LOGINA 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 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







