6. A Decision

At Blake Corporation.

Xander was in a meeting when Jose barged in and whispered something in his ear. Xander's face darkened, and he stood up.

"Gentlemen, I have an emergency to attend to. I am afraid I will not be able to continue the meeting because my presence is required somewhere. Jose will continue the meeting on my behalf." He left immediately after making the announcement.

When Xander arrived at the hospital he saw Emma and Aaron standing in front of a door that appeared to be the operating room. They also noticed him as he walked towards them.

"Mr. Blake." Emma approached Xander.

She appeared to have cried a lot.

"Everything was fine in the morning, and now look what happened." She began crying again. "It's all because of that bitch. She never wants to see my daughter happy."

"Calm down, Emma." Aaron held her in his arms. "I apologize, Mr. Blake. She is upset and not in her right mind." Aaron explained to Xander.

"That's alright." Xander was not the type to become emotional quickly, nor did he bother to console others. His face remained expressionless.

"What's the update?" Xander asked them looking at the operating room.

"She fell on her stomach, which caused her to bleed. The child is in danger." Xander nodded but didn't say anything.

No one could tell what was on his mind.

After a while, a doctor emerged from the operating room.

"Miss Crystal is fine now..... but we are very sorry; we were unable to save the child." The doctor informed.

Emma burst into tears upon hearing the news while Xander clenched his teeth.

.....

Later that day, Ariadne received a call from Xander.

"I have sent a car to you, come to Grace Hospital right now. Jose will accompany you." Xander ended the call immediately after delivering his message.

He didn't even give Ariadne a chance to speak.

"It's time to face them." Ariadne sighed.

"Everything will be fine, don't worry." Jennifer squeezed her hand.

.....

"Apologize to Crystal, Ariadne." Xander ordered her as he stood beside Crystal's bed.

Ariadne, along with jennifer and Xander's men, arrived at the hospital some time ago.

Standing few feet away from the bed, she looked at Crystal before turning to face Xander.

"I did nothing, Xander. Please believe me." Ariadne had been pleading with Xander to believe her since she arrived, but he wouldn't listen.

"I said apologize." Xander roared.

Ariadne's eyes welled up with tears as she realized her helplessness.

Her father, Emma and Margaret were also present in the room. They were all staring at her with hostility, taking pleasure in Ariadne's helplessness before them.

"If you don't apologize right away, I will hand you over to the police, and you will face the consequences." Ariadne's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Not even Grandpa will be able to save you." Xander warned her.

Grandpa wanted to help Ariadne, but she declined. She didn't want Grandpa to fight with his own grandson for her. Their relationship was already in shambles because of her.

She also wanted to see how cruel Xander could become. She loved him and gave him her all, and this is what she received in return. In the end he chose to side with her bullies. She realized that no one would come to her defense.

"If I apologise, will you let me go?" Ariadne asked Xander.

"Yes, you will not face any legal charges."

This is exactly what Ariadne wanted now.

But It's humiliating. It suddenly occurred to her that Xander was actually punishing her by humiliating her in front of everyone, especially Crystal.

In other circumstances, she might have been protested, but she was carrying a child. She couldn't afford to mess with these people.

'For my child'. She clenched her teeth.

"I apologize for pushing you Crystal, I am sorry. Please forgive me." Ariadne lowered her head.

"You don't have to, I am letting this go, but I am sorry Aria, I will never forgive you for killing my child." Crystal said turning her face.

"This is the last time I am letting you go. And stay away from Crystal from now on." Xander said aloud.

"I think you should tell this to your mistress, not me." Ariadne said bitterly.

"How rude," Emma stepped forward and slapped Ariadne hard on the cheek.

Ariadne felt intense pain as she was not prepared for it.

"What a vile woman. We are showing her mercy, but this bitch is still slandering us." Emma lashed out.

Ariadne noticed the smirk on Crystal's face while Xander's gaze was fixed on Ariadne. He would never see the evil in them as always. Ariadne began to wonder if he was truly unaware of their deception, or if he was also a part of this.

Before she could respond, Xander grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the room.

"You will never change." He pushed her forward along the corridor.

"Aria." Jennifer, who was standing outside the room, screamed, as Ariadne lost her balance due to the force of the push.

She dashed to grab Ariadne, but it was too late.

Ariadne collapsed on the floor, hitting her head on the flower vase placed there. Ariadne felt a sharp pain in her stomach and her face paled.

Xander too, was taken aback for a moment. However, he quickly collected himself as Jennifer held Ariadne and helped her sit.

