chapter two
1395 Words
Dylan stood in the doorway for a moment, his eyes locked on Ariella. The whole dining room felt smaller with him in it. No one spoke. Even Mia’s perfect smile froze a little.
He walked in slowly, dropped his jacket on the back of his chair at the head of the table, and sat down like he owned the place. His gaze moved around the table, stopping on each person for a second. When it landed on Mia, she straightened up and smiled brighter.
“Good morning, everyone,” he said, voice calm. He reached for the coffee pot and poured himself a cup. “Busy morning already?”
Jasmine laughed lightly. “Just catching up, darling. Mia was telling us about Paris. You should go with her next time. The fashion shows would be good for business.”
Dylan took a sip of coffee. He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he looked at Ariella again. She kept her eyes on her plate, fingers tight around her fork.
“I’ll think about it,” he said finally.
Mia’s smile grew. “I already booked the hotel suite. The one with the view of the Eiffel Tower. We could make it a weekend trip.”
Ariella felt her stomach twist. She pushed her chair back a little. “Excuse me. I’m not hungry.”
She stood up fast. Too fast. Her head spun for a second. She grabbed the edge of the table to steady herself.
Dylan’s eyes narrowed. “Sit down, Ariella.”
She froze. Everyone was watching now. Jasmine raised an eyebrow. Sophia smirked.
“I just… I need some air,” Ariella said quietly.
Dylan set his cup down. The sound was loud in the quiet room. “I said sit.”
She looked at him. His face was hard. He wasn't smiling. She slowly sat back down.
He turned to Mia. “You can go to Paris alone. I have meetings here.”
Mia’s smile slipped for a second, but she recovered fast. “Of course. Whatever works best.”
Ariella stared at her lap. She felt small again.
Breakfast dragged on. Mia talked more about deals and trips. Jasmine agreed with everything. Sophia and Ethan laughed at their own jokes. Lucas stayed quiet. Dylan ate slowly, answering only when someone spoke to him directly.
When the plates were finally cleared, Dylan stood up. “Ariella. Upstairs. Now.”
He didn’t wait for her to answer. He just walked out.
Ariella’s legs felt heavy as she followed. She heard Sophia whisper something mean to Mia, but she didn’t look back.
Upstairs, Dylan was already in their bedroom. He had taken off his tie and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt. He stood by the window, looking out at the garden.
“Close the door,” he said without turning.
She did. The click sounded too loud.
He turned around. “You almost fainted down there.”
“I’m fine,” she lied.
He walked closer. “You look pale. When was your last period?”
Ariella’s face heated. “Why do you care?”
“Because I don’t want surprises.” His voice was flat. “Take the pill.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small white tablet. He held it out to her.
Ariella stared at it. Her stomach turned just looking at it. She was allergic to most contraceptives. Every time she took one, her belly cramped for hours, sometimes days. She felt sick, dizzy, weak.
“Can I not take it this time?” she asked softly.
Dylan’s eyes narrowed. He stepped closer. “Not take it? You want to have my child?”
Ariella’s hands clenched at her sides. “No… I don’t.”
He suddenly moved fast. His big hand pressed hard on her lower stomach. His face was close to hers. “Remember who you are, Ariella. You’re not qualified to carry my child. You never will be.”
The words hit like a slap. Her chest squeezed tight. Tears burned her eyes, but she blinked them back.
She took the pill from his palm. put it in her mouth and chewed it. The bitter taste exploded on her tongue. It burned going down her throat. She swallowed hard, fighting the urge to gag.
Dylan watched her the whole time. His eyes stayed on her stomach for two long seconds after she swallowed.
“Good girl,” he said quietly.
Ariella turned away. She walked to the bathroom and shut the door. She leaned against the sink, breathing fast. Her reflection looked tired.
She heard him leave the room. The door closed softly.
She stayed there a long time. When the cramps started, sharp and twisting pain, she sat on the floor and hugged her knees. Tears came again.
Later, she heard voices downstairs. Mia was still here. Laughing with Jasmine. Probably planning more ways to push Ariella out.
Ariella stood up slowly. She washed her face with cold water. She couldn’t stay in the room all day. She had to move.
She went downstairs quietly. The living room was empty. She walked to the kitchen instead. The cook, Mama Grace, was there washing dishes. She was the only person in the house who didn’t look at Ariella like dirt.
“Madam,” Mama Grace said, smiling. “You want something?”
Ariella shook her head. “Just water.”
Mama Grace poured her a glass. “You look tired today.”
Ariella tried to smile. “I’m okay.”
Mama Grace touched her arm gently. “You’re strong, my dear. Don’t let them break you.”
Ariella’s eyes filled again. She nodded and drank the water fast.
She went outside to the garden. It was quiet there. Flowers everywhere. A small bench under a tree. She sat down and closed her eyes.
She didn’t hear him come up behind her.
“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” Dylan said.
She opened her eyes. He stood with hands in his pockets. Shirt sleeves rolled up. He looked different without the suit jacket. Less like the cold CEO, more like a man.
“I needed fresh air,” she said.
He sat beside her.
They sat in silence for a while.
“Why do you hate me so much?” she asked suddenly.
He didn’t answer right away. “I don’t hate you.”
“Then why do you treat me like this?”
He looked at the flowers. “Because this marriage was never about feelings. It was about need. I needed a wife on paper. You needed money.”
Ariella laughed bitterly. “And now?”
“Now it’s the same.”
She turned to him. “You force me every night. Then you make me take pills so I don’t get pregnant. You remind me I’m nothing. Is that all I am to you?”
His jaw tightened. “You knew the rules from day one.”
“I didn’t know I would feel like this,” she whispered.
He looked at her then. Really looked. For the first time, something flickered in his eyes, then his expression went back to normal.
“You think I enjoy this?” he asked.
Ariella blinked. “You seem to.”
He stood up. “I don’t enjoy anything, Ariella. Not anymore.”
He walked back toward the house.
She watched him go. Ariella felt confused.
That evening, dinner was quiet. Dylan came home late. He ate alone in his study. Ariella stayed in the room. She didn’t want to face the family again.
Around midnight, he came to bed. She pretended to be asleep.
He lay beside her. Didn’t touch her at first.
Then his hand rested on her hip.
She opened her eyes in the dark.
“Dylan?” she whispered.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD