CHAPTER 109
She stood before the grand, intricately carved gate, gazing up at the house that once held memories of warmth and childhood innocence, now replaced with coldness and betrayal.
Arianna took several steadying breaths, masking her inner turmoil with a stoic expression. With a determined step forward, she pressed the doorbell.
A servant promptly answered the door, showing no surprise at her presence. "Hello, Miss. Please come inside."
Arianna lifted her head slightly and walked in confidently.
...
Inside the living room, Arianna found Simon and Margaret seated comfortably. One calmly read the newspaper while the other savored her scented tea.
Arianna entered the room, her gaze sweeping over Simon and Margaret, yet the familiar chill lingered in her heart.
Without hesitation, she went straight to the point.
"Where's Charlie?"
Simon tossed the newspaper aside onto the coffee table and shot her a stern look.
"What kind of attitude is that? No greetings for your parents when you come home? Have you forgotten your manners?"
Margaret set her teacup down with a disappointed sigh, her gaze fixed on Arianna.
"We've raised you for so many years, and this is how you repay us? Ignoring our calls and texts, and now you show up here without a shred of respect. It feels like everything we've done for you has been in vain, Arianna."
Arianna had heard those words her entire life. "Our family treats you so well. We've invested so much in raising you. You must follow our plans for you and repay us with nothing but the best."
Those words had weighed heavily on her in the past. She had always been the Johnson's compliant daughter, dedicating herself to the family's needs and striving to secure their utmost benefit.
Yet, they never acknowledged her efforts. They only knew how to exploit her time and again—she was the dutiful daughter and cherished when her obedience served their interests. But once her utility waned, they discarded her, leaving her fate to chance.
She was a human being, not a robot, yet even machines would eventually break down if treated in such a manner.
Despite all the disappointment and heartbreak Xander had caused her, no one had hurt her more deeply than her own parents.
In that moment, she finally realized the truth—they had never truly loved her; they had only ever used her.
Years had passed, but they were still trying to manipulate her, to chain her to their demands, to exploit her hard work for their own gain.
Arianna fought back the tingling sensation in her nose and maintained a composed posture on the armchair.
"Cut to the chase, Mom and Dad. Spare me the usual routine. Show some sincerity and dignity for once."
Stung by Arianna's direct response, Simon and Margaret wore grim expressions. In the past, Arianna would have internalized their criticisms, allowing them to manipulate her once more.
Simon sneered dismissively. “I thought you'd have no use for your parents now that you've landed yourself a wealthy husband.”
Margaret's gaze swept over Arianna, her eyes narrowing with growing anger.
“You look like you're thriving! Married life seems to suit you well. How ungrateful can you be? You've forgotten all about us since you've hit the jackpot! Remember, we're the ones who arranged for you to marry that wealthy man. Without us, you'd be nothing!”
Arianna maintained her composure, seemingly unaffected by their words. She repeated her question calmly,
“I’ll ask once more. Where is Charlie?”
Ignoring their attempts to provoke her, Simon and Margaret exchanged a quick glance, realizing their usual tactics were ineffective.
Simon smirked oddly and responded, sidestepping her inquiry, “Arianna, we've been discussing marriage plans for Charlie.”
A wave of ice washed over Arianna's eyes the moment Simon concluded his sentence.
Even though she had anticipated her parents' malicious motives in taking Charlie away, hearing it confirmed from their own mouths ignited a fresh wave of anger at their audacity.
It was one thing for them to treat her like this, but Charlie was still a young boy with a precarious heart condition. How could they even entertain such a thought!
Simon's face lit up with satisfaction as he noticed the shift in Arianna's demeanor.
"Arianna, your mother and I treat our children fairly. Just as we found a good match for your marriage, it's only fitting that we do the same for Charlie. Rest assured, we won't mistreat Charlie," Simon asserted.
Arianna’s fists clenched tightly as she struggled to contain herself. She knew that reacting in anger wouldn't resolve the situation.
Arianna swallowed hard, her gaze unwavering as she locked eyes with Simon.
"Charlie is sick. His condition could worsen any day. I don't know how long he'll live, and who would willingly marry him? Wouldn't they fear becoming a widow?"
Margaret, seemingly anticipating Arianna's response, took a delicate sip of tea before replying calmly,
"Arianna, why ask such a naive question? It's true that most women wouldn't choose to marry someone as ill as Charlie, but you know..."
She trailed off, her eyes gleaming with a hint of greed as they rested on Arianna.
Arianna caught the implication behind Margaret's words but maintained a forced smile.
"But what, Mom?"