"Now you can leave and never try to interfere in my life again." He wasn't bother about the blood dripping from Ariadne's head.

He turned and walked towards the room. Ariadne was enraged.

"Xander Blake," Xander paused in his track before turning around.

"I hate you, Xander. And I hate myself for ever loving you." Ariadne's face was covered in blood and tears.

Her eyes were filled with a fire of pain and resentment.

Xander said nothing. He stared at her face for a while before leaving for Crystal's room.

.....

After a while, Jennifer brought Ariadne to Steve Hospital. She was quickly taken to the ER.

"My baby," Ariadne asked as soon as she regained consciousness.

"Relax, your child is safe." Jennifer assured her immediately.

"Thank God." Ariadne sighed in relief.

"But there could be some complications." Jennifer added hesitantly.

"What complications?" Ariadne's face paled.

"We don't know for sure right now. All we can do now is be cautious and closely monitor it's growth. Everything will be fine, don't worry."

After a while, Jennifer left Ariadne alone in the room to rest. However, Ariadne was unable to sleep as she recalled everything that had happened in the previous few days. She buried herself in deep thought.

.....

Later, William came to see Ariadne.

"I have decided something, Grandpa." Ariadne announced.

"What is it?" William asked.

Jennifer was also present in the room.

"I want to leave this place and go somewhere else, away from Zavion City." Ariadne said lowering her head.

"What, why?" Jennifer was taken aback by Ariadne's announcement.

However, William didn't appear surprised. William knew how Xander had treated Ariadne over the last two years. He began to question whether his decision to force Xander into this marriage was the right one back then. It did no good for either of them.

"I am tired of all of this. I want some peace, but I don't think I will get it if I stay here."

William sadly nodded in agreement. He didn't want Ariadne to leave, but he also believed it would be fair for her. She needed a break and deserved to live her life happily.

"I am sorry, Aria. You deserve better. I couldn't protect you enough." William sighed with regret. He was disappointed with his grandson.

"No, you did more than enough, Grandpa. Don't even say this." Ariadne protested.

"He will regret all of his actions one day."

"I don't want anything from him anymore, Grandpa. He can live a happy life with his love. I don't even want his repentance. I simply want my freedom. Freedom from this pain. And I will not get it if I stay here."

William nodded, understanding her situation. "You will get your freedom, Aria; I will arrange everything for you."

Jennifer looked at them, surprised. "Are you really planning to leave this city?"

"Yes, Jennifer. I think it's best for everyone...... But Grandpa, let me do this on my own." Ariadne pleaded.

"Xander believes that I killed his unborn child. So he might look for me. He will come after you when I leave. I don't want to put you in more trouble for me, Grandpa."

"You are not a trouble for me, Aria. You never were or will be. I saw you as my own grandchild." William said, stroking Ariadne's hair.

"I know Grandpa, but it's for the best. I want freedom, and I can only get it if I cut off all ties with this city, with everyone. At least for a few years. When the time comes, I will get in touch with each of you."

"How can I live peacefully if I don't know how or where you are?" William expressed his concerns.

"Don't worry, Grandpa. I will be safe."

.....

After some time, William left the hospital, leaving Jennifer and Ariadne alone in the room.

"Have you decided where you will go?"

Ariadne shook her head in, no.

"Aria, think again. It will be very difficult for you. If you were alone, that would be fine, but you are pregnant. How are you going to deal with everything alone?" Jennifer, too, was worried about her best friend.

"I don't have any other options, Jennie."

"Maybe you do."

"No, everyone will find out about my pregnancy if I stay here. Xander will never accept them. And don't forget the mother-daughter duo. They will force me to abort my child, one way or another." Ariadne was terrified of them now after they had framed her for pushing Crystal. She had realized they could do anything to harm her.

"Grandpa is here, Aria; he will protect you."

"How long and how far Jennie? He is getting older, and he has already done a lot for me. I have caused him enough trouble. Crystal wants to get rid of me. They will stop at nothing to harm my child and me."

Jennifer pondered the situation. Everything Ariadne said was correct.

"There are no other options. And....also...How...how can I stay here and watch him living his life happily with someone else?" Ariadne's voice quivered.

Her eyes were full of tears. "I am sick of everything, Jennie."

"I want to forget everything, or alteast not watch them all together as my defeat. The pain is too much for me to bear. I have lost everything."

Jennifer hugged and caressed Ariadne's back as the latter cried her heart out.