ARIANA’S POVMy mother started to stutter and my father stood beside her at a loss for what to say. Robert was even more stupefied because I was certain he had not expected me to bring up his cheating in front of my parents in that manner. My mother cleared her throat. “Well, we were introduced. She works for my friend Jasmine and she could not help but notice that Emily looks a lot like your sister.”“So she is not Emily then?” I asked in a small voice.There was pin drop silence in the room until my father spoke to me in an abrasive manner as though I was a foolish little child.“Your sister is dead Ari; you were there at her funeral”.“I know”, I said and started to sob, relieved yet sad at this turn of events. “Now, now, wipe your tears Ari. You don't have to be so dramatic about everything. I would love for you and Emily to be good friends. She is such a nice and lovely lady.” My mother’s voice had all the colors of the rainbow now. The way it always sounded when she was genui
ROBERT’S POVThe sight of Dr. Joshua curled up on the cushion and my wife lying on the bed with a smile on her face made my stomach churn. I was trying hard not to explode with rage.I was only now trying to make amends with Ariana, flipping out now would not be a good idea. Besides, the pressure from her parents made me have to flatter her.So I walked into the room and with all the calm I could muster, asked, “What is the meaning of this?”Dr. Joshua bolted from the cushion as though stung by an insect.“My apologies sir”, he said to me and headed for the door.“Wait,” I said.He stopped in his tracks.I walked closer to him. “I am very sure you would not like the hospital management knowing you fell asleep while on duty and worse, beside a patient”.“Well, let them know. As the highest ranking doctor and one of the largest shareholders, I have the final say in this hospital”, he said with a smile and left.“Stay away from my wife”. I said at his retreating figure.I was about to blo
ARIANA’S POVI watched as Robert’s face fell flat. I was certainly not done torturing him. He had to pay for all the pain I felt.“Is that necessary?” rob asked, his voice almost a whisper.“I’m afraid so, Rob. I’ll be moving to one of my father’s penthouse in the city. Don’t bother to visit. Besides tomorrow I’ll be going to France for a business trip”.I watched as Rob fidgeted in his chair. “Okay Ariana, but what about the ball?”“You really think I want to attend a ball organized in Emily’s honor? Oh please! I think it’s time for you to go.”Later that day, I called Joshua on the phone. After we found that we had a lot to talk about, he gave me his number. We agreed to meet in a restaurant in the suburbs as that was where he lived, plus it promised privacy away from the elites.I left the office that day, switching my stilettos for loafers and putting on a face cap and dark sunglasses to serve as a form of disguise. I was able to find the restaurant that Josh had described and on
ROBERT'S POVI wanted to kill him. I kept on punching him and soon, he was punching me back. For every blow I dealt, he returned it to me. Ariana was screaming and begging us to stop but none of us would listen. I was out of breath now and Josh was gasping too. We were both bleeding from the nose and there were several bruises on my face but I wouldn't stop. I had to get all my anger out.Too tired to go on, both of us stopped at last and stood there panting.“You are just a jerk,” Josh spat. “You hurt her every chance you get, yet you claim to love her”.“She's my wife,” I screamed.I watched Ariana curse under her breath and rush to his side as soon as she was sure we would not rush at each other anymore.“I'm never going to forgive you for this,” she swore.I was hurt deeply. “Wait…what? You are MY wife! It makes absolutely no sense for you to choose his side!”“Oh please stop repeating that! Marriage doesn't mean you own me like a caged bird!” She screamed, staring at me with her
ARIANA’S POVI was unhappy that Rob had made the decision for me. He was not yet understanding that I was my own person and he just couldn't make decisions that affected me without asking me first. But it seemed that I missed the chance to reject. Plus, Fernando was a passionate young man so I didn’t want to let him down. So I just ended up going along though saying nothing.Fighting exhausted me and I simply did not have the mental acumen for it any longer. We both walked into the shop with Fernando and I felt like I had stepped into the past. It was a bridal shop and was quaint yet beautiful and luxurious. Every wedding piece was beautiful and perfectly sewn and designed.“This is breathtaking”, I exclaimed, completely taken in by the beauty of the shop.“Thank you madame”, Fernando said smiling. “Meet Giselle, she'll be helping you change”, he said introducing a young girl to me.“The changing room is this way”, she told me.I simply nodded at her.“Who designed these?” I asked o
