A R I A N A
I left the restaurant alone, my heart heavy as I thought of a thousand reasons why Angelo didn’t make it and why he lied to me. I called him twelve times. No answer. What could possibly be the reason behind his absence, i had so much planned out for us today, and he messed it up. I took a cab home, my stomach in knots. The baby, our baby was still a secret, I had been so excited to tell him. Now, I just felt sick. I dragged myself out of the cab my muscles weak, excitement now turned to hurt, anger and hint of worry. The apartment was dark when I walked in and quiet, too quiet. Then I saw it. A piece of clothing on the floor. A lacy black bra. Not mine. My heart stopped. I didn’t wear black lace, I never had. My hands shook as I bent down to pick it up. The fabric was soft, expensive. Familiar Bella’s, I remeber buying her the set for her birthday, but what could it possibly be doing here? My stomach twisted. No. No, no, no. I dropped the bra like it burned me my chest was so tight I could barely breathe it couldn’t be what I was thinking, it can’t be… Angelo would never do this to me maybe he was trying to play a prank on me. Then, A sound. A moan. From our bedroom. My legs moved before my mind could catch up. Each step felt like walking through mud. My pulse roared in my ears. The door was slightly open. The sounds were louder now. Gasps, grunt even the bed creaking. I pushed the door open. And then, I saw them. Angelo was naked on top of Bella. Her legs wrapped around him, his nails digging into his back, his lips all over her neck. “Fuck! That’s right baby… you like that?” Angela moaned thrusting into her harder and faster. “Yes! I’m cumming..” She screamed. “Come for me baby..” My world shattered. Everything stopped. The air left my lungs, my knees buckled. I gripped the doorframe to keep from falling. They didn’t even notice me. They were too lost in each other. Angele groaning Bella’s name as he took her harder on our matrimonial bed… It felt like a nightmare. It didn’t make any sense to me, I prayed that this was only just a bad dream one which I’d wake up and brush off. Angelo loves me, he’d never cheat on me with anyone not my best friend, Bella is more than just a friend but a sister, she would never hook up with my husband… it wasn’t possible. But if only wishes were horses. And that’s when I broke. A sob ripped from my throat. They froze. Angelo’s head snapped up. His eyes wide with panic locked onto mine. "Ariana—" Bella scrambled off the bed, grabbing the sheets to cover herself. "Oh my God." I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t move, if I did I would crumble to the ground. All I could do was stand there, my heart in pieces at my feet. Angelo jumped up, pulling on his pants. "Ariana, it’s not what it looks like—" I laughed, A broken, hollow sound. Not what it looks like? He was inside my best friend, in our bed. On our ANNIVERSARY!!! I turned and ran. "Ariana, wait!" I didn’t stop I couldn’t stop every piece of my heart was broken. I barely made it to the bathroom before I fell to my knees and vomited tears streamed down my face, my body shaking. I was pregnant. And my husband was a cheater. And my best friend was a traitor. I didn’t know which hurt more. All I knew was My life was over. I spent almost an hour in the bathroom before deciding to walk out and pack… I was leaving. If only I had listened to my parents, then maybe I wasn’t going to get my heartbroken by a fucking cheat. A man who I’ve gave up everything for, and returned I got my heart shattered. Bella? It didn’t even make sense that it was my best friend.. how could she do this to me? As I walked out of the bathroom I met Angelo pacing back and forth. “Aria…” “Don’t!” I warned stopping him from touching me, he had lost that right. “Just listen to me” he says but I ignored him heading for my box. I got it and zipped it open. As I gathered my clothes piling them in the box, tears streaming down my eyes, I felt pathetic. He caught my wrist “Just stop and listen to me!” He roared making my heart drop. He has never used that tune on me, it gave me a fright. “What do you want me to hear? You fucking cheated on my with my best friend on our wedding anniversary? How could you Angelo? I trusted you, I loved and cared for you, I did everything for you? And what did I get in return?” I spat in disgust. “Everything for me? What did you Ariana? Huh? Cause the last time I checked you’re leaching off of me… what have you ever brought to the table, huh? What is it?” He mocked. I stared at him in shock, what was wrong with Angelo, my Angelo would never say things like this to me, it was almost like he was a new person, a different person. “I’ll tel you what? Nothing! Absolutely nothing. I’ve been with you for years and I’ve only wanted a child but your damaged womb can’t even give me that!” He insults. His words sliced through my heart like an arrow. My lips trembled as I stared at him in disbelief. “Angelo…”A R I A N A I walked downstairs slowly, my bare feet cold against the marble floors, the mansion was even bigger in daylight all high ceilings and expensive artwork it felt more like a museum than a home. Lina walked ahead of me, still talking nonstop. "...and Mr. Russo doesn't like people touching his things," she was saying. "Oh! And never go into his study! That's his private space. He gets very angry if anyone disturbs him there." I barely listened my stomach growled as the smell of food reached me, the dining room was huge, with a table that could seat twenty people but only one place was set for me. The food looked delicious fresh fruit, warm pastries, eggs cooked perfectly but I had no appetite I picked at a strawberry while Lina hovered nearby. "Mr. Russo is very private," Lina continued, pouring me orange juice. "He doesn't like people asking too many questions. And he hates—" "Lina." A sharp voice cut through the air we both jumped. An old woman stood in t
