Chapter 4: Shadows of the Past
The heavy silence of the living room lingered long after Lucas left, his words echoing in Ariana's mind. "Maybe I'm starting to reconsider." She replayed the moment over and over, trying to decipher the shift in his tone, the subtle softening of his gaze.
Was it genuine, or just another tactic? She wasn't sure, and that uncertainty gnawed at her.
Ariana set the magazine down and made her way to her room, the weight of the day pressing on her shoulders. She didn't want to believe Lucas was capable of empathy, not after how he had treated her. But in the fleeting moment of their conversation, she had glimpsed something different—a man wrestling with his own doubts.
---
Lucas stood by the window of his home office, the city lights sprawling beneath him like a sea of stars. His mind was restless, thoughts of Ariana interrupting the work he had tried to focus on.
Her confession earlier had caught him off guard. He had expected excuses, maybe even lies, but her voice had carried an honesty he couldn't ignore.
"Vanessa made it clear that if I didn't go through with it, my family would lose everything."
The bitterness in her tone struck a chord with him. Lucas knew what it was like to feel trapped, to make choices that served others at the expense of your own freedom.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He couldn't afford distractions, not now. But Ariana wasn't just a distraction—she was a puzzle, one he felt compelled to solve.
---
The next morning, Ariana woke to the smell of coffee wafting through the penthouse. Surprised, she ventured into the kitchen to find Lucas already there, dressed casually in a crisp shirt and dark slacks.
"You're up early," she remarked, pouring herself a cup.
"So are you," Lucas replied, his tone neutral.
They stood in silence, the tension between them less sharp but still palpable.
"About last night," Ariana began hesitantly, "thank you for—"
Lucas cut her off with a wave of his hand. "Don't thank me. I didn't do it for you."
Her brows furrowed, but she didn't press the issue. Lucas was an enigma, and she wasn't sure she wanted to unravel him.
"Do you always deflect kindness?" she asked instead, her voice laced with curiosity.
Lucas's eyes met hers, a flicker of amusement dancing in them. "Do you always ask so many questions?"
Ariana smiled faintly, surprised by the hint of humor. "Only when I'm trying to understand someone."
"Good luck with that," Lucas muttered, turning back to his coffee.
---
Later that day, Ariana decided to confront the looming shadow that had been hanging over her since the wedding. She called her stepmother, Vanessa, arranging to meet her at a private lounge downtown.
When Vanessa arrived, she was all elegance and poise, her designer dress and perfectly coiffed hair a stark contrast to the venom that often dripped from her words.
"Ariana," Vanessa greeted, her smile sharp. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Ariana clenched her fists under the table, willing herself to stay calm. "I want to know what your plan is. Why did you force me into this marriage? What's your endgame?"
Vanessa's smile widened, her eyes glittering with malice. "My dear, you ask questions you're not ready to hear the answers to."
"Try me," Ariana shot back, her voice firm.
Vanessa leaned forward, her tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "This marriage was never about you. It's about control—over Lucas, over his wealth, and over the future of his company. You're just a pawn in a much bigger game."
Ariana's heart sank, but she refused to let Vanessa see her fear. "And what happens to me when your game is over?"
Vanessa smirked. "That depends on how well you play your part. If you keep Lucas distracted, compliant, you'll be rewarded. If not… well, let's just say you won't like the alternative."
Ariana swallowed hard, her resolve hardening. She had spent her life bending to Vanessa's will, but this time, she wasn't going to let her stepmother win.
---
That evening, back at the penthouse, Ariana found Lucas in his office, reviewing a stack of documents.
"We need to talk," she said, stepping into the room.
Lucas looked up, surprised by the determination in her voice. "About what?"
"Vanessa," Ariana said bluntly.
Lucas's eyes narrowed. "What about her?"
Ariana closed the door behind her, her heart pounding. "She's using me to manipulate you. This marriage isn't just about appearances—it's about control. She wants your company, your power, everything."
Lucas leaned back in his chair, studying her carefully. "And why are you telling me this now?"
"Because I'm tired of being her puppet," Ariana admitted. "I didn't choose this marriage, but I'm not going to let her destroy my life—or yours."
Lucas's expression softened slightly, though his tone remained cautious. "If you're serious about this, you need to prove it. No more half-truths, no more evasions. I need to know everything."
Ariana hesitated, the weight of her secrets pressing down on her. But as she met Lucas's gaze, she saw a glimmer of something she hadn't expected: trust.
"Okay," she said finally. "I'll tell you everything."
For the first time, Lucas and Ariana found themselves on the same side, united by a common enemy. It was a fragile alliance, but it was a start.