Chapter 104 Leaving Behind

Chapter 104 Leaving Behind
Eight months later.... 

"We're behaving like teenagers." Ariadne giggled as they walked hand in hand. 

"Well, we acted grumpy in our teenage years, so it's only fair we behave like teenagers now, isn't it?" Xander stated. 

Ariadne laughed. They came to the gazebo.

"Wow.... it's beautiful." Ariadne exclaimed in awe. 

"Stay here. I'll come back in a while with drinks, okay?" 

She nodded. Xander kissed her forehead before going back into the resort. Ariadne looked around the gazebo. It was beautifully decorated. Today was Jennifer's wedding ceremony, and they all had come to celebrate it together. After the ceremony, everyone spread out in the crowd to enjoy the party, while Xander took her here. The entire garden was decorated, but there was no one present. All were enjoying the drinks, food, and the entertaining programs running inside the resort. They were dancing too. But, typical of Xander, who didn't like noise, he escaped the crowd with her. She enjoyed the peace while thinking about her life.

Her life had changed, and everything was now at peace. There were no Zidane or Crystal to create trouble anymore. Her relationship with Xander had become stronger. They were happy together. There wasn't a day that she regretted her decision to give him a chance. He made her feel special, and with each day, their bond was getting stronger. She was in constant contact with Oindrila to check on her as well. The little girl was doing fine with her grandparents. She had no worries now. She smiled as she felt the breeze on her face, closing her eyes. 

"Angel." Xander's voice brought her back from her thoughts. 

She opened her eyes and turned around, only to gasp. She covered her mouth with her hand. Xander was on his knee with a ring in his hand. 

"I never thought I'd be given a second chance in love... I've never thought I'd be doing this, but I'm fortunate to have you back in my life... And I want to make our relationship permanent... I want you to bear my name with you... I want you as my wife... this time with all my heart. Will you marry me, Angel?"

Time froze for Ariadne as she stared at him. His words echoed in her ear and her eyes welled up. 

"Yes..." she nodded and extended her hand.

Xander's face lit up with a huge smile. He put the ring on her finger and kissed her hand before standing up. He moved closer and cupped her face, kissing her forehead.

"Thank you. I promise that you won't regret this." he said, hugging her tightly.

"Yeee!" she said yes.

Voices were heard before all of their family members dashed towards them. Ariadne was startled by their voices before smiling and shaking her head.

"So it was planned beforehand?" she frowned, looking at Xander. 

In response, he gave her a charming smile as he slowly unwrapped his arms from around her.

"Finally!" Tiara approached them and hugged Ariadne. "Congratulations. You deserve all of this."

Everyone congratulated them. The kids were particularly overjoyed. They enjoyed the party for a while before leaving for their home. Xander and Ariadne took a different car. 

Ariadne rested her head on Xander's shoulder as they sat in the back seat with their hands intertwined. Suddenly, she felt nauseous.

"Stop the car! Please stop the car!" she yelled frantically while trying to open the door. 

The car stopped, and she got out and threw up. Xander followed her and held her shoulder. After emptying her stomach, she felt better.

"What happened? Are you all right?" Xander asked with concern.

Ariadne nodded. "Maybe I ate something wrong. I'm fine now."

She looked exhausted. 

"No... You're not well. Let's go to the hospital."

"No, I'm just a little tired." Ariadne protested.

But Xander shook his head. "We're on the way. It won't take much time."

He led her to the car and helped her get in before closing the door.

"To the hospital... Inform Miss Hale that we're coming." he ordered the driver as he rounded the car and climbed in. 

. 

One hour later, they sat in the hospital chamber in front of Miss Hale. 

Miss Hale raised her head from the reports and cleared her throat. "Miss Miller... You're six weeks pregnant."

"What?" Both Xander and Ariadne said at the same time, shocked. They looked at each other. 

"Shit.... I forgot to take the pills." Ariadne said as a realization.

