CHAPTER 110
"But what, Mom?"
Margaret, adopting a more dignified air, said with a hint of satisfaction, "Their daughter was in a tragic car accident just as she came of age and passed away last month."
Passed away…
Arianna's brow furrowed sharply.
"Their daughter was their only child, and they loved her so dearly that they couldn’t bear to let her be alone in the afterlife. That’s why they want to arrange a marriage for her, so her husband can be with her even in death.
"Charlie fits their criteria perfectly. They're willing to offer a substantial dowry, and naturally, we can't refuse it. Xander's health is deteriorating anyway, and when the time comes, he'll join her. It's a win-win situation."
A ghost bride!
Arianna knew that Simon and Margaret were horrible people who, despite not being fit to be parents, would never do anything to hurt their children. It had never occurred to her that they were willing to sacrifice anything for money, even the life of their own son.
They were worse than animals!
Arianna’s eyes were bloodshot and she stared at her two parents. Her words were practically squeezed out from the gaps of her teeth when she said,
“Dad, Mom, Charlie is your son! Your own flesh and blood! Is that how you should treat your own son?”
She then turned to Margaret, her voice trembling uncontrollably,
“Mom, you carried Xander for nine months. Don’t you feel any pity for him?”
Although she never expected them to feel anything for her, she wondered if they similarly felt nothing for Charlie.
Arianna’s expression was too penetrating and sorrowful, causing Margaret to feel a little flustered when she saw that. In a flash, however, she lowered her eyes, avoided Arianna’s gaze, and said loudly,
“You’re right. I did give birth to you, both of you. I suffered during pregnancy and childbirth. I’m the reason you’re in the world, so you should repay me by doing what I ask you to do!”
As she said that, she reached for Simon’s hand and said, “Isn’t that right, Dear?”
Simon slammed the table immediately and yelled at Arianna, “Who are you to question us? You disrespectful girl. I’ll be frank with you right now. Give us money if you don’t want your brother to be married off to a ghost!”
Money.
In their eyes, money was the be-all-and-end-all!
Arianna knew that it was useless for her to say anything. Their goal was clear—they simply wanted money. Their son and daughter were Money and Wealth. She and Charlie were mere commodities.
Seeing Arianna’s silence, Simon hurriedly threatened her again,
“I’m telling you, Arianna, Charlie’s wedding will be held in three days. If you don’t give us any money within that time, Charlie will become someone else’s son-in-law. We have no control over whether he’s alive or dead.”
Margaret immediately added,
“We know you’ve picked up some tricks during your years abroad, but don’t think you can find Charlie’s location and save him secretly. You know his body is weak, and he can’t stand the slightest stress. He’ll die even faster if you act rashly!”
...
Arianna walked out of the house.
The weather had been clear earlier, but now dense dark clouds covered the sky. The wind was blowing, and a storm was imminent.
Rather than calling a cab, she turned her back to the house and began walking away.
The last remnants of any affection she felt for her home vanished completely after what her parents had said.
After walking for some time, the roar of thunder and the flash of lightning appeared on the horizon, forming the prelude to the pitter-patter of rain.
Raindrops landed on Arianna’s hair, eyebrows, and clothes. Her body was getting wet little by little, but she did not seem to feel anything.
When she finally reached the main road, she looked at the myriad of figures by the roadside.
Arianna saw a mother with her child, holding the umbrella over the child’s head despite her own shoulder getting soaked.
Nearby, a father and his daughter were standing. The little girl, in a beautiful skirt and pretty shoes, was reluctant to step on the wet ground and threw a tantrum. The father smiled and said,
“Alright, I’ll carry you.”
He lifted his daughter into his arms, sheltering her from the heavy rain with his firm embrace.
Happiness could be so simple…
But she had never been fortunate enough to experience such moments.
Arianna stared blankly, her eyes reddening. Water drops clung to the corners of her eyes, but she couldn’t tell whether they were raindrops or tears.
…
At the villa.
Xander sat on the sofa in the living room, listening to the rolling thunder outside. He looked up and glanced at the antique clock on the wall.
It was already past 10 at night.
Arianna had left early in the morning and still had not returned. Was she genuinely busy, or was she avoiding him on purpose? Maybe she was out with that rowdy man she seemed to like so much?
Xander pulled out his cell phone and dialed her number, but there was no answer.
The longer he thought about it, the more he leaned toward the latter guess. An uncontrollable surge of anger spread rapidly through his limbs.
Suddenly, a sound echoed from the door. Xander stood up, crossed the room swiftly, his eyes filled with waves of emotion. His voice was icy and tinged with bitterness. "Is this how you're supposed to fulfill your responsibilities, Arianna? Disappearing for the entire day? Why bother coming back at all? Just vanish and never return!"
