CHAPTER 24
In the dimly lit room, Arianna wrapped herself in a blanket, her torn clothes scattered on the floor. Frustration gnawed at her as she cursed Xander under her breath. She dialed the clubhouse’s extension, requesting a new set of clothes.
After what felt like an eternity, the server arrived with fresh attire. Arianna quickly changed, but as she examined herself in the mirror, she realized the hickeys she had drawn were now replaced with real bruises, a painful reminder of the night's events.
Arianna's once porcelain skin now bore bruises, a stark contrast against her complexion.
She took a deep breath, wiping away the traces of tears on her cheeks. With her hair disheveled, she attempted to conceal the marks on her neck as she exited the room with her bag in hand.
At the clubhouse entrance, another woman approached. Lost in her own misery, Arianna hardly noticed her, keeping her gaze lowered as she passed by without a word.
The woman halted in her tracks, her eyes widening as the wind tousled Arianna's hair, revealing the marks on her neck that extended beneath her blouse. With a clenched jaw and envy evident in her gaze, she watched Arianna walk away.
This woman, with a twisted expression, was Piper.
With bitterness lacing her voice, Piper called out Arianna's name as walked past her in a rush.
"Arianna Johnson"
Arianna hailed a cab.
After settling into the back seat, the driver, with a friendly demeanor, inquired,
"Where to, Miss?"
Arianna hesitated, her mind wrestling with conflicting emotions. She longed for home, but where was home now?
The Johnson residence? It held memories tainted by betrayal and extortion from two years ago, when Simon coerced Xander into paying him off, forcing Arianna to flee abroad.
That place no longer felt like home.
As for Xander’s villa… That was never her sanctuary.
The wedding orchestrated by Xander was nothing but a cruel scheme to exact revenge and degrade her further. That villa felt more like a prison designed to confine and torment her.
Arianna couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she'd face such a day.
Amidst her laughter, tears trickled down her cheeks, silent witnesses to her heartache.
Arianna arrived at the villa in the dead of night. The grand estate, usually bustling with activity, now stood silent and imposing under the moonlight, adding to the eerie atmosphere of solitude.
Yet, Arianna found solace in the silence. With no prying eyes around, she could shed the facade she wore during the day and allow herself to feel the weight of her vulnerability without fear of judgment.
Entering her room, Arianna felt the exhaustion of both body and soul weigh heavily upon her. Without hesitation, she sank into the softness of her bed, seeking refuge from the turmoil that had engulfed her.
Arianna anticipated a sleepless night, yet the moment she closed her eyes, exhaustion washed over her, pulling her into a deep slumber. Time lost its meaning as she slept, only to be jolted awake by a sudden chill coursing through her body, accompanied by waves of pain rippling across her abdomen.
Instinctively, Arianna tried to rise, but her body felt as though it were weighed down by an invisible force, rendering her limbs immobile. Panic gripped her as she struggled against the oppressive weight, but to no avail.
*********
The following day, Piper found herself comfortably seated in the VIP room of an upscale jewelry boutique. The manager, eager to impress, presented her with the latest designs of the season, hoping she would find something to her liking.
Having grown up in the lap of luxury as the daughter of the prestigious Duke family, Piper had an eye for finery.
Adding to her discerning taste was her two-year relationship with Xander, during which she had been exposed to an abundance of exquisite jewelry. Consequently, she had developed a refined and particular taste.
As she meticulously examined each piece, Piper’s expression grew increasingly dissatisfied. None of the sets met her high standards. Frustration evident in her eyes, she turned to the manager and remarked,
"What is wrong with your store? How can you present me with such mediocre pieces so thoughtlessly?"
The manager, well aware of Piper's status and not daring to offend her, quickly flashed a polite smile and offered an earnest apology.
"Ms. Piper, I assure you, I would never dream of serving you with anything less than my full effort. These truly are the latest designs."
Just then, a salesperson happened to walk by, carrying a piece of jewelry. With her keen eye for detail, Piper immediately noticed the item and her eyes lit up with interest. She called out sharply,
"Wait! Let me see what you're holding!"
The salesperson promptly brought the jewelry over and placed it in front of Piper, who inspected it eagerly.
"Hmmm....nice" she whispered to herself.
