CHAPTER 215
Piper seethed as she stared at the photo. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.
*She* should’ve been the one in that stunning wedding dress, standing beside Xander, kissing him in front of everyone. She could practically feel the fabric of the gown that Arianna was wearing—the one that should have been hers.
Hearing Arianna talk about their wedding had hurt, but seeing it—was unbearable. The image cut deeper than any words ever could. Piper’s vision blurred with rage, her eyes reddening with unshed tears.
If Arianna hadn’t come back into Xander’s life, everything would still be perfect. Sheena would still grovel at Piper’s feet, Violet would continue flaunting her status as Mrs. Schmidt, and Piper would still be the adored daughter, the one everyone envied. Most importantly, Xander would be hers.
Arianna was the obstacle in the way of everything Piper had ever wanted, and the only solution she could see was making her disappear. If Arianna was gone, everything would fall back into place. Her world could go back to what it was, and the nightmare she was living would be over.
A twisted smile spread across Piper’s face as a dangerous gleam sparked in her eyes. Without thinking, she let out a soft, manic laugh. Her mind was made up. She had to act. With that thought, Piper spun around and marched back into the bar, a determined fury in every step.
As she passed a table, she grabbed an empty wine bottle and slammed it against the edge, shattering the bottom with a sharp crack. She gripped the jagged remains tightly, her knuckles white, and set her sights on the bathroom where she knew Arianna had gone.
Meanwhile, a woman in a corner booth, almost invisible in the shadows, calmly observed the unfolding drama. With an air of quiet satisfaction, she placed her phone down on the table and sipped her drink, her eyes following Piper’s every movement.
Once Piper disappeared down the hallway, the woman slipped some cash under her glass, stood up, and walked out of the bar, the rhythmic click of her high heels echoing as she made her exit.
…
Arianna splashed her face with cold water, hoping it would clear some of the alcohol-induced haze clouding her mind. Rochelle’s mischievous drink-mixing had hit her harder than expected, and now, the room spun slightly as she stood over the sink.
She sighed, running her wet fingers through her hair. "That’s it. I need to head back and sleep this off," she muttered to herself, shaking her head as if to ward off the dizzy feeling.
As Arianna turned off the faucet and glanced at her reflection in the mirror, she had no idea of the danger lurking just beyond the bathroom door.
Arianna turned off the faucet, grabbing a paper towel to dry her face. Feeling slightly more grounded, she took a breath and began walking slowly out of the bathroom.
Barely two steps out, she noticed someone storming toward her, their footsteps heavy with anger. The dim lighting of the bar, combined with her slightly blurred vision, made it difficult to see who it was at first. But as the person drew nearer, stepping into a patch of light, Arianna’s heart sank—it was Piper.
Piper’s face was twisted with fury, her eyes burning with an unsettling intensity. Before Arianna could even fully process what was happening, Piper lunged toward her, the jagged remains of a broken bottle gleaming in her hand.
Under normal circumstances, Arianna would have had no trouble defending herself. She wasn’t afraid of Piper; in fact, she had dealt with far worse. But tonight was different. The alcohol had slowed her reflexes, clouded her judgment, and dulled her instincts. Her mind wasn’t as sharp as usual, and her body wasn’t responding as quickly as it should.
As Piper swung the broken bottle, Arianna barely managed to sidestep, the sharp glass narrowly missing her abdomen. Instead, it grazed her arm, leaving a deep cut that immediately began to bleed.
The sight and scent of blood seemed to drive Piper into an even deeper frenzy. Her eyes glowed with an almost maniacal determination, and she tightened her grip on Arianna’s arm, the strength behind it unnaturally forceful.
Arianna tried to pull away, but Piper’s grasp was like iron. Whether it was her drunken stupor or Piper’s crazed strength, Arianna found herself unable to break free. The pain in her arm pulsed with every beat of her heart, and the dizziness from the alcohol made it harder to think clearly.
Piper leaned in closer, her voice dripping with venom. "You’ve ruined everything, Arianna! You don’t deserve him! You don’t deserve any of it!" she snarled, her eyes wild with hatred.
With a crazed laugh, Piper raised the shattered bottle once more, aiming directly for Arianna’s chest, her intent unmistakable. “Go to hell, Arianna!” she shrieked, bringing the glass down with all her might.
Time seemed to slow as the jagged bottle came toward her. Arianna, still sluggish from the alcohol, knew she needed to act fast—but her body wasn’t responding the way she needed it to.
