Growing somewhat antsy, he lifted Ariana’s chin, compelling her to meet his eyes. He asked with patience, “Why?”
Ariana, still avoiding direct eye contact, stayed silent for what felt like ages.
She was at a loss as to how to explain it to Holden. She realized she had to make a decision even though she was feeling overwhelmed.
Holden, sensing her unspoken turmoil, tried a sensitive guess. “Is it because of Sadie?”
Ariana sighed internally, feeling a bit aggrieved. She nodded.
Holden, gripping Ariana’s shoulder, turned her to face him and said earnestly, “Look, I don’t have feelings for Sadie, and her affairs don’t concern me. You don’t have to worry about her. I’ll handle the matters about her on my own.”
Ariana pushed his hand away, looking at him. “How do you plan to handle it? And what about Adele? She’s still so young, blissfully ignorant. But what about when she grows up? When people start blabbing about her biological mom and me being just a stepmother, what should you do? Even if I’m good to Adele, I can’t plug the hole left by her birth mom. What happens then?”
Holden sighed. “Sadie was never cut out to be Adele’s mom. She had her fling with Zayden, and it’s not their first time. Now that she’s found her true love, I’ll let her go. As for Adele, in her heart, I believe you can fill Sadie’s shoes.
“What? Sadie and Zayden?” Ariana, with a raised brow, couldn’t believe it. “How’s that even possible? Sadie seems head over heels for you. The moment I got near her, she acted like a cat on a hot tin roof and was always wary of other women approaching you. And you’re the head of the Fredrick family. She’d choose you over Zayden any day. I can’t imagine her choosing to be with Zayden.”
“What more can I say to convince you? I just know Sadie isn’t worth to be Adele’s mom.” Holden pinched his forehead, seemingly irritated.
Ariana chuckled bitterly. “What about the little one growing in Sadie’s belly?”
Ariana was heaving, and her voice was choking, but she forced herself not to cry.
Holden asserted, “I never laid a finger on her.”
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Ariana, not wanting to delve into explanations, took a deep breath and, with determination, said, “Let’s call it quits. Considering you’ve lost your memories and built a new life, I’m content as long as you’re breathing. Let’s both move on.”
Holden’s demeanor turned utterly cold at this, and he gritted his teeth and fixed his gaze on Ariana. “What are you saying?”
Even though Ariana’s heart was breaking with every word, she clenched her teeth and said, “Five years have gone by, and nothing has remained the same. We have both changed. I’m no longer the Ariana I used to be, and you’re Holden now. We need to let go of each other.
Keep it from Melon. It would be preferable to let him think his dad died five years ago rather than letting him know his dad has a new family now.”
“No way!” Holden refused without thinking twice. He clasped Ariana’s wrist firmly, piercing her with his gaze. “Ariana, who do you think I am?”
Ariana dared not look into his eyes. She pressed her Lips together, turning her head away in silence.
Holden’s voice was tinged with anger, and he gritted his teeth.