ARIANNA What is Lucas doing? My jaws fell to the ground whilst I tried to make meaning out of his words.What was he saying about me? And more importantly in the presence of the entire family. My breathing got stomped in my throat instantly, the words or rather the lies Lucas said hitting me like a ton of bricks."What are you saying Lucas? Why are you saying all that about me? You know it is not true" my voice suddenly became teary and unstable as I was speaking. I gazed at Lucas, my heart pounding with terror and my mind going blank with shock."Oh really? So are you saying he is deliberately lying against you!?" Father flared up, causing me to almost jump out of my skin."I believe there is a misunderstanding. Arianna will never do such. I know she..." mother attempted to vouch for me but her voice trailed off when Lucas' spiteful words interrupted her."There is no misunderstanding mother. Arianna totally embarrassed me. I left her for not even up to an hour and she had begun me
I sat on one of the iron chairs provided in the hospital, the pungent smell of various drugs filling the air, making me wrinkle my nose in disgust. The hustle and bustle of patients, doctors, and visitors around me stirred up a feeling of uneasiness in my stomach.The truth is, I had come to the hospital because I was tired of being subjugated and trampled upon in my own home. I wondered if something was wrong with me since I was unable to conceive. Despite my hopes, nothing had changed even after being intimate with my husband Lucas.My heart rate increased as I pondered over the events that occurred in the mansion yesterday. It was Lucas who had committed the crime, but I was the one who got punished for it. Father had slapped me for no reason while Lucas, who should have been the one to receive punishment, got off scot-free.In public and before Mr. Ian Connor, Lucas belittled me and made a mockery of our marriage. Despite his behavior, I was the one who was labeled as the cheate
ARIANNASleep eroded me and my eyelids felt too heavy to close. I tossed about frantically on my bed before giving up on my vain attempt to sleep. Annoyed and frustrated, I kicked my feets off the bed and bolted up. My hands found my long brown coat which I wore over my pink night gown.Slipping my feet into the footwear, I meandered out of my room, silently and stealthily making my way down the stairs. I could not sleep at all. How could I though when my own husband has forever sworn to be the bane of my existence?Earlier this night, I had tried convincing him to follow me for a general body test but he outrightly refused so, claiming our inability to have kids was mostly my fault. How? He could as well be responsible for our inability to conceive.He literally is the most loose man I have ever met and he does not even hide it but yet I am the one to blame.As always. I let out a deep sigh whilst quietly unlocking the doors of the living room and ambling outside.I needed to
ARIANNA Admist the morning meal, a rattling silence pervaded the atmosphere as each person ate their food in the quietness which was punctuated solely by the chink and clatter of cutlery hitting the dishes. The atmosphere hung heavy wreaking of anxieties and my pain. This rendered it difficult to focus on the food before me. Despite my internal turmoil, I continuously persisted in my efforts to consume my breakfast. My attention kept on faltering as I ate, my eyes continuously roving all around the faces of the various family members that sat with me all the while endeavoring to maintain a stoic countenance.The previous days were perilous for me. I got insulted, humiliated and belittled like a total stranger both in public and behind closed doors.And Lucas went scot free like the hero that he never was. Adorned upon his face as he watched father humiliate me was a mischievous smile, a sardonic smirk. Life is a bitch.Just the mere thought got my heart tightening against its rib c
Lucas revved the engine of his sleek car, eager to catch up with the stunning Anne who drove ahead of him. As he pursued her with great speed, he could not help but be struck by her extraordinary beauty. He pondered over it repeatedly that he could barely concentrate on anything else apart from the alluring beauty of Anne.Compared to his plain Jane wife Arianna, Anne was a sight to behold - with her luscious, silky auburn locks that begged to be caressed, her plump and alluring heart-shaped red lips that he longed to taste with all the fiery passion he could muster, and her seductive hourglass figure that was nothing short of mesmerizing.Damn it!Lucas was going nuts with pure lust.But however, Lucas found himself having to quell the urge in order to stop his thoughts from wandering any further, lest he develop an inconveniently timed boner. He could not understand why he felt so drawn to Anne. He just could not fathom it.After all, they had only just met for the first tim
ARIANNAAs I meticulously counted the number of butters I had dropped into my grocery basket, a thought escaped my lips, "I believe we are in need of a greater quantity of these butters." You see, I could not bear to sit idle at home while Lucas was off to work.Therefore, I decided to embark on a personal errand. Now, do not get me wrong, our pantry was not exactly running low on groceries and dairy products, but I had a nagging feeling that it would only be a matter of time before we did. Instead of waiting for that chaotic rush hour at the stores, I figured it would be wise to stock up in advance.Running to the supermarket had become my one saving grace, a task that allowed me to clear my head and find some respite. Lately, I have been feeling restless, caught in a state of idleness. Lucas has taken to calling me a gold digger, mostly because he knows that I depend solely on him and his family for financial support.But I yearn to change that perception. I want to erase the sh
