LOGINAriana Melendez, a hidden heiress, thought she had the perfect life until her husband Angelo and best friend Bella betrayed her in the worst way. After losing everything, including her unborn child, she returns to her powerful family, burning with revenge. To punish her, her father arranges a marriage with Dante Russo, the ruthless son of a business rival. Dante Russo, the cold, calculating heir of their greatest enemy and Angelo’s Uncle one that could destroy her ex-husband with a single word. Now, Ariana is trapped in a dangerous game. On one side her vow to ruin Angelo and Bella to make them suffer as she did. On the other her forced marriage to Dante, a man as ruthless as he is intoxicating, whose loyalty is as uncertain as her own heart.
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I sat in the doctor’s office, my fingers tapping nervously against my thigh. The room was too quiet, too cold and I was tensed. The white walls and the smell of antiseptic made my stomach twist. I had been here for what felt like hours, waiting for Dr. Bennett to come back with my results. What if something’s wrong with me? I’ve been feeling off lately, lots of morning sickness and fatigue, it was becoming disturbing. So I finally decided to go for a check up. The door creaked open, and Dr. Bennett walked in, a small smile on her face. My heart pounded so loud I was sure she could hear it. "Ariana," she said, sitting across from me. "Your results are in." I held my breath. "You’re pregnant." The words hit me like a wave. Pregnant. I’m pregnant ? A baby. Angelo’s and my baby finally after years of trying finally I was going to have a baby? My hands flew to my stomach, tears burning my eyes. "Really?" My voice was barely a whisper. Dr. Bennett nodded. "Yes. About six weeks along. Everything looks perfect." I couldn’t stop smiling as a tear rolled down my eyes. A baby. After all this time, after all the months of hoping, it was finally happening. Angelo was going to be a father. I can only imagine how happy he’d be, just as much as I was, if anything he was going to be happier. “Thank you very much” I appreciated getting up. I marched outside the hospital letting out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Angelo had been… distant lately. Ever since he got that promotion at work, he’d been buried in files, late-night meetings, and stress. He barely had time for me anymore and it was disturbing even though I was the reason behind his promotion but it hurt that I didn’t get all his attention like I use to. But maybe, just maybe a baby would bring him back to me… to us. Tonight was our four-year anniversary. I had planned everything perfectly. Dinner at La Rosa, the most exclusive restaurant in the city. The one my parents owned. The one where I would finally tell Angelo the truth. The truth I had been hiding for years. I wasn’t just Ariana Lopez, the simple girl he fell in love with in college. I was Ariana Melendez. The heiress to the Melendez fortune. My family owned half the city hotels, restaurants, even a few tech companies. But I had hidden it all because I wanted Angelo to love me for me, not for my last name or my money. But now… now it was time. I would tell Angelo two life-changing things: 1. We were having a baby. 2. I was a Melendez. I just prayed he wouldn’t hate me for lying. I really do. My phone ringing snaps me out of my train of thoughts. I slipped it out from my purse the name on the screen flashing to my eyes. It was Bella my best friend. “Hey! Where have you been, I’ve been trying to reach you…” I cut her off before she would begin ranting, “I’m Pregnant” I annouced palming my mouth. She paused. For about a minute before yelling, “What! What did you say?” I nodded as though she could see me with tears in my eyes. “Yes! I’m going to have a baby… Angelo and I are finally going to be parents” I add. “WOW! Congratulations… I’m so happy for you, oh my god I’m going to be a godmother” she yelled in excitement. “Alright Bella I’ll call you later, okay? I have something to attend to” I say as the restaurant I reserved came through. They called to confirm the dishes they’d be preparing and after that I headed home to go get ready. — I stood in front of the mirror in the entrance of the restaurant smoothing down my red dress. It hugged my curves perfectly, the fabric soft against my skin, my dark hair fell in loose waves down my back, and my makeup was light but glowing. Perfect. The table at La Rosa was reserved. I have the chef strict instructions, Angelo’s favorite dishes, the most expensive wine. And at the end of the night, when the moment was right, I would hand him a small box. Inside? A onesie that said "Hello, Daddy." And then… then I would tell him everything. My phone buzzed. A text from Angelo. "Running late. Work stuff. Be there soon." I sighed. Of course. Lately, it was always work. But tonight, I wouldn’t let anything ruin this. I let out a breath heading to the table. “Mrs Melendez would you like anything?” The waiter asked with a polite smile. I shake my head checking the tin, it’s been an hour now and Angelo is still not here, I’ve been trying his line but it’s unreachable, I’ve sent him countless of text asking where he was but no response. I was starting to get worried… was he okay? Did something happen? Letting out a breath I reached for my phone deciding to call Marcus my personal assistant to ask if Angelo had left the office. “Hello?” “Yes boss?” “Has Angelo left the office?” I asked concerning irking up. “Yes, he left by 5pm” he answered. My heart dropped. Angelo left that early and he told me he was working and would be running late? Why would he lie to me? Something was definitely wrong. “Are you sure?” I asked my brows furrowing. “Yes Mrs Melendez… I saw him sign out” he affirmed. “Okay thank you very much.” I say before cutting the call. I looked at the time and it was already 11pm and Angelo was still not here. Tears accumalted at the brim of my eyes every piece of my heart broken, he ruined the night I gave