’d do the same. I can’t pay back an eye for an eye like what you’ve done to me. What a pity!” Arianne said with an icy expression on her face while she ate.As though she wanted to tear Arianne into pieces, Aery said through gritted teeth, “Mark doesn’t even love you. Why do you think he covered for me and mom when he’s well aware I’m the one who caused your miscarriage when I ran my car into you? It seems like you think you’re someone important now. Look at yourself. Mark only married you so he can slowly torture you for the sake of revenge. Your dad is dead. The dozens of lives he owed the Tremonts are yours to pay. He doesn’t love you, and yet, you think you’ve gained the upper hand!”“This has nothing to do with love. I don’t love him anyway. Since he’s unwilling to divorce me, whether it’s for revenge or torture, it’s my duty to get rid of pesky flies like you that buzz around him, don’t you think?” Arianne was incensed but she suppressed
In order not to rouse Mark’s suspicion, Arianne asked to leave an hour and a half earlier from Lily in the afternoon. She did not ask Eric, afraid that he would tell Mark.When Arianne left the office, she bought some fruits and hailed a cab to the hospital. It did not take long before she found Will’s ward. She hesitated for a moment, caught in a dilemma, before she finally knocked on the door.Will’s clear voice rang from behind the door. “Come in.”Arianne felt inexplicably assured when she heard his voice. She pushed the door open, revealing a small smile. “I got off work early today and thought that I’d drop by since you’re hospitalized. How are you feeling?”Will was a little stunned as though he did not expect to see her. When he regained his senses, his eyes were filled with joy. “I… I didn’t think you’d come. I’m okay. My leg is fractured, it’s not very serious. Have a seat.”Arianne observed Will and felt the guilt in her heart growing. He had been hale and healthy before thi
Arianne inhaled deeply before she said, “When I threw a tantrum after my miscarriage, saying things I shouldn’t have, and letting the world know that I cheated on him… He didn’t mind. There are many other examples. That’s enough for me. It really isn’t that bad. Will, I’m really doing well. My only pain is that I’m the daughter of a sinner, and I’m indebted to the Tremonts. In fact, Mark satisfies all my material needs, and he’s my type as well. Hatred isn’t the only thing that exists between us. We spent more than ten years together. It’s more than love. We’re family. It’s really not that bad.”Upon hearing Arianne’s words, the light in Will’s eyes visibly dimmed. “Is that so? That’s good, then, if it’s true. I hope he won’t let you down…”Arianne could no longer stay so she said, “Um… I have to leave now. Rest well.”Will nodded. “Okay…”When Arianne was at the door, Will suddenly called out. “Ari!”Arianne stopped in her tracks but did not turn around. The tears that she had been ho
Mark sneered. “Hah, only friends? Friends can sleep together as they wish?”Arianne’s breath caught in her throat. “Please don’t say that. Whatever it is, it has passed. There’s no need to dwell on it. I didn’t even make a fuss about you sleeping with Aery Kinsey.”He chuckled aloud before he said coldly. “How do you know if I’ve slept with her? However, everyone knows about you and Will Sivan. If I truly intend to dwell on it, you wouldn’t have been able to see him a long time ago. It’s because I don’t care that you’re able to visit him in the hospital, understand? Besides, you don’t care who I sleep with anyway, right?”Don’t care and don’t mind.Arianne pondered over his words and wondered if she cared. When she heard the amorous sounds he and Aery made in the hotel, she had fled in panic. She felt empty, and her emotions went through a rollercoaster ride for no reason. Did she mind? She did not love him but betrayal was betrayal. No one could tolerate a betrayal, neither him nor he