Chapter: 546
All of a sudden, Ariana found Helen had led her astray. Didn’t they talk about having children initially? Could Theodore’s aversion
to parenthood be connected to Marley?
Disappointment engulfed Ariana once more. It suddenly dawned on her that when they had returned to the Edwards’ house,
Theodore had become moody after seeing a photo of her and Jasper in her room.
At that time, she had assumed his change in mood was due to his discomfort with the picture of his wife and her ex. Feeling
guilty, she had even sent him some late-night snacks into his room as a peace offering, which only angered him further.
Now, the truth laid bare. His distress had never been about her. All his care and tendemess had been reserved for another girl
who held an irreplaceable place in his heart.
Like a naive fool, she had believed she had acquired a treasure that others envied, holding onto it with all her might. Little did
she know that it was all a fabrication, spun by the hunter to lure her into a cunning trap.
Helen stood at the doorway of the study, her gaze fixed upon Ariana, who appeared lost in her own thoughts. A mocking
expression appeared on Helen’s face. “Now you finally understand, you’re nothing more than a despicable substitute. Theodore
doesn’t love you at all, which is why he won’t allow you to bear his child.”
Ariana suddenly lifted her head, her eyes filled with a cold, unwavering stare fixed on Helen. “I refuse to believe it. This must be
a lie.”
Helen felt a pang of annoyance. How could Ariana be so defensive?
“Stop deceiving yourself. Even if I wanted to deceive you, the evidence in those photos cannot be fabricated.” Impatience laced
Helen’s words as she continued, “Theodore has always held a special place in his heart for Marley. It’s highly unlikely that this
sentiment would change, regardless of how much time passes. He keeps her photographs in prominent places, ensuring they
remain within his constant view, simply because he doesn’t want to forget her. Let me think...”
Pausing briefly to consider, Helen clapped her hands lightly as if an idea had just struck her. “There are also pictures of Marley in
Theodore’s office. If you don’t believe me, you can go and see for yourself. Although you probably won’t be able to enter his
office. Theodore detests uninvited guests the most.”
Ariana could no longer bear the suffocating atmosphere and rose from her seat, making her way towards the door, desperate to
escape this place.
“Be sensible and leave Theodore on your own accord. Don’t let him deceive you,”
Helen urged, her face adorned with an innocent smile. She extended her hand to halt Ariana’s departure. “It’s becoming
tiresome, you know. If Theodore finds out that you’re pregnant, can you even begin to imagine his reaction?”
“If 1 am just a substitute, you should be happy. Why are you always against me?”
Ariana halted abruptly, her smile transforming into something enigmatic. She turned around and asked, “Or could it be that you’re
afraid of something?”
A momentary tenseness washed over Helen’s expression. She furrowed her brow and responded resolutely, “I was Marley’s best
friend when she was alive. No one has the right to replace her and take her place in Theodore’s heart. I will look after Theodore
on behalf of Marley, and you need not interfere. I’ve been by Theodore’s side the longest and understand him the most!”
Ariana grew weary of Helen’s incessant references to Theodore. She pressed her fingers to her ears, displaying impatience.
“Young lady, who do you think you are?
Just because you were Marley’s friend, does that grant you the right to become his mistress? Don’t forget, 1 am Theodore’s
lawful wife. 1 can take care of my own husband. I don’t need you telling me what to do.”
“Ariana! Shame on you!” Helen’s emotional defenses crumbled in that moment. She still couldn’t accept the fact that Theodore
had married Ariana. Legally, they were married, and she was the outsider.
“Even if you hold the title of Theodore’s wife, what does it matter? He doesn’t love you. Itis I who deserve to spend the rest of my
days with him. I don’t require him to return my affection like you do. All I long for is to be by his side.”
Ariana’s countenance darkened upon hearing these words. Her response was laced with icy coldness, “How do you know what I
said to Theodore in private?”
A sense of pride enveloped Helen as she replied haughtily, “Naturally, it was Theodore himself who told those details to me.
Perhaps you were unaware. He can be quite bothersome at times, venting his frustrations on me. I know all the conversations
you two have had.”