My Savior
1404 Words
Ariana’s POV
It had been five days since I moved into Ethan’s house—
And today? His mother was coming. Along with his sister.
My stomach was practically doing backflips. The Olympics were happening there and I was losing.
I pressed my phone between my ear and shoulder as I brushed my teeth,my voice muffled by the buzz of the toothbrush.
“Clara!” I whined, “I’m losing my mind. What if they don’t like me? Or worse, what if they really don’t like me?”
“Girl, calm down,” Clara said, absolutely unfazed. “You’re cute. You’re lovable. How could anyone hate you? Look at those chubby cheeks!”
I paused to glance at the mirror. “…Well. I guess you’re right.”
“Besides,” she added, “this isn’t even a real marriage. You’re doing their son a favor, remember?”
I rinsed my mouth and leaned against the sink like the drama queen I was becoming.
“I haven’t even told you the worst part.”
“Oh God, what now?”
“Ethan invited my parents too.”
I groaned. “Since the wedding is tomorrow, he thought it’d be fun for everyone to meet over dinner and get to know each other . Apparently, it’s some Cole family tradition.”
“Ooh girl,” Clara gasped, fully invested now. “You’re in a tight spot.”
“I know, Clara!” I cried, spitting into the sink like it had personally offended me. “Can you come? Please?”
“You know I want to, girl, but I’ve got work today.”
I let out a tragic groan and slid dramatically to the floor. Not my finest moment.
Knock knock.
I was still in the middle of my breakdown, clutching my toothbrush like a weapon, when I heard a knock at the door.
“Clara, I’ll talk to you later. I love you.”
“Get out! Has marriage made you soft?”
“Screw you,” I giggled, ending the call.
I hurried to the door, barefoot and mildly disheveled. Maria stood there with her usual gentle smile. She’d been the only calming presence since I moved in.
“Good morning, ma’am,” she said. “Mr. Cole asked me to bring these to you.” She held out a sleek cloth box and a smaller one. “He said you should wear them for his mother’s visit today.”
I blinked. “Oh. Uh. Okay—thank you.”
She nodded, then disappeared down the hall.
I shut the door, turning to the boxes like they were ticking. Setting them on the bed, I opened the bigger one first and gasped.
Inside was a stunning ivory gown. Simple, elegant, with tiny silver vines embroidered along the neckline. It shimmered just a little when I moved it. Like magic.
I held it against my body in front of the mirror, whispering, “This can’t be real.”
I didn’t know if I deserved it, but I wasn’t about to argue with expensive gifts. Not today.
I dashed to the bathroom, took the quickest bath of my life, and tiptoed back out like I was sneaking around a crime scene. I dried my hair, ignoring my nerves, then slipped into the dress.
It fit perfectly—hugged me in all the right places like it had been made just for me.
The smaller box held a silver heart-shaped necklace. I clasped it around my neck, added the pearl ring Ethan gave me, and turned to the mirror.
I didn’t even recognize the girl staring back.
Elegant. Poised. Almost… beautiful.
“Don’t cry,” I whispered to myself. “Mascara’s expensive.”
Just then, another knock at the door.
“Ma’am?” Maria’s voice came softly. “Mr. Cole asked me to let you know that dinner is ready. The guests have started to arrive.”
Oh God. This was it.
Time to enter the lion’s den.
As I walked downstairs, my heart thudded like a marching band. Each step was a prayer: Don’t trip. Don’t trip. For the love of all things graceful—don’t trip.
The dining room came into view. Long polished table. With a big Glittering chandelier .
Then I saw Ethan.
Seated at the head like a king in his castle, he was as calm and unreadable as always . Our eyes met—and for a moment, he was the only one I saw.
Something flickered in his gaze. Just for a second. But then… he looked away.
My heart sank, and I hated that it did.
Then—she turned.
And I froze.
Standing beside the table was a face I never thought I’d see again. That elegant blond hair. And that face that is so familiar to me.
She rose slowly and walked toward me.
“Mom, what’s going on?” his sister’s voice rang behind her.
I couldn’t move.
“Mrs. Vivian?” I whispered.
Her blue eyes sparkled. They were exactly like Ethan’s eyes.
“Ariana,” she breathed, reaching for my hand. “Is it really you?”
I nodded.
Ethan stood slightly, clearly confused. “Mom, you know her?”
“Yes,” she said, eyes never leaving mine. “This is the savior I told you about.”
The room went silent.
“She saved my life three years ago… when I almost died.”
Linda, Ethan’s sister, looked between us, brows furrowed. “Wait—what do you mean?”
Mrs. Vivian smiled, her grip still gentle but firm.
“Remember when I had that car accident, Ethan? I was taken to the family hospital. Ariana had just started working there. She wasn’t even supposed to be on shift, but she stayed… with me. For hours.”
Her voice wavered a little.
“I was scared. In pain. I remember her sitting beside me through the night. She held my hand, talked to me, made sure I was warm and comfortable. She took care of me like I was her own family.”
“I never forgot that kindness.”
Ethan was silent. Watching me with unreadable eyes.
Linda, on the other hand, looked like she bit into a lemon.
“That’s… sweet,” she said tightly. “But Ethan was supposed to marry Cassandra—”
“I don’t care about that,” Mrs. Vivian cut in gently, but firmly. “Cassandra is a lovely girl. But this one…” she turned to me, eyes warm, “this one saved my life. And I prayed I’d get to thank her someday.”
Her eyes shimmered as she looked at Ethan, then back at me.
“And now she’s marrying my son.”
Mrs. Vivian’s fingers curled around mine as she looked at me with glassy, adoring eyes.
“Please,” she said softly, her voice laced with emotion. “Sit down next to me. Let me look at you.”
I hesitated for a heartbeat before nodding. She guided me toward the table with a gentleness that almost undid me.
“My precious girl,” she whispered under her breath. “I never thought I’d see you again.”
My heart squeezed. I didn’t know what to say, so I stayed quiet. But a thousand emotions swirled in my chest—awkwardness, gratitude, shock, and… something warm I didn’t want to name.
She pulled out the chair beside hers and patted the cushion with a smile. “Right here. Sit, sit.”
I slid into the chair, hyper-aware of every pair of eyes on me. Ethan hadn’t said a word.
I didn’t know if he was angry or surprised. Or maybe… nothing at all.
But Linda?
Oh, Linda was fuming.
She sat across the table in a sleek lavender dress, fingers twitching around her wine glass. Her lips were pressed together in a polite smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“So…” she finally said, tone syrupy sweet, “you’re the nurse Mom keeps talking about.”
I turned to her and gave a soft smile. “I guess I am.”
“How… charming,” she replied.
There was a tight pause before she added, “I’m just surprised. Cassandra was sure Ethan would be announcing their engagement by now. You know, since they’ve been close for years.”
I looked at him—but he didn’t look back.
- Writer
