A visit

Leonardo remained in his office long after his confrontation with Ariana, his mind replaying every word she had said. Doubt crept in—had he misjudged her all along? Had he unfairly assumed the worst? The thought unsettled him. He despised this feeling of uncertainty, of realizing that he might not know everything after all.

Determined to clear his mind, he made a decision—he would wait for her return. Ordering the head housekeeper and the other staff to take the rest of the day off, he remained alone in the vast, silent mansion.

Instead of heading to his own bedroom, he found himself walking towards Ariana's. The room was neat, quiet, and carried her distinct elegance—simple yet refined. His gaze landed on the bedside table, where her wedding ring lay abandoned. His jaw tightened. How long had she stopped wearing it?

Unable to resist, he opened the drawer and picked up the ring, rolling it between his fingers as his thoughts spiraled. As if seeing her with another man hadn't been enough, learning about her job had been an even bigger shock. He had called her workplace to confirm, only to have one of the senior staff members lavish praise on her performance. Apparently, even her managers admired her work, and there was talk of a promotion.

But the detail that made his blood boil? She had told them she was single.

"What are you doing here?"

Leonardo turned sharply at the sound of her voice.

"What does it look like? I'm waiting for you, my dear."

Ariana's expression was unreadable, her tone cool.

"I'll be quick. I'm just here to collect my things. You can call Hana if you're in need of company."

She barely made it two steps toward the closet before he caught her wrist, his grip firm but not painful.

"We need to talk first."

"Let me go, Leonardo. We already talked this morning. It's over."

"No. You talked. I listened. Now it's my turn."

He gestured toward the bed.

"Sit."

Though her eyes burned with defiance, she complied, arms crossed.

"Fine. Say what you need to, but make it quick."

Leonardo's gaze darkened.

"I see that working has given you the confidence to talk back to me like this. Don't forget, Ariana—I'm still your husband."

She scoffed.

"For a little while longer, at least."

His expression remained unreadable as he leaned against the dresser.

"That's where you're mistaken. There will be no divorce."

Ariana's breath caught.

"What?"

"You heard me. I don't agree to it."

Her eyes narrowed.

"And what about your girlfriend? Did you consider her feelings when you decided you suddenly don't want to let me go?"

Leonardo's voice was cold.

"She has nothing to do with this. Her father just passed away. I can't go through with a divorce now—it would be scandalous."

Ariana let out a humorless laugh.

"Oh, so that's what this is about? You're worried about your reputation? News flash, Leonardo—our marriage is nothing more than a useless contract. And I want out."

"And I don't."

His voice was final.

"I still need you."

Her palm struck his chest, pushing him back slightly.

"Ah, so you still need your little display doll, is that it?"

He caught her hands before she could pull away, his grip tightening.

"You're the one seeing it that way."

She struggled against him, but he refused to let go. Instead, he pulled her forward, forcing her to collide against his chest. Her breath hitched—their proximity sent a shiver down her spine.

His voice dropped, low and dangerous.

"If you really were just a doll, you'd do what I wanted without question."

His eyes flickered to her lips, and Ariana's heart pounded.

"We could either end things properly… or pick up where we left off last night."

The reminder of what had almost happened between them—the way he had touched her, the way he had looked at her—snapped her back to reality.

"Oh, I see. You want one last physical memory of me before you run back to your mistress?"

Leonardo's lips curled into a smirk.

"Jealous, are we?"

His fingers brushed against her cheek before his lips ghosted over hers, barely touching.

"If I didn't have an important meeting, I'd gladly help you out of that dress right now."

Ariana gasped, her face burning. She shoved him away.

"You're disgusting."

Leonardo chuckled, completely unbothered.

"By the way," he said casually, "I forgot to mention—my friend and his wife, Lily, will be staying here for two weeks while their house is being renovated."

Her stomach dropped.

"What?"

His smirk widened.

"You heard me. It would be best if you were here during that time. Otherwise, you can forget about getting a peaceful divorce."

Her fingers trembled as she clenched them into fists.

"You manipulative bastard. That suits you."

He leaned in, whispering into her ear.

"Don't worry, the repairs won't take long. And you know what that means, don't you?"

Ariana swallowed hard.

"You want me to play hostess?"

Leonardo grinned wickedly.

"No, my darling wife—it means you'll be staying in my room for the entire duration of their visit."

Her breath hitched.

"It will be fun," he murmured, his voice laced with dark amusement.

"I can't wait to have you all to myself."

With a final wink, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Ariana standing there in stunned silence.

Her knees buckled, and she sank to the floor, shaking.