Chapter 8

Chapter 8 – Love or a Trap?

Ariana stared at Daniel's hand, still gripping her fingers. That touch used to feel warm, bringing her security and love. But now, all she felt was a subtle trap waiting to swallow her whole.

"I know you still love me, Ariana," Daniel spoke softly, almost coaxing. "You don’t have to pretend to hate me."

Ariana yanked her hand away harshly. "I’m not pretending, Daniel. You destroyed me."

Daniel only gave a small smile, as if he was enjoying this game. "If I truly wanted to destroy you, I wouldn’t have given you a choice. I could have taken everything from you. But I didn’t."

Ariana held her breath. "What do you really want?"

Daniel crossed his arms, his expression turning serious. "You know, ever since you left, I’ve felt like something was missing. I tried to forget you, but I couldn’t."

Ariana almost laughed bitterly. "Then why did you cheat on me with Evelyn?"

Daniel’s gaze sharpened. "Because I had no choice."

Ariana frowned. "What do you mean?"

Daniel leaned back in his chair, as if debating whether or not to tell her something. Then, he exhaled and said, "Evelyn isn’t just any ordinary woman, Ariana. She’s... dangerous."

Ariana narrowed her eyes. "You want me to believe that you were the victim in that relationship?"

Daniel didn’t smile this time. "Not believe—understand. I was trapped."

Ariana shook her head. "You weren’t trapped. You chose her."

Daniel tapped his fingers against the table, looking thoughtful. "What if I told you there’s something bigger that you don’t know?"

Ariana fell silent. She didn’t want to fall into Daniel’s manipulation, but her instincts told her there was more to this than just a simple betrayal.

That was when the door swung open, and someone walked in.

Ariana turned—and her heart dropped.

Evelyn.

The woman stood with effortless grace, clad in a tight black dress that accentuated her flawless figure. The smile on her face was full of triumph.

"Sorry to interrupt your little romantic moment," Evelyn said as she strode confidently into the room. "But I think I should clear some things up."

Daniel tensed, but Ariana kept her focus on Evelyn. "What are you doing here?"

Evelyn chuckled. "Oh, sweetheart, this is my business too, isn’t it? Did you really think I’d let you two reminisce without me?"

Ariana lifted her chin. "Then explain it to me. What’s really going on?"

Evelyn cast a knowing glance at Daniel before turning back to Ariana. "I’ll give you a hint, darling. Daniel isn’t as powerful as you think. He’s just a pawn in this game."

Ariana stiffened. "What game?"

Evelyn’s smile widened. "A game much bigger than you can imagine."

Daniel shot Evelyn a warning look. "Don’t do this."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Why not? Ariana deserves to know."

Ariana looked between them, her suspicion growing. "Stop speaking in riddles. Just say it."

Evelyn leaned in slightly, her voice dropping into a whisper. "Did you ever realize that you never truly had Daniel to begin with?"

Ariana’s breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean?"

Evelyn’s smile was dripping with mystery. "Daniel didn’t cheat on you just because he wanted to. He was forced to."

Ariana turned to Daniel, searching for the truth in his eyes. "You really let someone else control your life?"

Daniel clenched his jaw, looking frustrated. "It’s not that simple, Ariana."

Evelyn let out a soft laugh. "Of course not. Because there are so many things you don’t know, darling."

Ariana felt her head spinning from all of this. "Then explain it to me. What’s really happening?"

Evelyn studied her for a moment, as if savoring the moment. "Alright, since you’re so eager to know..." She crouched beside Ariana’s chair, staring into her eyes with intense amusement. "Did you know that my family has business ties with Daniel’s family? And that our marriage was planned from the start?"

Ariana’s eyes widened. "You’re lying."

Evelyn’s smile was sweet—but laced with cruelty. "I have no reason to lie, darling."

Ariana turned to Daniel, shock written all over her face. "So… this was all arranged from the beginning? Even before you and I were together?"

Daniel remained silent.

Ariana felt like the ground beneath her was crumbling. This whole time, she had believed Daniel betrayed her out of his own selfishness. But now, it seemed like something much bigger had been happening behind the scenes.

Evelyn reached out, lightly touching Ariana’s hand—but there was an underlying threat in the gesture. "Now you know. But the question is, what are you going to do with this information?"

Ariana quickly pulled her hand away. "I won’t let you two manipulate me."

Evelyn sighed dramatically. "Ah, I love your spirit. But unfortunately, you’re too late to change this game."

Ariana bit her lip. No, she wasn’t too late. She might have just uncovered the truth, but that didn’t mean she would lose.

Evelyn straightened and smoothed down her dress. "I just wanted to make sure you understood your place, Ariana. Don’t think you can take back something that was never meant for you."

Ariana clenched her fists. "I don’t want Daniel back. But I also won’t let you ruin my life."

Evelyn’s smile was sharper now, carrying a real threat. "We’ll see about that."

With that, she turned and walked out of the room.

Ariana remained frozen, her mind racing.

Daniel watched her with an unreadable expression. "I wanted to tell you, Ariana. But I was afraid of losing you."

Ariana let out a bitter laugh. "You lost me anyway, Daniel. With or without this lie."

Daniel lowered his head, as if finally accepting his defeat.

Ariana took a deep breath. She needed to think fast. If this was a game, then she refused to be a victim anymore.

Just then, her phone vibrated.

Ariana picked it up, and a message popped up on the screen.

"If you want to know the real truth, meet me tonight. I know something that will change everything. - Lucas"

Ariana’s heart pounded.

Lucas?

What the hell was really going on?