The Broken Ties

Wait for him to come back? He was just a stranger for a one-night stand. But Arianna admitted it herself; she really enjoyed herself last night.

She picked up her phone from the nightstand and saw 10 missed calls from her friend Kate. "I guessed he must have put my phone on silence to avoid any disturbance from anyone," she thought.

Arianna relaxed her body as she left the building, not wanting to seem so tense. 

Her thoughts drifted back to the stranger she had been with the previous night. She could feel the heat of his touch and the way he had made her forget about everything last night. What she can't understand is the tattoo he imprinted on her. The mystery of his identity still lingering on her mind. 

Shaking off the thought She arrived at her apartment, only to see Ivy standing at her doorstep. Arianna paused, her mind racing back to their betrayal, her fist clenching into a ball. Though they were stepsisters, she had never treated Ivy poorly; she had always tried to treat Ivy like family, even if they weren't that particularly close. Ivy, on the other hand, had never acted like the wicked stepsister trope Arianna had read about in novels and movies. If anything, she thought they had a civil relationship.

The tension between them always comes from her stepmother, "Serena, constantly stirring trouble and plotting bad things to destroy their relationship. She always tries to convince her daughter, "Ivy," that Arianna is always jealous of her, but she didn't succeed

"What are you doing here, Ivy?" Arianna asked, trying to keep her tone down. 

She couldn't help but wonder if her relationship with Mason was Serena's 'idea or her own. 

Please, Arianna," she whispered, "barely holding herself together as if she was forced to come here. "I'm so sorry. I never wanted this to happen, but I love Mason. Her voice hit Arianna hard, like a punch, but Ivy kept going, "I didn't tell you because... because I was scared you would misunderstand us, and you, I will lose you." she stammered.

Arianna's heart clenched, her breath catching in her throat. Ivy's words sounded desperate, but her body language told she wasn't sincere; she wasn't confessing but also justifying. 

"I know I hurt you, "but please don't include Mason; he didn't do anything wrong; he didn't mean to hurt you either. Don't blame him, please!. He really loves you. "but the plea in her eyes was unwavering. 

Please don't call off the wedding. 

You've always wanted this, Arianna: "I don't want to ruin it for you.". Ivy said in a sarcastic voice, 

Arianna couldn't believe what she was hearing; her chest tightened as anger buttoned up her face.

Please don't tell Dad about this; he will get angry, and you know his heart can't contain these. Ivy pleaded this time sincerely. but that was the final blow, This is too much; I can't forgive you, not now, Arianna voiced out sincerely. 

She turned away with heavy steps and entered her apartment, leaving Ivy behind. She needed space to think. 

Arianna's phone buzzed, pulling her out of her spiraling thoughts. She glanced at the screen—her father was the one.

immediately she answered the phone She heard his father's loud voice, "Come to the mansion"; we need to talk about the wedding. Arianna sighed, bracing herself for another conversation about something she wanted to forget forever. 

When she arrived at the mansion, Mason was already there. His face looked somber from his usual confident demeanor, replaced with guilt. 

Her eyes scanned the small gathering:

Mason, Ivy, her dad, and stepmother. The tension in the room was palpable. 

"Arianna," Mason began softly, reaching out to touch her. Can we talk about this? "I know I made a mistake, but can we work it through?" pleaded Mason sincerely. Arianna felt like throwing up at that very moment; he wanted to talk about his betrayal as if it was nothing. 

There's nothing to work out on, "The wedding is off; I won't marry someone who doesn't deserve me," Arianna shouted. Making it clear to everyone in the room 

Her words hit everyone in the room like a bombshell. 

Her father's face darkened, and Mason's shoulders sagged; this wasn't just a normal marriage relationship but also a business contract between the Anderson and the Harrington families.

At that very moment, her stepmom, Serena, also stood up, her expression both sharp and calculating. 

"Oh really?" proclaims Serena, her voice dripping with mock concern. 

Are you really sure the problem is not you?, hmm, Arianna? Arianna's brows furrowed in confusion as Serena pulled out her phone, clicking on a video.

The room fell silent as the screen displayed a video of Arianna entering a building with a man. 

"Look at this!" shouted Serena, turning the phone to everyone in the room. 

"She wants to call off the wedding and play the victim, but look at what she's been doing," murmured Ivy, afraid of Arianna bringing hers out. 

"Mr. Harrington," Arianna's father face twisted in anger and disappointment, his hands balling into fists. 

Is that true, Arianna? Were you with another man? Answer me! Her father questioned her angrily. 

"I can explain. Dad is not what you think it's... But Mason cuts her off. I thought you were better than this, Arianna, but clearly I was wrong. 

She's no saint, and now we've all seen it." Serena added "adding" more fire to the situation. 

Enough, Arianna, I won't tolerate this shameful behavior, his father said, his voice sharp and unforgiving. 

He turned to Arianna, his face showing no emotion. "You've disgraced this family enough. I won't tolerate this. Ivy will be the one to marry into the Anderson family.

From this day on, you're no longer my daughter. I regret ever giving birth to you; her father's words cut into her heart like a blade, but the worst part was Mason and Ivy; they both remained silent as if they weren't the ones she caught betraying her. 

The words hit her like a blow; this was supposed to be her father, her family, but they all turned their backs on her, twisting everything to make her the villain. 

She blinked back tears, refusing to let them see how affected she was. Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked out of the Harrington family house. 

She staggered down the dark streets, her father's words echoing in her head: "You're no longer my daughter! ."Tears blurred her vision as she wandered aimlessly, the weight of betrayal crushing her. Suddenly, the roar of an engine snapped her out of her daze. She looked up to see headlights glaring at her, a car speeding toward her with chilling intent.