317: STORMY ENCOUNTERS ARIEL’S POV Laura’s voice sliced through the tension–filled air like a knife. Her eyes narrowed as she saw Luke’s car parked nearby. Despite the rain soaking her, she strode purposefully down the steps. Her expression was a mix of anger and disbelief. “What is he doing here?” she demanded. Her voice was sharp and accusatory. I took a step back, caught off guard by Laura’s sudden appearance and the intensity of her reaction. “Laura, you need to calm down,” I started, trying to diffuse the situation before it escalated further. I was only trying to be polite here. But Laura wasn’t having any of it. Her gaze locked onto Luke, who remained seated in the car, his expression guarded. “You want me to calm down when this man is with you? No way! I don’t want him near you, Ariel.” Luke’s expression showed that he was clearly annoyed with Laura’s words. His grip on the steering wheel tightened. “Look, I don’t think we need…” But Laura cut him off with a wave of her hand. “I don’t want to hear any nonsense you have to say,” she spat, and her lividity was on a whole new level. You could say the same for Luke. “Just leave,” she added, glaring at Luke. I glanced between him and Laur, feeling torn between them. Luke, who brought smiles to my face despite the fact that he could be an asshole at times, was the man I cherished. But Laura saved my life and took me in like family. Not that she knew me or something. Her kindness was just sensational. “Laura, please,” I pleaded, taking a tentative step toward her. You don’t have to create a scene now. You do know about my feelings for Luke. You do know that he’s the father of my child. And we share a bond–the type that no one can break. So please, let’s just act maturé around here.” She wasn’t even listening to what I was saying to her. Her eyes remained fixed on Luke, her jaw clenched in anger. But she turned to me, with the black cast still present there. “What are you trying to say, Ariel? That I’m not acting mature.” “Well, that’s not what I meant,” I tried to defend my words. COUNTERT Then what did you mean?” She quizzed immediately, furious and grim. Just calm down, will you?” “You don’t expect me to come down with this man right here. He needs to leave; he doesn’t belong here. And he doesn’t deserve you. Why are you so blind, Ariel? This is the same man who made your life a living hell during your first marriage, the same man who didn’t care about your children.” “Okay, that second part isn’t true,” Luke chimed in. “Quiet!” Laura snapped right away. “Don’t speak while I speak. Don’t you dare do that? “Why? Are you some fucking god or something?” Luke retorted. “You are an animal.” “SSaysthe woman who keeps parking like a dog.” Luke threw her a comeback. “Please stop it, both of you!” I shrieked. There was silence between the three of us and the rain kept on falling. Even though Laura and I were getting wet every second, it didn’t matter to us. I v eves u “Please, just stop,” I uttered beneath my breath, and straight to Luke. He discerned the soft expression and how I was pleading with him not to go further in his argument with Laura. It wasn’t going to help or solve anything. Instead, it was only going to make things worse. Luke sighed heavily, understanding my expression, and his gaze fluttered between Laura and me. “Ariel, I’ll go,” he said quietly, his voice resigned. I’ll call you later.” I felt a pang of guilt as he started the car and pulled away, leaving me standing alone in the rain with Laura. She turned to me, her expression softening slightly. “I’m sorry, Ariel,” she said, her voice gentler now. “I just… I can’t stand to see you with him.” She reached out to touch my arm, her eyes searching mine for reassurance. “I just want what’s best for you, Ariel. “You know that, right?” “And what do you think is best for me? Luke not being by my side?” I flaunted a nauseating look. MY ENCOUNT Ariel, he’s just not perfect for you.” “And who are you to make such a decision?” I snarled. “I appreciate you saving me. Thank you very much for that. But this game of revenge is over. And me staying in this mansion of yours is over.” “What? What do you mean by that?” She asked me in a whisper, and she couldn’t believe her ears. But it was the decision I had made. And I didn’t think I was going back into it. “I don’t want to live with you anymore. Do you know why? I don’t know what has gotten into you. I told you that Luke didn’t kill Luke, but you’re refusing to believe. Fine, keep your thoughts to yourself and let your hatred live with you in your house. “After what I did for you, Ariel, This is how you repay me.” Her voice was not audible, and her eyes looked as if she were broken. But she wasn’t; I didn’t think so. In fact, she was the one who wanted to shatter me into a million pieces. But the over; it was time to put an end to this nonsense. I couldn’t tolerate it any longer. game was “I’m sorry, Laura. And I told you, I appreciate you saving me. Thank you; I’ll forever be grateful for that. But that doesn’t mean that I’m going to be your slave.” I shifted my face closer to hers as I continued, “Luke and I love each other, and I’m not going to let anyone try to ruin our relationship. He is my husband, and he is the father of my daughter. My heart belongs to him, and if you’re going to be an obstacle in our story, then I don’t see the need for me to be by your side.” “He ruined your life.” “He did that once,” I responded immediately. “And I’ve forgiven him. It’s been clear to me that he has changed, and I believe our relationship is going to stand strong, prevailing over all obstacles.” Laura’s eyes flickered with a mix of hurt and frustration, but underneath it all, there was a hint of resignation, She knew deep down that she couldn’t force me to see things her way, no matter how much she wanted to protect me. “I understand,” she finally whispered, her voice barely audible over the rain. “I just… I worry about you, Ariel. I want to prevent you from experiencing harm once more. “I know, Laura,” I replied softly, reaching out to touch her arm in a gesture of comfort. KIA STORMY: NCOUNTER And I appreciate your concern. But I need to make my own choices, even if they’re not the ones you would make for me.” “You don’t get it, do you?” “Get what?” + let go of her, fixing my eyes on nothing else but her. “I’m worried about you. Luke is just so… Ughh, I don’t like him one bit.” “Do not worry about me, but if you want to worry about someone, go and worry about your husband.” Laura stared at me for a moment, processing my words. “What do you mean by that?” THE DIVERGEN
