The Heiress' Revenge-Chapter 20

A R I A N A

A whole week had passed since that night.

Seven days since Dante stormed out after our fight.

Seven days since Angelo disappeared.

I sat at my office desk, staring at the same document for the past hour my mind wasn’t on work, It kept going back to that moment Dante’s dark orbs, his threatening words, the way he’d kissed me like he owned me.

And Angelo...

I hadn’t seen or heard from him since. HR said he’d called in sick, no details, Just sick which made me wonder how much damage Dante had caused.

I didn’t ask him to fight my battles, and I’m not justifying what Angelo did but Dante may have went a little bit too far.

A knock at my office door snaps my out of train of thoughts making me let out a breath as Raya marched in with her her usual cheerful self which suddenly replaced with a serious expression. "Your father called," she said. "Family dinner tonight he left no room for argument so you have to come."

My stomach dropped, I hadn’t seen my father since before the wedding, I had been ignoring his calls and messages.

The thought of facing him now...

It aggravates me.

"I can’t," I said automatically.

Raya raised an eyebrow. "He said if you don’t show up, he’ll come get you himself."

Of course he would my father loved making scenes the last thing I needed was him storming into my office or worse the Russo mansion.

But would he? I mean get me from the Russo mansion?

"Fine," I muttered. "What time?"

"7 PM. At the estate." Raya hesitated. "Ariana...are you okay?"

I forced a smile. "Just tired."

She didn’t look convinced. "You’ve been asking about Angelo a lot lately."

My face heated. "I was just wondering where he is that’s all."

Raya crossed her arms. "What is with you and that asshole? Why do you care? After what he did to you—"

"I don’t care!" I snapped. Then sighed. "I just...wanted to know if he’s okay."

Raya gave me a look the same look she’d given me in college when I’d tried to defend Angelo’s bad behavior. "Remember what he did, Ariana. The cheating, the lies."

As if I could forget.

"I know," I said quietly.

Raya doesn’t know about my encounter with Angelo and about the slap and about Dante too she’s been suspecting something but I’d never let her in on it, I didn’t want to talk about it not when I’m sure Angelo was in one piece.

Raya squeezed my shoulder. "Good, now focus on the remaining work, I’d have your outfit arranged in fashion boutique so you’d drop by after work to get ready... also choose sokething that screams ’I’m happy in my forced marriage.’ Your dad will love that."

I send her a glare to which she shrugs before walking out.

I slumped back in my chair, already dreading the evening, dinner with my father possibly with Dante too, if he decided to show up.

Which I hope he doesn’t show up.

And Angelo...wherever he was.

I shouldn’t care, Raya was right.

But for some stupid reason, I did.

After work I had stopped my the boutique and wore something comfortable and simple before heading to the Melendez mansion.

It felt the same as I got there, the same cold, imposing facade that had been my home for years.

It felt strange walking in now like a visitor rather than family.

My mother rushed to the door before I could even knock. "Ariana!" She pulled me into a tight hug, her familiar rose perfume filling my nostrils. "I’ve missed you so much."

I hugged her back, surprised by how much I’d missed her too. "Hi, Mom."

She held me at arm’s length, studying my face. "You look tired are you eating well? is Dante taking care of you?"

I forced a smile. "I’m fine, Mom. Really."

She didn’t look convinced but didn’t push. Instead, she dragged me to the kitchen. "Help me finish up your father will be home soon."

"So," she said casually, "how’s married life?"

I focused on arranging the salad. "It’s...fine."

"Just fine?"

"Mom, please."

She sighed but dropped it we worked in silence for a while, the only sounds coming from the bubbling pots and clinking utensils. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Then the front door opened.

My father’s loud voice echoed through the house followed by another voice deeper, smoother.

Dante.

I froze.

My mother patted my arm. "Go set the table, dear. I’ll bring the food."

With shaky hands, I arranged the plates and silverware.

Footsteps approached.

My father walked in first, his usual stern expression in place.

My eyes moved away from him to Dante that dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit his hair slightly messy like he’d been running his hands through it.

Those dark eyes locking onto me immediately.

My heart pounded so loud I was sure they could hear it.

"Ariana," my father said, not even bothering with a hello. "You’re here."

Like it was some big surprise.

Dante didn’t speak he just watched me with that unreadable expression.

Dinner was...awkward.

My father talked business nonstop mergers, stocks, profits. Dante answered politely but his attention kept drifting to me.

Every glance of his felt like a physical touch.

Then my father asked the question I’d been dreading.

"Is my daughter causing you any problems?"

Dante smiled that slow, dangerous smile that did things to my stomach as he reached across the table and took my hand, his fingers warm and firm.

"Why would my wife be a problem?" He brought my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. "She’s perfect."

The words sounded sweet the look in his eyes was anything but.

My father didn’t seem satisfied though.

The room suddenly felt hot and suffocating, Dante’s thumb was drawing slow circles on my wrist.

My skin burned where he touched me.

"I need some air," I blurted out, standing so fast my chair screeched.

All eyes turned to me.

"Excuse me," I mumbled before rushing out of the dining room.

I didnt wait for their response and left