ARIANNA"Mum, can you pass me the salt, please?" I asked politely, wearing a smile on my face. Mum kindly handed me the salt container, and I sprinkled a small amount into the dinner I was preparing.As I stirred the contents of the pot, I pondered whether or not to inform Mum about my encounter with Ian Connor earlier today. It had been on my mind since I returned from the supermarket, and I could not make up my mind.I had plenty of concerns that were making me anxious. If my awful husband, Lucas, somehow discovered that I bumped into Ian Connor at the supermarket, he would surely make a big deal out of it, just like he did last time when he was clearly the one at fault.But what if I told Mum first, and then she started doubting my morals? No, that is not possible. I pushed that thought aside, dismissing it from my mind.Mum was not like Lucas. She would never question my morality. She had complete trust in me, and I cherished that trust. I would never do anything to betray it.The
ARIANNAThe days flew by in a whirlwind ever since Lucas acted overly flirtatious with me in the kitchen. I still could not comprehend his behavior; it was both shocking and incredibly strange.Honestly, I half-expected him to join me in bed later that night, but thankfully, he did not. I felt an immense sense of gratitude for not having to endure the discomfort of sharing a bed with him, devoid of the warmth and solace I used to find in my husband. Although it pained me, I knew it was time to get myself acquainted with this loneliness.I refuse to be a weak-willed woman spending her entire life worrying about whether the man she married, who behaves like a brute, finds her attractive or not.Right from the very first day we met, he never saw me as attractive or appealing, so nothing I ever did could alter that perception for either of us.Well, putting that aside, I found solace in seeking joy in other aspects of life apart from Lucas. Today, I was filled with immense delight as
ARIANNASIX MONTHS LATER "I'd be donating a sum of five million dollars to this foundation as my own way of empowering women to become stronger, more independent, more resilient in the face of challenges because....."I had barely even completed my speech on the stage when a wave of ovation took the air.Every one was cheering for me, calling my name and the cameras were flashing at I and Simon's direction.I stared down at Simon who seemed enthralled by the various lights flashing at him. I waited for the applaud to die down before I began speaking again."I had never things easy for me when growing up. And I know it's not easy for you all out there too, struggling in the face of economic challenges, marital issues, personal challenges and the likes but I do not want you to ever give up. Yes this is for all of you..." the ovation swept the air once more but I still kept on speaking."Don't ever give up. Because when life throws you lemons, you know what you do with it? You make fuc
ARIANNAI never for once imagined I'd be delighted to see the home of the Hiltons ever again.I watched with relief as the broad gates of the mansion parted for Ian to drive in with I and Simon. Lucas and Rose followed us behind which gave me a sense of security and peace. Honestly I still felt alot traumatized and frightened. Even when Ian was still driving on the high way, I was always on the edge. My eyes would glance at everyone we passed in fear. I can't imagine the traumatic effects this would have on Simon. When I came back to America after six years, I never expected that this was what laid in store for me.From running into Lucas and Anne, to coming to work for them again, dealing with Anne's overbearing attitude and her schemes, finding out about the truth of her unborn baby and almost getting killed for it. Truly fate had outdone itself in this one.Ian drove his car into the parking area and came down to open up for I and Simon. It was already dusk by the time we ar
Rose sat in her room patiently in expectant of a call.She just knew her guts were right and Anne had proved her true. Yes, she still did not love Arianna that much to call her a friend but after all her tireless efforts to get her mother recovering again, this was the least she could do. Once in a while, she would glance down at her phone screen expecting to see Ian's caller Id pop up.She had tried calling him throughout yesterday but he was not reachable. She had to resort to texting him about the shocking information she had gotten from Anne. Ian did reply her text late at night. He apologised for not answering her calls as he had a very busy day and he promised to call her back the next morning which was what she was waiting for.Anne was clearly now more dangerous and cunny than Rose could ever imagine.Kidnapping Arianna was one thing but also kidnapping her little son? That was totally extreme.And time was running out fast. Anne was murderous at this point and Rose knew it
