Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 34: egotistically in love .Wincing, Ariana nervously glances between the two. “Let’s sit down and talk this over—”“Sorry, but I have to go. Enjoy the rest of the party.” Quincy silently excuses herself.“Wait, Quin—Quincy!”But she’s gone within seconds, leaving a whimpering Antonio in her arms. He looks nothing like his usual sleek, handsome self as his fringe mats against his forehead and eyes glaze in an intoxicated haze.She gently sets the mess down on a chair. “The fuck is wrong with you, huh? Where’d the confident, egotistic Antonio Montenegro go?”That clearly isn’t something to tell a drunk guy because Antonio doesn’t take it well. His face scrunches in distress. “Fuck off, Ariana. You don’t have to pretend that you care, because I know you don’t. My dislike towards you isn’t going to change Williams’s decision about marrying you. So you might as well drop your act.”Before she can open her mouth to protest, a shrill laugh startles
Married for A Million Dollars:.Chapter 35: last breath, perhaps? .It’s a nice part of the city, but its quality doesn’t guarantee their safety. Ariana silently hopes they won’t run into any thugs lurking around this dead of the night as Antonio twists away with a wail.“Ari, I have to see her!”“Like hell you will. I’m not letting you get us arrested at ass o’clock in the morning!” Tears glisten in his darkened eyes. “But you said I have to fix the situation myself, remember? I have to fix it or get over it!”“Okay, but you’re not fixing anything in this state!”“No, I have to see her!” He repeats, yanking his arm away. His towering frame does nothing on Ariana despite their apparent height difference. “Paris has to decide whether she wants to be with me or that bastard. She’ll choose me, I know she will. I should’ve done this before.”“God, Antonio, just shut up already. You can try again tomorrow, okay?”“But Ari."“That’s it. I’m taking you home.” Ariana palms her jeans, only
Married For A Million Dollars.Chapter 36: oh how I love you and I hate you at the same time .The next hour passes in a blur.All Ariana remembers are vague moments of the robbers getting arrested prior to a guy across the street spotting their brawl and calling the police after the first blow. Apparently, the guy had spotted them both bickering near the telephone booth before Elliot and Damien had approached them.The two are immediately carted off to the hospital as soon as they gave their statements. Ignoring her wrecked state, Ariana insists that Antonio be treated first since the backhand she received probably caused a serious concussion.Once Antonio’s out of sight, she confesses her very basic health insurance to a nurse, explaining that she could barely afford medical bills and therefore opted to sit out. Besides, it wasn’t like she broke a bone.Nor did she want to touch a single penny of Williams’s.The nurse, albeit hesitant, eventually lets Ariana off the hook due to
Married For A Million Dollars.Chapter 37: only for a night .“Ariana,” He mutters, soft and mellow and wounded.“Mmm.”Briefly quiet, Williams buries his face into the older’s palm before whispering, “I was scared.” His long lashes flutter across Ariana’s skin when his eyes shut close. “So, so, scared.”Although riveting thoughts continuously flood her mind for the past hour, Ariana strangely feels better. A tender ache, unrelated to her injuries, flares something sweet in her chest.She smiles faintly. “You and me both, Liam. You and me both.”******“There’s no way I’m staying over at your place.”“You don’t have a choice. It’s either that or I go to yours.” Williams says and drapes his overcoat around her shoulders.They’re sitting at the emergency ward two hours later, after going through several X-rays and a thorough examination. The doctor had only confirmed bruised ribs and a sprained wrist among other insignificant injuries before prescribing her high-end painkillers that
Married For A Million Dollars.Chapter 37: heated deep . “Ariana,” He mutters, soft and mellow and wounded.“Mmm.”Briefly quiet, Williams buries his face into the older’s palm before whispering, “I was scared.” His long lashes flutter across Ariana’s skin when his eyes shut close. “So, so, scared.”Although riveting thoughts continuously flood her mind for the past hour, Ariana strangely feels better. A tender ache, unrelated to her injuries, flares something sweet in her chest.She smiles faintly. “You and me both, Liam. You and me both.”******“There’s no way I’m staying over at your place.”“You don’t have a choice. It’s either that or I go to yours.” Williams says and drapes his overcoat around her shoulders.They’re sitting at the emergency ward two hours later, after going through several X-rays and a thorough examination. The doctor had only confirmed bruised ribs and a sprained wrist among other insignificant injuries before prescribing her high-end painkillers that com
Married For A Million Dollars.Chapter 38: Williams's protective care .Despite being under William’s protective care, Ariana fears the harm that’ll bruise her won’t be physical, but rather mentally strong enough to shatter her. Still, she shrugs the gown off and steps into the shower, avoiding her gaze in the full-body mirror until she’s sure every speck and remnants of the incident has left.The scalding water soothes her aching muscles and helps clear her clouded mind. Since she can’t find something unscented, Ariana blindly pours a dollop of a random body wash over her head, letting it lather underneath the showerhead since one hand is sprained and the other is bandaged.She smiles to herself once the aroma of warm sugar vanilla fills the steamy air. Williams smells like this all the time.A soft knock interrupts her as she steps out of the stall and slings a large towel over her dripping body. Finally facing her reflection with the towel loosely hanging from her arms, Ariana
