The ultimatum.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

After Jared left, I was beside myself with worry. What could be wrong with Sofia? I wondered. It was barely 24hrs Jared and I left the house, and she had developed a stomach pain?

I tried to distract myself with the thought that Jared will handle the situation, but my mind wouldn't budge. For a moment, I suspected foul play. What if it was a ploy by Sofia to lure Jared back to the house as she never wanted him to leave in the first place? But I shoved the thought aside, trying not to look paranoid and insecure. If she was pretending, she wouldn't involve Jared's mother, right? The more I thought about everything, the restless I became.

Then a thought struck me; what if the situation was critical and more than Jared could handle? I jerked up from the bed that instant, I needed to go home too. Just in case Jared needed help.

And so without a second thought, I grabbed my clothes and threw them on. I took hold of my purse and hurried out. Outside the hotel, I booked a cab and read out my home address. As we drove, my impatience grew, and I ordered the driver to go faster. Fortunately, he didn't argue but complied.

Minutes later, the cab pulled up at the house gate, and I paid the driver before hurrying in. As I entered, I noticed Jared's car carelessly parked, the driver's door open and the engine running. I turned the engine off and shut the car door before hurrying inside.

The house was surprisingly quiet, and I wondered where Jared and Sofia were. I was tempted to call out to them, but stopped myself and opted to go searching for them. I had just gotten close to the living room when I heard Sofia's voice. To my surprise, it didn't sound like that of someone who was hurting.

And so, I tiptoed closer to listen, and what I heard shattered me.

"You two kissed?" I exclaimed, unable to believe my ears.

Jared looked up at me, his face pale, and he looked like he had been caught red handed.

"Arielle, I can explain..." he started.

was expecting him to deny it, but the remorse and guilt in his eyes spoke volume. "Explain what? You kissed someone you claimed to

forward at this point, a smug smile on her face. "Arielle, it's not

having it. I turned to face her, my eyes blazing hot like hot coal. "Shut up, Sofia. You've caused enough trouble already! Aren't you supposed to be writing with stomach pain, huh? Oh, let me guess; it was a ploy

back on him and stormed out

called out behind me, but I

and grabbed my hand, but I withdrew it forcefully. "Do not touch me!" I yelled, menacingly. And without another word, I continued on my

the tears that brimmed in my eyes as I flagged a cab. It was only when I was in the cab, I

uncontrollably,

from the driver in the rearview mirror. The pain was unbearable, like tiny needles piercing my heart. Jared and Sofia kissed? How did it happen under my

hoarse. "How could he betray me like this? He told me they

the silence. I took it out of my purse, and my face contorted in more anger as I saw Jared's

driver who has been quiet all this while, spoke up. "Ma'am, where can I take you? You didn't give

palm. "My

reclined back on the car's seat, fighting to hold back my tears. No matter how hard I

I pressed the doorbell and waited. Seconds later,

"Jared...Sofia...they

we stayed that way for a moment before she left me in and shut the door. "It's okay, quit crying. I'm here for you. Tell me what happened," she said

sobs receded and I managed to narrate the incident to her. "They kissed? How did that even happen under your roof?" Ashley asked, upset

myself to believe Jared will stoop that low. He

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