Janice exploded, blurting out those words so abruptly that even Ariel was caught off guard.


    Jayson stumbled back a few steps from the force, though he didn’t fall–his strong core muscles kept him


    steady<b>. </b>


    His dark eyes revealed no particr emotion as his gaze brieflynded on Janice.


    Ariel knew Jayson wasn’t the type tosh out at a woman over something like this.


    Janice, on the other hand, hadpletely lost herposure. Devastated by Ariel’s illness, she could only vent her anger and resentment on the man she med for it all.


    “Why is a man like you still alive? How is that fair? You were unfaithful, and you neglected Ariel. She


    suffered endless pain and agony all alone. Are you even human?”


    She had lost all sense of reason. She didn’t care that she was shouting at Jayson, nor did she care about the consequences. Her heart ached for Ariel, and she thought she should have done this long ago.


    Jayson stared at her silently, his voice calm and steady, his eyes unreadable. “I won’t refute anything you’ve said since you’re speaking up as Ariel’s best friend. But I’ve never seen you lose your temper like this before. Did something happen today? Ms. Swanson, would you care to exin the reason behind


    <b>your </b>outburst?<b>” </b>


    Janice was struck speechless.


    Clenching her fists, she spat, “What reason do you expect? Pretty much everything you did was wrong. Jayson, Ari’s life would’ve been ten thousand times better without you. You’re the cause of her misery<b>!</b>”


    Ariel worried Janice might blurt out the whole truth in her fury. Fortunately, Janice managed to rein


    herself in before revealing anything more.


    Jayson’s brows lifted slightly at her words.


    There had been moments, beforest year, when he’d wondered the same thing himself.


    After a brief pause, his eyes shifted to Ariel. “Back when we were still together, why didn’t you do what


    she just did? Why didn’t you yell at me whenever you felt sad and miserable?”


    A lump rose in Ariel’s throat at his question.


    In the past<b>, </b>she had thought Jayson had lost interest in her–or worse, that he had never loved her at all.


    Women could be especially sensitive in matters like these. Once she sensed those strange, inexplicable changes, she couldn’t bring herself to confess her true feelings. She was too afraid of looking weak and


    pathetic.


    “Jan, let’s head inside.” Ariel tugged Janice along as she keyed in the password, ignoring the man standing behind her<b>. </b>


    She knew Jayson was waiting to see her, but the number of times she had waited for him <b>to </be home


    far outnumbered this.


    Jayson watched the door shut, a dejected look flickering in his eyes before he dropped his gaze.


    Ariel had changed. She no longer allowed herself to be taken advantage of or pushed around needlessly.


    Jayson lowered his head with a soft sigh. What right did he have to feel displeased when Ariel’s life was finally moving in the right direction?


    Janice still had a scowl on her face as she entered Ariel’s apartment. “What’s Jayson doing here?”


    “He’s staying in the unit across from mine,” Ariel said calmly, setting down her bag.


    Janice stared at her in bewilderment. “Is he trying to convince you to get back together?<b>” </b>


    Ariel pressed her lips into a thin line, conflicted. “There’s something else. He and I… we’re not legally divorced yet.”


    Janice’s eyes widened, struggling to process what she’d just heard.


    Ariel sighed deeply. “There wereplications, and the system never updated our records. Technically, we’re still married. He also doesn’t know about my health condition.


    “I believe we’ll eventually finalize the separation. There’s no need for him to find out about the pregnancy


    either.<b>” </b>


    She had no intention of wasting time or energy on meaningless matters. As long as they stayed out of


    each other’s lives, that was enough.


    Janice understood and respected Ariel’s decision. She knew Ariel gave her all when in love, but once she chose to end things, she was firm and decisive. There was no going back.


    But hearing they weren’t officially divorced yet reignited Janice’s fury,


    “You were right not <i>to </i>tell him! Jayson got what he deserved! He has no right to know about your personal life, let alone interfere with your choices.


    “If he’s trying to reconcile, he’ll be overjoyed if he finds out you’re pregnant. Once you go through with the procedure, you should tell him then. Let’s see if the proud, arrogant Mr. Larkin can still keep his smug smile!” 1


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!