Ariana woke up early in the morning, feeling an emptiness inside her. She decided to try reading a book to calm her thoughts, but her focus kept slipping away.
She got up to make herself a warm cup of milk, and as she did, she remembered hearing Leonardo return home at 4 a.m. after leaving right after dinner the previous night.
She was certain he had spent those hours with his mistress, Serine.
As she thought about it, the memories of the party from ten days ago came flooding back.
The shock of what she overheard there still weighed heavily on her, especially as she realized how he truly saw her.
Her mind began to race, thinking about how she would deal with him. The first thing she needed to do was achieve financial independence. She decided she would stop using his money entirely—though, in truth, she hadn't used his credit cards since the night of the party anyway.
It was a relief that she had already completed her studies. Now, she could focus on finding a job. Pharmaceutical companies seemed like the right path, and she had already started searching for opportunities, though nothing suitable had come up yet. Still, she wouldn't lose hope.
As soon as she found a job and gained financial independence, she would leave him. She would ask for a divorce and savor the look of shock on his face when she did.
Afterward, she took a shower and went downstairs for breakfast. To her surprise, she found Leonardo already at the table, which was unusual for him. He was sipping his coffee, and she couldn't help but observe him for a moment.
He truly was handsome, with his athletic build and imposing presence. Her thoughts drifted back to what Serene had said about him being a "beast in bed." Her cheeks flushed red at the inappropriate direction of her thoughts.
Then, their eyes met. She instantly remembered the cruel words the other woman had said about her and thought, He must be looking at me with contempt.
Deciding not to let her emotions show, she brushed off the moment, acting indifferent. She picked up the newspaper, as she did every morning, to look for job opportunities.
Leonardo's phone rang, pulling her out of her thoughts. She watched as he answered the call, his voice calm but his words faintly audible.
Her stomach churned as she caught the playful, seductive tone of the woman on the other end. It was Serene.
For the first time, a wave of irritation washed over her, a feeling she didn't expect. Why did she even care? After all, wasn't this what their relationship had always been—cold and indifferent?
Yet, there was something unsettling about hearing another woman speak to her husband like that, without a shred of respect for her position as his wife. A strange frustration bubbled up, though she quickly pushed it aside, masking her feelings behind a neutral expression.
She strained her ears to catch his words, and her heart sank as she heard his low, velvety tone.
"I know I've neglected you lately," Leonardo murmured into the phone, his voice laced with something she couldn't quite place. "But make sure you're ready for me next time."
The words struck her like a blow. She froze in place, the implication settling into her mind like poison. Her chest tightened as she realized the depth of his betrayal.
She glanced at him from the doorway. He leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed, his expression unreadable as he continued the call as though she didn't even exist.
Unable to bear it any longer, she turned and retreated to her room, closing the door behind her. Her thoughts raced, the echo of his voice ringing in her ears. "I know I've neglected you…" Was he really speaking to her, or had she become nothing more than a silent observer in his life?
A surge of anger and resolve coursed through her veins. "Let them have their secret meetings. Soon, they'll realize I'm no longer a part of this game."
Without wasting a second, she grabbed her car keys and left the house. Driving through the city streets, she visited company after company, determined to find a job that would help her regain her independence.
The rejections she faced only strengthened her resolve. This wasn't just about securing employment—it was about taking back control of her life.