ARIANA’S POV“Have you lost your mind?” I asked in disbelief, my voice rising by several decibels.The nurses and orderlies were slowing their steps now to eavesdrop and watch what was happening.“I would advise you remained quiet Mrs Stone until we get to the station…”“You have some nerve thinking I’m going anywhere with you…”I began to protest as Detective Parker handcuffed me.“Do you know who I am?” I demanded several times, angry and feeling embarrassed. What in God’s name was the meaning of this embarrassment?I continued yelling at the detective as he led me out of the hospital and into the police car waiting outside.I was filled with rage. Rob would wake up and find me gone and he would not know the reason. I had to find who was setting me up this way. As I thought this, I instantly remembered with utter dismay that my parents had given the Chicago Police Department license to humiliate me in this manner because they felt I had murdered my own sister.At this thought, I sat
ROBERT’S POVI knew Margaret’s announcement would hit Ariana like a train wreck and it made me angry that I could not protect her. Ariana would probably think I had planned I watched Ariana’s face go through so many emotions all at once till she settled for sadness. She said nothing and instead left the hospital room. I noticed Margaret smile and go back to her magazine. I loved the idea of spending time with my son but I didn’t want it to be like this. I really wished things were better. I understood it must not be easy for Ariana knowing how Nate had come to be.No woman would be comfortable with the idea plus Flora was her sister.We all chatted a little with Barbara inclusive and then the doctor came in and discharged me with a warning to take things easy as I wasn’t totally in the clear. I was still to be heavily under medications but I couldn’t ask for much. I had brought this upon myself due to my recklessness.I was eager to go home and begin afresh with Ariana. Perhaps this w
ARIANA’S POVThere was a look of pain in Rob’s eyes but he knew I was telling the truth and I could see it in his eyes. It was the truth. I was scared of going there with them and having to feel inadequate and like a misfit. As long as Margaret Vanderbilt was there, it would be impossible to not feel out of place and like a fish out of water.“Ariana…no one is trying to make you Flora, we just want you to be you…only you”, Rob said.I scoffed and began to walk upstairs. He was just saying what he thought I needed to hear and I needed more than that. This was years of trauma and a few words was not going to change that. Rob was trying though. I had to ac
ARIANA’S POVI was too stunned to reply immediately and just continued hugging him, drinking in his scent then he pulled away from me and looked at me.I was about to answer when Rob walked up to us. I hadn’t even heard the sound of his footsteps and was startled to see him. “Having fun without me?” He joked innocently.I was happy for the distraction; I would have lied to Nate had he not showed up and I would not have liked that. I cleared my throat and watched as Nate quickly leaned into Rob.I cleared my throat and said, “I’ll join you guys later”, then I walked back into the room.When I entered the room, I rushed into the bathroom and began to sob. I felt like I was being assaulted by an avalanche of emotions. I was angry at Rob for having an affair with Flora but here was I loving his little son because I could not hate on an innocent kid.Nate had never done anything wrong to me and I was partly angry at my parents for keeping him away from me simply because he was a product o
ROBERT’S POVI was mad at Ariana and could not even control my rage. She was supposed to be watching him! Had she been trying to hurt him on purpose? Because why on earth was, she playing such a dangerous game with a child? Ariana should have known better and I was hurt. Nate was rushed to the nearest hospital where he was quickly taken to the ER.Margaret and Mr. Vanderbilt were panicking and adding to my fears and worries. We had all driven Nate to the hospital together leaving Ariana behind at the resort.I did not want to see her and felt she had done it on purpose. It was obvious she had simply been pretending to like Nate all these while and had decided to hurt him the first choice she got. “How did this happen?” Mr. Vanderbilt asked me for the umpteenth time. I continued shaking my head, saying nothing. Too angry to talk and wanting to shield Ariana from Margaret’s wrath.“He was with Ariana, he called her and she went to him. Did Ariana have a hand this?” He asked me again t
ARIANA’S POVI could not make sense of the words Rob was telling me. They were alienating me again, making me out to the bad guy, tainting Nate’s love for me. He was going to come out of that hospital room thinking I abandoned him for an “important trip”. I didn’t deserve this cold treatment from all of them. What was wrong with Rob? He was the one who had distracted me! Why was he choosing to hurt me in this cruel manner?“Don’t freak out, we can settle this in Chicago”, he told me now.“You dragged me out here Rob…” I was trying so hard to stop the tears from falling from my eyes but it was really difficult because I was d
ARIANA’S POVI let him into the house feeling awkward and very self-conscious. Just a few days back I had berated Josh for showing up at my home because I didn’t want my memories with Rob tainted and yet I had called him here. What did I aim to achieve?I wished I could figure it out but I knew that there was something electric between Josh and I, I just was not ready to pursue it. His presence was a welcome distraction from the thunderstorms and lightning bolts and the heavy rain beating against the house.It was a relief to have someone in the house. To simply not be alone.He did not ask me any questions. Not why I was alone in the house or why I had called him. He simply sat down on the couch next to me and lifted my feet onto his lap and began to massage my foot. I had not known how tired I was or how drained I was until he began to knead every knot behind my toes and in the ball of my feet.I moaned from absolute pleasure and he chuckled.I giggled and then stopped. It was inapp
ARIANA’S POV I couldn't believe my ears. My mother was really telling me this. She was saying it without remorse and very carelessly. It did not even matter to her that her words would hurt my feelings. “I… I d…don't understand”, I stammered.My mother stood up to go now. “My lawyer will talk to you”.“Mother!” I said, shocked. “You can't be serious. I haven't done anything to Nate to deserve this.”She ignored me and walked away and opened the door and left. I was left standing there stupefied.My mother could not mean this. She was just pulling my legs. I was hurt not just because I would not get to spend time with Nate anymore but because my parents thought I was capable of not just murdering Flora but also harming her son.What kind of a person did they think I am? What was giving them this mindset?I collapsed on one of the chairs heavily depressed and weighed down. I stayed there like that for a very long time unable to move a muscle and too weak to go and get something to ea