[ Rafael Martinez ]"Excuse me?" I raised my brow.As far as the image of marrying Arianna, I couldn't fall in their trap. My years of dedication and vengeance would go down the drain."I hope you understand English, Mr. Martinez. I want you to take the responsibility of your child by marrying Arianna and I want it done as soon as possible. She's two months along. Soon, people will find out and I can't let it happen." She said with crossed arms."I am not running away from my responsibilities, Madame but I can't throw my life like a Blackwood means betraying my family and my brother who is in his grave." I refused to accept her condition."Think again, Mr. Martinez. Do you really think that I am a fool here who come here only to return with nothing. I am well capable of blowing your family once again. Poor Jeremiah and Nadia, they will be out of prison soon but if you keep behaving like a stubborn mule, I have to reconsider my options." She smirked."Do not make me regret, Mrs. Black
[ Arienna Blackwood ] “How dare you to walk into my office without my permission and misbehaved with my friend?” I yelled on the rude man standing right in front of me with a long face but he looked mad., ready to explode on me..Did he find out?“You’re pregnant with my child.”He said very calmly but it was far from calm as his dark eyes pierced into mine, daring me to tell the truth. My heart sank, how could he find out? I didn’t tell anyone except Veronica and my parents and…my grandmother!“What are you saying?” I looked away. If I still had a chance to escape from this danger sign, I will.“I am not in a mood to play games here, Arienna. Tell me, is it true?” He begun to take predatory steps towards me and I backed away.“I don’t understand what are you saying, Mr. Martinez and who told you this crap?” I tried to maintain a confident posture but he didn’t seem to buy my lame excuse. It clearly means that he knows everything and he remembers me.“I hate lies, Arianna, we both kn
[ Rafael Martinez ]“This is insane, son. I can’t let you risk your life for our revenge. We already lost our Jared. You’re our everything.” My Mom cried leaning on my Dad’s shoulder.“Don’t cry, Nadia. Our son is doing the right thing. Those Blackwoods snatched our everything, our home, our son, everything. He is avenging for our sufferings. Let him do it.” Dad consoled her.My heart clenched seeing their state, the wrinkles on their skin, grey hairs and skinny bodies reminded me of those scums who ruthlessly sent them to prison. I thought Arienna was different but I hate her now more than I hate her family.How could the thought of aborting my child came to her?“Noah, what are you thinking? Are you going soft on that bitch Arienna? She is the cause of our miseries.” My dad glared me hard. He never liked Arienna and Blackwoods’ betrayal intensified even more.I can’t tell them about the baby and my decision to marry Arienna. I don’t want to be the reason of their sadness.“Don’t wor
[ Arianna Blackwood ]"I am sorry, my princess. I couldn't stop this. I failed you and my upbringing." My Mom's voice was hoarse, she was on the verge of crying.She was the strongest woman I've ever known. She never broke down even in the hardest sail but today, I saw her breaking down and I was the reason."I am fine, Mom. There was no other way to save us from this." I forced a smile which of course, didn't reach to my eyes."Your Dad and brothers will be here anytime. So, we don't have much time to talk alone." She said holding my both hands."Mom, you can visit me anytime you want, this marriage doesn't change anything between us. I am still your daughter before a wife or a mother." I said the fact."I know, my love but I don't trust Rafael. He isn't the man I pictured as your life partner, Ari but we can't do anything now. This baby needs his father and we're no one to snatch his paternal rights and this is the only reason we accepted this blasphemy called marriage." She said wi
[ Arianna Blackwood ]The ride from my home to Rafael's house in the suburbs was excruciatingly silent. We didn't share a glance let alone a conversation. Rafael was mostly engrossed in his phone, furiously typing on his phone.I wasn't interested either. For me, it was just a pact I made with the father of my baby who doesn't seem to be interested in me but his child.I had no idea how long I'd make it work. As much as I wanted my child to have a healthy childhood with his both parents, I don't want a loveless, dull marriage for myself.The car stopped with a screech, thus putting a halt on my thoughts."We're home." He stated flatly and got out of the car.I wanted to laugh. It wasn't a home for me. He waited for me to step down. At least, some decency was still left in him.I carefully stepped down since my back was hurting due to a long day's celebration and posing.The house was beautiful, painted in white and grey, it was a dream home for many but I felt no joy to call it mine.
