Beep! Beep! (ARIELLE'S POV) My eyes slowly fluttered open, hazily taking in my surroundings. The bright florescent lights above pierced my pupils, sending signals to my brain, and making my head throb. I winced, lifting my hands to shield my eyes, but a sharp pain coursed through my waist, and I screamed and collapsed back on the pillow. Through my blurry vision, I saw Ashley sprinting to my side. “Are you okay? Oh my God, you're awake!” “Ash…ley?” I tried to call, but the pain intensified, and I couldn't get the word out. “Shhhh, relax. Don't try to talk.” I nodded, and as I relaxed, the pain gradually abated. A bit stable, I asked, “Where am I?” “You're in the hospital,” Ashley replied, her voice gentle. At her words, I looked around my surroundings, taking in the sterile surroundings. The room was spacious, with white –colored walls, blue curtains, and a large window that let in sliver rays of sunlight. A chair sat in the corner, where Ashley had been sitting, and a smal
(ARIELLE’S POV) After Ashley left, Jared glanced at the door to ensure she was out of earshot before turning back to face me, his voice low. “What's going on?” “What do you mean?” “What's this fuss about prioritizing another woman over you, and neglecting you?” he asked, his brows furrowed. I glared at him. “You should know what I mean, Jared. I had a fatal fall, all thanks to Sofia, and you saved her first, instead of me. As if that was not enough, you left me with Ashley to go be with her. Am I a joke to you, Jared?” Jared's eyes narrowed confused. “I think you're mistaken, Arielle. First, Sofia is pregnant, and it was expedient I ensured her safety first. Besides, I brought you two to the hospital at the same time. I only called Ashley to come over because I can't stay with both of you at the same time. Ashley is a stranger to Sofia, compared to you, who is her friend. I had to stay with Sofia while she stayed with you.” I scoffed. “Why the hell is Sofia in the hospital? I me
(ARIELLE'S POV) “I feel there's a lot you have been hiding from me, Arielle,” Ashley said, her tone serious and disapproving. I sighed, and looked away from her because she was telling the truth. We were alone in my hospital room. And now, I felt much better and stronger because I had freshened up, changed into one of the dresses Jared brought me and had breakfast and my medications. “You know, it's unfair to call me your best friend and keep things from me–” “Fine,” I said in resignation. “What do you want to know?” “For starters, who is this Sofia lady? She's the pregnant lady I told you I saw Jared going home with. How come she was at your house, and what's her relationship with Jared because he cares about her so much?” I sighed yet again, probably the umpteenth time since today, before proceeding to tell Ashley about Sofia and how she waltzed into Jared's, and I’s life. In all I said, I ensured I kept the part where Sofia pushed me, and news about my pregnancy out. Jared d
(ARIELLE'S POV) I looked up to stare at the person I had bumped into. It turned out to be a young man, and in the fleeting moment I looked at his face, I couldn't help but notice how attractive he was. His eyes were a drowning emerald green, and his features, chiseled and rugged, left me momentarily speechless. I shook my head, snapping out of the spellbound. “I'm so sorry,” I quickly began to apologize. My eyes darted a short-distance away, and I saw a phone lying on the floor. “Is that your phone?” I asked, not waiting for an answer as I scurried towards it, picked it up, and handed it back to him. “Fortunately, no harm was done to the phone. I'm sorry again.” All this while, the young man had not uttered a word. And when he finally did, he had an amused smile on. “No need to apologize, really. I should be the one apologizing.” I shook my head, “No, I was the one who wasn't looking and bumped into you.” He chuckled. “That makes it both of us, then. I was on my phone and not loo
(Arielle's POV) *****Three days after***** “Good morning, Arielle,” Doctor Wade smiled warmly as she entered the room. “I'm pleased to inform you that you're okay now and fit to be discharged. Your husband just needs to sign the discharge slip, and you're free to go home.” My face instantly lit up with a smile. “Thank you, Doctor Wade.” She nodded and turned to leave the room. “Take care, Arielle. Have a smooth recovery at home.” Ashley, who was sitting beside me on the bed, smiled and held my hands. “You're finally returning home, Arielle. I'm so happy for you.” I returned the smile. “I'm happy too, Ashley.” Just then, Jared stepped into the room with a paper bag in his hand. “Good morning, Arielle. I got your breakfast.” I nodded. “Thank you, Jared.” The past three days have been really awkward. We were more or less like strangers. I barely saw him, save for his routine check-in that never exceeded a few minutes. It was always like he was rushing to leave me and go be with S
(ARIELLE'S POV) The ride home was one of the most annoying experiences I have ever had. Sofia did everything possible to upset me, by fussing and being all over Jared. She was either dabbing his face with a handkerchief or playfully throwing her arms around him. And while at it, she ensured to give me jeering looks through the rearview mirror. “Can you play some music, Jared? I'm bored,” her loud voice suddenly sounded, breaking the silence in the car. “Sure, what do you want to listen to?” Jared asked. “That song we used to listen to in high school, 'I will always love you,' by Whitney Houston,” Sofia said. “Alright, but I don't have the music anymore,” Jared said, his eyes fixed on the road. “Why wouldn't you have a song that meant so much to us?” Sofia pouted, appearing hurt. “I'm sorry, I just don't have it,” Jared apologized. “It's fine,” she said, then playfully poked him in the head. “You're lucky I still have it.” “Really?” Jared asked, momentarily taking his eyes off
(ARIELLE'S POV) I pinned Jared a quizzical look, expecting him to give me answers, but he looked away, his expression remorseful. What the hell? Don't tell me Jared agreed to accommodate Sofia in our home without informing and discussing it with me? “Agreement?” I repeated, this time, my voice was firmer and demanding. “I demand to know what agreement, Jared. Jared hesitated, his eyes darting between me and Sofia. “I…uh…we discussed it earlier.” “Discussed what?” I pressed on, my patience becoming thin. “You can't just invite someone to live in our house without talking to me, your wife, about it!” Sofia stood up, her hand still on her stomach. To garner sympathy, I guess. “Jared, tell her,” she said, holding his hand. “We agreed that I could stay here until I get back on my feet, and get a place of my own.” “Back on your feet?” I exclaimed, incredulous. “You're pregnant Sofia, and not handicapped. You need to be thinking about the future, and not freeloading off us!” Sofia
(ARIELLE'S POV) I was roused from sleep by a gentle tap. My eyes fluttered open and I saw Jared peering down at me. "Dinner is served, Mrs Smith," he said with a broad smile. "Dinner? I was startled and sat up. "What time is it?" I inquired, looking at the window, and I realized outside looked dark, but the room was illuminated by the bedside lamp. Jared chuckled. "You have been sleeping for four hours. Come to think of it, you never slept this much. Are you alright?" "I'm fine," I quickly replied and got off the bed. I was sure my recent weakness and proclivity for sleep was because of the pregnancy, but I was not about to admit that to Jared. "Alright," Jared said with a nod. "Shall we?" I nodded back, and we both walked out of the bedroom. As we strolled to the dining room, I asked, "So, what's for dinner?" "Roasted potatoes, broccoli, and chicken," Jared replied with a smile. I stopped to stare at him in surprise. "How come? You can barely boil water, let alone cook a comp