(SOFIA’S POV)
I watched Jared dial the number, my mind racing with frustration, and I wished for nothing but to snatch the phone. Why was he still bothering with her? Didn’t he realize I’d done him a favor by getting rid of her? Shouldn’t he be grateful?
I recalled the events that led to this moment. When Jared said he didn’t have a reason to divorce Arielle I knew I had to do something. Had to come up with reason. Knowing how suspicious Arielle was of our friendship, I had to make my plan run in that direction to make it more believable.
So the previous day, I managed to take out a document I figured would be important to Jared from his briefcase. And just as I predicted, he returned home at noon to look for it. I went up to his bedroom with a drink I already spiked and offered it to him.
He accepted the drink and a few minutes later, it took its tole on him. I led him to the bed, and stylishly set my phone’s camera to film us while straddling him and acting like we were making out.
The idea was to get pictures and videos of us in compromising positions and send them to Arielle, but fortunately, she came back home earlier and walked in on us. I said fortunately because it made things easier for me. There would be no need to do much anymore because she saw things for herself.
Arielle ran off, and after she left, I went downstairs to determine that she left the house. There was no trace of her save for the cooking utensils in the kitchen. I guess she returned home to prepare dinner.
That decided, I returned to the room and tucked Jared into bed because he was already fast asleep. Then I snuck the file into one of the drawers in the room.
I was about leaving to celebrate my victory when his phone rang. Curious, I took it out of his pocket and frowned when I saw it was Arielle calling. What was she calling for? And so I let it ring to a stop, but that persistent bitch, she kept calling, so I busied the call. I was just about putting the phone away when a message from her came in.
It stated that she had an accident and needed help. I scoffed, what a dramatic bitch she is. She was obviously telling a lie, and if it was true, she might as well die from the accident. And so I replied to the message, deleted her call history and the message, before putting the phone off. Her time in Jared’s life was over. She stole him from me, and it was time that I reclaimed him back.
The rest of the day was uneventful as Jared slept all through. I guess I spiked the drink a little too much. At night, I changed his clothes and slipped into bed beside him. It felt surreal, and at the same time fulfilling. Sleeping next to him like we would have, if Arielle had not come into his life.
“I’m talking to you, Sofia,” Jared’s voice cut into my thoughts.
“Wha… what were you saying?”
“I said I’m going to look for Arielle, and when I find her, you will help me convince her that what she saw was not what it seemed to be.”
I scoffed, stifling laughter. “Why would I want to do that?”
“Because it’s the right thing to do.”
I grew angry at this point. “Why are you still invested in this? What does it matter to you? You said you wanted to divorce her but you didn’t have a reason, right? You have one now so why are you still bothered? We should be celebrating she left because we can finally be together.”
“Are you kidding me? You twisted my words, Sofia. I said I couldn’t divorce my wife because there was no justification, and not because needed one. Even if I did, it wouldn’t be to make her believe I’m cheating. And most importantly, not with you ofall people.”
My face fell. “Jared -“
“If you don’t mind, excuse me. I have to freshen up and go in search of her.”
“Jared, you can’t -“
“Leave, Sofia,” Jared said firmly.
I nodded, gave him a hard glare before walking out.
(JARED’S POV)
I sighed heavily after Sofia left, the door slamming shut behind her.
I tried to replay our conversation that night in my head, wondering where I’d gone wrong.
My words had been clear; I couldn’t divorce Arielle because there was no justification. Our marriage might not have been built on love, but it was founded on mutual respect and compatibility.
I exhaled and tried Arielle’s number again, but it went to voicemail. My heart clenched in worry; where had she run to? Then I remembered Ashley. If Arielle wasn’t home, she had to be with Ashley.
And so I decided to visit Ashley, choosing not to call ahead. I don’t want to risk Ashley alerting Arielle. So I quickly freshened up, changed into comfortable clothes, and grabbed my car keys.
As I hurried out, Sofia tried to stop me. “Where are you going?” She asked, but I ignored her and kept walking.
I got into my car and drove out. As I
drove along the estate Street, I noticed dried bloodstains on the pedestrian pavement and the floor. My heart swelled in concern, someone might have been in an accident. Whomever it was hoped they survived.
I arrived at Ashley’s place and parked across the street, before making my way to her front door…