When Ariana arrived at her aunt's house, the older woman immediately noticed her niece's weary expression. "Ariana, you look drained. What happened? Are you okay?"
Ariana hesitated for a moment, then let out a deep sigh. "Honestly, Auntie, I'm planning to file for divorce."
Her aunt's eyes widened in surprise. "Divorce? Ariana, what happened? Are you sure about this? Marriage isn't easy, but are you certain this is the only way?"
Ariana sank into the sofa, running a hand through her hair. "I've thought about it for a long time. This isn't something I'm deciding on a whim. Things between Leo and me have been bad for a while. He looks at me with so much resentment, and I can't even recognize him anymore. It feels like… like I'm just holding onto something that doesn't exist."
Her aunt sat beside her, concern etched on her face. "But why now? What changed?"
Taking a deep breath, Ariana explained everything. She told her aunt about the growing distance between her and Leo, the suffocating tension at home, and his cold indifference. She mentioned how she recently discovered that his ex-fiancée, Hanna, was back in town and that there was a strong chance the two might reconcile.
"He doesn't say it outright," Ariana said, her voice heavy with emotion, "but I can see it in his eyes. He still has feelings for her. And if that's what he wants, I won't stand in his way. I'm not going to fight for someone who doesn't see my worth."
Her aunt looked at her thoughtfully. "That's a lot to carry, my dear. But are you sure this is what you want? You don't have to rush into anything."
"I've already started looking for a new job," Ariana replied with determination. "I need to become independent, build a life for myself without him. This isn't just about Hanna; it's about me knowing my value. I refuse to stay in a marriage where I feel like an afterthought."
Her aunt took a deep breath and leaned forward, looking Ariana straight in the eyes. "Ariana, I get that things between you two have been difficult, but can I ask you something? Did you ever really try to give your marriage a chance? To truly connect with him?"
Ariana frowned slightly, caught off guard. "What do you mean? I stayed, didn't I? I worked hard, I kept things running."
Her aunt shook her head gently. "That's not what I mean. I'm asking if you ever tried to bridge the gap between you two. From what you've told me, it sounds like you both were living in your own worlds, barely meeting in the middle. Did you ever try to understand him, to let him see the warmth and kindness I know is in you?"
Ariana stiffened, her voice defensive. "You think this is my fault?"
"Of course not," her aunt replied softly. "I'm just saying… you're an incredible woman, Ariana. You're beautiful, smart, and capable. Any man would be lucky to have you. But maybe, just maybe, if you'd let Leo see that side of you—if you'd tried to connect with him instead of showing him the cold shoulder—things could've been different. He might've responded in a way you didn't expect."
Ariana shook her head, her jaw tight. "It's too late for that. What's done is done. Even if I wanted to try again—which I don't—it wouldn't change anything. I've made my decision, and I'm sticking to it."
Her aunt sighed but nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Alright, sweetheart. If you've truly made up your mind, then I support you. You deserve to be happy, and if leaving him is what it takes, then I'll stand by you. Just remember, the future isn't written yet. Whatever happens, I believe things will turn out okay for you."
Ariana felt a wave of gratitude for her aunt's unwavering support. She leaned back, letting the tension drain from her shoulders, and managed a faint smile. "Thanks, Auntie. That means a lot."
Ariana drove home after her conversation with her aunt, the weight of their discussion pressing heavily on her mind. As the city lights blurred past her, her aunt's words echoed in her head.
"Maybe if you'd tried to connect, things would have been different. Maybe if there were children, it would have brought you closer."
Her hands tightened on the steering wheel as the thought lingered. Could that really have made a difference? Could bringing a child into their strained marriage have changed anything?
She sighed deeply, gripping the wheel even tighter as frustration bubbled to the surface. Her mind flashed to moments when she could have softened, times when she could have tried harder, but just as quickly, she shook the thoughts away.
Ariana slammed her palm against the steering wheel, her voice breaking the silence of the car. "No! Nothing would have changed. What's done is done."
She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions within her. Her decision was made. There was no point dwelling on the "what-ifs" anymore.
Her focus now was clear—her future. No more second-guessing, no more looking back. Ariana pressed her foot on the gas pedal, her resolve hardening with every mile she drove.
For the first time that day, Ariana felt a sense of relief. Sharing her thoughts and plans gave her clarity, and she felt a renewed sense of strength to face the challenges ahead.