Chapter 22 - Decisions

Asher quickly stepped in between them, leaving his grandmother's side and grabbing Ariella by the arms to hold her back. "Ariella, stop it!"

Ariella stopped as Asher shouted at her, he shook her while still holding her hands, then pushed her away. Ariella stumbled, nearly falling on her butt. Luckily, Mrs. Blackwell caught her just in time, but she wasn't a young woman anymore and the effort made them both stumble back a few steps. Asher's eyes widened, disbelief evident on his face as he realized what he had just done. 

Mrs Blackwell's anger rose. "Asher, what is wrong with you? How could you push her like that? You know she's pregnant and in a vulnerable condition right now. What's going on in your head? What are you trying to do?" she shouted.

Asher remained silent, slumping in defeat. Scarlett moved closer, touching his hand and holding it with hers in support. The sight of Scarlett comforting Asher ignited Ariella's anger. She wanted to rush at them, but Mrs. Blackwell stopped her with her hand.

"Enough! I've had enough for today. Ariella, come on, let's leave this place right now," she commanded.

"Let's go," Mrs. Blackwell said, taking Ariella's hand and pulling her towards the door. When they opened it, they found Seraphine and Thomas standing behind it, both looking down at the floor, avoiding eye contact. Ariella couldn't believe the humiliation she was going through, she felt weak and exposed as the end of her marriage had come with so many witnesses to view her downfall.

Mrs Blackwell didn't stop for anyone, continuing down the stairs with Ariella following closely, Thomas and Seraphine trailing behind. When they reached the front door, Thomas ran ahead, looking at Ariella with a pained expression.

"I'm so sorry, Miss. Blackwell. I didn't know what to do," he said. His face was etched with sadness and sympathy.

Ariella held back her tears and replied, "It's not your fault, Thomas." She took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure.

Mrs. Blackwell shot an unimpressed look at Thomas and continued out the door. They reached the car and got in. Once inside, Ariella couldn't hold back her emotions any longer. Tears started falling, and she began sobbing, as her new reality came crashing down on her. 

Mrs. Blackwell comforted her, gently patting her back whilst murmuring soothingly. "We'll get through this, Ariella. You're not alone. We'll figure it out together," she murmured, her own heart was heavy with disappointment. 

Everyone was quiet as the car made its way back to the Blackwells' mansion. Ariella had stopped crying by the time they arrived. She stepped out of the car and walked straight towards her bedroom. Seraphine followed her, a concerned look on her face.

Once inside, Ariella turned towards Seraphine and said, "I want to be alone right now, please leave."

Seraphine looked at her with empathy. "I don't think it's wise to leave you alone right now. You're upset, and I think you need company."

Ariella's eyes flashed with anger. "Oh, really? Or is it that your boss told you not to let me breathe?"

Seraphine shook her head. "Ariella, I know Asher hired me to protect you, but I really feel bad about what happened today."

Ariella let out a bitter laugh. "I don't need pity from you. I don't need pity from anyone. I'm going to get out of this. There has to be a way. I'm going to find a way….." she said with determination, trying to come up with a solution.

"You're putting stress on yourself. Please, just relax and stop thinking about him. I'm sure in due time he will calm down. And once he does, everything will be alright," Seraphine urged.

"Do you think he is going to calm down? That everything is going to be alright? Are you crazy, Seraphine? Are you mad? He just told me that he..." Ariella's voice cracked, and she started crying again but then abruptly stopped. "His grandmother was there. He said it in front of his grandmother and he respects her more than anyone in this world. This is serious right now. He said it before, but I thought he was joking. But this time, he is really serious. I don't know what to do..." She broke down once more.

Seraphine reached out to her and embraced her in her arms. Ariella cried like a little baby, her sobs shaking them both. 

Mrs. Blackwell had followed them towards the bedroom and was standing by the door, watching the interaction. She was saddened by what she was seeing and couldn't hold it anymore. She looked away and decided to leave quietly, her presence unnoticed. 

