She Betrayed Me While My Mom Lay in ICU—My Real Estate Revenge Left Her Penniless & Begging Mercy

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hullo, thank you for being here. Welcome to cheating all
the time. I am lady truth. Let's get into another
crazy cheat. Elliot Carter thought he had it all. A
booming real estate career, a luxurious home, and a marriage
that looked perfect from the outside. But beneath the glossy surface,
are Anna, his stunning, blue eyed wife, was slipping away.

(00:26):
Then a suspicious receipt and hushed phone calls revealed a
disturbing truth. She'd been stealing intimate moments with a uniformed stranger.
Consumed by betrayal, Elliot unleashed a secret plan to expose
her deceit. Yet he never imagined how far the scandal
would spiral once hidden cameras and cunning ultimatums came into play.
Whose hearts, ambitions, and reputations would crumble first, and who,

(00:50):
if any one, would escape intact. Elliot Carter still remembers
the day he set foot in Riverside City, broke and
determined to carve out a future that wouldn't be bound
by the modest circumstances he'd grown up in. Even at
twenty one, fresh out of college with a finance degree,
he'd been sure of one thing the real estate game
offered a direct path to wealth, power and control. Through

(01:13):
relentless hours, unwavering focus, and a keen sense of people's
hidden motivations, Elliott rose into the top tier of agents
at Mayfield and Cross in record time, so much so
that by the time he was twenty four, he got
an offer from Riverside Properties, the city's largest real estate firm,
with a salary base that dwarfed his father's entire life earnings.

(01:36):
Six years later, at age thirty, Elliott's name was frequently
featured in local business magazines as the unstoppable real estate
shark who could close million dollar deals seemingly on autopilot.
Clients who wanted luxury properties in Riverside or commercial expansions
in the suburbs knew to call him first. He was calculating,

(01:56):
quick on his feet, and unafraid of a challenge. If
you see him on a particular listing, he'd net you
top dollar, and if you set him on a property
to acquire, he'd charm and negotiate circles around the owner.
His colleagues respected him, his competitors envied him, and in
the middle of that swirling success stood Ariana his wife

(02:17):
of seven years. The two had married young, straight out
of college. Arianna had been the bright, energetic woman who'd
captured his heart in sophomore year, majoring in marketing, but
never entirely sure what career she wanted to commit to.
Elliot adored her from the moment he first spotted her
in the campus library, her hair in a playful pony tail,

(02:38):
flipping through marketing textbooks with a bored expression. He'd walked up,
made some wry remark about how intangible marketing theory was,
and she'd burst out laughing, a laughter that chased away
his usual cold intensity. In those days, Arianna had radiated
a sense of excitement about the future, and Elliott, for
all his ambition, had felt safe opening up around her.

(03:00):
Sheiv alone, could see the warmth beneath his stern, disciplined exterior.
Over time, Arianna's dream included living somewhere glamorous, enjoying a
comfortable lifestyle, and eventually starting a family. Elliot's dream involved
achieving financial freedom, ensuring neither Arianna nor he ever worried
about money again. By the time they were twenty six,

(03:22):
he was already forging an enviable track record at Riverside properties,
raking in commissions that covered a comfortable mortgage on a
lovely two story home in the Meadeland district. Ariana was
thrilled at first sunny kitchen, quaint backyard, garden, upscale shops nearby.
In truth, she'd always liked the idea of a big

(03:42):
house more than the day to day reality of running
or maintaining one. She'd lounge in the living room flipping
through interior design catalogs, smiling at how beautiful their life
looked from the outside. That facade, though, was already under strain.
Elliott's work demanded insane. Often he'd be out the door
by six in the morning to prep for a seven

(04:04):
a m. Breakfast meeting with prospective buyers, and he might
not step back into the house until well past nine
at night. Weekends that Arianna had hoped would be dedicated
to them traveling or seeing friends turned into open houses,
client lunches, or property auctions. Elliott would cut short a
Saturday brunch with Arianna to field a phone call from

(04:26):
a developer out in Glendale who wanted to see him. Immediately,
he'd kiss her on the cheek, say sorry, babe, but
this is the big deal. We've been waiting for one
sits in the bag. I'll make it up to you,
and Ariana, in her early twenties, nodding at his unstoppable confidence,
believed him. But as year after year rolled on, the

(04:47):
I'll make it up to you never seem to arrive
in any real sense. Sure, Elliott would buy her gifts,
design her handbags, spot packages, or fancy dinners every so
often to show he appreciated her patience. She thank him,
except the credit card, indulge in laddish spending occasionally, but
all the while she felt something intangible was missing. She'd

(05:08):
grown up in a well to do family, never short
on money, and so material gifts didn't fill the lonely
evenings or the solitary wake up times. On Instagram, Arianna
had begun to post carefully staged photos of the house,
the yard, or her lunches at cheek cafes, always including
an obligatory mention that her amazing husband was busy making deals.