ANNEA Week LaterI listened and watched in disgust as Lucas ranted all over the place, yelling at the cops over the phone for their inability to find Arianna and Simon.It has been a week since she got missing and Lucas will not let anyone hear the end of it. He is always on his toes, calling the cops every now and then to get the latest info concerning Arianna's and her son disappearance. The police station is more or less his second home now and it pissess me off every fucking time. Why will Arianna not let me breathe properly in this house?!Even now that she ain't here, she still has my good for nothing husband in her captive, twirling him like a puppet.If not for the wealth, fame and recognition I get as being the daughter inlaw and wife of this family, I swear on everything I believe in, I would have left Lucas a long time ago.He is such a sorry ass of a man. All these gives me more resolve to end that lousy bitch and her fucking son. Hiring goons to kidnap them was literall
LUCAS I felt pissed and annoyed. Ever since I had that call with Ian, I was just not myself anymore.He was so possessive about her.I know they have a child together but I just can not come to terms with that fact. I care about Arianna too and not just him. But she will never notice that and I do not blame her either.I did so many awful things to her in the past which I am not proud of. Some times I just wish I could write back the hands of time and go back to the past to fix my mistakes. I would make sure I treat Arianna like a queen, adore and care for her like how any sane husband would do for his wife.Just the constant reminder of how happy she is now with Ian vexes me.And I am stuck with a wife as over bearing as Anne.Even now hours later, one would expect that my annoyance had cooled off but as I stepped foot inside the house, I seemed to get more tensed.With a dejected sigh, I climbed the flights of stairs, heading for my mother's room.Arianna must probably be feedi
ARIANNASleep eroded me, I could barely even concentrate on anything or anyone around me.I stayed awake the entire night, restless as ever and worried as hell.I have fucking screwed up. God! How did that I let this happen to me?How did I make such a terrible mistake? Oh man. My lack of sleep had caused eyebags to appear underneath my orbs, giving me a dull rimmed appearance.My hair was messy and disheveled, a testament to the anxiety I was currently facing.How could I let this happen? How did Anne get the test result before me?God dammit! I made sure to be very careful and diligent. I left no turn unturned in getting her to do that paternity test and now when I almost had it all in my grasps, it just slip out of my reach. Fuck I am going insane.I could barely sleep at all and the comfortable sheets of my bed felt like hot coals on my skin.Pushing the sheets of my leg, I stood up with rickety feet and slipped my legs in my footwear.I have not even informed Ian yet. How coul
"Mummy mummy" Simon eagerly shook Arianna, drawing her attention away from the double doors of the living room to her over energetic six year old son."What? What is it Simon?" Arianna replied absent mindedly. Her eyes trailed back towards the doors, restless as ever.Simon diverted his gaze to the doors, tilting his head to the side whilst wondering what captured his mother's attention at the door."Mummy what are you looking at?" Simon asked, his curiosity piqued.Arianna sighed heavily and stood up from the couch, her restless feet beginning to pace all around the living room. "Simon can you tell me what you want please darling?" Today was the day Anne's paternity test result was going to be delivered to the mansion.Sarah had texted her multiple times to be on the lookout for the test result so as not to get it delivered into the wrongs hands and today Anne had not left the mansion since morning.It all created huge waves of anxiety and restlessness in Arianna.Her feet eagerly da
ARIANNA"Is she still asleep?" Ian asked me as we drove to the hospital.I nodded, catching a sneak peak of Anne who laid fast asleep next to me in the car.I honestly can not believe I am so close to exposing her for the liar that she is. "Yes she is Ian. But you have to drive faster. We really need to get to the hospital before she wakes up" I responded back.Ian honked at the cars he felt that were blocking his path and drove further ahead, whilst I kept on keeping a careful eye on Anne to make sure she was not awake."What will you tell her if she ends up waking up at the hospital?" He asked me.I shrugged my shoulders at his question and a grin stole my lips, "That is not hard. I can just tell her she passed out and we drove her here for a checkup" "And what if she asks about her prodigal husband? What will you say?" Ian smirked."Really? Prodigal husband?" I laughed out."I am just saying what I feel he should be called" "Well I will just say that Lucas left for home to get h
ARIANNA"Ian I am serious. Lucas seems so genuinely sorry for everything. I could really feel his sincerity even from the way he spoke to me and from the look in his eyes. There was no hiding it" I spoke to Ian over the phone. My eyes would momentarily gaze down to stare at a sleeping Simon and to make sure he was not awake. I needed him fully asleep so that I could concentrate on the more serious issues at hand in order to pull off this plan I had. Today was the perfect day to launch it.Rose won't be coming back home tonight and Father was on one of his usual business trips.It felt like Lucas had left the running of the family's company to his sister and father.It is just going to be I, Lucas and Anne home.I just have to do this today because who knows when I will have this sort of opportunity!?"Arianna honestly I do not even know why we are spending our time trying to help him. If it were not for you, I would not even be the least interested because he deserves everything that