Chapter 5
Aware of Eric’s fear of having children, she had left him for an entire year to prioritize their child’s well–being.
Surprisingly, after the child’s birth, he became sick.
Ariana placed the child under the care of a leading medical team, and it took three years to bring him back to health.
Her initial plan was to return the child to the Gibson family after his
recovery.
However, Eric found her within a year.
While Ariana was gone, Eric nearly lost his mind.
He scoured every part of New York, journeyed across the nation, and overseas. At even the smallest rumor of her whereabouts, he would immediately dash off to find her.
Ariana would always remember the moment Eric finally discovered her.
The typically proud and dignified Eric was on his knees before her, crying without restraint.
“Sweetheart, I can’t continue living without you.”
Ariana decided to reunite with Eric.
However, she hadn’t found the right moment to tell him about the child.
This secret lingered for three years.
As the child neared full recovery, Ariana intended to reveal the truth to
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Eric on their third wedding anniversary as a surprise.
Unexpectedly, Eric surprised her first.
There’s no longer any reason to be honest with Eric.
From that point on, Ariana feigned ignorance, “taking” the sleeping pills Eric provided her each evening.
And every night, she observed Eric’s secret meetings with Mandy.
A few days passed before Ariana experienced an allergic reaction and ended up in the hospital.
It was Mandy who, either by accident or on purpose, mixed up their meals.
Upon discovering this, Eric became furious with Mandy.
“If this ever happens again, you’re out of the Gibson family.”
Mandy, with tears in her eyes, continuously cried and apologized to Ariana.
A few days later, Mandy disappeared.
When Mandy was discovered, she was completely wrapped up. The moment she spotted Eric, she fled.
Eric caught up with Mandy, and after some questioning, he learned that her skin was covered in red, allergic rashes.
With hesitation, Mandy admitted, “I triggered an allergic reaction in Ms. Harlan. I should be punished.”
Despite Ariana’s attempts to clarify that she hadn’t been aware of it.
Eric spoke to Ariana gently.
“Sweetheart, everything you do is understandable.”
With that single line, he had effectively labeled the situation as Ariana’s responsibility.
However, as Ariana turned away, she caught a snippet of Eric’s hushed conversation with the doctor.
“Switch Ariana’s medication. Let her experience the same agony as Mandy. Administer the true treatment in a week.”
Ariana froze completely.
She thought, “Oh, Eric, Eric… Outwardly, he seemed to adore her completely.”
But in truth, he was ready to harm her, just to release his frustration over
Mandy.
Ariana’s heart felt like it had been slammed to the ground and dragged- agonizingly painful.
A week later, Ariana and Mandy both overcame their allergies and were released from the hospital at the same time.
That evening, when they returned home, the crystal chandelier in the living room came loose and dropped.
In a crucial moment, Mandy quickly moved to shield Ariana.
The chandelier narrowly missed them, crashing to the floor with a loud. bang.
Hearing the commotion, Eric hurried to the scene and found Mandy shielding Ariana beneath her.
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Eric dashed over, stopping abruptly in front of Mandy before turning to Ariana and enveloping her in a tight embrace.
“You frightened me so much!”
Eric paid no attention to Mandy.
Later, in a quiet corner, Eric pinned Mandy against the wall, his eyes burning with rage.
