372: TANGLED

ARIEL’S POV

“Ariel, please try to understand. We never wanted to hurt you. We just thought we were doing what was best for the family.” My mother continued to plead with me.

I pulled away from her touch. “Well, you were wrong, Mom. Dead wrong. “And now I have to suffer the consequences of your mistake.”

“Ariel, just understand that this is all worth it. We can’t go down and let the business fall. This is the only option we have, and it’s the one that’s going to make our lives better than

ever.”

“You keep saying that, Mom, but it doesn’t change anything. You and Dad made a decision about my

life without even consulting me. How can you expect me to just accept that?”

She mirrored my anguish. “Ariel, please, I know we made a mistake. But we were just trying to do what we thought was best for the family. Can’t you see that?”

I shook my head, the pain cutting deep. “I don’t care about the family right now, Mom. All I care about is my own happiness and my own future.”

Before she could respond, a maid entered the room carrying a tray of food. I glared at her, my anger boiling over. “I said I’m not hungry!”

But the maid hesitated, her eyes filled with concern. “Miss Ariel, please; you need to eat something. It’s not good for you to starve yourself like this.”

I felt a surge of irrational anger, and before I could stop myself, I lashed out, swatting the tray away. The food was scattered across the floor, with the plate clattering loudly against.

the tiles.

“Leave me alone!” I shouted loudly in so much rage.

The maid recoiled, her eyes wide with shock. “I’m sorry, Miss Ariel. I didn’t mean to upset

you.”

I desired solitude to ponder over

sank back onto the edge of my bed, the weight of everything pressing

had everything gone so wrong? And most importantly,

know what, Ariel.“I’m going to leave you for now.” My mother stood up from the bed.

care of yourself,”

turned to leave, something inside me snapped.

a little hope in her eyes. But I knew I had to be honest, no matter

to be a part of this family anymore,” I said, each word heavy with

to me. But I held up my hand, cutting her off

said, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside me. “I can’t stay here and pretend like

my mother’s eyes, but I hardened

hurt.

whispered, my voice barely audible. “But I have to do

her, unable to bear the weight of her disappointment

I felt a sense of liberation revolve within me, going on with sadness for what could have been. But

LUKE’S POV

at that moment, I realized that whispers were following me like shadows, each one carrying a different version of the truth. I ignored them because it would be a waste of time to give responses to these morons. They were so eager

reach my office. His expression was tense, betraying the gravity of

you in your

in the pit of my stomach.

hesitated before answering,

at the mention of him. I knew this wasn’t going to be a pleasant visit, not after everything that had

how they used

towards my office, steeling myself for

that greeted me only fueled my

fixed

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