Loretta Bombshell

Arielle's POV I lower my head to Ariel ' shoulder and move closer to the sofa. I'm drawing on my tablet as hubby analyses documents on his laptop, and I'm filled with joy tonight. I enjoy the little things that matters most with him. "Mr. and Mrs. Warren?" We both sit up, surprised, when one of our security enters. Our staff is frequently so unobtrusive that it's easy to forget they're even there. They never come into the house while we are there. "What is it, Luke?" Ariel asks. Luke pauses for a Loretta Rowan stands at the gate. We have denied her access, although she does not appear to be in good spirits. I would suggest that we let her in before she makes a scene and attracts the media." Ariel stare at me and I nod. If what he says is correct, something is very wrong. Loretta would never risk raising a commotion otherwise. She's always been more concerned with her reputation than with either of us. "Let her in," I ask. I grab my phone and launch the cameras. The gates in front of the mansion swing open, and she drives through. It will only take her a few minutes to arrive at our place, and the closer she gets, the more nervous I become. I have a nasty feeling about it. I haven't spoken to her since I asked if she wanted me in her life, and I don't think I ever will. Not really. I anticipated seeing her at social gatherings, but this? I never expected her to return to our house. Loretta appears sad as she walks in, Luke at her side. She pauses and glances around, her expression expressing her disbelief. "I see you renovated the place," she replies, her voice quiet and matter-of-fact. The venom I expected isn't present, which makes me nervous. Given how we fell out, there's no way she's standing in front of me now without an ulterior agenda. She approaches us and sits on the sofa next to the one we're on, her eyes shifting between Ariel and me. My spine tingles as she nervously clasps her hands. Normally, she cannot keep her gaze away from Ariel . This time, she stares at me with what appears to be guilt in her eyes. "I'm sorry for dropping by unexpectedly," she says, her head bent. Her eyes well with tears, and she inhales shakily. The way she wraps her arms around herself makes her appear vulnerable, but I believe it's all an act. I should have known she wouldn't let me leave that simply, especially with Ariel and our parents around. "I… there's no easy way to say this." She raises her head and gazes into my eyes. "I'm pregnant." She's... what? My heart sinks, and nausea strikes me hard, her words echoing in my thoughts. As I stare at my sister, I am gripped by a fear unlike any other I have ever experienced. She appears remorseful, but I recognize the gleam in her eyes. It was how she always looked at me when she feigned to be remorseful for Mom's favoritism towards her over me. I wrap my arms around myself and take a steady breath. This cannot be happening.Her attention moves to Ariel . "I am five months gone. The baby is, of course, yours. Ariel tense beside me and reaches for my hand, entwining our fingers before placing them in his lap. He's clearly in as much disbelief as I am. "I hadn't realized it for a long time. Ariel , you know how irregular my periods are. It wasn't until I started gaining weight unexpectedly that I considered taking a pregnancy test. I've had absolutely no symptoms. There was no morning sickness or any other indicators. I didn't even show till two weeks ago. I… Ariel , this is a high-risk pregnancy. I need you. I can't do this alone, and I'm afraid." Ariel drapes his free arm around my shoulder, squeezing tightly as our hands remain linked on his lap. I'm afraid to look at him for fear that I'll see happiness written all over his face. After five months, he had slept with her before our wedding. Or soon after. I bite down hard on my lip as I try to control my breathing. I can feel panic swelling in my chest, trying to overtake me. Has he cheated on me? Ariel lets go of my hand and takes his phone. He begins to type before making a call. "I need a doctor," he says abruptly. "Send a doctor to my home within the next ten minutes." Loretta's eyes widened. "You don't believe me?" she asks, stunned. Ariel smiles tightly. "Just covering my bases," he explains. "If you're carrying my child, we should check your health, right? "Especially if the pregnancy is truly high-risk." His fingers draw circles on my shoulder, undoubtedly in an attempt to reassure me, but nothing can quiet my racing heart. How can she be pregnant? What exactly does this mean for us? My mind is racing, and I'm doing everything I can to avoid feeling lightheaded. I cannot afford to panic right now. I can see the life I envisioned with Ariel fading away as Loretta claws her way back into our lives, smothering me. The doctor enters, and I rise to my feet, eager to get to the bottom of this. Does wishing she is not pregnant make me a bad person? Ariel and I have discovered true happiness together, but this... will break us apart. It has been nearly impossible for me to focus on my marriage while also pursuing my personal happiness in recent months. How much harder will she make things for us once a child is involved? "Arielle," Ariel says, reaching out for me. He puts his hands on my shoulders and squeezes tightly. "I am yours, no matter what. There's nothing you and I can't handle, and this is no exception." "How is this not different, Ariel ?" I enquire, distraught. "It is a child. "An innocent life." He cups my cheek and nods."Yes, it is. But let us take it one step at a time, okay? He believes she is lying, but I know she is not. Loretta is too intelligent to do something like that. When the doctor enters with a stern expression, I sit down, defeated. He looks at Ariel and nods. "She is five months pregnant. The baby is fine, but the mother is under too much stress. She has been experiencing anxiety and insomnia. Her blood pressure is far higher than I would like it to be. You will need to take good care of her. I look down at my wedding band in resignation. She predicted that he would eventually return to her, and she was correct. He can't avoid her because she's his child's mother. What does this even mean for us? Would this child be my niece, nephew, or stepchild? Will we coparent? Is he willing to rekindle their connection for their child? I understand how much family means to him. He would not want his kid or daughter to grow up in a broken home. He will not accept only seeing his child on weekends. "Arielle?" I look up to see that the doctor has left the room. How long have I sat on the sofa, lost in my thoughts? "Where is Loretta?" "She's lying down in the guest room." Ariel kneels in front of the sofa and grabs my hands, gripping them hard. "Are you okay?"I look him in the eyes and force a grin on my face. "Congratulations," I reply as my voice breaks. "You're going to be a father." I swallow my anguish and breathe in shakily. I've imagined speaking those exact words to him someday, but I'd be pregnant. Having a family with Ariel is something I've only recently begun to fantasize about, and it seems like she's stolen another of my fantasies. I take my hand out of his and cross my arms as I gaze out the window behind him, my heart pounding. "Did you cheat on me, Ariel ?" He grips my cheek and draws my gaze back to him. "No," he replies, looking into my eyes. He looks as disturbed as I am. "Never. I never will. Nothing will change for us until you want it to." I stare at him, taking in his strong jaw and gorgeous green eyes. Will his children have his eyes? How about his smile? "Allow me a minute of honesty, Ariel . Do you want this to change our relationship? Are you framing it that way because you want me to be the larger person and leave? Are you asking me to do something you won't do so you don't feel bad about choosing your child and mother over me?" His eyes widen, and he takes both of my hands. "Moment of honesty," he responds. "I'm silently praying that you'll tell me that this won't affect us and that we'll figure out how to get through it together. I was so proud of you for standing firm and cutting Loretta off, and now we're forced to allow her into our lives in ways we never imagined. I'm afraid of hurting you or asking too much. I don't know what the right thing to do, so please advise me. I nod and look away. "I wish I knew," I whisper. "I wish I had the perfect words for you right now, but I don't. All I know is that it cannot be the child who suffers. I will be there for you, Ariel , in whatever capacity you require. If you want me to raise this child with you, I will. I have no question that I love you, and while it may be difficult, I know I will love your daughter or boy just as much. What I'm not sure is if I can handle having Loretta in our lives." He nods and rests his head on my lap, arms around my waist. I should have known better than to believe I had finally found my own Happily Ever After. Happiness has always seemed out of grasp for me. Ariel has always remained out of reach.