The Heiress' Revenge

Chapter 157: I Would Never Look Back

Ariana’s POV

As soon as we got settled into the car and it drove away from Dante’s building, I snapped, turning to Ares.

"What was that?" My voice was sharp and louder than I meant it to be. "Why did you lie? Why did you tell them we’re married? Why did you put your arm around me and call me your wife like it was nothing?"

Ares didn’t even flinch. He just looked at me with that calm, annoying smile. "You’re welcome, by the way."

I stared at him. "Welcome? For what?"

"For covering your ass for thinking on my feet. For making sure Melissa doesn’t suspect anything." He leaned back in his seat. "You think she would have signed that deal if she knew you were my sister? You think she would have let us anywhere near her company if she knew who you really are?"

I opened my mouth and closed it. He had a point.

I hated that he had a point.

"She thinks you’re my wife," he continued. "She thinks you’re a Watson by marriage, not by blood. That’s the only reason she’s comfortable with you. That’s the only reason she’s not running for the hills right now."

"So I’m supposed to pretend to be married to my own brother?" I shook my head. "That’s disgusting."

Ares laughed. "It’s not disgusting. It’s strategic, and it’s not like we’re actually married. It’s just a cover story. A way to keep you close without raising suspicion."

I crossed my arms, looking out the window. "I don’t like it."

"You don’t have to like it. You just have to do it for now. Until we get what we need."

I was quiet for a moment. Then I said, "And what about Dante? What about him thinking I’m married to someone else?"

Heck! Why did I even care?

I shouldn’t care... to hell with whatever he’s thinking.

Ares turned to look at me. His eyes were softer now. "Maybe that’s a good thing."

I whipped my head around. "A good thing? How is that a good thing?"

"Because maybe it’ll trigger his memory. Maybe seeing you with someone else will wake something up inside him. Something he didn’t even know was there."

I shook my head. "I don’t want that. I don’t want to trigger his memory. I don’t want him to wake up. I don’t want him to come back. I don’t want Dante in my life anymore."

Ares was quiet; he just looked at me.

"Why does everyone fail to understand that?" My voice cracked as the tears were coming. I could feel them building behind my eyes. "I don’t want him. I don’t want to fix things. I don’t want to try again. I just want my kids, that’s it, I’ll just take them and leave. Why is that so hard for people to understand?"

Ares reached over, taking my hand. "Because they love you. Because they see how much you’re hurting, and we know that you still love him, too. Even if you don’t want to admit it."

I pulled my hand away. "I don’t love him. I can’t love him, not after everything. Not after he lied to me and took my son away from me for years."

"Your children are still his children too, and whether you like it or not, he’s still their father. He’s still your husband. The divorce isn’t final yet. You’re still connected to him. Legally and emotionally. In every way that matters."

I put my head in my hands the tears fell. I couldn’t stop them. "I’m so tired, Ares. I’m so tired of fighting. I’m so tired of hurting. I’m so tired of loving someone who keeps breaking my heart."

Ares pulled me into his arms and held me tight.

"I know," he said softly. "I know you’re tired. I know you’re hurting. I know you feel like you’ve lost everything, but you haven’t. You have us, and we’re here to help you, it’s exactly what we’re going to do...."

I cried into his shoulder, hating the situation I’m currently in. I just want everything to be okay... I just want to see my kids.

When the tears stopped, I pulled back. I wiped my face with my sleeve. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I know you’re trying to help. I know you’re doing your best."

Ares smiled. "You don’t have to apologize. You’re my sister. You can snap at me anytime you want. That’s what family is for."

I almost laughed. "Even when I call you disgusting?"

"Especially when you call me disgusting." He handed me a tissue. "Now blow your nose. You look like a mess."

I took the tissue and blew my nose. I wiped my eyes, taking a deep breath.

"Okay," I said. "Okay. I’ll play along, I’ll be your wife. I’ll go to the party, but when this is over, when we have the evidence, when we get my children back... I’m done."

Ares nodded. "Home. Wherever that is. I’ll take you there myself."

I would get them back.

I would take them away from all of this, and I would never look back.

Not at Dante.