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“A-adele?”

The woman turned to her and it was confirmed, Adele was in her house. But why? Arianna had this nagging feeling inside of her that she was about to receive a shocking discovery. It just didn’t make sense. Does Marcel even know that she’s here? Was she and Elijah together in this critical time? There were just a lot of questions in her head.

“You’re finally home.” Eric welcomed her with a small smile and Arianna couldn’t help but notice that the man seemed to have aged more than the last time she saw him.

There were tired lines under his eyes and he was exhausted. Arianna already heard what happened and it was no surprise he looked like he lost ten years of his life considering everything was on his shoulder. He had to clean up this mess.

“Hey,” Was all Adele said to her and took her eyes off her.

Arianna was not bothered by the casual acknowledgment knowing that Adele was not big on showing emotion nor was she a big talker. She was reserved and different from her other cousins. Moreover, Arianna was more interested in why she was here.

Honestly, Arianna couldn’t tell if she was supposed to be part of this conversation or not. While she was now part of the Draven family thanks to her mother’s marriage to Eric, it didn’t mean they wanted her in their private conversation. Moreover, she was not hundred percent loyal to them since she was together with Marcel, the Don of the Luciano family. If push comes to shove, God knows she would be torn between both families.

However, when Ephraim and Elvis settled down and her mother did as well, Arianna had no choice but to force her ass down else she’d be seen as the odd one. After all, if this was a conversation Eric didn’t want her to hear, he would have taken it to his study and she wouldn’t even know.

.....

“It’s nice to know that you’re safe.” Eric was the first to speak and it was concerning her.

“Thank you, Eric,” Arianna said, awkwardly scratching the back of her head.

While Eric was a nice man, Arianna was still navigating this newfound relationship with him. She respected him and was glad he made her mother happy, but there was no way she would ever confine the title of “father” to him. Perhaps, her mind would change in the future, but until then, her biological father would always be the number one in her heart.

“Why is she here though?” Her words pointed at Adele, “I can’t help but feel this is important?”

Instead of Eric, Adele chose to answer her directly, saying, “It’s important because I’m pregnant for your step-uncle, Elijah.”

“What?!” Arianna shouted, blown out of her mind. Why was everyone getting pregnant? First Mimi, then her, and now, Adele. It was simply unbelievable! Did the goddess of fertility declare this an open season?

By chance, does anyone else in the room aside from her mother suspect she was pregnant too considering it was the trend of the season? How would all the family deal with the three of them giving birth the same year with just months in between? Was this a conspiracy by the men or something? Arianna was so shocked she was beginning to think rubbish.

As if that was not enough, Adele dropped another bombshell, “I’m having Quadruplets.”

“W-what did you just say?” Arianna felt like she was heard wrong. But then, the expression on Adele’s face was neutral showing she was not joking.

Oh no.

Arianna began to laugh hysterically as if she had lost her damn mind. This was the first time she had heard of or seen anyone close to her having multiple births. And of all people, it had to be Adele and Elijah? The both of them weren’t even together anymore. How was everyone going to deal with this? How was Marcel going to take this? That is if he doesn’t know already.

Arianna looked around the room, taking in everyone’s expression and it dawned on her that she was the only one kept in the dark. No wonder they wanted her around, it was to break the news to her as the only ignorant person in the house. Arianna felt a little hurt. Even her boyfriend kept it from her – Adele would not come here to expose the truth without having Marcel know. Was this how it hurt when she lied to Marcel the first time?

Damn, karma was a bitch.

“So why are you telling us this now? Why this moment?” Arianna was surprised she was able to find her voice, “Are you together with him now? Are the both of you good?” She pointed at Elijah.

“No, we are not,” Adele answered, glaring at Elijah who swallowed.

“Then, why….?”

“He has the right to know about the pregnancy.”

Well, that was right.

“And then both of us can get married.”

“What?”

“I’m pregnant with his child, it’s the right thing to do.”

“Bullshit! You don’t even love him any longer. Why would you bind yourself to him all because of all the babies?” Arianna turned to Eric, wanting him to say something but he wouldn’t even look her in the eyes.

“Arianna…” Her mother called, trying to coax her.

“No, it doesn’t make sense. They don’t have to get married and still co-parent -”

“I’m sorry but that’s not the way things work in our world, Arianna. I either stay with Elijah or I lose my babies. Unless the Luciano family is interested in them, then it becomes an out war over custody. But then….” Adele smiled sadly, “I’m sure my family would think of this opportunity as good riddance. But marrying Elijah, it’s a good deal and strengthens ties with both families. We can stay miserably in our marriage and take care of our family, don’t you think it’s a win-win situation?”