Arielle's happiness in jeopardy

Arielle's POV I park my car and stare at the front door, trying to muster the bravery to walk inside. All day, I've been thinking about Loretta's pregnancy and what it means for all of us. I'm feeling more guilty than ever. It consumes me, spreading poison until I'm left questioning every decision I've made. I've never felt more selfish or awful.When I married Ariel , I worried that there would be a day when I regretted it. At the time, I convinced myself that the things I didn't do would be my biggest regrets. I could not have been more wrong. Ariel and Loretta will be a family, whether I like it or not. They'll have an unbreakable link, and I'll always be the third party. Because of my decision, I am denying an innocent child the opportunity to grow up with both of their parents as one united front. If I hadn't married Ariel , they would have discovered the pregnancy together, when they were delaying their wedding. It would have brought them together, bridging the gap Loretta's career had developed over time. Perhaps it still will. I inhale shakily before opening my car door. I've never dreaded returning home more than I do tonight. Regardless of what was going on, I was always eager to see Ariel . But tonight, I can't face him. How can I face the man I love knowing what I did? I opted to marry him knowing that even if I hadn't, Grandma would eventually forgive Loretta and allow her into the family. I came between them out of selfishness, and now I'm paying the consequences. I step into the house I've grown to love so much, the one Ariel and I made, and everything feels so temporary. Life taught me that I don't deserve happiness, despite my efforts to prioritise myself. When I hear Grandma's voice, I tighten up, and my heart races. I should have known she'd find out about this quickly. She'll undoubtedly be overjoyed to welcome her first great-grandchild, and it will kill me to watch her care for Loretta. It's as if everything I desire in life must come first and foremost from Loretta. I follow Grandma's voice to the guest room, pausing in the doorway. Loretta is lying on the bed, and Ariel is sitting on the edge, one arm around her for support while holding a glass to her lips. He looks at her with compassion, which makes me feel bad. He is patient with her and takes care of her.It's as if I've traveled back in time when I was always on the outside looking in. Grandma stands beside Loretta's bed, arms crossed. "You're carrying my first great-grandchild," she says, her voice quiet and pleasant. "You need to take good care of yourself, Loretta." She then turns to face Ariel . "Same goes for you. She is bearing your child, Ariel . I understand the situation isn't ideal, but we'll make the best of it as a family." Loretta looks up at her, tears in her eyes. "I came here to agree, Grandma. I expected my sister and Ariel to be the most supportive. I expected to be protected from the press while we figure out how our lives will alter, but they don't want me here. Ariel asked me to leave, and I believe I should. I shouldn't have come here in the first place. Grandma pauses for a bit. "Loretta, the doctor has put you on bed rest. I would like you to stay here till you are feeling better. It will be beneficial for Ariel , Arielle, and you to be together. After all, this pregnancy intertwines all three of your lives. The more you avoid one other, the more explosive the confrontations become when you are finally forced to face each other. For the sake of my great-grandchild, you must learn to set aside your disagreements." "No," Ariel replies, taking his arm away. He sets down the glass he is holding and stands up. "She cannot stay here. I understand your intentions, Grandma, and I agree that we should learn to coexist, but now is not the time. Grandma holds her hand up. "There's no better moment than now, Ariel . In just four months, you will become a father. This is not something you can run from. This type of situation is better addressed front. The three of you must learn how to co-parent because your child will need you, and you cannot raise him or her in a hostile setting." She looks at me, and I tense. I hadn't realised she'd noticed me standing here. "Don't you agree, Arielle?" I nod at her and hide my feelings of unwarranted betrayal. Of course, she is correct, but I find it difficult to accept. I do not want Loretta in my home. I won't be able to take any more moments like the one I witnessed. I don't want to watch the eventual rekindling of their relationship. Ariel glances around, his gaze wide. "Baby," he murmurs, coming up to me. I take a step back, forcing a smile. "You can have this room," I tell Loretta. She looks at me for a while before nodding, the corners of her mouth curled into a faint smile. Something about the way she looks at me makes me uncomfortable. I believe it's her mocking expression as if she realises she doesn't need my approval or permission when she has Grandma by her side. I step away and head to my bedroom, my heart in disarray. This is my worst nightmare come true. Seeing them together when Ariel and I were just friends was pleasant because I could hide behind our friendship. Now? Now I'll have to watch my husband fall for the lady I ripped him away from all over again. "Arielle!" When I hear Grandma's voice, I freeze and turn around, smiling politely. Her glance moves across my face, her expression troubled. "Are you okay, my darling?" I nod. "Of course." Grandma looks away. "It's all my fault. I can tell you're hurting, Arielle. Without me, you wouldn't be in this situation. I was the one who insisted you marry Ariel , but I should have known it was too late for the two of you. Throughout the years, fate has brought Loretta and Ariel together on numerous occasions. I was naive to believe I could unravel their fates. My attempts to do so have injured you and I apologize." I shook my head. 'No, Grandma. It's fine, I promise. Ariel and I will be okay. You were correct about us, and I have never faulted you for the circumstances we were put in. If anything, I owe you a huge debt. "The past few months have been the happiest I've ever been."She glances into my eyes, searching. "But that bliss won't last, Arielle. It will not. Do you think I didn't notice the pain in your gorgeous eyes every time you saw Loretta and Ariel ?" I look aside and put my arms around myself, protectively. Was I so open? My thoughts return instinctively to Loretta telling me that she and Ariel used to laugh about my crush on him. Did everybody know? "I do not want to see you lose your spirit over the coming few months or years, Arielle. He may be angry and shocked right now, but we know his protective instincts will kick in soon. It won't be long before he realises she is indeed carrying his baby. Do you believe he'd do anything for his child? Can you bear seeing him worry about her? Will your heart remain intact when he places his palm on her belly to feel the baby kick? All of the moments they'll share that you won't be a part of are going to harm you." I take a nervous breath and raise my face. "Then what would you have me do, Grandma?" "My beautiful girl, I'm not sure what the best thing to do, but I want you to consider your happiness. This is not what I wanted for you. For years, I saw you wither away because of your love for Ariel . I do not want you to go through this again. You should have a love so spectacular that everything else pales in comparison. You should never be second to anybody else, and you shouldn't have to compete for a man's attention. But that is the fate you face with Ariel . Loretta will not let him leave her clutches, and their new links are unbreakable." She glances aside for a minute, her eyes filled with sadness. "I love you as much as I do Bianca. Bianca, I've always considered you as one of my own. Long before you married Ariel , I considered you a Warren." Grandma reaches for me and cups my cheek, wiping away a tear that I hadn't realised had fallen. "My dear girl, if you desire to be free, I will let you go. I will offer you half of Warren Media and my full backing. I should not have asked you to marry Ariel in the first place. Arielle, please allow me to mend my wrongs. I pull away from her, shocked. "Are you asking me to divorce Ariel ?" Grandma shook her head. "No, Arielle." I would never expect that of you. I want nothing more than to retain you in our lives. I'm asking you to select yourself. Choose happiness. Prioritise yourself. No one else will do it for you, child. I hope that you would think things through and select Ariel nonetheless, but please know that you have my full support if you decide otherwise." She smiles at me and rises to her tiptoes to kiss my forehead before going away, leaving me standing here with a thousand questions running through my mind.