CHAPTER 11
Feels like he’s married to two women.
(Arielle’s POV)
*****Three days after*****
“Good morning, Arielle,” Doctor Wade smiled warmly as she entered the room. “I’m pleased to inform you that you’re okay now and fit to be discharged. Your husband. just needs to sign the discharge slip, and you’re free to go home.”
My face instantly lit up with a smile. “Thank you, Doctor Wade,”
She nodded and turned to leave the room. “Take care, Arielle. Have a smooth recovery at home.”
Ashley, who was sitting beside me on the bed, smiled and held my hands. “You’re finally returning home, Arielle. I’m so happy for you.”
I returned the smile. “I’m happy too, Ashley.
Just then, Jared stepped into the room with a paper bag in his hand. “Good morning, Arielle. I got your breakfast.”
I nodded. “Thank you, Jared.”
The past three days have been really awkward. We were more or less like strangers. barely saw him, save for his routine check–in that never exceeded a few minutes. It was always like he was rushing to leave me and go be with Sofia. When I complained, he cited that I had Ashley, but Sofia had no one but him. I stopped complaining, as I would rather not appear as an insensitive and nagging wife.
“I’ll go sign the discharge slip so we can head home. You should eat up,” Jared announced, setting the paper bag on the bedside table. Property © 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.
I nodded again, but then stopped him at the door. “What about Sofia?”
I watched his shoulders tense, and he hesitated before responding. “She’s being discharged today too.”
I nodded once more, I have been doing that a lot lately, as I found talking very exhausting.
Jared exited the room afterward, leaving me with Ashley as usual.
Ashley must have noticed my sad look because she squeezed my hand softly.”
Feels te he’s married to two women
Everything will be fine, Arielle. Don’t worry.”
1 shook my head. “I just want her gone. It feels like my husband is now married to two women.”
“Don’t worry, Arielle. We’ll figure something out. Just eat up so you’ll be ready by the time Jared returns.”
I reluctantly accepted, and Ashley took out the disposable plate containing pasta from the paper bag. As soon as the aroma of the pasta hit my nostrils, I bolted out of bed and rushed to the bathroom.
Ashley followed suit, rubbing my back gently as I emptied my stomach’s content in the sink. Afterward, I rinsed my mouth and face and returned to the room.
“Please, take it away,” I said to Ashley, motioning to the food. “I can’t eat it.
“I see, pregnancy hormones are kicking in already,” Ashley teased, as she put the food away.
“I hope I don’t turn into a sick cat,” I groaned. “I can’t afford to stop working. I might lose my mind.
“There’s no way you’re going to work while pregnant, Arielle Smith.”
“Why not?”
“Because I can’t have you stressing my poor godson.”
“Hmmm, I see. You already decided on the gender.”
“Yes. And I’m sure Jared is gonna want a boy, too.”
My face immediately fell at those words, and I went silent.
“OMG! I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. I-” Ashley said, but
I cut her short.
“It’s fine. You’re right, I should tell him. I guess I will tell him when we get home, and have a lone time to ourselves without Sofia hanging around.” I said the last words. with a dramatic eye roll, eliciting a laugh from Ashley.
Our conversation was interrupted by Jared’s arrival. His eyes darted to the food on the table, and he raised a brow. “Hey, why didn’t you eat?”
1 shrugged. “I didn’t have an appetite.”
Jared looked surprised. “That’s strange, Arielle. Pasta is your favorite.”
Feels like he’s married to two women.
I cut him short. I was in no mood for long talks, “Can we leave already?”
Jared gave me a suspicious look but nodded, “sure.”
He walked up to me, and helped me up from the bed, while Ashley gathered my things and followed behind.
As we stepped out of the hospital’s building, the early noon sun hit my face, and I sighed, realizing how much I had missed being outside.
Jared led me to his sleek black Bentley Continental GT, parked in the hospital’s VIP parking lot. I opened the front passenger door, wanting to slide in, but my heart sank when I saw Sofia already seated.
It dawned on me that since the night of the incident, I had not set my eyes on her. For a moment, I took in her appearance. She looked radiant with her hair tied in a neat ponytail. I tried not to compare her flawless skin to my own, still bearing fading bruises.
She looked up, startled, and our eyes met, her bright smile making my blood boil. “Oh, hi, Arielle. It’s good to see you,” she said breezily.
“I can’t say the same for you,” I retorted, turning away and opening the backseat door instead.
Ashley, who had been quiet until now, cleared her throat. “I’ll follow you guys in my car. I need to stop by the office anyway.”
Jared nodded, and Ashley walked towards her own car, leaving us alone with Sofia.
Just as Jared was about to turn on the car’s ignition, he exclaimed, “Shit! I forgot to get your analgesics from the hospital’s pharmacy, Arielle.” He turned to me, his face apologetic. “I’ll be right back.”
He got out of the car, and hurried away, and was left alone with Sofia. I was uncomfortable, but tried to mask it. I had grown wary of Sofia now that I knew what she was capable of. I secretly prayed Jared would return soon, as sharing a space. alone with Sofia was suffocating.
Sofia suddenly broke the silence, “So, Arielle, how are you feeling?”
I ignored her, looking away, but she persisted.
“You know, for someone who saved your life, that’s not how to treat me.”
Feels like he’s mamed to two women.
Her words riled me up, and I whipped my head back to face her. “You did not save my life, you tried to kill me. Jared’s not here, so you can drop the act, and be your real self.”
Sofia smiled, her eyes glittering mischievously. “You’re right, Jared’s not here. It’s just us. So, dear Arielle, do you now believe that Jared will always put me first before you?”
I scoffed, the urge to strangle her, gripping me. “You’re despicable, Sofia. I can’t believe you pushed me down the stairs just to prove a silly point.”
“Well, you were feeling all high and mighty, and I needed you to come down from your high horse. I think you’ve learned your lesson.” She turned to face me, looking me up and down. “Look at you, looking all roughened up.”
I started to fire back, but Jared returned, somewhat sweating. It seemed like he ran all the way to the car.
“Sorry for keeping you waiting,” he said, strapping his seat belt in place, oblivious to the tension.
Sofia smiled sweetly, placing a hand on his shoulder. “No problem, Jared. Arielle was just thanking me for saving her life.”
Jared’s face lit up, and he turned to me, surprised. “Really? That’s so noble of you, Arielle. I knew you weren’t in the right frame of mind when you said those things about Sofia back at the hospital. I’m glad you’re alright now.”
I ignored him, turning my face away as I seethe with rage.