Dead at Heart

Ariel met Lucas' gaze. He was watching her with a faint smile, as if waiting for her to squirm.

She clenched her fists, letting go of the last shred of hope she'd been holding onto.

Meeting his gaze head-on, she said exactly what he wanted to hear. "Sure, family. Nice to meet you, Wendy."

Wendy's smile deepened. She clung to Lucas' waist, nuzzling into him.

Lucas paused for a moment. His eyes flickered toward Ariel before he lowered his head and pulled Wendy closer, leading her into the living room.

"Who are you trying to impress?" Lori walked up with a sneer. "Lucas wouldn't look twice at a married woman like you now.

"And that Ms. Stanton Mr. Larkin threw a birthday celebration for last night? She's a highly sought-after aerospace engineering PhD in the corporate world. What do you have to compete with that?

"You're just some housewife whose only skills are cooking and keeping a bed warm. What's wrong? Afraid of getting kicked to the curb, so now you're suddenly trying to cozy up to us?"

Everyone was just waiting for her miserable marriage to fall apart.

Ariel's chest tightened, but she simply set down the gift bag in her hand. "Don't worry. However my life turns out, it won't have anything to do with the Sandersons. After all, my last name is Walker."

Without looking back, she turned and left.

Staying would only be miserable for everyone here.

"She left?"

Morgan stepped out from the side hall just in time to see Ariel's retreating figure. His face darkened.

Lori snapped out of her daze and huffed, "Dad, did you see that attitude? She doesn't care about this family, and she sure as hell doesn't care about you. I'm sure Mr. Larkin's going to dump her sooner or later."

After three years, Morgan could tell that Ariel had never managed to win Jayson's heart.

The only time he'd gained anything from the Larkin name through Ariel was right after the wedding.

After that, no matter how many times he tried to use the connection for business deals, he was met with indifference. Jayson never once gave him the slightest consideration as his father-in-law.

And whose fault was that?

If Ariel had even the slightest ability to keep Jayson in line, things wouldn't have turned out this way. To Morgan, she was just a useless pawn.

Morgan's expression darkened. He glanced at Lori. "You're not a kid anymore. Ariel's useless. I can get you some face time with Mr. Larkin."

Lori immediately understood his implication.

Her face stiffened, and out of reflex, her gaze drifted toward Lucas. He was smirking playfully as he held a grape between his teeth, feeding it to Wendy.

She bit her lip, a flicker of resentment flashing in her eyes.

…

Ariel rented a two-bedroom apartment, fully furnished and ready to move in. She signed a one-year lease. The location was perfect. It was just a mile from the hospital she frequented.

By the time she got back from Sanderson Manor, her head was throbbing. But she didn't forget to block Jayson on WhatsApp.

She kept his number in case he needed to contact her about finalizing the divorce at the courthouse.

Now, all she had to do was get through the 30-day cooling-off period.

Setting her phone aside, she took a shower and collapsed onto her bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

…

Meanwhile, Jayson returned to the villa and found that the foyer was dark.

No matter how late it was, Ariel always left a lamp on. She'd greet him with a gentle smile, take his coat, and set out his fresh clothes for the night.

He rarely came home, but on certain nights every month, he returned to fulfill his "duties".

Out of habit, he reached to hand off his coat, but his hand met empty air. Frowning, he glanced around.

Was Ariel throwing a tantrum?

He headed upstairs and pushed open the master bedroom door. He'd expected her to be curled up in bed, silently protesting by pretending to be asleep. But the bed was empty.

The whole house was dark and quiet.

Ariel hadn't come home.

Earlier, Colton had reported Ariel's stance on the Nancy situation. She had even gone so far as to defy him, ready to take it to court.

And now…

Jayson loosened his tie, a faint smirk playing at his lips.

She'd learned to run away from home?

But he didn't think it was a big deal. Maybe a little time alone would help her think straight.