Dangerous Love: You Are My One and Only Bride




Arianne was caught off guard against Tiffany's flurry of questions.

"No, no, I hurt myself accidentally. He's never hit me. Don't be suspicious. He's quite nice to me, really. He always has been."

The bruise on her forehead was caused by Aery Kinsey in the morning, however the situation was too complicated to explain.

Tiffany sighed and exclaimed, "Actually... Mark Tremont is pretty good too. He's handsome and he's rich, and you guys have been together for so many years. As long as you like him, I'll support you regardless. I'm forever on your side."

Arianne was moved. One of the best fortunes of life was to have someone who supported you unconditionally.

Soon, the dishes were served. When Tiffany Lane saw that Eric Nathaniel was not eating, she was discontent. She came from a wealthy household as well but she despised dramatic, hypocritical, and contentious people. To cause mischief, she scooped some food onto Eric's plate.

"Eric, eat up. Being Ari's friend, you're my friend too. No need to be courteous."

Eric Nathaniel looked at Arianne and braced himself to try the food placed on his plate. Disregarding the taste, he was already appalled by the environment. Forcing down his urge to throw up, he plastered a smile. "It's not bad..."

Arianne knew that he was having a hard time, but she did not trouble herself. She was peeved by the fact that precious time spent with her friend required a third wheel.

As dinner progressed, Eric Nathaniel's face was blanched.

Ethan Connor had excused himself to answer a call and came back to say, "I have to leave, something needs my attention."

Tiffany Lane quickly quipped, "I'll go with you!"

"Okay." Ethan Connor smiled and helped her smooth down her clothes.

The emotion within his eyes looked overly distant for his seemingly caring act. No passion between the couple could be found.

Eric Nathaniel was struggling when they came out of the restaurant. "Arianne, are we going back"

Feeling like they could have mingled for longer, there however was indeed something to attend to. Tiffany spoke up bleakly, "Ari, I guess we'll have to leave it as it is today. I'll see you again. I've been more occupied recently since I just got back as well."

"Sure. Go ahead," Arianne nodded.

On the way back to the Tremont Estate, Eric Nathaniel stopped his car by the road and heaved for a long time. It was then that Arianne knew that he was not being contentious during dinner.

"Are you okay?"

Eric felt like he was dying. "Yeah... I - I'm fine..."

Finally arriving at their destination, Eric Nathaniel went home directly after dropping off Arianne Wynn. The Tremont Estate was dazzling and luminous, signifying Mark Tremont was back early. He liked it bright and brilliant when he was home. On the contrary, Arianne felt a fleeting moment rush through her, as even a cool fluorescent street light gave her more warmth.

She saw Mark Tremont who was seated on the couch when she entered and greeted him softly. "I'm home."

Of course there was no response, not that she had hoped for one.

Watching Arianne enter the bathroom, Mark Tremont picked up his phone and replied to Eric's text. His expression was indistinguishable since half of his face was shadowed.

Eric Nathaniel's text read: 'Aery Kinsey went to pick on her at the office and they got into a fight I believe. She was wounded.'

"Oh," Mark Tremont replied.

Chapter 43 Warmth

Though his reply was nothing more than a simple word, Mark Tremont took several long beats before he sent it. Why did she not say anything when she came back? Did she not know how to complain?

Eric Nathaniel was absent from work the next day. It was said that he had gone to the hospital.

Arianne Wynn felt guilty. She should not have consented to Tiffany's antics yesterday. Tiffany Lane had always been carelessly casual and straightforward, causing Eric Nathaniel to be on the receiving end of her mischief. He still ate as his pride disallowed him from refusing.

Mark Tremont did not sleep in their room last night. Arianne did not know if he had gone out. She could sense that something was wrong again. It seemed like peace could never be maintained between both of them.

Around noon, Tiffany gave Arianne a call.

"Ari, I'm alone for the day. Let's have lunch together? I'm at the entrance of your company."

"I'm coming down now."

Arianne picked up her purse and headed out immediately.

When they met downstairs, Tiffany was visibly not her usual bubbly self. Arianne asked, "What's up, Tiff? Something bugging you?"

Tiffany wore a forced smile and patted the fallen snow on her coat rather aggressively as she replied, "Let's look for a lunch place first. I'm freezing to death!"

She decided on a lavish restaurant nearby and made her order promptly after being seated, she had no patience.

Arianne was now reassured that something was troubling her best friend.

"Tiff, is it about you and Ethan?"

Holding the glass of water, Tiffany was silent for a while before saying, "I feel like Ethan only wanted to come back to our hometown, not to be engaged with me. He doesn't plan for our future. When the incident happened three years ago, I was touched that he volunteered to go abroad with me. Without a second thought, I had my dad sponsor him. All his expenses overseas, for these three years, were covered by my family."

"Not long ago, he's gotten much quieter too. When I asked about it, he said that he preferred being here because he wants to take care of his mother who doesn't have the best health. He wants to grow with me here in the future too, so we agreed to get engaged when we came back. That's why I called you. When I mentioned the engagement after dinner last night, he ignored the topic. This isn't the first time it's happened... You know me, I'm not an overly sensitive person, but when it's happened too many times... I'm not dumb either." Content belongs to

Novelxo.org

Arianne was no relationship expert. After the whole conversation, she merely understood that Ethan Connor seemed to not want to get engaged. However, anything else she could not detect.

"I... I don't know what to say either. Maybe he just wasn't paying attention to your words and it's not that he actually doesn't care. Talk to him again. You've been together for three years and you've been nothing but great to him. Even if he's stone cold, by now even a stone would have felt your warmth. What's more, you dated each other willingly. Feelings have to be mutual for that to happen, right?"

'Even a stone would have felt your warmth'... Arianne thought about Mark Tremont

for some reason when she uttered the words. He seemed like he was never going to

warm up, however...

Tiffany took a gulp of water and put on a nonchalant smile. “There are plenty more fish in the sea. I don't

have to be the attached one if things don't work out between me and Ethan. You, however, I never would

have imagined you'd marry Mark Tremont. Good job. That's the man millions of girls desire and you caught him. I think I said something about it being worth dying for if I

ever got to sleep with him. I take back my words. I don't lust over my best friend's man!" Content belongs to Novelxo.org

Arianne was entertained as a chuckle escaped her. "Stop it..."

Tiffany had an evil grin when she asked in a whisper, "You and Mark Tremont... are about ten years apart right? Is it harmonious between you both?"

This was an expected topic when women gathered. Arianne felt her face heating up.

"Tiff... we haven't..."

Realizing something, Tiffany pursed her lips. "He cared for what

happened three years ago? Honestly, ho man won't care.

Besides, the scandal was all net

the

news back then. He's Mark Tremont. His pride must've suffered, but even then he still married you. That's true

love. I don't think your effort will go to waste if you're nice to him. I'll be a busybody just one last time... You and Will Sivan... that night... did you?" Content belongs to Novelxo.org