my all to plan. Angelo better have a good reason for ruining our anniversary dinnerA R I A N AI sat on the old park bench watching them.It has been one week, a week since Dante started coming over every day after school, and a week since he came back into our lives.We were currently at the park, Dante was pushing Sophia on the swing her laughter filled the whole park. "Higher Daddy… Higher!" she screamed and he pushed her gently with a smile spread on his face. Isabella was showing him her book pointing at a picture and Asher was hanging from the monkey bars showing off.My heart felt so full it was almost painful It was a picture I had dreamed of for so long. Seeing the kids so happy and with their father, something I had denied them for years, it made my eyes sting with tears. If only they had him right from child birth then with no doubt I know Dante would have been the best father, he’s only been with the for a week but their relationship with him felt like it was forever. Dante said something to the kids then he started walking towards me swelling down o
A R I A N ALater that day I had mustered up enough courage and sanity to speak with the kids about their father.We were all currently in the living room with Asher was drawing, Isabella was reading as usual and then Sophia was playing with her dolls.My heart was beating very fast but then I knew I had to talk to them and I had to tell them the truth, the earlier I do the better it is for all of usI sat down on the floor with them as I took a deep breath."Kids," I said. "Can we talk for a minute?"They all looked up at me telling my voice was serious."Is everything okay Mummy?" Asher asked his big eyes worried."Yes, baby everything is okay." I tried to smile. "I wanted to talk to you about Mr. Dante the man who was here yesterday."Sophia's face lit up. "The homework man! Is he coming back? He said he would help me finish!""Yes honey he might come back," I said. "But I wanted to ask you... what do you think about him?"I looked at their faces one by one.Isabella spoke first.S
A R I A N A The next day after sarah helped me drop the kids off at school she came over I had not slept all night my eyes were red and puffy. I felt like a ghost. "I don't know what to do Sarah," I whispered my voice rough from crying. "I don't know how to tell the kids. What do I even say? 'The man who helped with your homework is your dad'? How will they take that news? Will they be happy? Will they be angry with me for lying?" I put my head in my hands. "And Dante... I look at him and... I still love him and if I’m being honest I never stopped loving him I want to be with him I want him to be there for the kids I want to wake up and not be so scared all the time." "Then let him Ari" Sarah said softly. "That sounds like the answer." "But I can't!" I said looking up at her my eyes wide with fear. "You don't understand. My father... I made an agreement with him. When I left Dante, when I took those papers... my father said I could never go back I had to disappear. He said
A R I A N A Dante was still kneeling in front of me his eyes pleading with me.“Please Ariana,” he said his voice low and serious. “Please let me in. Let me be here for them for you, I know I do not deserve it I know I was wrong for not being there but I am here now and I want to be their father, I want to help you, you do not have to do everything alone anymore.”I wrapped my arms around myself.I felt so confused. A part of me wanted to say yes to let someone help me to let him hold me and tell me it would be okay.But another part of me was so scared.“I… I don’t know Dante,” I whispered. “I’m not sure.”“What are you not sure about?” he asked as his brows furrowed in confusion.“I’m scared,” I said, the truth spilling out. “I’m scared to get hurt again and I’m scared for the kids. What if you change your mind? What if it gets too hard? What if you one day decide leave? It would break their hearts It would break my heart, I can’t go through that pain again.”“I am not going to
A R I A N A“So you’re our daddy?” she asked him.I felt a huge lump form in my throat I couldn’t breathe.Dante looked at Isabella as his lips part slightly then he closed it, he didn’t answer. He just looked lost.Isabella was not done she was too smart for her age.“You said yes to Asher’s question,” she continued. “Does that mean even the part where he asked about you being our daddy… is that also true?”My heart was pounding in my ears this was happening too fast and I was not ready, before Dante could form a single word I cut in.My voice was sharp and loud.“Kids! That’s enough I need you to go to aunt sarah’s apartment right now.”All three of them looked at me their eyes were widen in confusion.“But mummy—” Isabella started to argue.“No buts!” I said, my voice shaking. “I need to speak to Mr. Dante alone and you need to excuse us, now please.”Isabella sighed a big dramatic sigh and stood up. Asher slowly got down from his chair and Sophia looked like she was about to c
A R I A N AIt has been two days, two days since I told Dante the truth in the bathroom and I walked away.My phone has been silent, he has not calle or sent a message. He has not even come.I tried to tell myself it was for the best but a small stupid part of my heart kept hoping maybe he would want usmaybe he would come.But he didn't.Of course he didn't. Why would he want us? A ready made family.A mess he never asked for he made his choice and now accepting it hurts.I had given up the hope was gone It was just me and my kids. Like it always was.Dante didn’t want us.He never did, and now that I told him the truth and he may not no about the twins even if he didn’t it won’t change a thing, he already rejected Asher of course he’d reject the twins.I was currently sitting at our small kitchen table the kids were around me. We were doing homework.Asher was drawing a picture, Isabella was reading a book and Sophia was struggling with her math."Mummy I don't get it" Sophia












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