(05:30):
It was half bragging, half provost. Within a few more years,
Elliott was recognized to sit a wide as the unstoppable
real estate maverick who could talk even the most stubborn
homeowner into selling. His name was regularly on the local
business highlights, Elliott Carter Sell's waterfront mansion for a record price,
or Elliott Carter Close's largest commercial lot purchase in Riverside

(05:53):
this quarter. With that success came bigger paychecks, nicer suits,
brand new cars, and a sense of fulfilman. For Elliott's
professional side, Arianna had initially reveled in it, but the
novelty was wearing off. She had no stable career of
her own. She tried to find a role in marketing,
but found every position dull or unchallenging. She toyed with

(06:15):
side gigs, tried launching a blog, some influencer type hustle,
a mild interest in event planning, even a fleeting attempt
at a local PLR job that fizzled out. Meanwhile, Elliott
was rarely around. Their conversations, once vibrant with jokes and
shared dreams, had been reduced to short bursts how was
your day? Fine? Yours? Busy? Okay? Good night. Then, as

(06:40):
Ariana approached her late twenties, she began noticing quiet changes
in herself, especially after comparing her life with that of
her girl friends from college. They had robust social circles.
Some had kids already, some traveled the world with their spouses,
or they ran interesting projects. Arianna felt left behind. Her

(07:01):
existence was overshadowed by Elliot's unstoppable career, and her resentment
slowly built. Yet she never fully confronted Elliott, possibly because
she'd always seen him as unstoppable and somewhat intimidating. That
same unstoppable drive that had once seemed so attractive to
her was now creating a gulf they rarely acknowledged. One morning,

(07:22):
Arianna left home at seven a m. For yoga class,
something she'd only recently decided to try. Elliott bleary from
a late client dinner barely registered her departure. She didn't
come back until noon, carrying shopping bags from a boutique
across town. Eliodot typically wouldn't question her daily routine. He

(07:42):
just mentally noted she'd use the credit card. Later that week,
Arianna started receiving more and more text messages, always suspiciously
flipping her phone face down when Elliott glanced her way.
He was too fixated on finalizing a major commercial sale
to push for answers, but the small details were adding up.
Arrived on a Saturday morning, Elliot, stepping into the kitchen

(08:06):
to brew coffee, found two half empty ceramic mugs in
the sink. He frowned. Airy Honor rarely used those mugs,
preferring her tall to go cup, and he hadn't touched
them either. Maybe she used them with a friend, he
told himself, though a mild sense of unease rippled. Arianna
dismissed it with a breezy Oh, yeah, I had someone

(08:27):
over for a quick chat while you were at the
open house. Didn't want to bother you. She said it
so casually that Elliott, pressed by the day's schedule, merely
nodded and hurried off, but the detail lingered in his mind. Meanwhile,
at the office, Elliott's boss, Hank Rasmussen, was piling on
the pressure. You're the best we've got, Hank told him,

(08:48):
But we've got expansions to handle more clients demanding top service.
I need you to finalize that downtown tower project. Elliott
joggled a half dozen phone calls, flip through spreadsheets on
his eyepad, mentally scheduling dinners with prospective developers. The job
was intense, but he thrived on it. He was proud

(09:09):
that Ariana could have anything she wanted, from high end
furnishings to spot days. He believed, in his pragmatic male logic,
that this was how her husband provided. He never once
suspected Arianna wanted something intangible from him, time, shared intimacy,
genuine laughter, warmth. Over the next few weeks, Arianna's phone

(09:29):
seemed attached to her. She texted constantly. Sometimes Elliott would
glance up from the sofa see her in the armchair
with an odd, secretive smile while typing. The moment he
caught her eye, she'd lock the screen or flip it
face down, lips pressed tight. Elliott's mind was too exhausted
from real estate deals to entertain full scale suspicion. Yet

(09:51):
each small sign her leaving earlier, returning later, guarded phone behavior,
new clothes he'd never seen, poked at him like a
subtle warning. He told himself, Na, we're just in a slump.
She's probably got new friends. I'll figure out how to
fix it soon. He was, in some corner of his
mind slightly naive about the possibility of infidelity, certain Arianna

(10:15):
wouldn't do that to him. Arianna, for her part, was
bored and when boredom consumed her. It often mutated into
a restless desire for attention. She was used to being
adored by Eliot in their early years. Now she felt
taken for granted. She'd test small boundaries, maybe skipping dinner
at home without telling him first, claiming she'd forgotten to

(10:37):
text him that she was out with friends. She'd mention
a new friend or a new hobby with a dismissive
wave that invited no follow up questions. Eliot's father had
passed away from a heart condition years earlier, leaving Eliot
as the main caretaker for his mother, so Arianna didn't
want to push or demand. Part of her rationalize that

(10:57):
Eliot was under a lot of stress, but the rest
of her increasingly yearned for a spark came when Elliot
decided to pick up groceries in Arianna's car since his
Lexus was in the shop for maintenance. Glancing in her
cup holder, he found a crumpled receipt from a fancy
downtown restaurant. It was for two dinners plus a bottle

(11:18):
of wine, time stamped the exact evening. Arianna told him
she'd done takeout. He confronted Ariana calmly, Hey, you said
you grabbed take out that night. This receipt looks like
a full meal for two at the skylight. You want
to tell me about that. Arianna's eyes flickered. She answered
with forced casualness. Oh, that was with Dina, my old

(11:41):
college friend. She'd insisted we treat ourselves. I guess I
didn't mention it. Elliot's got twisted, but Arianna's composure was
convincing enough for him to let it drop for the moment,
and so the seeds were planted. Elliot became more watchful,
noticing Arianna's phone lighting up with messages from g W
or unknown numbers. She'd slip away to respond in hushed tones.

(12:05):
He tried telling himself that Arianna was just exploring new friendships,
but the mismatch between her stories and the odd receipts,
the hush hush calls, and the new clothes suggested otherwise.
Dana Carter, Eliot's mother, picked up on Arianna's change social
media habits. Her Instagram is full of coffee shops with
no mention of you, Dana warned her son over the phone. