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This was the time to stand up to her mother now and forever.

“Mom. Eric. ” Arianna announced her presence. She then walked over to where Natalie was seated and though the woman was as stiff as a block of wood, it didn’t stop her from pressing a kiss to her cheek. Natalie didn’t complain even though Arianna knew deep down, she knew what she did.

Unfortunately, that kiss was reserved only for Eric and Arianna merely said, “Welcome,” to her stepfather. The both of them hadn’t grown close enough to exchange kisses.

“Thank you.” Eric understood her reservation and didn’t push her. At least he was a cool man and she respected him enough.

The both of them weren’t the only ones in the room, the other brothers were there with them except for Elijah whom she strangely hadn’t seen since yesterday. It didn’t cross her mind until now and Arianna hoped they weren’t so hard on him.

Arianna had to admit that she felt like a lamb among wolves. She was not delusional enough to think that anyone in this room was on her side. Ezra had first sold her off and now this was a trial that would determine her death and survival in this family.

Arianna started, “The both of you are newlyweds and should have spent more time together, rather than rush back home -”

“So you could spend more time with Marcel?” Natalie interrupted her and Arianna’s lips pressed into a thin line.

.....

And Here they go.

“What is wrong with spending time with the man I love?” Arianna asked, startling her.

“What?” Natalie had not expected the open defiance from her. She was sure that her daughter was close to giving up Marcel days ago. Just what has that boy done to her obedient daughter?

Arianna told her, “You’ve married Eric, the love of your life. So tell me, why can’t I be with Marcel? Or are you the only one that deserves happiness as my mother? Who runs such a monopolistic economy?”

Natalie shot up to her feet infuriated, her furious eyes nearly spitting out fire while she glared down at Arianna, “I already told you why you can’t be with that boy, you insolent child!” She shouted at her.

“Natalie, I think…” Eric tried to step in but Natalie stopped him in a clear move that said, “This matter is between my daughter and me, don’t step in,”

Natalie looked at Arianna with a hurt expression, “How could you go behind my back and betray me like that when everything I have ever done is for you!” She shouted at her.

“Oh please, could you stop using me as an excuse for every one of your actions for literally five seconds of your life!” Arianna retorted, “You did it for yourself too!”

“W-what?”

Arianna faced her and said, “You successfully escaped Daniel so I could never be found by him, yes, that’s right. You sent me away to papa and disconnected all connections so Daniel could never find me, yes, but don’t be mistaken, it was also a way for you to live your life too. So don’t say it was all for me. And let’s be honest here, if it hadn’t been for Elijah, I’m sure you would have continued living your life without me as a burden! Moreover, you married Eric, was it for me too?”

Natalie was so dumbfounded by Arianna’s speech that all that left her mouth was, “You’re talking rubbish. ”

“Also, don’t you think it’s hypocritical to conclude that Marcel is the same as Daniel when you have made no effort to get to know him first?! He’s even your best friend’s son. Penelope even gave up her life, her youth, her everything to help you escape Daniel and what did you do in return, you take it out on her only son? The only child she left behind that you could have taken care of to express her thanks for her help?”

Staring at her mother and realizing her shortcomings towards Marcel, her best friend’s son, made Arianna so bitter that tears slid down her cheeks and her lips trembled as she said,

“Marcel is so lonely that the only connection he has to his mother is you, do you know that?! He has no one by his side aside from me and you want to break that connection as well? What did Marcel do so wrong to you?”

“That’s enough….” Natalie’s voice wavered, unable to stop the tears that slid down her cheeks as well. There was a tightening feeling in her chest as the guilt began to gnaw at her.

Arianna never intended to manipulate her mother’s guilt, but things ended up that way. And perhaps, she needed to hear it after all. Holding her gaze, she told Natalie, “Penelope must be disappointed in you. I wonder how you would face her in the afterlife? After everything she did for you!”

“I said, that’s enough!” Natalie grabbed the glass from the small stool beside her and crashed it on the ground, hitting a small distance away from where Arianna stood.

“That’s enough, Arianna!” Eric shouted at her this time with an intensity that startled her. Arianna was taken aback as she saw her mother crumble to the ground in tears. Her mouth opened and closed helplessly, she didn’t mean to push it this far.

Arianna lifted her gaze to look at the other brothers, hoping that at least one of them would support her, but all that greeted her were their disappointed faces. So while her mother Eric was busy comforting her mother, Arianna slipped back into the comfort of her room.

While she had won this round, Arianna didn’t feel as fulfilled as she thought she would be. Not that her words were wrong, but seeing her mother in such distress didn’t sit well with her. Why couldn’t they just agree for once?

Arianna sighed deeply.