The Heiress' Re Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Chapter 30

A R I A N A

Dante’s hand felt warm and strong around mine as we walked into the house.

Inside, the party was already loud and crowded. The Russo family knew how to celebrate Dante was pulled away almost imdiately handshakes from important-looking n,

Business.

Always business.

He gave my hand a quick squeeze before letting go. "I won’t be long," he murmured.

But as he walked away, a familiar loneliness crept in, I didn’t know anyone here not really. This were the Russo’s the most prominent people in New York.

It was Dante’s world

And maybe I didn’t belong in his world.

I found a quiet corner near a large ice sculpture and tried to look busy sipping my champagne, regret clouding my thoughts, I should have stayed back and cooked up so excuse not to go.

I felt it a pair of eyes burning into , I didn’t need to turn to know it was Angelo. His stare felt like a physical touch, heavy and angry, I kept my back to him, my heart pounding.

I knew I’d et him here, of course he’d co. Since our last encounter Angelo and I haven’t t again.

"Ariana."

I turned to see a beautiful woman with Dante’s sa dark eyes smiling at

she had kind lines around her mouth and a warm energy.

Maria.

I reber asking her at the wedding, she’s Dante’s sister.

"That dress is stunning on you," Maria said, her eyes twinkling. "My brother has good taste."

We talked for a while she asked

about myself, not about the business or the rger, but about what I liked, what I missed, how I was adjusting.

It was the first normal conversation I’d had all night.

But the whole ti, I could still feel Angelo watching

from across the room a cold reminder that my past was still here, waiting to ruin my present.

Maria smiled apologetically. "I’m sorry need to go... don’t be a stranger, okay?"

I nodded, forcing a smile as she walked away. The loneliness ca back instantly, heavier this ti the environnt felt too hot, too loud.

I needed air.

I slipped through a set of glass doors leading to the backyard, the night air was cool on my skin as I took a deep breath, letting the quiet calm my nerves.

Walking further into the garden, I turned a corner and froze.

There, under a willow tree, Maria was locked in a passionate kiss with a man, they seem to be sharing an intense mont.

My cheeks burned as I quickly backed away before they saw , my heart racing.

I changed direction, heading toward the pool area instead the water shimred under the moonlight.

It felt peaceful here, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

Then a voice cut through the silence.

"Look who’s hiding."

I turned and Bella stood there, a cruel smile on her face as she held a glass of champagne, looking

up and down like I was sothing dirty.

"What do you want, Bella?"

She took a step closer. "Just reminding you of your place. You think Dante actually cares about you? You’re a business deal, a pretty toy."

I clenched my fists. "You don’t know anything about us and I don’t need you telling

about what my husband thinks of

so fuck off.."

Bella laughed. "You know the Russos are way more powerful than your family and Dante is ruthless, a very dangerous man and you know nothing about that..." Her smile turned vicious. "I will make it my mission to ruin everything between you, ill make sure he sees the disgusting, gold-digging woman he really married."

Rage boiled inside . "You’re the one who slept with my husband! You’re the disgusting one! And you’re the fucking gold digger. I don’t need Dante’s money to attend to my needs but you? You’re nothing without Angelo and Angelo, he’s nothing without ... you two should have thought twice before betraying ." I spat

Bella’s eyes flashed. "Fuck you Ariana! And at least I didn’t marry my ex’s uncle for money!"

We were shouting now, our voices echoing in the air, all the anger and pain from the past months ca pouring out.

"You’re nothing but a jealous—"

"Jealous?" Bella spat. "Honey, I’m doing you a favor, when I’m done, you’ll beg to go back to being nobody Ariana Lopez."

I remained quiet already irritated by her presence deciding to just walk away but she stepped in the way.

Her cruel smile widened as she took a step closer to , "Does Dante know about your little secret?" she whispered, her voice like poison.

My blood ran cold.

Fear, sharp and sudden, shot through .

How could she know? My heart hamred against my ribs. I made sure to hide it from everyone, it wasn’t sothing I trusted to let anyone find out about.

Not even when she was my best friend.

"I—I don’t know what you’re talking about," I stamred, taking a step back.

But I wasn’t watching where I was going, my heel caught on the uneven edge of the pool, and I stumbled backward, arms flailing.

A scream tore from my throat as I lost my balance.

Bella lunged forward not to help , but to grab my wrist, her nails digging into my skin. For a terrifying second, I dangled over the deep end of the pool, held only by her grip.

"Please, Bella! Pull

up!" I begged, my voice shaking. "You know I can’t swim! Please!"

Bella’s face twisted into sothing ugly and hateful as she leaned down, her breath hot against my ear. "Why don’t you just die and make this easier for everyone?"

Then, with a sharp, deliberate shove, she let go.

My heart froze as I fall the cold water. It swallowed

whole, shock silencing my scream.

Panic seized my lungs as I sank, my heavy dress pulling

down, "Ahh" I scread trying to , clawing at the water, but I didn’t know how to swim.

My chest burned for air as my eyes begin to give in.

"Sobody help!" I hear Bella scream as though she cared.

The last thing I saw was a blurry figure Dant jumping into the pool before everything went black.