Chapter 3 The Confrontation

"I hate you, Ares! Of all people, my sister? And to make matters worse, on our wedding day! You couldn't control yourself, Ares! Anyone could have seen you," I said, with tears already forming in my eyes, helplessly struggling not to show my weakness in front of him.

"I mean, I get it that this marriage is just laced with benefits, and we don't like each other, but the least you could do is show some respect. We are married for fuck sake! And we still have an engagement party to attend to and here you are cheating on me on our wedding day!" I added looking at him with disgust.

"Y-o-u, you slapped me, Ariana?" Ares said in shock that I was that audacious to do that.

"And I will do it again if you lay your filthy hands on me!" I shot back at him angrily.

"Do you know who I am? And what I am capable of doing to you?" Ares said with his eyes glaring angrily at me.

"Do I look like I care?" I asked, completely unfazed by his threats and anger.

"I am your husband, show some respect!" He said as he held my hands fiercely closing up the distance between us.

"You don't deserve any respect from me, Ares. I HATE YOU!" I frantically jabbed my back at the wall.

"Oh, just say you are jealous of your step-sister." He said deliberately pissing me off.

"You must be shallow-minded to think I am jealous of you and Valerie," I said with a scoff under my breath as I was about to leave.

Ares reached at me, wrapping his hand around my biceps. He spun me around, eyes glaring with anger and a flicker of pain. Seeing him this close again, with his hair disheveled from his busy moment with Valerie, reeking of her perfume on his body threatened to break my hold on my emotions. Not because he is cheating, but because he is in an illicit relationship with my step-sister who would stop at nothing to bring me down.

I refused to break down in front of him, yet the pounding pain in my chest rapidly grew.

"What were you thinking? That I was going to love you? He asked, looking at me intently.

"Oh please, spare me that bullshit! I would not be in this marriage with you if I had a choice!" I said.

"I don't want this marriage either!" He said and I could see the frustration on his face.

"As long as this marriage gives me what I want, then I am willing to do whatever it takes, even if it does mean marrying you. Oh well, we are married," I said, glaring at Ares who frowned at me.

"What is going on here?" Valerie said as she joined us in the hallway. I was expecting her sooner but I guess she could not hold it anymore.

"Speaking of the devil." I scoffed under my breath.

"We have a party in a few minutes from now. Except you want to explain to your father what the hell you are doing with Valerie, I suggest you join me soon," I said as I impatiently walked away. The last thing I want is for Valerie to see me helpless.

"Do you think they don't know?" She said which made me stop halfway puzzled as to what she meant by what she just said.

"Know what precisely?" I asked, turning to face her.

"Dad knows it all. He knew Ares was in love with me and the plan was that we would be getting married and I would succeed the Cruz empire." Valerie explained.

"Not until you showed your face again bitch!" She added, which made me furious. It was time to give her the befitting reply she deserved.

"How is it my fault that you are the bastard daughter of the Cruz family? I am sure your biological father would be grateful wherever he is right now." I replied smiling at her confidently knowing fully well that it would piss her off the most.

"You bitch!" She said raising her hands to slap me which I held onto firmly before she could do it.

"Don't you dare raise your hands at me ever again Valerie? My name is Ariana Cruz, I am not the girl from seven years ago who you think you can trample on. I will put you in your place without thinking twice." I warned her sternly as I dropped her hands off which made her gasp in shock.

I bet she was not expecting that I would be audacious enough to talk back to her. Seven years of growing up alone with my mom and surviving out there in this harsh world has taught me a very hard lesson to fight for myself and it has shaped me into who I am today.

My two-year failed relationship with Ethan had made me stop trusting men or trusting love again. I have no idea why I was so pained with Ares cheating on me but I know that his relationship with Valerie would only bring me trouble.

I could see the expression on Ares's face and I knew he was enraged by the whole situation.

"Valerie, you don't have to worry yourself about this. I got this under control." He said as he tried to calm the situation down upon hearing the sound of footsteps approaching.

"We both know the last thing we want right now is for others to start asking questions. Once we are done with the wedding today, I will put her to order." Ares said while looking at me ferociously.

"Listen to me Ariana Cruz, Ares is never going to love you. He is mine and his heart belongs to me! Married or not, It's only going to be on paper! You have no idea what is coming for you!" Valerie said as she looked at me one last time and walked away.

"I don't care!" I shot back knowing fully well that she was cursing at me as she walked away. My sister is at war with me and there is no way I am losing. I will do everything to get what I want even if it means being the dutiful and loving wife to Ares in public.

"Ares?" I called out but got no response from him. Where could he be? He was just here with me before Valerie left. The party had started already.