Chapter 4

Two months later .

They say grief fades and time heals. Maybe that’s true for them but for me, I still haven’t healed from my father’s and unborn child's death. Two months have passed since my world came crashing down but never a day goes by that I don’t drown in sorrow.

I looked around the room, my father’s room was the only place I stayed since I got back it made me feel closer to him.

This house was the only property Ethan couldn’t take because he had no access to the papers and my dad had placed it in my mother's name. If he didn’t I’m sure I would also be homeless.

I rubbed my hands on the floor. Some parts were soaked with my tears.

The bed was right there but I couldn’t bring myself to use it. It felt wrong… like leaving the floor meant accepting he was really gone.

Ding dong

The doorbell rang

I didn’t bother checking. I knew it was Nora. She was the only one who came to this house to check up on me. Every other person abandoned me. I was no longer the rich heiress; they didn’t see the need to be around me anymore.

I heard footsteps approaching the door there was a knock then the door opened

“Ariana…” Nora called out“Mehn this room is dark I can’t see a thing”

I saw her walk to the window carefully then drag the curtains open immediately the sunlight flashed on my face.

“Ahhh!” I raised my hand to block the light covering my eyes.

“Jesus, Ariana you’re still on this floor?” She rushed to me and bent in front of me“Please stop doing this to yourself there a huge bed in this room why are you torturing yourself”

She held my waist and stood me up then placed me on the bed.

“Please close the curtains back Nora…” my voice was barely audible

“No I won’t” she said firmly

“I’m not going to let you keep tormenting yourself look at you you barely eat, you don’t go out of this house you’ve lost a lot of weight and you just keep staying in the dark”

“Because my life is dark…” my voice cracked“there’s no single light in my life” Tears filled my eyes again

Nora hugged me tightly patting my back.

“It’s okay Ariana… It’s okay”

A loud cry escaped my lips“How could they do this to me… where did I go wrong… I loved them both I don’t deserve this”

I cried bitterly

“Look at me Ariana” she held my face gently her eyes were also teary.

“You don’t deserve them they might have taken everything but you still have life you will scale through this”

I nodded quietly

But deep down… I didn’t believe it

“I came to drop some groceries for you and also give you lunch they are all on the dinner table please eat the last one I brought I met them in the fridge”

“Thank you Nora… you’re the only one I have left”

“No need to thank me, I have to leave now I have a meeting to attend”

“Okay…”

“Please promise me you won’t cry again”

“I won’t…” I said quietly even though I knew that was a lie.

She opened the door glanced at me one more time then left.

Silence filled the room again

I sat there for a while staring at nothing then slowly lay back on the bed.

Sleep took me before I even realized it.

Ding dong

The doorbell woke me up.

Did Nora forget something?

I waited… expecting her to open the door like usual but the bell kept ringing.

Maybe she isn’t with her key.

I stood up slowly but staggered a bit ,my body felt heavy. I walked down the stairs sluggishly, finally I got to the door.

I opened it “Nora did you—” but stopped. It wasn't Nora but a deliveryman.

“How can I help you?”

“This package came for you”

“Must be a mistake, I didn't order anything” My brows raised in confusion.

“You’re Ariana right?”The delivery man asked.

I nodded

He handed it over it had my name on it

“Might be from Nora…” I muttered signing quickly

He left, I closed the door, and sat on the couch

For a moment… I just stared at the package Something felt off, I opened it slowly my breath stopped the moment I saw what was inside. It was a wedding invitation with Ethan and Lila's picture printed on the front page with smiles on their faces

My stomach sank

They look happy… perfect.

My name was boldly written, Ariana Vale you are invited to celebrate with us.

“Celebrate…?” I scoffed “Really… you both are still not satisfied…?”

My fingers tightened on the card crumbling it.

“What more do you want from me…” my voice broke

My chest tightened, I struggled to breathe, and in that moment I remember what Lila had said when Ethan gave me the divorce papers .

“I’m pregnant… I’ll give him the child you couldn’t”Those were her exact words.

My hand slowly moved to my stomach

A loud cry escaped me.

“They’re going to have children… in my house… live like a family and I'll spend the rest of my life miserable while they live their best life”

Tears fell endlessly.

“I’m better off dead…” I whispered

“I can’t watch them live the life I dreamed of…”

I stood up. My legs felt heavy as I walked out of the house leaving the door wide open behind me, I was heading to the city bridge. My mind was made up.

People whispered as I passed. I knew they were talking about how tattered I looked, my hair was messy. I had an oversized gown on, with flip-flops. It was an outfit the old me wouldn't dare to wear outside but right now I didn't care.

I didn't stop walking till I got to the bridge ,I placed my hands on the rail. A large billboard caught my attention.

It was Ethan and Lila’s pre-wedding photo, shining brightly over the city.

I turned my gaze away, looking down at the river.

“Dad… I’m sorry…” I whispered. “I couldn’t get back your legacy…”

My voice trembled.“I’m tired… I don’t know how to keep going, I’m coming to join you and mum…”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

My hands tightened on the rail as I climbed over.

The wind blew hard against my face,The water below looked endless.

I closed my eyes, my grip loosened slightly.

“Stop!”A voice came from behind me.

I turned to see Sebastian walking towards me.

“Go away…” I said weakly.

“Do you think you’ll be able to face your father if you take your life?” he said firmly. “Don’t do anything stupid, Ariana.”

My heart clenched.

Could I really face my dad?

“Please just go… there’s no point living,” my voice broke. “I don’t have the power to take revenge… I can’t even afford a lawyer to fight for me…”

“I already told you,” he stepped closer, his voice steady. “I have the power.”

He stretched his hand toward me.

“Join hands with me. Together, we can burn their world down. You’ll get everything you lost back… and make Ethan and Lila beg for mercy.”

“By marrying you…” I said slowly.

“For just one year,” he replied. “After your revenge is done, you walk away.”

I stared at his outstretched hand.

If I jump… Ethan and Lila win. If I live… I fight.

My hand trembled.

One hand still held the rail. The other slowly reached for his.

I placed my hand in his.“I’ll marry you.”