ARIANA’S POVI couldn’t believe my eyes. My husband for years had been walking about with a picture of my dead sister. After everything! And now, he wanted me to believe he loved me?I knew he has been trying to impress me these days because of the pressure my parents gave him but when taking the pictures, I really thought he could love me back.I had no idea if to be hurt or angry but I angrily flung the wallet and it hit the wall.“Hey baby”, Rob called as he entered the changing room.He stopped when he saw me and saw the picture on the floor.“I can explain”, he began.“Of course you can”, I said sarcastically. “My husband can explain why he carries a picture of my dead sister in his wallet”.“Ariana, I do not know how to explain this to you and I know it doesn’t make sense but please don’t allow it ruin the future you and I could create”.“Oh please!” I shouted. “Spare me all of that. I’m not a child Robert. You loved Flora”. I broke down and began to cry.I had thought I would f
ARIANA’S POV I was prepared to bolt from the venue after slapping Emily but my mom pulled me back and held my hand tightly. “You will not ruin this party for me”, she whispered harshly into my ears. It was later I noticed that all eyes were on us and the paparazzis were clicking away, taking pictures and flashing their blinding lights.I tried to control the tears threatening to drip from my eyes.When the attention had dispelled a little, my dad came to my side and pulled me away roughly headed for privacy.“What was the meaning of that Ariana?” He demanded, when we were alone.I raised my chin in defiance, determined not to allow him to bully me. “Why did you have to give a complete stranger Flora's wristwatch?”“Oh young woman, I'm asking the questions tonight”, he said gruffly.“I begged for that wristwatch Father, but you and Mother vehemently refused to give it to me”, I responded curtly.“Your sister had died! And all you could think was asking for her stuff”, he yelled at m
ARIANA'S POV“I don't understand," I asked, confused, “For what reason?”“C'mon, we have to go now”, Babs said in an urgent tone.She began to run and I followed her trying to keep up with my shoes and the big wedding gown. Few minutes later, we arrived at Flora’s hideout. It was an abandoned warehouse in the grounds of my parents house and we used to play games there when we were children.When we got in, we found Flora sitting on the dusty floor putting on the bridesmaid's dress she was supposed to wear to my wedding.“Flo?” I called softly.I saw that she had been crying, her face was wet with tears and her eyes was red. The warehouse was dank and dark and smelled really bad. I felt uncomfortable standing there. The rays of the sun were shining in through a broken part of the roof casting a beam of light on Flora.“I hear you want to kill yourself?” I said again. “Don't do such a stupid thing like that, okay?”“Babs, can you leave us?” She said in a squeaky voice. Barbara sighed
ROBERT'S POVAriana's words hung in the air, their weight sinking into me. Pregnant. She was pregnant. I couldn't help it; I pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly as joy bubbled up inside me.“I can't believe it,” I whispered, kissing the top of her head. “I'm so happy, Ari.”As I held her, memories of the past rushed back. The day we lost our baby still haunted me. It was my fault. I had been reckless, and she had paid the price. I had never been able to forgive myself for what happened that day.The pain and guilt I felt back then came flooding back, but I pushed them aside. This was a new chance. I had to focus on the future, not the past. I had another chance to do it right now and I was going to seize it.“I promise I’ll do everything to protect you and our baby,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “You won't go through that pain again.”Ariana pulled back slightly, looking up at me with those beautiful eyes of hers. “I know, Rob,” she said softly. “I believe you.”Her t
ARIANA'S POVAs the reception wound down, Josh's words echoed in my mind. My mother was here. I felt a mix of surprise and anxiety. Robert, sensing my unease, offered to come with me.“I'll go with you, Ari,” he said, his hand warm on my shoulder.I shook my head gently. “No, Rob. I need to do this on my own.”He nodded, his eyes full of understanding. “I'll be right here if you need me.”I took a deep breath and walked outside, my heart pounding in my chest. My mother stood by a water fountain, looking as elegant as ever. She wore a stunning dress that shimmered in the evening light, her hair perfectly styled. She turned as I approached, a hint of a smile on her face.“Ariana,” she said, her voice cool but not unkind. “Why wasn't I invited to your wedding? Or did my invitation get lost?”I swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. “I didn't think you would want to come after everything.”She sighed softly, her eyes studying me. “I was only trying to honor my husband's will, Ari
ARIANA'S POV Rob knelt before me, holding out his grandmother’s ring. It sparkled in the light, reflecting the warmth in his eyes. My heart pounded in my chest as the reality of the moment hit me. Rob was asking me to marry him, not out of necessity or convenience, but out of love.“Ariana,” he said, his voice steady and filled with emotion, “I never formally asked you to marry me. Our marriage was one of convenience. But now, I want to ask you properly. This ring belonged to my grandmother. Will you marry me, this time in the right way?”For a moment, I was too stunned to speak. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. It felt like the universe was finally looking upon me with kindness. How long had I longed for Rob to want me, to love me? Now, here he was, making my dreams come true. Overwhelmed, I started to sob, unable to contain the avalanche of emotions.“Yes,” I whispered, my voice choking with tears. “Yes, Rob, I will marry you.”I stretched out my hand, and he gently
