(ARIELLE'S POV)Jared paused, and there was a momentary silence. “Why?” He finally asked.“Because I don't want to. You can go with Sofia, I'm sure she will be glad to take up the offer.”“But Sofia is not my wife, Arielle,” he protested. “You are.”“I have been questioning that lately as I no longer know my stance in your life. You let her do things and get away with them like she's the mistress here.”“Hey,” Jared called and approached me on the bed. “I'm sorry–”“That's the problem!” I exclaimed, threw the sheets off, and sat up. “All you say is sorry, sorry, and sorry. Yet, you make no efforts to change. I am sick and tired of listening to your apologies. You know why? Because your actions still repeat themselves.”“Arielle, she's pregnant–”“And that means her excesses should be condoned? You know what? I don't want to talk about Sofia anymore, because lately as husband and wife, we can't even talk without her being the subject of discussion. Good night, Jared," I said, and threw
(ARIELLE'S POV)“Shit! We're gonna be late,”Jared cussed as he threw his shirt on.I laughed heartily, watching him whine like a kid. “Well, if you've not been so needy in the bathroom, we wouldn't be late,” I teased.“You can't blame me, dear wife. You're just too irresistible,” he said, and I sucked my lips in to stop myself from blushing. I tried not to recall the sex in the shower, as it would make me blush more. Jared had suggested a quickie, and we ended going two rounds, and was almost on the third if not for my timely intervention.“Well you have to learn to,” I said and approached him, giving him my back. “Here, help with my zip.”You look lovely in this red dress,” Jared complimented as he worked on the zip.“Thank you–” I made to say, but gasped, when I felt his fingers trail my back.“We could ditch the party, what do you say?” He whispered.“I say that you zip my dress and keep your hands to yourself.”He scoffed. “You didn't have to ruin the fun.”I laughed as he zipped
(ARIELLE'S POV)My face fell as I scanned the empty space, realising that Jared and Sofia had gone in without me. I didn't have a problem with Sofia, but I did have one with Jared.I was his wife, and weren't couple's supposed to arrive at an event together? Hesitating for a moment, I contemplated going in on my own or calling Jared to come lead me inside.I felt really nervous walking into the bar without Jared, because despite being his wife for three years, I had never met his classmates and friends, mainly because I was busy with work, or an opportunity never presented itself.After a few seconds of indecisiveness, I decided to walk in alone. I took a deep breath, smoothed my dress, squared my shoulders and made for the entrance door.As I pushed open the door, the sounds of laughter and banter welcomed me, and I was immediately hit by the smell of expensive perfumes and alcohol.Woa! This was definitely a reunion for people that matters, I decided. I scanned the room, my eyes adj
(ARIELLE'S POV)The man's eyes dilated in shock, his mouth hung open. "You're...you're Jared's wife?" He stuttered.His partner looked equally surprised. "What? No way!"The first seemed to regain his composure, the surprised look on his face now replaced with a sly grin. "You think you can fool us, huh?" He asked, casting me a mocking look. "You're just one of those ladies crushing on Jared, and wishing for his love so badly."I gave off a low laugh, amused by the man's Ignorance. "Oh, really?" I asked, pulling out my phone. "Let me show you something, then."I unlocked my screen, revealing a photo of Jared and me on our wedding day. We were beaming with smiles, our arms wrapped around each other.The two men's eyes bulged as they took in the image. They gasped in unison, their faces paling.I winked at them, satisfied with the priceless look on their faces. "I think that settles it," I said, tucking my phone back into my purse.With that, I turned and walked away, feeling the eyes o
(ARIELLE'S POV)Gasps of shock rented the hall as Jared delivered blows upon blows on the man, that for a moment I feared he would kill him. I was stunned to see Jared in such a position; because for all the years we've been married, never for once had I seen him engage in a verbal exchange not to mention a physical scuffle with someone.I was appalled at the sight of his now red eyes, clenched fists and tightened jaws. His hair was now ruffled, and a button of his shirt had fallen off, giving him a wild and dangerous look.Regaining composure, I screamed at the people who stood on the side, watching two men fight without making any move to stop them. "Stop them!" But no one moved; it seemed like they were all scared to offend Jared."Are you all deaf? Stop them, please," I yelled. At this point, my eyes had grown misty at how battered the other man looked. Jared, on the other hand looked okay, save for his missing shirt button, scattered hair, and rumpled shirt.When no one made any
(ARIELLE'S POV) I hurried outside, running across the pavement as I rushed to catch up with Jared and Sofia. They were already seated in the cat, Jared's eyes fixed on the road ahead as he started the engine. I opened the door and slid into the backseat, trying to catch my breath. The car was silent and thick with tension as Jared pulled out of the parking lot. Sofia stared out the window, her expression unreadable. Jared on the other hand had an angry look, his grip on the steering wheel a tight. He drove so roughly that I feared for our lives. "Jared, can you slow down a bit? You're gonna get us killed at this pace," I yelled, when he almost bumped into a truck. "Don't tell me what to do," he hissed, his jaw clenching. I was taken aback by his words and the rudeness they conveyed, but I was not going to back down if I wanted to get home in one piece. "If you don't care about your life or mine, then you should care about Sofia's. She's pregnant, remember?" That seemed
(ARIELLE'S POV)Sofia's words cut through my heart like a sharp dagger, and for a moment, I was dumbstruck. I turned to Jared for help, but he averted his gaze. His silence spoke volumes, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.“How dare you?” I finally managed to whisper, my voice trembling. “You have no right to say such things to me, Sofia.”But she was unyielding. “I'm just telling the truth, and you know it. You're not the right woman for Jared. He deserves someone who knows him, who understands him.”I felt tears prick the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn't give Sofia the satisfaction of seeing me cry. I won't let her know how far her words got to me, and how much they hurt.Without another word, I hurried upstairs, my heart aching with emotions. I got to the room, slammed the door shut, and tried to force the tears back. I won't let the fact that Sofia just reminded me yet again, how much of a stranger I was to Jared, despite being married to him.I
(ARIELLE'S POV)After Jared Left, I was left speechless. I sat numbly on the bed, staring into space, while trying to figure out what just transpired. My head was fogged, as I tried to digest the fact that Jared heaped blames on me while taking sides with Sofia.Minutes passed, and I fell asleep in that state, my mind still in shock from the argument. I woke up to the grumbling of my stomach, recalling that I hadn't had dinner.Turning to scan the room, I noticed Jared hadn't returned. It seemed he was determined on spending the night in the guest room.I tried not feel hurt as I got off the bed. I walked to the bathroom to shower, attempting to shake off the feeling of emptiness. After bathing and slipping into my nightdress, I wandered out of the room searching for food. I walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge, scanning the contents for something to eat.As I waited for my food to heat up, my mind trailed off Jared. I contemplated going to the guest room to talk to him. Like As