Chapter16
Trueto hiswords,Jayson had switched rooms. It wasobviousthey must havespentthe nighttogether,seeing as they lefttogetherso early.
Arielsuddenlyfelt nauseous. Shequicklyavoided thetwoand retreated back into her room, rushing intothebathroom in an
attempt to throw up–but nothing came up.
Her appetite had been poor lately–perhaps her condition was worse than she had imagined.
A chill ran through her as Ariel stared at her weary reflection in the mirror. She realized how fragile humanswere.
Shecouldonly be thankful she hadn’t reached a point of no return before she snapped out of it. She still had time to find herself again.
Ariel decided to redo her makeup to freshen herself up. Just as she had the guesthouse to arrange for a ride down the mountain, she received a call from her grandmother, Katie.
Katie was a stern and serious woman. After her husband’s early passing,she poured all her energy into raising her children.
She grew even more withdrawn after the passing of Ariel’s mother, Elena Walker. But she was always particularly concerned
about Ariel.
“Hello, Grandma?”Ariel picked up the call after clearing her throat, making sure she didn’t sound off.
“Haveyouhad breakfast?” Katie asked, concerned.
Ariel felt a warmth in her heart. “I’m eating now. Did you miss me?”
Katie chuckled heartily. “It’s nothing important. I happened to have knitted a scarf for you and Jayson each recently.The
weather’s getting colder, and they’ll keep your hands warm.
“When areyoufree to come pick them up?Youcan also come home for a meal–I’ll make you some sweet andsour ribs.”
Ariel lowered her gaze and said, “You don’t have to go through all that trouble, Grandma.”
“This is different.Iknow that marryingintothat kind of family might not be easy foryou. I can’t domuchto help,butI can do what little I canandtake good care of Jayson. If he has any ounce of conscience, he would also treat you well,don’tyou
think?”Katie said.
Ariel’seyes welled up, and she quickly wiped at the corner of her eyes. “He has beenprettybusylately.Maybe-”
Katie asked,“Surelyhe has time for a meal. How aboutyoumake some timetocome over in the nextcoupleofdays?”
Ithad been some time since she last saw Ariel and Jayson, and she missed them dearly.
Ariel considered for a moment before agreeingtoit.“Alright, I’lltry.”
Shefiguredthatgiventheirsituation, it would be better for Jayson to talktoKatieabouttheirdivorce. It wouldgivethem achancetopartongoodterms.
Intheeyesofelders,eventhebiggestissues hadtohave a reason behind them.
Ariel didn’t wantKatietoeventuallyfindoutaboutJayson’s cheating, as it would hurt herhealth. Itwouldbebetterto comeupwithareason,to saythattheyweren’tcompatible,whichledtotheirdivorce.
This matterwouldrequirehim to meetupwithKatie.
After some hesitation,Arielgotupandwalkedoutofherroom. As she nearedJayson’sroom,shenoticedthedoor was slightlyajar.
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Chapter 16
+25BONUS
Justas shewasabouttoknock,she caught a glimpseofwhatwas happening inside throughthecrack.
Nancywasontiptoesas she wrapped her armsaroundJayson’sneck. He had his arms loosely around her waist, his head tiltedasif they were kissing.
Ariel’s gaze flickeredaway,stunned.
Someoneshovedher away in an instant. Her headspunas she nearly lost her balance.
“Doyouhave no shame? Why areyouspying on someone else’s privacy?” Renee yelled as she appearedoutofnowhere.Her
face was twisted in anger as she glared at Ariel, as if Ariel had committed some unforgivable crime.
The commotion startledJaysonand Nancy,andthey both hurried out of the room.
Nancywas frowning for once, pursing her lips as she cast an annoyed glance at Ariel.
“Did you enjoy the show?”Jaysonwore a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.Hiscold gaze weighed heavily down on Ariel, making it hard to breathe.
He was angry. Even though he hadn’t said anything else, shecouldfeel the weight of his disapproval.
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