Xander's expression was unreadable as he stared at her.

"How could I be so forgetful? I should have been more careful." she sighed, and ran her hand through her hair.

"Hey... don't stress yourself. If you want, you can abort." he said.

"No..." Ariadne blurted out. She looked at him. "Don't you want this child?" she asked.

"I want it. But it's your body. You should be the one to decide. I'll support you whatever you decide." 

Ariadne closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "Let's go home."

Xander didn't ask her anything and left the hospital. He knew she needed time to think and decide.

.......... 

"I can't visit you anymore. My wife is suspecting me. I don’t want my marriage to get destroyed like Philip Garner's."

"So you also want to leave my side?"

"I've done many things for you, Crystal. But I have a wife now. I have responsibilities." Chris said.

"Yeah, yeah. I know," Crystal said with an irritated face. 

Chris had come to meet Crystal in jail. He had visited a few times before. He was the only one still in touch with her as all her other friends had cut off contact after her downfall. 

"It can be my last visit. You don't need anything anyway here."

"Oh, really? Living in jail is very luxurious. Isn't it?" she said mockingly.

"I'm sorry... but I can’t do anything about it."

Crystal went silent.

Chris cleared his throat. "It won't make any difference, but just for your information.... Xander and Ariadne are getting married."

Crystal's eyes snapped at him hearing the news.

"And they're expecting their fourth child as well."

She gritted her teeth. Silence fell. 

"Can you do something for me?" she asked after a while.

He looked reluctant.

"For one last time, please, Chris." she pleaded. 

"Okay, I will try." he sighed. 

..... 

It was the weekend, and Xander and Ariadne sat together, enjoying their morning coffee. Xander was happy that Ariadne had decided to keep the baby. This time, he would stay with her and watch his child grow up. 

"Boss, you need to see this." Jose said urgently as he hurried over and handed Xander his phone. 

They both frowned before looking at the screen. When they saw the news headline, they immediately straightened in their seats.

"Crystal Miller and Emma Miller committed suicide in jail. The police discovered their bodies this morning. It was…" 

"What?" They were shocked. Ariadne’s hand trembled at the news. 

"Hey, relax. Calm down." Xander held her gently. 

"Is this news true?" Xander asked, looking at Jose. 

Jose nodded. "They were found dead this morning. They committed suicide by ingesting poison. Crystal had a visitor yesterday. It appears that person provided the poison." 

Ariadne sat frozen in her chair. She didn’t know how to react, but she felt a deep sadness. 

..... 

It was the day of Emma and Crystal’s funeral. Ariadne, Xander, and Aaron arrived together. Only a few people had come to offer their final respects, and Chris was one among them.

Ariadne looked at their lifeless bodies. She still couldn't believe they were gone. Her mind drifting back to the first time they arrived at the Miller Residence. 

"Look, Aria. We have two new family members. Meet Emma your new mother." Aaron had introduced warmly. 

"And this is Crystal, your elder sister." 

"Hi. You’re so cute. We’ll be friends, and I’ll protect you from everyone, because I’m your big sister now." Crystal had said.

A tear slipped from Ariadne’s eye, rolling down her cheek. Xander and Aaron stood beside her. They stood in silence as the funeral ceremony took place.

"She could have grown into so much more.... she could have a happy, successful life, if only…" she whispered. 

Xander wrapped his arms around her. "It’s the choices we make that determine our fates." he said softly. "She had everything, yet she wasn’t content. She went for things that didn’t belong to her, and her greed destroyed her.... both of them."

Ariadne sighed, acknowledging that they had brought about their own downfall. 

As the funeral ceremony came to an end, the crowd slowly dispersed. Ariadne wiped her tears and looked at their graves one last time before walking away.

And just like that, all her misery, hardships, and hateful memories were left behind. Zidane, Crystal, Emma, and Gloria were gone from her world forever, taking the chaos with them, leaving behind only their memories.