[ Arianna Blackwood ]"I'll see you in some time. Go and enjoy your bath." He said after a momentary silence. He just dodged off my question and proceed to move towards the door."Rafael, I need an answer. I can't live my whole life in uncertainty. You don't love me, I don't think I can ever trust you. We can't stay married just for the sake of our baby, Rafael. At least, I want stability in my life and with you, I don't know what will happen in next hour." I poured out my frustration. His grey eyes flickered on my face."Sometimes, we shouldn't chase after something we aren't sure of. You're thinking too much, Anna. Just relax, you'll live your life peacefully at my house. I just don't want you to meddle in my personal life." He said."And why should I not? I am your wife, for God's sake!" I lost my temper with this haughty man."Don't change into conversation into an argument, Arianna. I married you for the sake of our baby's future. Would you like people calling him a bastard or
[ Rafael ]I gauged her reaction, the horror was clearly visible on her face when he saw my parents. It was more than two decades' time. She was just a seven years old child when Charlotte Blackwood took her."Mom, Dad!" She gasped closing her mouth.I was stunned. She still considered them as her parents even though they were not ideal foster parents to her."Don't you dare call us Mom or Dad!" Mom's voice roared. It was full of venom, hatred and years of resentment."Mom, wha..what are you doing here? I mean how do you know Rafael?" Her confused eyes danced between us that she ignored Mom's statement."Did you not tell your dear wife, son?" Dad asked me with a sly smile, he looked calmer than Mom which wasn't good either.They got released two days ago. I wanted to disclose my identity to Arienna once we get married but today, my parents insisted on visiting my new house.I couldn't refuse them. They had gone through a lot. I just wanted them to live their rest of lives in peace."W
Rafael ]It has been two hours, Arienna was under the medical observation. She hadn't gained her consciousness and with passing minutes, my anxiety was growing.I was responsible for her condition. She and my child suffered under the flames of my revenge."God, punish me but save them." I prayed closing my eyes.I don't remember when last time I prayed but right now, my only hope was dangling on religious beliefs."Mr. Martinez, your wife is awake now." A nurse informed me and I could feel my life coming back to my body."How is she? Can I meet her and how's my baby?" I asked her. I was so desperate to meet her and apologize for being an asshole to her."I advise you to wait for a few hours. The baby is fine as for now but her body is weak and her mental condition is responsible for her worsening health." She answered and my heart sank."Please, I need to see my wife. I won't bother her." I begged her."I suggest you to have a word with the doctor first, please excuse me." She said an
[ Arienna Blackwood ]"Don't run, Aria. Mom is tired and she wants a hug from her princess." I shouted and heard soft giggles of my five years old daughter from behind the curtains.A smile stretched over my lips as I spotted her shadow. She was the source of light in my life whom I found during my trip to Mexico and instantly fell in love with two years old orphan who was abandoned by her birth mother at an orphanage.It took me an year of struggle and legal procedure to adopt her officially and bring her to home."Mom got you." I grabbed her and tickled her.The little girl wriggled to get out of my hold while laughing. I showered her pretty face with kisses."Stop Mama, it's ticklish." She pushed my face away."No, Mama wants a cuddle with Aria." I pulled her on my lap and hugged her."I am angry on you, Mama. You promised to come back early but you're two days late." She pouted with grumpy face."I am sorry baby but you know my work. I am the CEO and it's mandatory for me to be
[ Arianna Blackwood ]"Anna.."Rafael's low voice rang into my ears. So, this man can also feel remorse!"Come and sit, Rafael. We need to talk on certain matters." I said in a flat tone."Please, let's just sit together and-" He tried to say something but I showed him my palm."I do not want to spend even a single moment with you, Mr. Martinez but we must clear a few things before we part our ways." I finally shot my blank eyes at him.He looked vulnerable, his eyes were puffy and red. By judging his appearance, I bet he hadn't been resting properly."Please, Arienna. Don't do this. It was my fault. Our baby died because of me." He said in a croaked tone, I observed his adam's apple bobbing up and down."It was my baby. It doesn't give you any right to call it yours just because you fucked me for once." I snapped at him, the bottled up anger and resentment was threatening to spill.He lowered his gaze and shook his head, "Alright, I won't. Please, calm down. We can talk once you get
[ Arianna Blackwood ]It's been four days.Four long days since I lost my baby, the last hope of my future. I am stoll trying to accept this news but my heart denies my loss. My lower body aches every time I move or shift, a constant reminder of my cruel fate.I don't deserve happiness since my birth. Why does God punish me? What did I do to deserve only grief and misfortunes in my life?"Ari, my princess." Dad's soft voice forced me to pull out of my mourning solicitude."Dad."I barely whispered as mu throat was constricted due to crying for hours since doctor broke the devastating news to me. I predicted my loss when I felt the pain during my argument with Rafael but a part of me hoped for a miracle to happen."I have brought your dinner. It's your mother's home cooked recipe, one of your favourite dishes and healthy." He placed a tiffin box on the table.He was trying to cheer me up. That's all my family could do, they stood like a pillar around me. They're my everything and I'd f
