Chapter 1
1068 Words
Ariana was sipping champagne and laughing with friends as they rode on a luxurious boat.
Her husband Lucas had just secured a big contract and the company decided to go on a boat cruise in Crenshaw city to celebrate. It was a successful end to the quarter.
Ariana couldn’t help but feel proud that her risk had paid off. About 3 years ago, she cut off ties with her wealthy family so she could be with Lucas. She even took up a regular job to help him as he was unemployed at the time.
As the celebrations went on, she scanned around but couldn’t find Lucas. she thoughtthat perhaps he had gonw into his cabin. As she walked through the corridor looking for him, she heard his low voice followed by some giggles.
Who was he with?
She burst into the room and saw Lucas and her best friend Emily locked in a passionate kiss, their bodies pressing against each other.
“Lucas?” She whispered, her voice trembling.
Lucas and Emily quickly sprang apart as they noticed her presence.
“What are you two doing?!”
“I'm sorry you had to find out like this.” Lucas said with a straight face.
Emily smirked. “It's about time you told her, don't you think?”
Ariana couldn't believe what she had just seen, and worse, what she was hearing. They both didn't seem to care that she had caught them.
“What is going on Lucas? I just caught you kissing my best friend!!” Ariana thundered.
"Look…I'm done, Ariana. I want out of this marriage. Emily and I are in love. We are getting married."
Ariana's legs buckled, and she collapsed onto the nearby couch, her eyes locked on Lucas.
"You can't mean that. We've built a life together, you can’t just throw all that away."
Lucas shrugged. "Our marriage was simply convenient. I never really loved you.”
“I'll be better off with Emily. She has something to offer me. It was even through her connections I secured this contract.”
Lucas continues coldly. “Look, I really do thank you for what you did in the past. You were a stepping stone for me, but now you're just holding me back. I need someone who can take me to the next level and that person is Emily”
Seeing Lucas reject Ariana put a smile on Emily's face. She knew Lucas was interested in her family connections, but she didn't care as long as she could take him away from Ariana
Back when they were in college, it was Emily who met Lucas first, but she was always jealous that he chose Ariana over her. But now, she would finally have him for herself.
Ariana's vision blurred as tears streamed down her face. She couldn’t believe Lucas could be so cold.
She slid off the couch, onto her knees, grasping Lucas's hand. "Please, don't say that. Remember how far we've come? How I stood by you when no one else would? How I supported you through all the struggles?"
Lucas yanked his hand free. "You were just a means to an end. And now, we're done."
Emily smiled wickedly, stepping closer. "Like he said, you were just a stepping stone to him. Nothing more Ariana. And now, it's time for you to step aside."
Ariana continued to plead with him, her tears falling to the ground. "Please, don't do this. We can work through anything. How can you do this to me, Lucas? To us?"
Emily let out a mocking laugh. “You're really pathetic, you know? He said he doesn’t want you anymore. Why can't you get that into your thick skull?”
Ariana turned to Emily, her voice laced with anguish. "Emily…. I never imagined you would betray me like this. I thought we were sisters, best friends. I trusted you!"
Emily rolled her eyes. "Spare me the drama, Ariana. You were always so clueless. Lucas and I have been together for months. We're meant to be."
Ariana's anger flared. "Meant to be? You're meant to be my friend, not my husband's lover!"
“That’s enough Ariana!” Lucas shut her down. He opened up a drawer and brought out divorce papers before tossing it at her feet.
“Sign them. I was going to wait till after the party to tell you, but you might as well sign it now.”
Emily moved closer to Lucas. "You were always just a placeholder Ariana. And now, it's my turn." She gave Lucas a deep kiss in front of her, making the pain sting even more.
Arianna clenched her fists. She realized that Lucas had already made up his mind.
She picked up the papers and signed them before handing them back to him. “I promise you, you’ll regret this.”
“I highly doubt that. Enjoy the rest of the party.” Emily clapped back.
Ariana ran out of the cabin in tears. She stood by the side of the boat, struggling to breathe. This betrayal was too much for her to bear.
Emily followed her, a smug smile on her face. "Looks like you're not needed anymore, Ariana."
Ariana spun around, her eyes blazing. "You're enjoying this, aren't you? You're enjoying ruining my marriage?”
Emily took on a mocking tone. “C'mon Ari. It's not my fault you can't keep your man, is it?”
Ariana scoffed. “You think he loves you? You heard him clearly. You are nothing more than his ticket to the top!”
Emily flinched. Ariana’s words got to her. her gaze shifted towards the wedding ring on Ariana’s finger.
“Take that off. You are no longer his wife!” she grabbed Ariana’s hand and forced the ring off her finger.
In their tussle, Emily pushed Ariana, causing her to fall off the boat into the water.
Due to something that happened when she was younger, Ariana had developed a very serious case of aquaphobia and became terrified of water.
She would panic anytime she found herself in water, and it would only be a matter of time before she would drown.
“HELP!! SOMEBODY, PLEASE HELP!!” Ariana called out, but no one could hear her aside from Emily.
Emily watched silently as Ariana struggled, and with a wicked smile on her face, she walked away leaving her to drown.
- Writer