Married For A Million Dollars.Chapter 38: chosen the one? .Ariana drops the towel to the floor and reaches for her underwear.“I’ll turn around.”“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”Williams’s grin widens. “I like taking care of you.”“Right. Close your eyes, kid, and no peeking.”Bending over proves to be difficult as Ariana struggles stepping into her briefs, midsection throbbing with every flick her wrist took. She manages to snap them right above her hips just as Williams asks if she needs helps.“I thought you slid panties off, not put them on.”“I’m a man of many talents,” he shrugs. Upon opening his eyes and noticing Ariana’s wince, his playfulness melts into concern. “You okay?”Ariana mirrors his look. “I will be. Eventually.”She resumes buttoning but is interrupted by William’s sudden grip on her wrists, who pulls her arms aside and widens the slit of her open shirt despite the protest dying on Ariana’s lips. His fingers slip underneath, lightly tracing the swelling inj
Married For A Million Dollars.Chapter 39: a dream nonetheless .The last thing Ariana would expect is to peacefully arise in an incredible but unfamiliar bed after the multitude of crap she and Antonio had gone through that night. She thought of something more like endless nightmares frightening her to no extent, but instead slept dreamlessly.She wakes up to soft daylight greeting her outside of the glass panels. Ariana stretches in the covers, holding back a groan when her midsection burns in agony. It takes her a moment to register her surroundings after waiting for the pain to subside.The contemporary furniture compliments the slate gray and white color scheme. Burnished wood floors, metal accents, the view of the city’s skyline—all a part of the modern, masculine look. The room is surprisingly clean, aside from the stray comic books left abandoned on the coffee table, sweaters thrown across multiple chairs and the couch in front of the flat screen TV, where two controllers
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 84: all good things come to an end . In the morning, Ariana found herself seated in the back of her chauffeur-driven car, heading toward her father-in-law's residence. The weight of guilt hung heavily on her, and she had made up her mind to come clean, to reveal the truth about her and Williams's marriage, and their evolving love, despite the contract that had initially bound them.Upon her arrival, the bodyguards directed her to the expansive garden within the Montenegro residence. As she stepped into the lush, well-manicured garden, her heart raced with anticipation. The beauty of the surroundings was starkly contrasted by the heavy burden of truth she was about to reveal.In the garden, Ariana's eyes fell upon two figures who had been waiting for her—Kingston and Walter. The bodyguards made her presence known, and both men turned to look at her. Ariana could feel the intensity of Kingston's gaze, a smirk playing on his lips. It was a kn
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 83: truth is surfacing. In the dining room of the Montenegro mansion, a grand family dinner was in progress. The room was adorned with exquisite chandeliers, fine china, and polished woodwork, exuding an air of sophistication and prestige.Seated around the long, ornate table were the members of the Montenegro family. Walter, the patriarch and head of the family, occupied the prominent position at the head of the table. Antonio, Quincy, and Warren, the siblings, were seated beside him, and Ariana at the ending presumably on Williams’s designated chair. As the meal progressed and the family enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, Antonio decided to share some significant news with the rest of the family. With a sense of resolution, he cleared his throat, gaining the attention of his family members. The atmosphere in the room suddenly shifted, all eyes turning to him.Antonio spoke, "I wanted to let you all know that I've cut all ties with Maguire Pari
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 82: behind the scenes . The luxurious office of Sean Ericsson was bathed in soft, ambient light as he dialed Nigel's number. Nigel, one of the individuals involved in the charity organization, had caused quite a stir during a previous meeting when he attempted to disgrace Ariana, Williams's wife. Sean was determined to prevent a similar incident from happening again.Nigel answered the call, and Sean got straight to the point. "Nigel, I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming charity board meeting. Ariana is coming back, and I don't want a repeat of what happened last time. I won't tolerate any attempts to discredit her."Nigel, while trying to sound accommodating, acknowledged Sean's concern. "Of course, Sean. I understand. We'll ensure that the meeting proceeds smoothly."As the call ended, Nigel immediately turned to his cousin, Kingston, who was sitting nearby. Kingston had his own grievances with Ariana, stemming from the belief that
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 81: Ariana Montenegro . The Montenegro family house was a true testament to opulence and grandeur. Its lavish interior exuded wealth and elegance, from the magnificent chandeliers that adorned the ceilings to the intricate artwork that graced the walls. Ariana had stepped into a world where luxury was a way of life, a stark contrast to her own humble beginnings.In the heart of this extravagant setting, she found Warren, the talented musician of the family, testing his skills on the grand piano in the spacious sitting room. The rich, melodious notes filled the room, and the expression of concentration on his face showed that he took his music seriously.As Ariana announced her presence, Warren paused his performance and turned to greet her. He wore a warm, welcoming smile and, with genuine affection, embraced her in a heartfelt hug. His embrace radiated the bond that had developed between them since her marriage to Williams.Warren's affectio
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 80: show of who’s bigger? . Ariana, sitting in the upscale store for the wealthy, glanced at the message on her phone from her stylist, Hana. The message revealed that Hana had relocated with her boyfriend to another state. Ariana couldn't help but smile at the news. She knew how long Hana had been dreaming of this change. With a sense of happiness for her friend's new journey, Ariana replied with a congratulatory message, expressing her best wishes for the exciting change ahead.Turning her attention back to the present, Ariana looked at her friend Jared, who was about to embark on a long-awaited date. She held Jared's 6-year-old son, Alexander, in her arms, a role that made her chuckle at the complexity of their shopping expedition.Jared appeared visibly frustrated as he browsed through the clothing racks, continuously dropping clothes with an exasperated expression. Alexander, sensing his father's irritation, went to hug him, seeking t
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 79: back to the beginnings . Ariana entered the familiar surroundings of Roswell Diner, the clinking of dishes and the murmur of patrons filling the air. She had come to meet her former boss, Sal, a man who had played a significant role in her life. As they settled in his private office for a candid conversation, Ariana couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude.With a heartfelt smile, she began, "Sal, I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. You've been there when I needed it the most, and I want to show my appreciation."Sal, a warm and fatherly figure in her life, was taken aback but replied, "Ariana, you don't owe me anything. I was happy to help."Ariana was persistent, a hint of emotion in her voice as she insisted, "No, Sal, I really want to write you a cheque. You've been there for me since my days as a waitress here, and I've come so far thanks to your support."Sal paused, his eyes filled with genuine aff
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 78: the perfect plan . Ariana embarked on a solitary journey through the city's bustling streets in the comfort of her chauffeur-driven car. The city at night was a breathtaking spectacle of wealth and power. Tall, modern skyscrapers stood like giants, their shimmering lights forming constellations in the urban sky, testaments to the opulence that defined this metropolis.As the car glided through the city's vibrant arteries, Ariana's thoughts meandered through a labyrinth of emotions. Loneliness weighed heavily on her heart, its presence magnified by the extravagant life she led. Williams Montenegro, her billionaire husband, had left the country on a business venture three days ago. His departure had left a void in her life that no amount of luxury or privilege could fill. Despite the grand parties, glittering galas, and lavish gatherings she attended, they seemed nothing more than a facade, unable to dispel the desolation that had take
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 77: fair amount . The skin on her husband’s back is smooth and taut, hinting at the exceptional physical condition of his body. And what a condition. He has somehow managed to make Ariana, a average height woman with a fair amount of muscles around, feel small. Ariana dwells on that perception. She likes it. She fucking loves it.Is she horny? Ariana resist the urge to slap herself out of this thirsting bubble she’s been sucked in. It’s William’s fault for sure. She’s here trying to keep her anger up but being married to such an attractive creature has Ariana fighting her own demons instead of her husband.Although her own body doesn’t agree, she is truly sulking over the energy that Williams lacks to ask her what's wrong. It bothers her. Call her spoiled, but Williams should be panicking if Ariana ever frowns. So, she walks in her nightshirt towards the other sitting on the kitchen island. She can see Williams cutting the dry meat and mu
Married For A Million Dollars .Chapter 75:.A gentle silence lingers in the tranquillity of the elegantly embellished lounge room. The luxurious space feels isolated and vast, with high ceilings decorated with minimalistic chandeliers summoning a weak, golden light upon the elegant interior. The vast space’s sleek, modern design meshes seamlessly with the kitchen and bar next to it, resulting in a harmonious blend of modern setting with a bolder elegance. The neutral tones of the walls serve as a canvas for the vibrant colours of the furniture. A plush, velvet modular sofa of a deep hue occupies the centre of the room. The coffee table, made from a piece of polished marble, rests gracefully on top of a patterned rug.The place is decked out with fine art pieces sorted around the room. She, who is now a dot in the room, has chosen most of them. Ariana lets out a yawn. The fabric of her husband's oversized t-shirt drapes loosely around her shoulders. She takes a look at the clock