<b>Chapter </b>16
<b>True </b>to his <b>words</b><b>, </b>Jayson had switched rooms. It was <b>obvious </b>they must have <b>spent </b>the night <b>together</b><b>, </b>seeing as they left <b>together </b>so early.
Ariel <b>suddenly </b>felt nauseous. She <b>quickly </b>avoided the <b>two </b>and retreated back into her room, rushing into <b>the </b>bathroom in an
attempt to throw up<b>–</b>but nothing came up.
Her appetite had been poortely<b>–</b>perhaps her condition was worse than she had imagined.
A chill ran through her as Ariel stared at her weary reflection in the mirror. She realized how fragile humans <b>were</b>.
She <b>could </b>only be thankful she hadn’t reached a point of no return before she snapped out of it. She still had time to find herself again.
Ariel decided to redo her makeup to freshen herself up. Just as she had the guesthouse to arrange for a ride down the mountain, she received a call from her grandmother, Katie.
Katie was a stern and serious woman. After her husband’s early passing<b>, </b>she poured all her energy into raising her children.
She grew even more withdrawn after the passing of Ariel’s mother, Elena Walker. But she was always particrly concerned
about Ariel.
“Hello, Grandma<b>?</b><b>” </b>Ariel picked up the call after clearing her throat, making sure she didn’t sound off.
“Have <b>you </b>had breakfast?” Katie asked, concerned.
Ariel felt a warmth in her heart. “I’m eating now. Did you miss me?”
Katie chuckled heartily. “It’s nothing important. I happened to have knitted a scarf for you and Jayson each recently<b>. </b>The
weather’s getting colder, and they’ll keep your hands warm.
“When are <b>you </b>free toe pick them up? <b>You </b>can alsoe home for a meal–I’ll make you some sweet and <b>sour ribs</b><b>.</b>”
Ariel lowered her gaze and said, “You don’t have to go through all that trouble, Grandma.”
“This is different. <b>I </b>know that marrying <b>into </b>that kind of family might not be easy for <b>you</b>. I can’t do <b>much </b>to help<b>, </b><b>but </b>I can do what little I can <b>and </b>take good care of Jayson. If he has any ounce of conscience, he would also treat you well, <b>don’t </b><b>you </b>
think<b>?</b><b>” </b>Katie said<b>. </b>
<b>Ariel’s </b>eyes welled up, and she quickly wiped at the corner of her eyes. “He has been <b>pretty </b>busy <btely</b>. <b>Maybe-</b><b>” </b>
Katie asked<b>, </b><b>“</b><b>Surely </b>he has time for a meal. How about <b>you </b>make some time <b>to </be over in the next <b>couple </b>of <b>days</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
<b>It </b>had been some time since shest saw Ariel and Jayson, and she missed them dearly.
Ariel considered for a moment before agreeing <b>to </b>it. <b>“</b>Alright, I’ll <b>try</b>.”
She <b>figured </b><b>that </b><b>given </b><b>their </b>situation, it would be better for Jayson to talk <b>to </b>Katie <b>about </b>their <b>divorce</b>. It would <b>give </b>them a <b>chance </b><b>to </b><b>part </b><b>on </b><b>good </b>terms.
In <b>the </b><b>eyes </b><b>of </b>elders<b>, </b><b>even </b>the <b>biggest </b>issues had <b>to </b>have a reason behind them.
Ariel didn’t want <b>Katie </b><b>to </b><b>eventually </b>find <b>out </b><b>about </b>Jayson’s cheating, as it would hurt her <b>health</b>. It <b>would </b><b>be </b><b>better </b>toe <b>up </b>with <b>a </b><b>reason</b><b>, </b>to say <b>that </b><b>they </b>weren’t <bpatible</b><b>, </b>which <b>led </b><b>to </b><b>their </b>divorce.
This matter <b>would </b><b>require </b>him to meet <b>up </b>with <b>Katie</b>.
After some hesitation<b>, </b><b>Ariel </b>got <b>up </b><b>and </b>walked <b>out </b><b>of </b>her <b>room</b>. As she neared <b>Jayson’s </b><b>room</b>, <b>she </b><b>noticed </b><b>the </b>door was slightly <b>ajar</b>.
<b>Just </b>as she <b>was </b><b>about </b><b>to </b><b>knock</b><b>, </b>she caught a glimpse <b>of </b><b>what </b>was happening inside through <b>the </b>crack<b>. </b>
Nancy <b>was </b>on <b>tiptoes </b>as she wrapped her arms <b>around </b><b>Jayson’s </b><b>neck</b>. He had his arms loosely around her waist, his head tilted <b>as </b>if they were kissing.
Ariel’s gaze flickered <b>away</b><b>, </b>stunned.
<b>Someone </b><b>shoved </b>her away in an instant. Her head <b>spun </b>as she nearly lost her bnce.
“Do <b>you </b>have no shame? Why are <b>you </b>spying on someone else’s privacy<b>?</b>” Renee yelled as she appeared <b>out </b><b>of </b><b>nowhere</b><b>. </b>Her
face was twisted in anger as she red at Ariel, as if Ariel hadmitted some unforgivable crime.
Themotion startled <b>Jayson </b>and Nancy<b>, </b><b>and </b>they both hurried out of the room.
<b>Nancy </b>was frowning for once, pursing her lips as she cast an annoyed nce at Ariel.
“Did you enjoy the show<b>?</b><b>” </b><b>Jayson </b>wore a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. <b>His </b>cold gaze weighed heavily down on Ariel, making it hard to breathe.
He was angry. Even though he hadn’t said anything else, she <b>could </b>feel the weight of his disapproval.
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