One day, Ariana was standing in the dimly lit bathroom, clutching the tiny stick that bore life-changing news. Two pink lines stared back at her, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, hope stirred in her heart. Her fingers trembled as she touched her abdomen, a protective instinct awakening within her.
"This changes everything," she whispered to herself, tears streaming down her face. "Maybe this is our second chance."
She envisioned Lucas's reaction—surely, he would be happy. The thought of a child, their child, could reignite the love they had once shared. Ariana wiped her tears, determined to share the news over breakfast.
At the breakfast table, Lucas sat immersed in his tablet, his brows furrowed as he scrolled through emails. Ariana hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. The room felt colder than usual, but she pushed through the tension.
"Lucas," she began softly, setting her coffee cup down.
He looked up briefly, his expression unreadable. "What is it?"
She inhaled deeply, her fingers gripping the edge of the table for support. "I... I have something important to tell you." Her voice wavered, but she forced herself to continue. "I'm pregnant."
The silence that followed was deafening. Lucas's eyes widened slightly, but instead of joy or excitement, his face hardened. He set the tablet down with a thud and leaned back in his chair, his arms crossing over his chest.
"Pregnant?" he repeated, his tone skeptical. "And I'm supposed to believe this isn't some scheme to manipulate me?"
Ariana's heart sank. "Lucas, no! How could you even think that?" she pleaded, her voice cracking. "This is our baby."
Lucas let out a bitter laugh. "Our baby? Or your way of trying to trap me in this marriage?"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she shook her head. "Lucas, I would never... This baby is a blessing. Don't you see? This could be a fresh start for us and for our family."
His gaze was icy as he stood, his towering figure casting a shadow over her. "You think a baby will fix what's broken between us? You're delusional, Ariana. Nothing can fix this."
Ariana's lips quivered as she struggled to hold back her sobs. "Lucas, please... I'm trying. For us, for this baby."
But he turned away, his voice cold and dismissive. "Save it. I'm not falling for this act."
As he walked out of the room, Ariana slumped in her chair, her hands cradling her abdomen.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Sophia stood outside her bedroom, having overheard the exchange. A sly smile curved her lips as she descended the stairs, her plan already forming. She found Lucas in his study, his jaw clenched as he stared out the window.
"Lucas?" she called softly, stepping inside. Her voice was laced with concern. "Are you okay?"
He turned, his expression stormy. "She's pregnant," he said bluntly.
Sophia feigned surprise, placing a hand over her chest. "Oh, Lucas, that's... unexpected. How do you feel about it?"
Lucas scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "How do you think? She's using this pregnancy to manipulate me, to keep me tied to her."
Sophia stepped closer, her voice gentle and soothing. "Lucas, I hate to say this, but... I've had my suspicions for a while. Ariana has been acting so... calculated lately."
His eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Sophia hesitated, as if reluctant to speak. "I overheard her talking to Mia a few days ago. She mentioned how a baby would 'secure' her place in your life. I didn't want to believe it, but... now it makes sense."
Lucas's fists clenched at his sides. "I knew it," he muttered. "I knew she was up to something."
Sophia placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Lucas, I'm only telling you this because I care about you. You deserve someone who loves you for who you are, not for what they can gain from you."
Her words seeped into his mind like poison, solidifying his doubts about Ariana. He nodded stiffly. "You're right. I can't let her manipulate me."
Sophia smiled inwardly, satisfied that her seeds of doubt were taking root. She added one final touch. "And Lucas, I know this is hard to hear, but... do you really think she's capable of being a good mother? Raising a child requires selflessness, and Ariana... well, she's been so focused on herself lately."
Lucas didn't respond, but his silence spoke volumes.
That evening, Ariana sat alone in the living room, the shadows of the fireplace dancing across her face. She stared at the ultrasound picture in her hands, her heart aching with a mix of love and despair. The door creaked open, and she turned to see Lucas entering the room.
"Lucas," she said softly, standing to meet him. "Can we talk?"
He didn't look at her as he poured himself a drink. "What is there to talk about?"
"Us," she said, her voice trembling. "The baby. I know things have been difficult, but..."
"Difficult?" he interrupted, his tone sharp. "You've been manipulating me, Ariana. Don't act like a victim now."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Manipulating you? Lucas, how can you say that? This baby is ours."
He downed his drink and set the glass on the table with a loud clink. "Spare me the act. I'm not blind. Sophia told me everything."
Ariana's breath caught. "Sophia? What does she have to do with this?"
"She heard you talking to Mia, plotting how to use this pregnancy to control me," he accused, his voice rising.
Ariana shook her head vehemently. "That's a lie! Lucas, I would never do that. Please, you have to believe me."
But his eyes were cold, unyielding. "Why should I? You've done nothing but lie and manipulate since the beginning."
Tears streamed down her face as she stepped closer, her voice breaking. "Lucas, this baby is a part of both of us. How can you be so cruel?"
He turned away, his shoulders tense.
As he walked away, Ariana sank to her knees, clutching the ultrasound picture to her chest. "I'll protect you," she whispered to her unborn child, her voice filled with a mixture of love and despair. "No matter what, I'll protect you from all of this."
Upstairs, Sophia watched from the balcony, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. Everything was going according to plan. As long as she kept Lucas under her spell, Ariana would never regain her footing.
Sophia murmured to herself, "One step closer to removing you for good, Ariana. One step closer."