Chapter 2 The Betrayal

*****Flashback*******

I froze, staring hard at the number calling me. Never in my wildest dreams have I thought that my estranged father would ever call me again. It's been eight years since I last spoke with him.

I frowned and ignored the call thinking it was a mistake or something. The number called again and I knew that something was up. Something so urgent that he had no choice but to call me after eight years of abandoning me and my mother.

"Hello?" I answered, sounding indifferent.

"Ana..." said the voice from the other line. It was not my father talking and hearing someone call me that name sent a shiver down my spine. It's been so long since someone else called me that name except my mother.

"Ariana," I corrected him. "May I know who this is, please?"

"This is Robert. I am calling on behalf of your father. I am his secretary." He replied.

"What's wrong?" I immediately knew something was wrong. My father was the only one who knew my number, but he had not contacted me or my mother since we left London. That is why getting a call from his secretary after all this time means one thing: something is wrong.

"He suffered from a heart attack, and he requested your presence and that of your mother. If you could both come to the house...:

"We will be there. Send me the address." I answered without hesitation. No matter what he has done to me and my mother and how peaceful my life is here, I can't just stay here and ignore my father. He might not be the best husband for cheating on my mother and marrying the woman he cheated with. But he has been good to me until seven years ago when he stopped it all.

"Is everything Okay, Ariana?" My mother inquired as soon as I hung up the phone.

"It's D-a-d, he had an attack and he has requested that we come..."

"I am not going back to him, so just forget about it. Not after everything he did to us, so I don't care if he dies!" My mom interrupted just before I could finish what I was saying and I could see the flick of pain in her eyes as I was sure that I had brought back memories she had buried a long time ago.

"Mom please, I beg you this one time. I know he caused you so much pain like he did to me but he is still my father and I am sure that he called because something is wrong and the only way to find out what the problem might be is by going to see him." I pleaded with my mom hoping that she would listen to me this one time.

She was silent for a moment like she was trying to process all I had just said. I could not stop thinking about what made my father have a heart attack. He was the strongest man I had ever known who did not joke with his health.

"Okay fine, I am coming with you on the condition that we will return tomorrow." She agreed as she wiped off the tears in her eyes.

"Thanks, Mom!" I said, sounding relieved because I knew whatever the reason might be for this urgent request, I would be able to handle it with my mom by my side.

"Nora! Thank God you are here. I have to leave for London urgently." I informed my best friend who came in right after I finished talking to my mom.

"Where is the fun in going to London without me?" Nora said with a smirk on her face.

"You don't have to and besides we will be back before you know it." I said, trying to convince her otherwise. The last thing I would want is to drag her into my family problems. Nora has been nothing but a blessing to me since my mom and I moved to Paris seven years ago.

"Okay fine! Let's go." I said knowing that Nora would not take a 'no' for an answer.

We got to London sooner than expected and went straight to the hospital to see my Dad. I could feel my mother palpitating but I knew I had to be strong for her.

"Dad?" I said as we entered his ward. All eyes darted at us including my stepmother and step-sister. From their reaction, I could tell that they were not expecting our presence.

"Ariana, Rebecca, I am sorry for how I treated you both in the past. The truth is finally out at last." He said as he sat up with remorse and guilt washing over him.

"What truth?" My mom inquired curiously.

My stepmother looked away and I could tell that whatever the truth might be had something to do with her.

"I found out that Valerie is not mine! Her mother brought another man's pregnancy and pinned it on me all these years." My father explained with his eyes already bulged out. I have never imagined my father crying but I could tell that he was feeling betrayed.

"So what does this have to do with me and my daughter?" My mother shot back and I could tell that she was still mad at him. That was the same question running through my mind but I was more focused on my father's health at the moment.

"Because Ariana is the true successor and the heiress of the Cruz empire and she needs to take over as soon as possible but only on one condition." He said.

"Father!" Valerie said and I could sense her displeasure over his decision.

"Don't you dare interrupt me when I am talking? You should be happy that you are still here with your good-for-nothing mother!" He shot back at her.

I watched the whole scenario and I knew immediately that I did not want to involve myself with any of the Cruz drama, not anymore.

"What if I don't want the position?" I asked which made everyone look at me in surprise.

My mom moved closer to me, signaling me not to say anything further. "What is the condition?" She asked, looking at my Dad sternly.

"Ariana would have to get married to Ares Hidalgo. The heir of the Hidalgo empire." He said.

"W-h-a-t! You also want me in an arranged marriage with Ares Hidalgo? Someone I don't even know?" I asked while still trying to wrap my head around the whole situation.

"Dad, No! You can't do this to me." Valerie said fiercely.

"I want you and your mother out of here!" My dad ordered leaving the room to just the three of us.

"Ariana, I know all of this is sudden for you because I was not a good father to you. But, you are my only daughter and I will never let Valerie and her mother take that away from you. You have to get married to Ares Hidalgo." My father said as he held my hands softly with tears in his eyes.

"Dad, I can handle the company on my own. I don't have to marry a stranger to do that." I said making him see that I am not that weak girl of seven years ago. I am capable of handling anything that comes my way, that is why I have survived for this long with my mother.

"I know you are a strong girl Ariana but this is necessary. The company is facing some loss at the moment and your stepmother knows too many secrets about the Cruz empire which she might want to use against us. The Hidalgo empire is strong enough to help you through that and that can only be possible if you marry Ares. he is the heir of the Hidalgo empire and I trust him." My father explained with so much pain in his eyes and I could tell that he was begging me not to say no.

"Once you have achieved the purpose for getting married to him, you can decide to divorce him but till then, you have to stay in the marriage and get what you want from it. I cannot wait to see you as the heiress of the Cruz empire before I die." he added.

"You will not die, father." I said, rebuking it immediately.

"Ariana, this is the right time for you to fight for your rights and become the heiress you truly are. I am sure you would not want to let those losers win right?" She asked, referring to Valerie and my stepmother.

"Do I have a choice here?" I asked knowing my stay in London would be longer than expected. I have a wedding to plan with a man I don't love.

"Thank you, Ariana, I knew you would not let me down." My father said, sounding excited at my decision.

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I had a sudden short intake of breath as I gasped in horror. I could not believe what I was seeing and I had to practically press my palms tightly against my lips to stop myself from making any sound. The clicks of my heels must have interrupted their intimate moment as I overheard Ares telling Valerie that he was sure that I was not the one spying on them.

"Go check who it is!" She said fearfully.

I walked as fast as my legs could go but Ares held my hands just before I could exit the room hall.

"Ariana?" He called out.

"Thumph!!!." I gave him a resounding slap for even thinking he could lay his filthy hands on me.