Her aunt said in a firm voice, "It's truly an enticing offer, isn't it?"
"Honestly… I don't know," Ariana admitted softly.
Her aunt leaned closer, observing her hesitation. "Tell me, what are you thinking about?"
She shifted uncomfortably, her thoughts circling the opinions of others. "What will people say about me?"
"What do you mean?" her aunt asked.
She hesitated before saying, "What will they think of me… marrying my friend's ex lover?"
!
She looked at her aunt with frustration. "When will they stop talking? And what will they say?"
Her aunt replied firmly, "You're not doing anything wrong.. You're just getting married!"
"But I do something wrong," she said, her voice trembling.
Her aunt shook her head. "No, Ariana . You will marry her ex not her husband !'"
She hesitated before saying, "But Auntie, isn't it true? I'm marrying her ex-fiancé…"
Her aunt tilted her head and replied calmly, "Does it really matter? Honestly, my dear, people will always have something to say. Don't let it define you."
"But now they'll claim I stole her lover. That I'm the one who ruined her life."
Her aunt smiled knowingly and said, "Ariana , your friend is married to someone else now. She's moved on and is on her honeymoon in Europe with her new husband. Why are you still stuck here, worrying about the past?"
Ariana paused, unsure. "Even if it means marrying someone who once belonged to my dearest friend?"
Her aunt gave her a reassuring smile. "Dearest, the love she lost in Europe has nothing to do with you. Move forward, and don't let her past define your future."
"Ariana , listen to me," her aunt said firmly.
"You've been carrying this weight for years. Why should you keep living like this? Always struggling, even to secure the basics?"
Ariana shook her head slowly, her expression unreadable.
Her aunt sighed deeply and continued, "You've worked hard for so long, but the life you're living is exhausting and tragic. Why not consider a change?"
She paused, then added, "And as for your friend and the people around you, have they ever truly helped you? Did they ever stand by your side when you needed them? No, Ariana actually, your friend was sometimes ashamed of you. You know it's true."
Her words hit hard, but they were undeniable. "Those people you're so worried about—they won't benefit you. They never did. They've never lived your struggles, so why should their opinions matter now?"
She paused, then added, "And let's be honest about your so-called friendship. She only got close to you because you're smart and resourceful. That's all. You were never truly friends. She used you when it suited her, but where was she when you needed real support?"
Her words grew sharper. "And as for her old fiancé—the one you're so worried about—do you remember why they broke up? He was poor, Ariana . Her wealthy family didn't approve, and she didn't fight for their relationship. She let him go without hesitation."
Ariana looked down, conflicted.
Her aunt leaned closer and said, "Do you think she cared about him the way you're thinking? If she couldn't fight for him then, why should you hold yourself back now? Neither she nor anyone else has the right to judge you. So call him now and agree to his offer!"