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,
ARIANNA"Come on, give me that, Arianna. Stop over working yourself," Mother scolded me, firmly grasping the tray from my hand.I let out a silent groan, accompanied by a timid smile on my face. It has been over three weeks now since we discovered I was pregnant, and to put it mildly, I am being treated like a toddler taking her first wobbly steps.The shift in the atmosphere is palpable in everyone's behavior. Lucas now dotes on me incessantly. He showers me with gifts and has practically become my personal doctor. If I happen to miss even an hour of a doctor's appointment, Lucas scolds me without fail.Even Father, who once despised my very presence in the mansion, now genuinely loves me and treats me as his own daughter.Mother always insists that I refrain from any kind of work. I do not even feel the slightest hint of fatigue or twinge of pain when I am active, but Mother insists that I rest. Every step I take on the floor is perceived as a grave offense by her and everyone else.
ARIANNA Having Anne come over days ago was a blast. She just could not stop showering me with compliments and teasing me about my pregnancy, making me feel like the center of attention in the most delightful way possible.And when my mother joined our lively conversations, the experience became even more memorable, It has been three days already and its safe to say that I had the time of my life with both of them honestly.I desperately needed this break from the stress and anxiety that have been tagging along with my pregnancy. It's been challenging to navigate the swirling thoughts and worries that have been consuming my mind.Now I was nestled on my bed, embraced by its familiar soft sheets and duvets.I honestly have not been myself since today. I do not know if I should call this restlessness part of my pregnancy.I have been having unsatisfied cravings and irrational moodswings. It irked me a lot knowing that my mood was just like a pendulum. It could just sway from being ha
ARIANNAI laid weak on the bed, pale and tired. The room was dim, with medical equipment humming softly in my ear.I was slowly retrieving myself from unconsciousness. I did not even know how long I had been unconscious. A nurse stood nearby, caring for me, tending to my every needs and wants.Without been informed I knew what had just happened and it felt like my whole was just crumbled to the ground in a matter of seconds.Why am I cursed with such bad luck? When I finally get the baby I have been hoping for, I loose it in a glimpse. I was not even fortunate enough to hold the child in my arms, how could this have happened to me?What will I say to everyone? How would I face father and Lucas? What will people say about me? Searing wave of pain struck me as I laid on the bed, the pain was both internal and external, I could barely move my legs or do anything.Tears filled my eyes as I clutched onto a small blanket tightly. It reminded me of the lost baby. Memories of joy and anticip
ARIANNAThe atmosphere around me was filled with a deep sense of sadness, as if it was wrapped in a blanket of gloom. The rhythm of life seemed to have lost its luster, lacking any spark or excitement. I found myself gazing emptily at the vast expanse beyond my window, lost in my own thoughts.In that moment, all I could perceive was pain. It consumed me entirely, leaving no room for any other sensation. The agony I felt was overpowering, as if my skull was being crushed and my heart was being torn apart. It was an excruciating ache that seemed determined to rip me apart from the inside.My eyes were weighed down by the burden of regret and sorrow, as if carrying the weight of a thousand unspoken apologies. I was hunched over, burdened by an immense grief that seemed to bend my very being.I wanted to scream and cry badly. I wanted to thrash my hands around and ask God why he decided to give me my one most precious gift and then have it ripped out of me before it even had the chance
Vivian marched angrily towards Lucas' room. Though he was her son but his gross misconduct could not be overlooked so easily.As the thoughts kept on rading her mind, the more vexation filled her up. Her fist were balled to a ball, so tight that her knuckles had begun to colour white. How could Lucas be so wicked and inconsiderate to his own wife, a woman who just lost their baby!What sort of a husband was he?This was a moment of depression for Arianna and Lucas seemed to have made it worse on her. Oh God.Tears slowly brewed up in Vivian's eyes as images of Arianna crying flashed through her mind like a movie on repeat. The poor woman was bereaved of her loss. She was beyond broken already and Lucas just had to shatter what was left of her. If Vivian could let Lucas' behaviour slide, then he might see it as an opportunity to do more. He might even heap bargage of insults on Arianna and lead her to commit suicide.No. She will not let it slide. Not now or never.Lucas had to be p
ANNEThe morning arrived, bringing with it a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Lucas had promised to meet me today. I was not surprised when he asked for a meet up, I knew this would happen all along but I still felt betrayed. He dejected me and sidelined me like I was not existing.All because of Arianna and her baby, I should not even accept him back here but I just had to speak to him, that is the least I could do. A mild knock landed on the door, driving me from my thoughts of Lucas and I. I ambled to the door, lo and behold Lucas stood at the door, a faint smile plastered on his face, I could see nothing but guilt and regret beneath those faint smiles of his."Lucas? You are here, I did not think you would really come" I lied. "Well.... Here I am" he replied cheekily."Come in" I welcomed him in, my heart pounding with a strange combination of forgiveness and lingering resentment. We sat down, facing each other, the weight of our past hanging in the air. The room seemed to crack
ARIANNASoft snivels reverberated through the walls of my parents home. I laid in the comfort of my mother crying so bitterly about the loss of my baby and how badly I have been treated because of the loss.A week had passed already and it had been nothing but tumultuous."Why do I have to live in that house? Everyone hates me now so what use am I to them?" I cried out to my mother."Do not say that hunny, you are valuable and very important to that home" My mother continued to console me, she caressed my head gently."No I am not, Lucas does not even care about me, after I lost the baby he stopped showing care. He faked every single thing, everything he said to me was a lie. " Tears flowed down my cheeks, expressing the immense pain and sorrow that consumed me. My mother held me tightly, offering a small measure of comfort amidst the storm of emotions raging within me.The unbearable loss of our baby shattered me completely, the precious life of my child was taken away too soon.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