CHAPTER 38
She has to make things work.
(ARIELLE’S POV)
After Jared Left, I was left speechless. I sat numbly on the bed, staring into space, while trying to figure out what just transpired. My head was fogged, as I tried to digest the fact that Jared heaped blames on me while taking sides with Sofia.
Minutes passed, and I fell asleep in that state, my mind still in shock from the argument. I woke up to the grumbling of my stomach, recalling that I hadn’t had dinner.
Turning to scan the room, I noticed Jared hadn’t returned. It seemed he was determined on spending the night in the guest room.
I tried not feel hurt as I got off the bed. I walked to the bathroom to shower, attempting to shake off the feeling of emptiness. After bathing and slipping into my nightdress, I wandered out of the room searching for food. I walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge, scanning the contents for something to eat.
As I waited for my food to heat up, my mind trailed off Jared. I contemplated going to the guest room to talk to him. Like Ashley said, communication was paramount in relationships.
As I took out the macaroni from the microwave, I made up my mind to go talk to Jared after eating. could take him dinner too because I doubt he had had anything to eat since we got back.
Done eating. I dished out his portion and placed it in a tray with a bottle of water. I walked upstairs and made for the guest room. As I approached the door, I heard voices and stopped. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized Sofia’s voice.
“Tell me, why are you are still with her when she’s obviously not the one you want?” Sofia’s shrill voice. sounded behind the door.
Jared sighed before responding. “Because I respect her. She’s not like the other women who are gold diggers. Besides, we’re compatible.” This material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
“But do you love her?”
Jared paused, and I inched closer, held my breath, while waiting for his response.
The silence stretched on, as if Jared was thinking about his response. Finally, he muttered, “I don’t think I do, but=”
“That’s the point. You don’t love her, and you can’t stay married to someone you don’t love. You shouldn’t be married in the first place.”
I gasped, my thoughts drowning out Sofia’s words. I was shattered by Jared’s revelation. I knew he didn’t love me, he probably admired and respected me like he admitted, but hearing him admit it was heartbreaking.
It took a lot of self–control not to let the tray slip from my hands, thereby alerting the duo that I was eavesdropping.
But Sofia’s next words snapped me out of my misery. “You should divorce her.”
What? My eyes dilated, and my throat went dry. Did I hear her correctly? Sofia was suggesting divorce to Jared?
She has to ma
How dare her?
My face turned red, and I almost burst into the room to cront her, but I stepped on the brake paddle. I wanted to hear Jared’s response, to know if he would cor.. der Sofia’s words.
“That’s not possible, Sofia, Jared responded.
But Sofia seemed all out. “Why not? If you’re worried about the divorce process, I have a good lawyer friend who can help us, and ensure that Arielle doesn’t request for a dime from you. And it’s even better. because she has no child for you, so you won’t have to pay for child support.”
My mouth hung open, beyond stupefied at how conniving Sofia can be and how much she wanted me out of Jared’s life.
“I can’t do that to Arielle. I can’t divorce her without a reason. She doesn’t deserve it.”
Sofia’s response was even more shocking than the last “Then we can come up with one.”
At this point, I decided I had heard enough. I couldn’t bear to listen to the conversation anymore. I hurried away, returned the tray of food to the kitchen, and went back upstairs to think about what I heard.
What did I ever do wrong to Sofia that would make her want me out of my marriage? My head was muddled now, and I couldn’t stop myself from calling Ashley. She was the only one I had except from my mother, and calling my mother was a bad idea that I would never dare to attempt.
I quickly dialed Ashley’s number, my hands trembling. She answered on the first ring, and I poured everything to her.
Ashley listened attentively, but I could sense her anger over the phone
“I warned you, Arielle,” she said finally. “I told you to send that woman out of your home, but you wouldn’t listen. Now see what she’s up to; plotting your divorce under your own roof.”
Tears pricked the sides of my ears. “What do I do, Ashley? I’m sorry I didn’t act on your advice, but you have to help me.”
Ashley went quiet for a while, and I feared she would refuse to help me. But she finally spoke up. “Beat her to her game, Arielle. She wants you out of your marriage? Then send her out of your home. Show her who the boss is. You might not have Jared’s heart now, but you have his home. Utilize that and kick her out. I don’t care how you do it, but she must be gone.”
I took a deep breath, suddenly feeling determined. “You’re right, Ashley. I won’t let her win. I have to make things work between Jared and me. I have to.” As I said those last words, it was more of an affirmation to myself than a response.
I had to make things work. If not for my love for Jared and our unborn child, but to prove my mother
wrong.