Chapter 4

Chapter 4 - The Haunting Truth

Ariana sat in Lucas' car, her hands still shaking. The cold night air should have calmed her, but her heart was still racing after what had happened.

Lucas turned to her, his expression full of concern. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Ariana nodded slowly. "I'll be fine."

Lucas let out a long breath, then started the car engine. "You can stay at my apartment for a while, until you find a place of your own."

Ariana turned around, her eyes full of confusion. "Lucas, I can't trouble you-"

Lucas looked at her deeply. "You're not inconveniencing me. I just want to make sure you're safe."

Ariana was silent. She knew Lucas was sincere, but there was something in the way he looked at her that made her feel mixed up. She looked out the window, watching the deserted city streets.

Suddenly, Lucas hardened his jaw. "You know, I never liked Daniel."

Ariana turned her head, surprised by Lucas's tone. "Why?"

Lucas chuckled, but there was no humor in his eyes. "Because I knew he wasn't the man for you."

Ariana was silent. Lucas spoke with such certainty, as if he had known for a long time that Ariana and Daniel's relationship would end like this.

A bad feeling crept up her spine.

"What do you mean?" she asked cautiously.

Lucas sighed, his fingers tapping the steering wheel restlessly. "I didn't want to tell you this, but I think you deserve to know."

Ariana held her breath.

"Daniel didn't just have an affair with one woman," Lucas said quietly.

Ariana's world seemed to stop for a moment.

"What?" she whispered.

Lucas nodded. "I know because I've seen him with other women. Not just your best friend. There were several other women. I never told you because I thought it was none of my business. But now, after seeing how he treated you... I regret not telling you sooner."

Ariana felt her blood boil. The wound that had just begun to dry out was gaping again.

"Are you sure?" her voice trembled.

Lucas turned his head, his expression serious. "I wouldn't be saying this if I wasn't sure."

Ariana felt anger burning in her chest. Daniel hadn't just betrayed her-he'd been playing her for years.

She clenched her fists. "Asshole."

Lucas nodded. "That's why I want you to stay away from him. I don't want him to hurt you anymore."

Ariana stared straight ahead. If there was one thing she had learned today, it was that she would never allow herself to be victimized again.

However, before she could say anything, a black car speeding from behind suddenly pulled up to them.

"Lucas!" Ariana screamed.

Lucas quickly slammed the steering wheel, but the black car crashed into the side of their vehicle. Their car swerved, almost losing control.

"Fuck!" Lucas cursed, trying to balance the car.

Ariana looked back, her heart racing. The black car was still following them, its lights blinding.

"Was this an accident or-"

"On purpose," Lucas cut in with a strained voice. "Someone wants us off the road."

Ariana gripped her seatbelt. "Who?"

Lucas clenched his jaw. "I have a hunch."

The black car slammed into them from the side again. Their car shook violently, almost hitting the sidewalk.

Lucas quickly made a sharp turn into a narrow alley, trying to get out of the way. The black car didn't have time to follow him and drove straight on.

Lucas slammed on the brakes and the car came to a rough stop near an old warehouse. He was breathing hard.

Ariana turned to Lucas, her eyes full of fear. "Who did that?"

Lucas gripped the steering wheel tightly. "I'm sure it was Daniel."

Ariana gasped. "What?!"

Lucas turned to her. "Daniel isn't just a man who cheats, Ariana. He also has a lot of secrets you don't know about."

Ariana felt her body tense up. "What do you mean?"

Lucas sighed heavily. "I don't know how to say this, but... I found out something about Daniel a while ago. Something that could break him. I didn't want you to get involved, but I guess it's too late now."

Ariana felt her heart beat faster and faster. "Lucas... What did you find?"

Lucas looked at her with a serious expression. "Daniel isn't just a lawyer. He's also involved in illegal business."

Ariana was silent, her brain trying to digest the words.

Lucas continued, "I found evidence that she laundered money for some dangerous clients. I kept it as collateral in case something happened to me. And now, it looks like she realizes that I know."

Ariana's world seemed to spin.

"So... You mean he's trying to kill us?" her voice trembled.

Lucas nodded slowly. "Looks like it."

Ariana covered her face with both hands, trying to control her fear. This was worse than she had imagined.

Not only had she been betrayed by her husband.

She had also just walked out of a marriage with a dangerous criminal.

Lucas touched her shoulder gently. "We have to be careful. We can't let Daniel know where you are."

Ariana lifted her face, her eyes full of tension. "So, what should we do now?"

Lucas looked at her deeply. "We have to find evidence that can destroy him bef

ore he destroys us.”