I gave up on our marriage

After dinner, Ariana excused herself and headed toward the restroom. She adjusted her appearance in the mirror, her eyes briefly scanning her reflection before she heard the sound of the door opening behind her. She quickly stepped into one of the stalls, closing the door just as two voices filled the room.

One of the voices belonged to Serene, and the other was her friend.

"You're so lucky, Serene! I still can't believe Leonardo invited you to Paris!" the friend gushed.

Serene let out a soft laugh. "I know, right? Ten days with him—it was like a dream. The dinners, the views, everything…"

Ariana's heart sank. She pressed her back against the cold wall of the stall, her breath catching. Ten days?

The friend giggled. "He's so charming. Honestly, I don't know how you managed to resist."

Serene smirked. "Who said I resisted?"

Ariana froze, her mind racing as she tried to piece together what she had just heard.

"Did you share the suite with him, Serene?" Salma asked teasingly.

Serene laughed softly. "Oh, darling, do you think I'd waste ten days in Paris without making the most of it?"

Ariana's breath hitched silently. Her chest tightened as her heart raced, but she stayed motionless, not daring to make a sound.

"I mean, come on," Salma continued with a sly grin. "What kind of marriage lets the husband disappear for ten whole days? That's not normal."

The two girls burst into laughter, their giggles echoing off the restroom walls.

"Exactly," Serene added smugly. "And it wasn't just business, you know. He was quite the charming host."

Ariana's nails dug into her palm as she tried to steady her emotions. Her mind swirled with disbelief and rising anger.

"You're terrible, Serene," Salma said mockingly, before adding in a low voice, "but honestly, I'd never resist a man like him."

"Let them say what they want," Serene replied confidently. "Leonardo knows how to treat a woman. That's all that matters."

As Ariana listened, she felt her emotions boiling. The image of her husband with Serene, sharing a room in Paris, was too much to bear.

And what about his wife?" Salma asked, her voice dripping with curiosity. "Doesn't Ariana notice anything?"

"Oh, please," Serene replied dismissively. "That's not a real marriage. He told me himself—he can't stand her. Says she's greedy, materialistic, and only cares about money. She's just there for appearances."

The words hit Ariana like a slap. Her pulse quickened as the bile of anger and hurt rose in her throat.

Salma gasped in mock shock. "Are you serious? Then why does he even stay with her?"

Serene smirked. "Because it suits his image for now. But believe me, he's already looking for a way out. Besides…" she paused, her voice laced with pride, "he let me choose the necklace he bought for her in Paris."

Ariana's nails dug into her palm as she tried to steady her emotions. Her mind swirled with disbelief and rising anger. The image of her husband mocking their relationship behind her back was unbearable.

Ariana couldn't take it anymore. She waited for the sound of the restroom door to open and close before stepping out. Her reflection in the mirror showed the turmoil she tried to suppress. Her chest heaved with the weight of emotions she couldn't yet process.

Ariana stood in front of the mirror, her mind still spinning from the conversation she had just overheard. For a moment, she didn't recognize the person staring back at her. It wasn't shock anymore, but rather a numbness, a quiet acceptance of what had always been between her and Leonardo—something cold, distant, and, ultimately, empty.

She never expected much from him. Their relationship had never been about grand gestures or romantic moments. There was no expectation of passion, just a certain mutual respect and routine. She didn't crave his attention, nor did she demand his love. All she wanted was a chance to live her life—finish her education, be independent, and have the means to survive in a world that wasn't always kind to someone like her. She had asked for nothing more than that.

Yet now, hearing Serene's words, it felt as though everything she had ever done, everything she had endured, had been twisted into something else entirely. Leonardo saw her as greedy, as someone driven by money, but in truth, she had never asked for much—only what she needed to survive and to build her own future.

Had she really been so wrong?

She never expected to be his priority. She had been cold towards him too, keeping her emotions locked away, never allowing herself to care too much. There had been a level of respect between them, but no warmth, no connection. They had both played their parts in this distant marriage, maintaining the facade of civility without ever really getting close.

And yet, all of it—the respect, the calm, the neutrality—had been broken in an instant.

Is this really what it's come to?

Ariana stared at her reflection, finally understanding. This wasn't just about a marriage that had gone cold; it was about something deeper. She had spent years keeping her distance, keeping things "civil," but all along, there had been a growing distance between them, an invisible wall they had both built.

She couldn't keep pretending anymore. She had spent so long convincing herself that things would get better, that maybe he just needed time. But now, after hearing Serene's words, everything was clear. She had been nothing more than a convenience to him. She couldn't live like this anymore.

Her hands clenched into fists, the decision finally clear. She didn't need to endure this any longer. She couldn't accept this cold, hollow existence. She would take control of her life again.

I deserve more. I deserve peace, respect, and to live my life on my own terms.

It was time to let go of the marriage that had never been what it appeared. She wouldn't keep pretending everything was fine, not when it was so far from it. She had always kept her distance, but now she would take a stand.