Chapter 35
A R I A N A
Two days.
It had been two days since I ran from my father’s office, two days hiding in Natalie’s small apartment and two days of jumping at every sound, afraid my father or Dante would find me.
I am suprised my father didn’t come looking for me. Normally he’d send the guards to track me down and bring me back whenever we get outbursts like this.
But the incident two days back, it change everything… and there was no fixing things.
My phone buzzed.
It was my lawyer.
“The divorce papers are ready, Ms. Melendez. I can send them to you p>
My heart did a strange little flip, this was it the end I texted him back to send them to Natalie’s address.
I sat on Natalie’s couch, hugging a pillow to my chest as I thought about everything. The forced marriage, the cold contract, the way Dante changed… the way he made me feel.
The kiss and the way he jumped into the pool the way he held me when I cried.
But it was all a lie, wasn’t it? It was just about business, about owning me.
I would go to his office and I would place the divorce papers right on his desk showing him I was not his property.
I would be free.
From all the lies and betrayal.
After the divorce, I would disappear and would move to a small town somewhere maybe change my name.
No more Ariana Melendez.
No more Mrs. Russo.
Just… me whoever that was.
“You are very quiet over there,” Natalie said, coming out of the kitchen with two mugs of tea. She handed one to me. “You are thinking too loud p>
I took the mug, letting the warmth seep into my cold hands. “The divorce papers are ready p>
Natalie sat down next to me. “Are you sure about this, Ariana? Really sure p>
I nodded, but my eyes filled with tears. “Yes. I have to be, it’s the only way… I’m sick and tired of all the drama, I need piece of mind”
“But what about… everything?” she asked gently. “The way he looks at you? The way he protects you? You told he changed over the time, he cared and does not sound like a man who does not care p>
I shook my head, wiping my eyes. “It does not matter It was all part of the game, a business deal and I will not be part of it anymore, Dante is a very devious man… I don’t want to be caught in the web of lies, at least not anymore. I’ve already been through enough… don’t you think p>
Natalie didn’t look convinced. “Just… think about it, okay? Do not make a decision you will regret. Everything that happens, happened for a reason and what if the man you’re trying to so hard runaway from a man that may be your salvation… give Dante a try”
But my mind was made up, I would get my freedom back no matter how much it hurt.
Natalie looked at me, her eyes full of worry. “Ariana, just wait a day one more day to think, it’s a huge decision, you’re probably upset, hurt and maybe… maybe you should talk to him first p>
I shook my head, my hands gripping the warm mug tightly. “No! Talking is over, I have done enough talking and enough of crying, I am done p>
“But what if p>
“Natalie, please,” I interrupted, my voice firmer than I felt inside. “I appreciate you worrying about me, I really do, you have been a better friend to me in two days than anyone has been in years but you do not understand what I’ve been through… no matter how much I try to explain this you’ll never fully understand”
I took a deep, shaky breath. “This world… this life of rich families and business marriages and secrets… it is poison, it has taken everything from me, my freedom, choices, happiness. I am sick and tired of all of it”
Natalie opened her mouth to say something else, but she saw the look on my face and closed it she knew.
She could see that I had reached my limit.
I had been pushed and pulled and broken for the last time.
“I have had enough,” I said, my voice quiet but final. “For good this time p>
I stood up, placing the untouched tea on the coffee table, the divorce papers would be here soon and then I would go see Dante Russo one last time and I would end this.