[ Rafael ]I have been waiting for two long hours, still no words from the hospital staff how Arienna is doing after miscarriage. Yes, the doctors declared the baby dead as soon as they admitted her and they had to perform emergency surgery to remove the dead fetus.Arienna lost too much blood which caused her to lose her consciousness for a long time.Miscarriage, a simple word with eleven syllables but it has so much pain and shattered hopes within it's depth. It has the power to bring even the bravest heart at the bottom.I lost my child, my first child despite several warnings from the doctors. Yet I let her go through the trauma, not once, not twice but everytime we talked.She's right, I killed our baby. I don't deserve it call it mine because Arienna tried her best to be there for our baby but I was busy hitting my head on the wall of past. I became so mad that her pain got unnoticed by me."How dare you?"A voice roared and I got punched on my face, it was a hard blow. I stumb
[ Arianna Blackwood ]After my conversation with my mother, I found myself drowning into more conflict. I couldn't live with Rafael as long as he keeps harboring hatred and vendetta against my family, on the other hand, I was drawn to my husband.I was screwed and back to square one."Anna, you're back?"Rafael's surprised voice reached into my ears and I turned around to find him standing at the threshold of main door."Yes, I guess. Sorry, if you're disappointed to see me here. Well, I won't take long. I came here to talk on certain matters." I said in a clipped tone.His features softened. He rushed towards me and grabbed my shoulders, "I don't want you to leave, not now not never, Anna. I can't imagine my life without you, my love. Please, forgive me. I am ready to talk to your parents if it makes you feel better." He sounded vulnerable and desperate.I detatched myself from him and looked away."Let's talk, Rafael. I don't want us to live in continuous uncertainties." I said in a
[ Arienna Blackwood ]"Mom, I want a divorce with Rafael. I don't think this marriage would work. I am sorry I didn't think wisely when I decided to marry him." I said to my mother who was calmly sipping her coffee.She didn't look affected by my decision, instead, she poured some in my cup."Please, say something, Mom. Your opinion matters to me the most." I gave her a pleading look."You want my honest opinion?" She finally looked up at me while placing her cup down on the table.I nodded my head in impatience.She pinched the bridge of her nose, "Are you afraid of the boy you once knew, who cared for you a lot or the man who is blind in vengeance. It's your take?" She asked me and I was left shocked."How..how..do you know?" I couldn't find proper words to ask her how did she know everything about Noah."I am your mother, Ari. Of course, I know everything about my children. I wouldn't have let you marry him if I didn't know about your groom. I ran a background check on Rafael and i
[ Rafael Martinez ]"You didn't have to take a stand for me. I can fight my own battles and it wasn't the first time my grandmother bullied me. She has always been like this. I thought you'd of all people would understand her nature." Arienna said curtly over the dining table.I gave her a blank look. She was only playing with the food on the plate."I had to show her that she can't boss around in my house and demean my wife." I replied. I heard suck a deep breath. "I am sorry for the morning. I shouldn't have said those things." I said after a momentary silence.We were back to square one because she didn't respond and resumed eating small portions from her plate."We're inviting your parents tomorrow at the breakfast. I don't want to live this cat and mice life anymore." I said."Don't drag my parents in your dirty games, Rafael. I will deal with them." She said in a flat tone and stood up."Finish your food, Anna. You can't ignore your health." I reminded her and our eyes met for
[ Rafael Martinez ]Arianna's outburst kept replaying in my mind like a record. Her eyes reflected her sedimentated anger and hatred for me and it broke my heart to see those emotions in her eyes. I made her hate me even more and probably ruined my every chances to be with her. She'll not stay quiet and tell her family about my identity and about my parents. "Come on, son. Are you going to say something or sit here like a stone statue. I know something has happened. This red mark on your face is telling a lot." My father said, his eyes were darted on my cheek.I touched the stinging area and looked away. "She's a poison in your life, Noah. Why are you with her? You're successful and young. You will find a thousand women at your disposal if you go for a bride hunt. Just leave her. You will get your child. I trust you." Mom again repeated the same dialog."Mom, please, I'm already frustrated and clueless. Yesterday, Charlotte Blackwood confronted me and it's not wrong either. She hel
[ Arianna Blackwood ] I sipped the ginger tea, enjoying the ghostly silence of the living room. The weather was still bad, the downpour changed into soft drizzle but the sky was grey and gloomy depicting my own mood. I heard footsteps. I recognized them so I sat unbothered and sipped the tea. "Good morning." I heard his grosggy voice. "Good morning," I wished him back curtly but didn't spare him a glance. "A cup of coffee please!" He yelled to his staff and sat across me. I stole a glance at him, he was in a t shirt and trousers. "I am sorry, the last night was unintentional. I never get this much drunk often unless I'm frustrated." He kept talking but I only listened. I remained quiet. "Look, if you're intentionally ignoring me then it won't work, Arianna. We can't go like this." He said in a little frustrated voice. Meanwhile, his coffee was served. "I am not in a mood to talk. I hope you understand." I said without looking up. "Alright, take your time to sort out your moo