She went to the kitchen and asked the staff to prepare something for Ariella, so she could take her pills and hopefully take a nap. They were supposed to go for her checkup today, but it never happened. It probably wouldn't happen tomorrow either. She decided to go to her office to reschedule the appointment and find her husband to tell him about what had just transpired at Asher's house.

As Ariella was getting her bearings, a maid knocked and entered with a tray of soup, bread, and some fruits, trying to coax her to eat. Seeing the food, Ariella immediately snapped.

"Take that away from me. I'm not hungry," she said,

Seraphine stepped in. "Just leave it by the door, I'll try to get her to eat."

The maid nodded and left the room quietly. 

Seraphine turned towards Ariella, her voice gentle. "I know what happened must hurt you very much. I've never been in your position and hope never to be, but you're losing focus on what matters here…your children. Think of the kids in your womb. If you starve yourself, how will that help you or help your kids? Have something, drink your medicine, and it will help you relax. You'll have some quiet time to sleep it off."

Ariella's tears dropped, her voice rising. "My children. Asher threatened to take my children away from me. He's going to take my children and give them to that woman, that evil woman. How is she supposed to love my kids? They're my children. I'm alive. I'm supposed to give birth to them and take care of them. But he just threatened to take them away from me."

"I'm sure he was just saying that in the heat of the moment," Seraphine pleaded.

"No, he's serious," Ariella insisted. "I signed the marriage papers. I don't know what I was thinking at the time. He can't take my children from me. I won't allow it."

Seraphine placed her hand on Ariella's shoulder. "You need to stay strong for them, Ariella. No matter what happens, you have to be in good health to fight for your children. Eat something, rest, and you will wake up again with a clear mind."

Ariella took a deep breath, gaining some strength back. "You're right. I need to stay strong for my babies."

Seraphine smiled gently. "That's the spirit. Now, let's start by eating something first….." 

Ariella interrupted Seraphine by announcing, "I'm leaving."

"Leaving?" Seraphine asked with a frown. 

"Yes, I'm leaving. I'm going back home. If he's going to force me to take these children away from me, he's going to have to take them from my family. He will have to come to the Antons and take his kids from there."

She stood up from the bed with determination. She began searching for her bags, throwing clothes into them hurriedly.

"Ariella, please stop. You've been through enough and you're tired now. I don't think you should be doing this," Seraphine pleaded.

"You work for Asher, and you can't tell me what to do. I am leaving," Ariella replied, leaving no chance for interruption. She continued packing her bags, her face set.

Seraphine panicked. She didn't know if she could stop Ariella from leaving, and she didn't want to hurt her more than she had already been hurt today. She knew if she called Asher, things would get much worse. So, she went to the only person in the house who seemed to have Ariella's back and took her condition into consideration. She left Ariella still packing her bag and went in search of Mrs. Blackwell. She was directed to Mrs. Blackwell's home office. 

Knocking on the door, she heard Mrs Blackwell's voice inviting her in. "Yes, come in."

When she stepped in and Mrs Blackwell saw her, she was filled with confusion and nervousness. "Seraphine, what's wrong? Is Ariella okay?"

"Mrs. Blackwell, Ariella said she's going back home and she's packing her bags right now."

"Oh my God," Mrs Blackwell exclaimed, standing up from her seat and rushing towards the door with Seraphine behind her. They hurried towards Ariella's room, finding her zipping up her bags, ready to trolley them out.

"Ariella, what's going on?" Mrs. Blackwell asked, concerned. 

Ariella looked at her and then at Seraphine beside her, realizing Seraphine had been the one to call Mrs. Blackwell. "I'm going back home, Grandmother."

"But this is your home. You are a Blackwell now."

"I'm not. Maybe the kids I'm carrying are, but I know I'm not. You never even liked me when Asher introduced me. You told him not to marry me. The only reason you're calling me a Blackwell right now is because I'm pregnant and carrying the Blackwell's bloodline. If I wasn't, I highly doubt I would be living in this house right now. I'm going back home, Grandmother."