a moment of joy and the bitter truth about Jessie (Ariana)

Margaret's POV

I tried to maintain my composure, pretending I hadn't heard him call my name.

"Margaret Adrian," he whispered again. I glanced at him sidelong, but he was engrossed in the movie.

As the credits rolled, the film's comedic moments were overshadowed by its melancholic ending. The emotions on screen intertwined with my own sense of solitude.

Where could Lewis be at this hour? It was already dark. I regretted not driving myself; accepting Jessie's offer now I'll be waiting alone for a cab.

As the theater emptied, I joined the departing crowd, hoping to slip past Aaron unnoticed. Hunger gnawed at me while I stood outside, trying to hail a taxi.

Somehow, I tripped, nearly stumbling into the path of an oncoming car. A firm grip on my arm yanked me back to safety.

My heart raced with fear as the vehicle sped by.And i feared for the danger that could have happened to me and my child .

The person was still holding my hand.

"Margaret Adrian," he said, his gaze locking with mine.

I took a deep breath and faced him. "Aaron Liam."I said

"It's been almost two years," he remarked.

Indeed, we had met in 1990, and now it was the first half of 1992.

"Can we talk, or are you too tired?" he inquired, his eyes briefly dropping to my stomach.

I rubbed my belly and smiled. "I'm hungry," I admitted. Why did I say that? I was supposed to avoid him. Perhaps it was the loneliness speaking.

***********************************

Margaret's POV

The upscale restaurant enveloped us in an ambiance of muted elegance. Aaron, sitting across from me, studied me with an intensity that hinted at a thousand unspoken questions. His gaze lingered, and I couldn't help but wonder what thoughts churned behind those dark eyes.

"Why the surprise?" I quipped, my voice laced with amusement. "Did you think I was incapable of getting pregnant?"

Aaron shifted uncomfortably, his silverware clinking against the fine china. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he replied, his expression flat. "But I heard about your five-year hiatus, and it got me wondering."

I rested my chin on my palm,while my elbow was on the table. "Are you a Luxie, Mr. Liam?" I asked, referring to the devoted fans of JessieM.

He kept a face that will make a person chuckle but he didn't mean for it to be funny,then I chuckled.

"Why did you make that face?",I asked as I chuckled again.

"I'm a fan of jessieM,my bias is you but don't call me a Luxie.it dies not sound manly.my family tease me about it",he said

"A happy family," I mused, memories of my own family before the divorce flooding my mind.

Aaron's demeanor shifted abruptly. "It's not what you think," he said, his gaze dropping to his plate. "I hate my family."

I hadn't expected such candor. "Why?" I probed gently.

He hesitated, then speared a piece of food. "We're not close enough to discuss it," he replied, avoiding eye contact.

I mirrored his action, taking a bite. "Understood."

His next question caught me off guard. "Married or having a baby out of wedlock? And who's the father?"

I rolled my eyes, narrowing them at him. "We're not close enough to discuss that," I retorted.

Payback, Mr. Liam. Satisfaction warmed my chest.

"This is merely a fan meeting his idol," Aaron clarified, his tone light. "But I couldn't help wondering about you and Lewis. The way you both used to look at each other—eyes filled with a love that anyone could see.i thought you will both be endgame."

I swallowed hard, memories flooding back. The warmth of his breath against my skin,the shower of kisses everynight ,the promises of forever every night and the way he looked at me with love—it had all been real. But that was then, a chapter written in a different ink.

My eyes stung, and I was grateful for the oversized shades that shielded my vulnerability.

I forced a smile, steadying my breath. "Lewis," I began, "do you know what he's been up to lately? Perhaps preparing for a new album?"

Aaron's sigh carried weight. "Lewis," he said "Where do I even begin?  i was furious when he made his move without involving me—despite my being in country B. I still remain one of his investors."

His words hung heavy, like the scent of rain before a storm as he continued.

" Lewis—the man who once sang your name like a secret melody—now moved in mysterious ways.Joining  Jack Entertainment, dating rumors with Jessie—the pieces didn't fit neatly together.

Aaron's revelation hit me like a sudden storm, leaving me disoriented and gasping for air. Jessie—the bandmate and best friend I had trusted—was entangled in a web of secrets. The throbbing pain in my chest intensified, and I wondered when everything went wrong.

Aaron's concern pulled me back from the abyss. "Are you all right, Margaret?" he asked, his worry etched on his face. "Should we go to the hospital?"

I waved him off, my voice barely audible. "No, I'm fine."

It was like he noticed my expression or felt he said something wrong,"I shouldn't have brought up that dating rumor," he said. "But Jessie... she's like a wolf in sheep's clothing. Be cautious, especially if it's not business-related."

I clung to hope,"it's just a rumor," I whispered, praying that Aaron was mistaken.

He checked his watch, "It's late," he said. "Are you heading home, or will you call your husband later?"

My anger flared. "Tell me the reason for your thought about Jessie," I demanded, my voice sharp, almost aggressive.

Aaron hesitated, then spilled the hidden chapters of our intertwined lives. "Remember your first collaboration with Lewis?" he began. "Jessie didn't want it to happen. She told her father, and they did everything in their power to stop it. But I stepped in.

And that is how I met her and happened to be her prom date.

The only reason why you and lewis were able to collabed more,was because of me.lewis don't know about this",Aaron said."

As Aaron's words settled, darkness crept in.

I stood up but the room spun, and I swayed on unsteady legs as I stood up. It couldn't be true. Jessie....how could she be the architect of my heartache?

I stumbled toward the exit, my vision narrowing. The world blurred, and I clung to the edge of consciousness. Betrayal tasted bitter on my tongue.