He Wants The Heiress Back

Ch-3

CHAPTER 3

Ariella POV

The cab comes to a halt before the terrace, and I get down. Luckily the security guard allowed the Uber driver to take me to the doorstep.

Otherwise, I would not have managed to walk across the huge Valdez property in my current condition. I was discharged from the hospital today after staying a whole week in which no one came to check on me.

No single soul came, it just shows me that I do not matter to these people. Neither my family nor my husband.

Someone from the crowd had saved me that night and sent me to the hospital. Regrettably, I didn't see his face or know who it was that braved the cold sea and sharks for me.

As I walk into the house, there seem to be cheers of celebration, making me wonder what was happening that is worth celebrating.

Could it be that had arranged a surprise waiting for my arrival?

“Oh… that might be why no one came to take me home upon my discharge,” I giggled to myself as I made my way inside the mansion.

Walking into the sitting room, i see Zosia leaning against my husband while he holds out a cake before her. The maids hold a placard that says ‘Congratulations on your discharge, live well.’

Discharge? Wasn't I the injured one? Were they not supposed to celebrate my discharge rather?

“Oh, brother Max, this is too much. Thank you.” Zosia says with a slight smirk as her eyes fall on me.

“Silly girl, just don't entertain thoughts of harming yourself because of others. I will always be here for you, alright?” Max whispers with a gentle, doting smile, one which I have never received from him, not even in bed.

I let out a slow breath, blink back the tears in my eyes and try to sneak upstairs since everyone is busy with the almighty princess.

“Oh? Sister Ariella is back from the hospital.” Zosia shouts eagerly, making my heart skip a beat. Not again.

I hold my stomach, mindful of the dressing as I make my way forward, trying to ignore them.

“Stop right there!” Max thunders, forcing my foot to halt at the first stair. I hold the railing for support and turn around to meet his eyes which have a complicated gaze in them.

****

Maximilian’s POV

My heart had skipped a beat when Zosia announced Ariella's entrance. She looks sick, pale, and exhausted, making my heart ache.

However, memories of what she did to Zosia, even going to the extent of harming herself in the process flashes through my mind, causing my heart to weigh in sorrow.

Shrugging my shoulders, “ It's not worth it to feel sad for someone so ruthless to herself; she can even gamble with her own life,” I reminded myself of how much Ariella didn’t deserve my love.

Red-hot anger zaps through me again, and I clench my fist to hold it in. Why is she like this? How did she become so evil?

I thought she was different, but it turns out she was just hiding her fangs till Zosia showed up.

My so-called wife doesn't even acknowledge me after returning. She just wants to sneak upstairs. If Zosia hadn't seen her, I wouldn't know she was home.

“Do you need anything?” She whispers in a small voice, holding the spot on her belly which I assume is the area the knife hit.

Why is she pretending? Since she stabbed herself, it couldn't have been deep. Why is she pretending to be at death's door?

“Apologize to Zosia, and I might forgive you for what you did,” I say calmly, watching her already dull eyes dim further.

“Excuse me?” She whispers, shaking her head as if she's doubting her ears.

“I asked you to apologize to Zosia, now!” I growled lowly as I paced up towards her.

She scoffs, sighs, and shakes her head. The look in her eyes was one I was familiar with—disappointment.

Exactly the same way I feel each time she does something outrageous due to her petty jealousy.

“You want me to apologize to her? What for? I haven't accused her for what she did, yet you're trying to back me into a corner.

In your place, is the victim always the one to apologize?

Why the hell should I apologize for getting stabbed and abandoned in the ocean? Tell me why?” She roars and starts coughing the next instant. Her lungs probably can't bear the stress.

I scoff and shake my head. She did exactly what Zosi said she would do, pin it on Zosi to make me hate her. At once, the disappointment in my heart multiplies.

“Ariella, just how low are you willing to go? You won't even let a little girl off. What's wrong with you? You even stabbed yourself and jumped into the sea to frame her.

Just how ruthless are you?

Apologize to her immediately. Otherwise, get ready to bear my wrath.” I warned.

Her eyes widen in disbelief, and I could see some crocodile tears crinkling in her eyes.

“You believe that I will stab myself, and jump into the sea despite not knowing how to swim?

Are you that stupid and gullible to believe such a ridiculous lie?

Or has your lust blinded you?” She whispers, holding her belly.

At the mention of last, my blood begins to boil. What did she mean by lust?

Why will list over my best friends sister whom i see as my biological sister? Is Ariella finally out her mind?

I was about to pounce on her for referring to my affection towards Zosia as lust but the blood stain on her dress caught my attention.

Why is it still bleeding after a week?

She couldn't have been stupid enough to stab herself so deep, could she?

I looked up at her face and noticed that her lips were chapped and pale. I clench my fist, suppressing the worry in my heart while reminding myself that she caused it all. A despicable person like her does not deserve mercy.

I hold her by the collar and pull her close, barely holding back the wrath threatening to burst out. Even while angry at her, her sweet scent still intoxicates me.

“I can overlook your father killing mine by administering an unapproved drug. But you repeating history is one that I will never tolerate. I promised her late brother that I would protect her.

If you try any funny business with her, I will destroy you completely.” I whisper, letting my breath fall against her face.

“Alright, I'm the demon, and she's the innocent angel. You're so stupid and blind that you can't see how vicious and manipulative she is.

Is there anyone in the world who will stab themselves deep enough to chop off a part of the liver and intestines?

Is there anyone silly enough to do all the things you have been accusing me of under that pretentious b***h's urging?

Why don't you review the CCTV footage from the party and see what truly happened? Even if the Sebastian family is powerful, I'm sure you still have your way of getting a copy from them.

Or perhaps, can it be that you don't want to review it and see how vicious your seemingly innocent angel is?” She whispers, her eyes filled with defiance and disappointment.

I frown at her words, wondering if I misunderstood her. Before I could think further about it, Zosia screamed in pain, earning my attention.

I immediately rush down to her.

“Are you alright?” I whisper, taking her into my arms.

“I'm fine, I just felt a sharp pain in my head. I think I'm having a migraine. Leave sister Ariella alone. She's right, I'm not supposed to be here, distracting you from taking care of her.

Once I recover a bit, I will move out, away from her sight so she won't be angry anymore. Don't make things hard for her, alright?

I would rather leave than watch you quarrel with your wife because of me.” She whispers and tries to give me a reassuring smile, which comes out weak, showing how exhausted she is.

Such an innocent and sensible child.

Why can't Ariella act like a responsible elder sister and show her some love?

No, I must uphold justice for her today. Otherwise, her depression might relapse. If I don't stand up for her today, Ariella might act even more outrageously when I travel for business.

I turn to Ariella, hardening my resolve, while trying not to look at her chapped lips.

“Apologize to Zosia immediately. Otherwise...”

Before I finish my words, she suddenly laughs, making me frown.

“I see, I understand now. You're beyond redemption. I'm done giving you chances. By the time you realize the truth, it will be too late.”

Her words make me more confused. Just as I was about to ask her about it, she dropped another bombshell.

“Maximilian Valdez, let's get a divorce