A R I A N A The wedding reception finally ended. No more fake smiles, no more pretending to be happy, no more watching Angelo glare at us from across the room. Dante didn't say a word to me as we left Just grabbed my arm and led me to his black car waiting outside. The ride to his mansion was completely silent. I sat as far from him as possible, pressed against the door, staring out the window at the passing city lights. My throat still hurt where he'd choked me my wedding ring felt heavy and wrong on my finger. Dante didn't look at me once the whole drive he got himself busy with his phone, his jaw tight, his fingers tapping impatiently on the screen. When the car finally stopped, I realized we were at a huge, dark mansion way bigger than my family's. Dante got out first, not waiting for me, not helping me he just walked straight to the front door like I didn't exist. I followed slowly, my high heels clicking on the stone path the night air was cold, I wrapped my a
A R I A N AI felt suffocated, the reception hall was too loud, too full of people smiling at me like this was some happy occasion.I felt like I couldn't breathe. "I need to use the restroom," I mumbled to no one in particular, pushing back my chair. Dante glanced up from his conversation with some business associate his dark eyes studied my face for a second before giving a slight nod. I hurried away before anyone could follow. The bathroom was empty, thank God. I locked the door behind me and finally, finally I let myself break. Tears poured down my face, ruining my perfect makeup, my chest heaved with silent sobs as I gripped the sink for support. This wasn't fair. None of this was fair. Yes, I made a mistake with Angelo. Yes, I disobeyed my father. But this? Being married off to some stranger? To Dante Russo of all people? It was too much. I hated my father, I hated Angelo, I hated Bella. Most of all, I hated myself for being so stupid, so naive to think love
A R I A N AJust like my father had said, two days later I was getting married to Dante Russo. The morning of my wedding arrived like a death sentence. I sat stiffly in front of the vanity as a team of stylists buzzed around me, transforming me into a perfect bride. The white dress hugged my body tightly, the lace scratching my skin. The heavy veil weighed down my head like a crown of thorns. I felt nothing. Empty. Dead inside. The girl staring back at me in the mirror was a stranger pale face, red lips, hollow eyes, I looked like a doll dressed up for a show. "Beautiful," the makeup artist murmured, dabbing more powder on my cheeks. I didn't respond, what was beautiful about this? About being sold off like cattle to pay for my mistakes? I gulped a lump my eyes stinging with tears. Thr hatred for my father burned within me like a burning fire.A knock at the door snaps me out of my thoughts, the man I call father entered, his expensive suit perfectly pressed, his cold
A R I A N AThe moment I stepped into the foyer, the air turned cold. My father stood at the top of the staircase, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable, the sharp black suit he wore made him look more like a king than a father. And the way he stared at me like I was a disappointment, which I was If only I had listened and not gone against his words.My heart dropped. We had never been close not since I was a little girl, not since I realized love, to him, was conditional. And now? Now, I had broken his biggest rule. Never to belittle myself for the minors, to him they were nothing but slaves that would brown down to his mercy or any other elite.He had warned me about Angelo, warned me he was nothing and that he’d make me regret my decision of choosing him over family. And I hadn’t listened. I had fought for Angelo, defended him and him against my father’s wishes.And now? Now, I was standing here, broken, betrayed, and worst of all proving my father right.Tears
A R I A N AI woke up to blinding white lights, the smell of antiseptic and the beeping of machines. A hospital. I was in a hospital. My head pounded as I tried to remember how I got here, my body felt heavy, like I had been crushed under something. Then the pain hit. A sharp, stabbing ache in my abdomen. I gasped, my hands flying to my stomach. My baby. Memories flooded back. Bella’s smug face, her cruel words, the w way she stepped closer, her eyes full of hate and the way she had left me to die after pushing me from the stairs. How she had shoved me off the stairs with no remorse, the menace, all of it came back. The last thing I remembered was the wetness between my legs. Blood. Now, I was here. Alone. In pain. I clutched my stomach, tears burning my eyes. “No! Please, please let my baby be okay” I cried. The door opened, and a nurse walked in. She rushed to me seeing my state, I was panicked tears as I clutched my bump hoping that nothing had ha