ROBERT'S POV The judge’s words echoed through the courtroom, but the specifics blurred in my mind. All I heard was the end result: Nate would be ours. A rush of joy surged through me, and it took every ounce of my self-control not to jump up and shout with happiness. I squeezed Ariana's hand, feeling her warmth and strength beside me. This victory was beyond anything I had dared to hope for. Josh’s character witness had been the tipping point. His words had painted a picture of me that even I hadn’t fully seen. We left the courtroom, the heavy doors closing behind us with a finality that signaled the end of a long, hard journey. Outside, Sylvia and Josh were waiting. Ariana and I exchanged a glance, and she broke the news.“Nate's ours,” she said, her voice choked with emotion. Nate’s reaction was instantaneous. He ran toward us, his little face lighting up with pure joy.“Dad!” he shouted, launching himself into my arms. I caught him, hugging him tightly. His small arms around my
ARIANA'S POV The judge’s voice echoed in the courtroom as she read out Josh's character witness statement. My heart swelled with gratitude for Josh. I had never known he thought so highly of Rob or that Rob had been so tormented when I had gone missing. Our relationship had seen many ups and downs, and there were times I could hardly believe we had arrived here, together and happy.As the judge adjourned the case, Rob and I walked out of the courtroom. Outside, Sylvia and Josh were waiting for us. Without warning, Rob enveloped Josh in an embrace, thanking him profusely. I stood there watching, admiration shining in my eyes.Sylvia rolled her eyes and said, “Alright, break it off, you two. How did it go?” she asked.“The judge will give her decision tomorrow,” I replied.Sylvia then turned to Rob. “It seems you have a chance of winning. With so much against you, it was supposed to be an open and shut case. But if the judge is taking time to make a decision, she’s surely considering e
ROBERT'S POV As we stepped out of the courtroom, I felt like I could finally breathe again. The whole process had been suffocating. My life, with all its mistakes and regrets, laid bare for everyone to see. The fact that I had been about to marry one sister but ended up sleeping with the other still made me cringe.Jason caught up with us, looking serious. “Rob, we need to talk. The judge will need that character witness now more than ever. You also need to decide if you’re willing to share custody with Margaret or if you want to go for full custody. With your history, it might be wise to accept partial custody if it’s offered.”Jason’s words hung heavy in the air as he left us alone. Sylvia, ever pragmatic, sighed. “I hate to agree with Jason, but he’s right.”Ariana stepped closer to me, her eyes filled with regret. “I wish I could write the character witness, Rob. I should be the one doing it, but given everything that’s happened…”Before she could finish, Josh spoke up quietly. “
ARIANA'S POV Seeing everyone smiling again, my heart swelled with happiness. A year ago, I never would have believed that life could turn out this way. I never would have imagined myself as friends with someone like Sylvia. I sighed contentedly, not at all unhappy about the change. I was happy.Rob filled Sylvia in on the custody case, explaining the complexities of the situation. Sylvia, her fierce determination back in full force, insisted she needed to meet Rob’s lawyer, Jason. She scoffed, “He sounds like a sorry excuse for a lawyer. We need someone who can actually fight for you.”As the night wore on, fatigue eventually took over. I woke up the next morning to find myself lying on Rob's chest. His steady breathing was soothing, and I could hear the soft snores of Sylvia and Josh nearby. Sitting up carefully, I looked around and smiled. Despite everything, we were together.The next two days passed in a blur of preparation and anxiety. Sylvia grilled Jason over the phone, deman
ROBERT'S POV As Ariana's words sank in, a wave of relief washed over me. She might know where Josh was. But another emotion tugged at my gut, something more unsettling. Ariana had been sitting beside me, her mind clearly elsewhere—thinking about Josh. That was the only explanation.For a heartbeat, I thought back to the time when Ariana had no memories. When I had made her fall in love with me all over again. Things had been better between us then, without the shadows of Flora and Josh hanging over us. It was like starting on a clean slate. But as soon as the thought crossed my mind, I shook it off. Ariana loved me. That was all that mattered.“Ari,” I said, keeping my vo
ARIANA'S POV A sickening feeling gnawed at my stomach. I didn’t know why, but the sense of dread was overwhelming. The memory of Josh grabbing hold of me and then letting go as he drunkenly declared he didn’t love me flashed through my mind. He had been drunk and unstable. Where could he have gone? Sylvia's round eyes looked up at me, filled with anticipation, as if she believed I had the solution. She seemed to think I knew Josh better than anyone else. I didn’t want to disappoint her. Desperately, I glanced at Rob for help, but his expression was unreadable.“Everyone, calm down,” Rob said firmly. “Josh is probably not in any danger. All our known enemies are behind bars. Reginald and Detective James are serving time, and Odette i