The Truth is Revealed
Ariel's POV
I enter the house I provided for Loretta with a sorrowful heart. Though there is still a gulf between them, I know Arielle still loves Loretta , so I wish it hadn't come to this. I was I didn't stand at the heart of their fallout. Happiness, not suffering, is what I want to give my wife. Arielle is someone I know. She may still be holding out hope that Loretta will change, but I know she won't."Ariel ," she grinned and said. I get annoyed by that close-knit, arrogant smirk of hers. Even though I was able to refute a large number of the rumors she spread, I was unable to eliminate them. "Well done," I say to her. "The baby is doing great, and the doctor says you're OK. It appears that you needed a change of scenery. She gives a nod. Indeed. I adore this location. It's far superior to where you are. We'll have to renovate that. I detest the interior, and it isn't kid-friendly. I take a seat across from her on the couch and nod. Yes, that's not what we're doing. Arielle lovingly renovated our house, and it will remain just as it is.Her eyebrows shoot upward. "If the place you're taking our kid isn't safe for her, I won't allow you to see our daughter. I'm already hesitant to leave her in Arielle's vicinity. What happens if she fabricates an accident and our child is harmed? I cast a quick glimpse at her belly. She's only recently begun to show, and even at being six months along, it's hardly evident. "Is she? Is she mine? Loretta, I know I've asked you this before, but I need the truth. She hesitates for a second, then quickly pastes on a cheery grin. She is, of course. Is this Arielle once more? Did you speak to her recently?" I lean back and stare at her. I smile and say, "Keep my wife's name out of your filthy mouth." "And tell me how this works." I give her a folder, and I keep a close eye on her as she opens it. It's a test for paternity . Some of those blood tests the doctor did? Yes, they weren't all typical examinations. We compared the genetic profiles of the foetal cells in your womb and mine during a foetal cell study. There was no match. I am not the father. I touch my hair with my hand. "But then again, didn't you already know that?" I turn my head away, my heart aching for Arielle. I've put her through so much, and what for? I know that she's always been blinded to Loretta's flaws, but I wasn't. I fucking failed her. 'Sincerely apologize to Arielle, and I'll let you get away with everything you put her through if she asks me to." Loretta chuckles. How would l do that? I haven't caused her any harm. It was she who decided to flee, unable to withstand the pressure from the media. That's not what I would have done to you. Together, we could have withstood any storm. I give her a shaky head. "Loretta, she agreed to assist me in raising a child that is not hers. Her departure was entirely related to you and had nothing to do with me. This was not about my wife not wanting to go through difficult times with me; I would never ask her to settle for less than she deserves. It was about her deciding not to spend the rest of her life being destroyed by her sister. It was her taking away the power you thought you had over her, and taking some time to think about what her boundaries are. I, for one, appreciate the hell out of her for being able to do what so many of us won't. I know I remained around for far longer than I ever should have just because I thought it was the right thing to do, haven't you?" She shakes her head and looks away. "Ariel , I do love you." I chuckle. I am powerless to stop myself. "Loretta, the only person you love is yourself. And me? I don't believe I ever really loved you either. I halt to glance at her, wishing, if only for Arielle's sake, that things had gone differently. "Do not hold me responsible for the consequences if you refuse to apologize to Arielle."She smirks at me while crossing her arms. "I won't," she says, raising an eyebrow. She genuinely believes she is in control, doesn't she? I guess over the years she forgot who I am. Since the me I presented to her was never the real me, I let her do that. "All right," I reply, grabbing my phone and approving my team to release the items we worked on. Her phone starts to buzz, and I smile. In a matter of seconds, all major media outlets begin to chronicle her ascent to fame and the names of all the men she had sex with along the way. Though it took me a few days to prepare, the effort was worth it. 'Do you truly believe I didn't know about the affairs? The guys you would deceive on set? I laugh. "I was aware. I was just uninterested. I cock an eyebrow at her phone. 'I hope you enjoy the experience you gave your sister. Perhaps now, for once, you might understand what you put her through." I turn to leave. "Oh, and Loretta as well? You're not going to work in the entertainment business again. Anyone who even tries to recruit you will suffer the consequences. I want you out of my wife's sight. I do not want her to ever be reminded of everything you have done to her. You can choose to vanish silently or I can force you to do so. I advise you to pause before acting for the benefit of the unborn child you are carrying.She yells, "Ariel !" but I reject her appeals and turn my back on her for the last time.