Chapter 4 Part 4

"What have you done to my son, Ariel?" Mrs. Rose asked suddenly.

Ariel turned toward her, surprised for a moment, but then smirked shamelessly.

"I don't think you need an explanation, Mommy," Ariel replied casually.

Mrs. Rose shook her head in disbelief. She couldn't understand the behavior of her daughter-in-law.

"In that case, leave my son. A good man like Noah doesn't deserve a cheap woman like you!"

Ariel laughed. "I want a divorce too, Mom. But-"

She paused and stepped closer to Mrs. Rose. "Your son refuses to divorce me. I've already told him I don't love him. The man I love is someone else. And that man is-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Mrs. Rose slapped her hard across the face.

"Heartless woman!" Mrs. Rose shouted.

Again, Ariel gave a smirk. "Those words suit you far better than they suit me, Mom," she said with icy sarcasm.

"What are you talking about, Ariel?" Mrs. Rose asked, confused by her daughter-in-law's words.

"Nothing," Ariel answered smoothly.

Mrs. Rose was still breathing heavily, unable to accept that her son had been hurt by Ariel.

"If you want a divorce, then just leave tonight!" Mrs. Rose snapped, her gaze sharp and full of disdain. She clearly wanted Ariel out of the house this very night.

"I'd love to. But-"

"But what, Ariel?"

Just then, the sound of the bathroom door opening cut through the tension. Noah stepped out, his forehead furrowed when he saw his mother standing there.

"Mom, what are you doing here? What are you two talking about?" Noah asked, eyeing both women suspiciously.

"Noah! Why are you still holding on to this woman? It's clear she's hurt you!" Mrs. Rose said, her voice rising with frustration.

Noah looked confused. How did his mother find out about Ariel's behavior?

"Why are you silent?" Mrs. Rose snapped. "I want you to divorce her tonight!"

Noah took a deep breath. "Mom..." He knelt down at her feet. "I love Ariel. So... I'm sorry, but I can't grant your wish. I will keep fighting for her, even if she's hurt me."

"Enough, Noah. I'll just leave tonight. Be a good son. Don't stop me," Ariel said flatly, and turned to go.

"Ariel, wait!" Noah called out.

"Mom!" he shouted in frustration when Mrs. Rose blocked his path.

"Don't be foolish! Don't humiliate yourself any further!"

Noah fell silent. He wanted to explain why he insisted on staying with Ariel-but somehow, his heart and mind weren't aligned. He wasn't ready to say it out loud.

Meanwhile, Ariel was already in a taxi-thankfully one had passed by just in time.

"I'm sure Noah will come after me. The more he loves me, the easier it will be to destroy him."

***

The tension at Noah's house hadn't subsided-it had only escalated. Mr. Alex, Noah's father, had now been informed of the situation and Ariel's sudden departure.

"So you're still choosing to stay with Ariel?" Mr. Alex asked.

"Yes, Dad. No matter what happens, I'll keep her as my wife. So... please, respect my decision," Noah said firmly.

Mr. Alex exhaled heavily. If this was Noah's decision, then what choice did they have? After all, Noah was the one living the marriage.

"Tomorrow morning, I'm going to pick her up. So don't stop me. If you and Mom still disagree, I'll move out. Ariel and I will live in an apartment," Noah declared.

"You-" Mrs. Rose shook her head, speechless. She couldn't comprehend her son's thinking.

"Look at your son, Alex. What's wrong with him? My God! And after everything Ariel's done, he still wants to stay with her!"

"Let it go, Rose. We should just go along with Noah's decision. Don't stir things up even more tonight."

Meanwhile, Ariel had decided to spend the night at the hospital, staying with her mother. She couldn't sleep at all, even though the night had been exhausting.

She kept staring at her mother's face as she slept soundly, likely thanks to the sedatives the doctor had given her.

"Mom... don't worry. I will avenge the pain we've suffered. I promise you-Rose and her son will feel what we endured for fifteen years," Ariel whispered as she tightly held her mother's hand.

"I'll drive Noah-Rose's son-mad. If possible, I'll make Rose go mad too. They both deserve to be punished."

Ariel wiped away her tears and smiled again. She refused to let sadness consume her.

"Don't be weak, Ariel. You must stay strong. Smile..." she whispered to herself, forcing a smile through the pain. The old wounds still hadn't healed.

***

06:25 AM

Noah was already dressed and ready to pick up Ariel. But just as he stepped out, he was stopped by his mother's voice.

"Where are you going so early?" Mrs. Rose asked.

"To pick up Ariel," Noah replied.

"I'm coming with you!"

"Why?" Noah asked, confused.

"Stop asking questions. I'm coming, that's final," she insisted.

Noah sighed but eventually gave in and let her come along.

Before long, they arrived at Ariel's home. The night before, Noah had texted Ariel, telling her he would come for her in the morning.

Now, Noah and Mrs. Rose stood in front of the door.

"Ariel!" Noah called from outside.

The door opened-and both Noah and Mrs. Rose were shocked by who stood there.

"You-"