reconsidering

Ariana opened her eyes, feeling utterly exhausted—both physically and emotionally. She forced herself out of bed and headed to the bathroom, taking a long shower in an attempt to wash away the heaviness weighing on her. Afterward, she went downstairs for breakfast.

The housekeeper hesitated before speaking, "Mr. Leonardo isn't in his room." Then, with a hint of embarrassment, she added, "I don't think he slept there last night."

Ariana's face burned with the implication. Her mind instantly pictured him leaving her only to rush straight to Hana. A bitter feeling clawed at her chest. She would have deeply regretted it if she had given in to him last night. Worse still, she loathed herself for the way she had surrendered to his touch and how, deep down, she had wanted more.

Shoving those thoughts aside, she told the housekeeper, "I won't be home before evening. I won't be having dinner here."

When she arrived at work, Darin greeted her with concern. "Liam was really tense this morning," she said. "He told me about his meeting with Leonardo. What happened after that?"

Ariana hesitated, feeling too ashamed to share the humiliating details. "Nothing happened," she replied curtly. "I just told Leonardo to finalize the divorce as soon as possible."

Darin gasped. "Why? I thought things were getting better between you two!"

"Nothing has changed," Ariana said bitterly. "He's still Hana's dog. She called him last night, and he ran straight to her."

Darin sighed, offering a comforting touch to Ariana's arm. "I'm so sorry," she said softly. "But You deserve better."

.....

Leonardo opened his eyes, groaning in pain. His body ached from another night spent sleeping in his office chair.

He needed something to ease the tension in his head, but more than that, he needed to figure out what to do next. He had spent the night avoiding going home—avoiding Ariana. To be specific He couldn't face her.

What would she think if he returned after spending the night with Hana? The mere thought made his stomach twist. He buried his face in his hands.

For the first time, he felt truly lost. His life, once so meticulously controlled, now felt like a mess. And worst of all, He feels like he is a cheater but was he actually betraying Ariana?or Hana? He doesn't know anything

No—Ariana was the one who had someone else. He had seen it with his own eyes. But even if that was true, why did it feel so wrong? Why did the memory of her, standing in nothing but a towel, haunt him like this?

He knew why.

It would have been easy if he had controlled himself when he saw her nearly naked. But instead, he felt his body react on its own, a fierce, uncontrollable response to her presence.

Despite being married for three years, seeing her last night from a different perspective—and knowing that her body was rightfully his, that he could have her—drove him insane.

But what truly shattered the last shred of his restraint was her complete and willing response to him she was completely into doing it.

If it hadn't been for Hanna's call,that will make the things more complicated.

Had that call saved him from a catastrophe or stopped him from an overwhelming desire? Should he feel relief or frustration?

The flood of maddening questions wouldn't stop. Had he truly hate Hanna's call? Had he lost his mind?

Did he actually want his wife after all these years? A marriage that had started as nothing more than a moment of madness and wounded pride?

He had always seen Ariana as an opportunist, someone who had sold out her friendship for status. But for the first time, he found himself reconsidering. Poverty and need could strip a person of their dignity—at least she hadn't sold her body like others he knew.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his office door.