Chapter 123
"I am your rescuer."
Bella studied the young woman once more, noticing how her attire screamed wealth, and the way she carried herself hinted at a life of privilege. But who was she?
"What do you mean you're my rescuer? What are you saving me from?" Bella asked with genuine curiosity.
Ariana let out a loud, carefree laugh, leaving Bella more puzzled. "Did you really just ask what I'm saving you from?" she said, glancing at Bella from top to bottom. "Have you forgotten that you're stuck in this so-called modern prison?"
"And you think you can save me from it?" Bella questioned.
"Yes, I can. If I couldn’t, I wouldn’t be here." Ariana sat down, crossing her legs. "Take a seat."
Bella glanced at her and then the chair before finally sitting down.
"Before you continue, I’ve been wondering how you even got in to see me. No one’s been allowed to visit me for a long time. Did Lily or Alexander send you?" Bella inquired, knowing that ever since her daughter’s death two years ago, Alexander had banned any visitors.
Not only that, Alexander had prevented her from taking her own life. His grief had been unbearable ever since their daughter’s death sentence.
Ariana smiled in response. "No, they didn’t send me. But they're the reason I’m here."
Bella frowned in confusion. "Why are you here?"
"Good question. I’m here because I need your help. I want us to team up."
"What could you possibly need my help for? Can’t you see I’m locked away here for life?" Bella replied, emphasizing the "modern prison" phrase that Ariana had used earlier.
Ariana smirked. "That’s why I said I’m your rescuer. I can help you get out of here, and in return, you’ll help me deal with your stepdaughter—the one who killed your daughter."
Bella began to realize that the woman sitting across from her was one of Lily’s enemies. It didn’t surprise her; Lily, being married to one of the richest men in the world and the heir to the Blake empire, was bound to have plenty of enemies. But Bella wanted to know why this woman wanted Lily dead.
"I see. So tell me, why do you want to kill Lily?"
Ariana leaned back in her chair, ready to reveal her identity and motivations. "I was Alexander’s first love, but I betrayed him, and he’s hated me ever since. Everyone believed I was dead, even I thought I was dead. But I woke up from a coma after years, and all I could think about was getting Alexander back. When I found out he was married to your stepdaughter, and they had a child together, I started planning. Right now, I’m pretending to have lost my memory, but Lily’s too clever to believe me, and I’m struggling to remove her from the picture. That’s why I need your help. You’ve already taken out her mother and two sisters, so you can help me finish her off."
Bella studied the seemingly innocent young woman in front of her. She talked like someone who had lost her grip on reality. The two of them weren’t so different, except for one thing—this girl was even more unhinged.
Bella had killed Lily’s mother to become the only wife and her two daughters to ensure her own daughter would inherit the Blake fortune.
"I won’t deny that you and I are quite similar. I did everything I could to secure my place and my daughter’s future. But there’s one key difference between us. Do you know what that is?" Bella asked the young woman.
Ariana smiled. "The fact that I’m crazier than you?"
Bella nodded. "Yes, you’re much crazier. And here’s why: I never fought for a man who didn’t want me. Alexander wanted me, but he hesitated because he already had a wife. So, I removed her. But you—you’re chasing after a man who despises you. After what you did, he’ll never forgive you. So what’s the point of fighting for something that’s already lost?"
"And secondly, you know Alexander well. You know what he’s capable of. And like you said, Lily is smart and ruthless. She even killed her own stepsister. What do you think she’ll do to you, someone who isn’t even family?" Bella laughed.
Ariana clenched her fists. "Then you’ll be shocked to see just how dangerous I can be."
"Good luck with that," Bella replied.
Ariana stood, picking up her bag. "So, will you join me, or are you content to spend the rest of your miserable life here?"
Bella thought for a moment before shaking her head. "As much as I want to leave this cell, I’ve decided to stay. I’ve accepted my fate."
Ariana scoffed. "Coward."
"No, I’m not a coward. I’ve simply come to terms with reality. There are winners and losers in life. When things don’t go your way, you have to accept that you’ve lost and move on. You need to learn how to accept defeat."
Bella continued, "When I succeeded in killing Lily’s sisters but failed to kill her, I should’ve realized that I’d lost. Instead, I kept going after her, despite the risks. Look around you, Ariana. I’m in prison, not living in luxury. My being here should have made you realize that seeking my help won’t lead to victory. A loser like me can’t help you win."
Branda paused, then added, "Let me give you some advice. I’m sure you have a mother or someone who cares about you."
At the mention of her mother, Ariana flinched.
"You’re young and beautiful. You’ll find someone who loves you. You have money, so go far away and live your life. Don’t waste it fighting a battle you’ll lose. Don’t make the same mistakes I did. My daughter is dead because I couldn’t let go. If you continue down this path, they won’t spare you either. Lily is just waiting for you to make your move so she can destroy you."
Bella laughed, a wild, almost maniacal laugh that made Ariana take a step back.
"I never thought I’d be the one giving this kind of advice," Bella said through tears. "I wish I’d known better. If I had, my daughter might still be alive."
Expecting some sympathy, Bella was instead met with a mocking smile from Ariana. "Wow, you’re not just a coward—you’re a loser. I will never end up like you, and I will never lose. Watch the news, because soon, you’ll hear about Lily’s death."
Bella shook her head sadly. "Good luck, then. But I hope that before you die, you’ll remember that I warned you."
With that, Ariana left, still fuming. Her plan to make Bella her ally had failed.
But instead of discouraging her, the failure made Ariana more determined. In a few days, Lily would be dead.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
