ARIANNA I stared like an unwanted guest from afar, watching with shocked orbs at how Lucas totally ignored my presence when I came over to welcome him. He could have atleast had the decency to embrace me as his wife. But instead he totally ignored me like I did not even exist and went right for Anne and Rose. Why does he always do this to me? Why does he always seem to give me hope of a blossoming relationship then squash all my hopes like sand?Why? We had sex before he travelled and it seemed like one of the most passionate sex we had ever had in his sober state. He made me feel wanted, needed, loved.And now this? He is now back to his cold and brutal state. I choked back a sob, the classical music playing drowning my quiet cries. I guess I must have expected way too much from him. I always do. And he ends up crushing my hopes into smithereens.I am super thankful that the lightening in this place is dim. If not I would have been in fear of everyone seeing my ears reddened and
ARIANNAAntagonized by Rose's impertinent threats, I scowled at her, anger and irritation was boldly written on my face.Without waiting to hear another word from she walked away, leaving me with the shocking threats to ring in my head.How dare she threaten to destroy me? Who gave her the audacity to tell me to stay away from Ian Connor? She has absolutely no right over me.I wish I had strangled her before she walked away, next time she would be afraid to even warn me about someone.Mr Ian Connor is my good friend and for some reason he likes spending time with me so how exactly am I getting in the way of her affairs? My fits clenched into a balled knuckle as Rose's words lingered fresh in my memory. I would literally tear her mouth apart if she ever tries to threaten me again. As if been ignored by Lucas was not enough, his brat sister came to worsen how I already feel.I think it is better I leave this party, afterall I am obviously of no importance here.My eyes scaled through t
ARIANNA I was suddenly out of breath and every other thing seemed non-existent to me. The only thing I could focus on right now was the trapping ruthless gaze of Lucas who stood quote a distance, staring at me whilst I danced away with an unsuspecting Ian Connor. My trepadised orbs trailed down to his hands and I could see that they were already turning to a ball of fists.I was shaken with fear.His anger was mirroring through his facial expressions. It felt like if he could just reach out to me and strangle me to death then he would do so.What the fuck is wrong with this man!? What is his problem!? Is he now angry because I choose to dance with Ian? Jesus! He literally avoided me from the moment he walked into the hall. He avoided and snubbed me like a plague. I was forced to watch as he chatted and laughed with Rose and Anne. Driven by his actions, I stayed on my own but I was later approached by Ian who kept me company as usual. Ian was like a substitute companion I never ha
ARIANNA I woke up this morning with a headache that felt like a construction crew was breaking down my skull. The music from the event had completely vanished, which meant the party must have ended ages ago.Letting out a tired groan, I yawned, hoping to shake off the remnants of sleep. It took a considerable amount of time for my vision to adjust. My eyes were heavy and swollen, probably from all the crying I did before drifting off.But once my sight cleared, I found myself in a room flooded with sunlight, as if the curtains were filtering the rays to their maximum brightness.Summoning every ounce of strength I had, I managed to stand up, but my head spun like a whirling dervish, and my body felt as rigid as a concrete block. It was as if my head had transformed into a dumbbell, weighing me down.Why on earth was I in such excruciating pain? As I pushed myself to move towards the bathroom, a wave of nausea surged through me, threatening to make an unwelcome appearance. Yet, I fou
ARIANNA I am really pregnant. I am fucking pregnant! Approximately about more than nine hours had passed since I and mother arrived from the hospital but yet the thought would not leave my head. How could I let it leave?All my life I had been wanting to start a family of my own with my own children and now it seems that dream might just come to pass.Never will Lucas or father or Rose look at me with disdain any more because I have proven now that I am very capable of taking in. I am very much fertile and this unborn baby is the proof. I will cherish my baby with everything I have irrespective of its gender. I will raise my child in the best possible environment and shower it with a lot of love and affection.If my baby is a boy, I will teach him to always value relationships and be true to those he loves. I will teach him the important of trust and loyalty, something which Lucas lacks. And if my baby is a girl, I will instill sound reasoning in her and let her know that she shou
The jarring sound of the doorbell shattered the tranquility of Anne's cozy sofa nest, where her eyes were fixated on the television."Who on earth could that be?" Anne pondered aloud, rising from her seat. She had not anticipated any visitors dropping by unannounced. Her mind momentarily flickered to Lucas, but she quickly brushed aside those thoughts."If Lucas were coming, he would have surely given me a heads-up instead of catching me off guard," she reassured herself, gripping the gleaming brass doorknob and swinging the door open, revealing the flustered countenance of Rose."Rose? I must admit, I was not exactly expecting your presence today," Anne exclaimed as Rose strode into the living room."Well, it seems we have been graced with quite a parade of unexpected guests lately," Rose retorted sarcastically, her words casting a veil of confusion over Anne, who remained oblivious to the tumultuous happenings within their mansion."Let me get you a drink then or food perhaps. What
ARIANNALucas' large hands slowly caressed the surface of my belly, his touch comforting and soothing. The warmth of his embrace made me feel protected and loved. As I rested my head on his shoulder, a wave of calmness washed over me.It was remarkable how Lucas had transformed in just two days since discovering my pregnancy.His behavior towards me had totally changed. The once harsh and distant man had become tender and soft. He now insisted on taking care of me, ensuring I did not engage in any strenuous activities that could harm our unborn child.This sudden change both amazed and puzzled me. Why did Lucas not show this level of care and compassion for me from the beginning?I never believed he could ever even be kind towards me talk more of all these!Was it solely because of the baby growing inside me? It seemed as though the mere existence of our child had softened his heart and awakened his paternal instincts.However, a nagging doubt lingered in the back of my mind. Would Lu
ANNE "Urgh fuck!" I groaned out in anger. My heart was racing so fast and exasperation tightened around my throat. This was literally the hundredth time I had tried calling Lucas this evening. But yet with each unsuccessful dial of his number, the call would always end abruptly.He only picked up my call on the first try, which was surprising. Strangely, he called me 'Mark' instead of my actual name, Anne. Could he have mistaken me for someone else?Or perhaps he was with Arianna? Even so, a simple text message would have sufficed to reassure me that he would speak to me later. Lucas has never missed my calls before, no matter the circumstances. But now he confidently declines my calls and does not even bother to text back. It is disheartening.Oh my God. Maybe Rose was right all along. Will Lucas suddenly discard me like garbage? I took a deep breath and shuddered as I faced the harsh reality.As I dwelled on my distressing fate, the sound of my ringing phone shattered the silence,
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