Revenge Wears Red

CHAPTER TWO: BREAKING HEARTS

The next morning arrived with an eerie stillness. The bed beside Ariella remained untouched. Vincent hadn’t returned. She stretched her hand unto Vincent's side of the bed as she let a tear trickle down. She sat up slowly, the weight of sleeplessness dragging her bones. Her face was puffy, her head aching. Still, she summoned the strength to get the children ready. Diana and Elena, looked sleepy-eyed and confused. "Mummy where is Daddy?" Diana asked as she used her right index finger to itch her sleepy eyes. Ariella gave a weak smile and said "Daddy had something important to take care of, babies.He will back soon. For now let's get you two ready for school." She took them by their hands as she led them to the bathroom. Her heart cracked a little more with every lie she told to protect them.

After dropping them off at school, the emptiness of the car felt suffocating. Her fingers trembled around the steering wheel as she finally pulled over and dialed the one number that came to mind —Annabel.

Within the hour, Ariella was curled on the couch, her body buried in a tear-soaked throw pillow. The living room, so vibrant just yesterday, now echoed with silence.

The doorbell rang. She barely moved, only managed to croak out, “It’s open.” Annabel stepped in, a commanding presence in red heels. Her red fitted top dipped daringly low, showcasing the upper swell of her bust. A black mini skirt hugged her curvaceous hips, and her flawless ebony skin shimmered faintly under the morning light. Her shiny hair was pinned into a tight bun, emphasizing the sharp line of her jaw. Her lips, painted a rich crimson, twisted in concern as she laid eyes on her best friend.

“Oh, Ari...” she whispered, rushing over to the couch. “What happened?” she asked, kneeling beside her. Ariella could barely speak. Her voice was ragged. “He didn’t come home... He hasn’t come home. He barely speaks to me anymore, Belle... I started noticing the subtle changes in him for some months now but in the past three weeks it's gone from bad to worse. It’s been three weeks of silence, and yesterday, he just walked out.” Annabel’s brows furrowed with fury. “What? Are you serious? After everything you’ve done for that man? What kind of husband leaves the mother of his children like that?” Ariella shook her head "My kids are confused , they don't understand what is going on and they are both caught up in all of it." Ariella wipes her tears that keeps falling. “It all started when I told him I wanted to work again. He didn’t like it. We got into big argument... and since then, he doesn't talk to me, he has been shutting me out.”

Annabel stood and paced, heels clicking against the tiled floor. “At this point, I think you need to divorce him.” “No,” Ariella said quickly, sitting up. “I can’t. I have nowhere to go. I’m not working, Belle. I don’t even have a savings account. I’m just his housewife.” “I’ll support you, trust me” Annabel replied firmly, her eyes sharp with resolve. “Whatever you need. You deserve better than this,this man clearly doesn't value what he has.” “But the kids... I can’t just tear their world apart. And I still believe he and I could make things work. I won’t leave my marriage—not like this. Not because of one stupid argument."

Annabel sat beside her and pulled her into a hug, blinking rapidly as tears filled her own eyes. “I hate seeing you like this. You’ve always been the strongest of us. Don’t let him break you, Ari.” "I won't." Ariella replied, shutting her eyes as she allowed herself to be comforted by her best friend's embrace.

Meanwhile, while Ariella was bawling her eyes out, Vincent sat at a dimly lit bar, a glass of whiskey resting in his hand. Across from him was Brian Hawkins, his childhood friend, a familiar face that somehow made the drink taste a little less bitter.

“We had an argument and she cried, again,” Vincent said flatly. “But I don’t feel it anymore. I don’t know what it is, Brian. I’m just tired of her.” Brian stared at him, stunned. “You? Tired of Ariella? Vincent, you two were like fire and honey. I used to envy what you had.” “Yeah, well. The fire’s out,” Vincent replied, staring at the ice melting in his glass. “I don’t feel the vibe anymore. Everything’s just... heavy.” Brian sighed, leaning back. “You better think twice. That kind of love doesn’t grow on trees plus you have two young kids. Try work things out,at least for them.” Vincent didn’t respond.

Brian glanced around before exhaling a tired laugh. “You know, I wish I had your problem. At least your wife doesn’t break you every day with words. Annabel—man, she compares me to other men every time I can’t buy her something. Always broke-shaming me. I’m trying my best, Vince. I swear. I try to buy her all she needs and wants whether it's a car, or the latest phone or latest Louis Vuitton bag even when my pockets are getting dried up. But it’s never enough.” There was a sadness in Brian’s eyes that wasn’t there before. “My son, Andre... he doesn’t smile like he used to and is always cranky. I can't blame him, he watches his parents fight and throw things like it’s a show and he’s just two.”

Vincent’s jaw tightened. He reached over and gave his friend a firm grip on the shoulder. “Hey... you’re doing better than you think and I believe things will be alright between you two soon. Please cheer up."Vincent smiled weakly. They both fell into silence, the weight of failing marriages sinking between them like a stone.