Loretta ‘Antics

Arielle's POV I feel like a visitor in my own home. Ariel and I invested a lot of effort into remodelling this location, and it worked for a while. It made us feel like we had a fresh start. Yet, everywhere I look, I see Loretta. Within a few days, she had infiltrated every element of my life that I had attempted to exclude her from. It's in her favourite cup in the sink, the new blanket on our couch, and the several baby publications scattered across the house. It's almost as if she wants to take every opportunity to remind me that she's expecting a kid with my husband. I haven't said much to her since she moved in, and to my surprise, she hasn't tried to irritate me either. She's stayed out of my way for the most part, sending me beautiful grins whenever we cross paths. It only makes me feel even more miserable. I hoped she would lash out at me, so I could explain my anger. The way she acts these days reminds me of a time when I was so blinded by her venom that I didn't realise she'd pushed me to the brink. "Arielle?" I become tight at the sound of her voice. She joins me in the kitchen, hands on her stomach. "God, I'm just hungry all the time," she complains. I watch as she walks right up to the fridge and rummages through it. It irritates me for absolutely no reason. She's not doing anything illegal, but having her in my home is killing me. She takes a box of strawberries and leans back against the counter. "How are you holding up? "You've been very quiet." I raise my coffee cup to my lips and take a sip, pushing myself to sit still when all I want to do is hide in my room. "I'm fine." Loretta looks at me and nods slowly. "I get it," she explains. "It's weird to believe that Ariel and I will be parents. The situation is undeniably difficult. But we'll make the best of it, right? "We always do." I nod, feeling strangely confused. She's been so adversarial in recent months that I'm not sure how to deal with her. "Ariel and I are getting an ultrasound soon to see if we can figure out the gender. "Do you want to come?" She pauses for a moment. "You will be a part of our child's life as well. I want you to feel included. After all, the four of us will become a family.My heart bleeds as I stare up at her. "Sounds great," I push myself to say. "Isn't it odd? The way everything fell back into place. It's almost as if fate is intervening to show us all that Ariel and I were meant to be together. You are the sole missing piece in the puzzle. Her eyes widened, and she smiled. "Sorry. I did not mean it that way. "That came out completely wrong." She glances aside and takes a strawberry into her mouth, carefully chewing. "I wonder how he'll feel when our child asks why Mommy and Daddy can't live together. There are so many questions running through my mind, you know? What will it be like when we have to attend parent-teacher meetings? Will the three of us go? And how about the immediate future? Will you both be there when I go into labour? Are you going to get up in the middle of the night to help with the nightly feeds?" She runs her hand through her hair. "I know I haven't been the best version of myself lately, but this pregnancy has let me see everything with new eyes. Nothing is more important to me than Arielle's well-being. She pauses. "You wouldn't understand." She glances up, apologising. "I suppose you never will. Ariel always stated that he only wanted one child. I stare at her, exhausted, right down to my damaged spirit. "Loretta," I say in a quiet voice. "I don't have any answers for you, but answers aren't what you want from me, are they? Why don't we quit playing games? I hear you, Loretta. You believe I'm impeding the wonderful family you would have had if I hadn't married Ariel , and perhaps I am. But even if I walk away now, you won't be able to return to your previous situation. "Can't you see he loves me?" She smiles and ditches the act, a wicked look in her eyes. "I can see he's infatuated. It will pass. The love he believes he has for you will pale in comparison to the affection he will show his child. Ariel is an honourable man who will go to any length to ensure that his child has the life he deserves. "What do you think that means for you?"I shook my head. "How does this even work? Will you reveal to the entire world that you slept with your sister's husband? Are you willing to jeopardise your reputation?" She grins at me. "Why wouldn't I?" After all, I have years of documentation demonstrating that he dated me. If I tell a story about how we were mercilessly separated by the Warren family's restrictions, the media would portray us as two star-crossed lovers. My heart starts pounding just thinking about it. "This is going to become a massive controversy, Loretta. How is that meant to help any of us? She shrugs. "I understand, but I will not let my child grow up as a dirty secret. He or she will be a Warren, after all. I'm not going to let Ariel hide our baby. If it weren't for you, we'd be able to raise our child together. She looks away. "If you go peacefully and allow us to rekindle our relationship, I will keep my silence. I'll retire, and no one will care whether I have a child, let alone who the father is. My youngster will be able to grow up with both parents in a caring environment. Ariel has enough contacts to ensure your career remains unaffected. We'll keep the rumors at a minimum." Grandma's words are still echoing through my mind. Loretta will not let him leave her clutches, and their new links cannot be broken."No," I tell her. "I'm not leaving, and the sooner you accept that the sooner we can find out how to deal with the publicity around your pregnancy. Loretta, no matter what you do, you will not be able to persuade Ariel . There are many things I am unsure of, but our love is not one of them. Whether you like it or not, I will be by his side every step of the way. That implies I will be a lasting feature in your child's life as well. Do you think you'll have these moments with him? They won't happen since I'll also be there. You won't be able to utilise your child to reach him. I recommend you begin focussing on what is genuinely best for your son or daughter because alienating me is not one of those things. I will, after all, play an important role in parenting the baby." She looks past me for a moment, then gasps, her fingertips tracing over her temple before swaying. She loses her footing and falls to the floor before I can take a single step towards her. "Loretta!" Ariel shouts from behind me. He pushes past me and kneels on the floor, lovingly scooping her into his arms. "What happened?" he asked me. "Did you disturb her in some way? "Her blood pressure is already too high." He takes her into his arms before I can respond. As he walks past me, I notice her looking at me over his shoulder, a smile on her face. I told her she couldn't have these moments with Ariel because I'd be present, but now I realise... She's counting on my presence