Ariana slipped into her gown, preparing herself for an evening she wasn't entirely enthusiastic about. It was a celebration of Leila and her husband's friend the tenth wedding anniversary . Three years had passed since Ariana had first met Leila, at her wedding.
On that day, Leila had greeted Ariana warmly, hoping for her happiness with Leonardo. She had no idea about the cold reality Ariana faced behind the smiles and the facade of a perfect marriage.
Ariana now stood before her mirror, adjusting the elegant dress Leonardo had purchased for the occasion. He had spared no expense, ensuring she looked stunning for the event. It wasn't out of love but for appearances—an unspoken rule of their arrangement.
The sound of hurried knocks echoed through the room, pulling Ariana out of her thoughts. She didn't need extraordinary intelligence to recognize who it was. The pattern of the knocks, insistent and rapid, was unmistakable.
She walked toward the door, her steps measured, her thoughts swirling. Opening it, she was greeted by a sight that immediately caught her attention—a velvet box, its contents glimmering with an alluring brilliance. Inside lay a set of diamond jewelry, so exquisite it seemed to steal the very light from the room.
"Put it on with the dress," Leonardo's voice was sharp and formal, devoid of emotion. He gestured at her gown, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We're running late. Hurry up."
Her gaze shifted to the dress he had insisted she wear, a floor-length masterpiece. She raised her eyes to him, her fingers brushing against the cool fabric of the gown.
"Do you like it?" he responded curtly
Ariana hesitated for a moment, Her blonde hair, cascading over her shoulders, framed her face as she studied the dress. For a fleeting second, she almost admired the reflection before her. But the chill of reality quickly seeped back in, reminding her that every piece of this evening—dress, jewelry, and all—was nothing more than a prop in Leonardo's carefully curated image.
Ariana glanced at the mirror, her fingers brushing against the fabric of the gown. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Did you buy it from Paris?" she asked, her voice calm yet laced with curiosity.
Leonardo nodded. "Yes."
She smirked faintly. A deal, no doubt. He didn't buy anything without a purpose. It made her wonder about the secretary who always seemed to beg him for a chance to accompany him on such trips, her admiration for him all too evident.
They descended to the ground floor in silence. The weight of unspoken words hung heavily between them, yet neither made an effort to break it. Ariana's heels clicked softly against the polished marble, the only sound echoing through the space.
ء
As they reached the car, Ariana's mind wandered. She recalled the gifts, the perfumes, and the whispered dreams that everyone mistook for love. People believed their union was a romantic one, thinking Leonardo had looked past her poverty because he truly loved her. They admired the story of the young man who had risen from nothing to become one of the wealthiest men in the country, choosing a modest girl as his partner.
Lila was at the center of attention, warmly welcoming guests as they arrived at the party. Ariana watched from a distance, her gaze wandering over the crowd. The chatter of people filled the air, blending with the clinking of glasses and soft music in the background.
As Ariana approached, Lila greeted her with the same warmth she showed everyone, her smile radiant. "Ariana! You look stunning tonight," she said.
Ariana smiled politely. "Thank you, Lila. And congratulations on the success of the deal."
Ariana tilted her head, a sly smile playing on her lips. "I may not know the details, but it seems worth celebrating, doesn't it?"
Lila's expression faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered. "Of course. Leonardo has outdone himself as always," she replied, her voice just a bit too loud, as though speaking to the crowd rather than Ariana.
Lila stiffened, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and unease. "I didn't thought you won't come with us"
"We've been back for ten days now," Leila said with a polite smile, though her tone carried a hint of wistfulness. "It was such a lovely trip. I really wished you could've joined us."
Before Ariana could answer, she thought to herself. "And yet he just returned yesterday. I wonder, was every day truly business?"
A flicker of doubt crossed her mind. Could it be? Was Leonardo spending all that time with his secretary !
Leila smiled slyly, a hint of mischief in her gaze. "Three years now, and still no sign of a child? What's holding you back? You didn't try much?"
Ariana felt a rush of heat flood her cheeks, the sting of Leila's comment sharp and deliberate. She turned slightly, as if trying to compose herself, but her fingers clenched against her side. Her gaze instinctively flickered toward her husband, who was deep in conversation with a group of businessmen, his demeanor calm and detached, as though oblivious to the exchange.
She forced a polite smile and replied evenly, "You know how Leon is—completely obsessed with work. He barely gives himself a moment to breathe, let alone anything else."
Leila chuckled, the edge of her tone unmistakable. "Ah, yes. A workaholic through and through. It must be… exhausting."
Ariana's smile didn't falter, but the glint in her eyes sharpened. "Oh, not at all. It's rather inspiring, actually. He's just so… driven."
Lily smiled gently, but her eyes held a hidden warning. "Ariana, you need to be careful about some people here. Seren is the sister of your husband's friend, Leonardo, and she's not just a regular friend. You see her always hanging around him, and not just that, she's always trying to get his attention."
At first, Ariana was surprised, but when she saw Seren standing next to Leonardo, she noticed the awkward smile on her face. It seemed as if she was trying to be closer to him. The atmosphere between them was different—strange, almost. Ariana couldn't ignore the way they exchanged looks, as though they knew each other for a long time.
Lily sighed before continuing in a low voice: "I'm not telling you what to do, but just be careful. The vibe between them is off, and you're not stupid enough not to notice."
Ariana watched silently, each word from Lily feeling like a warning sign in her chest. Leonardo was always so busy, but in this moment, something about the way he interacted with Seren felt unsettling. Lily was right, and more than that, Ariana had a strange feeling that the connection between them was more than just a friendship.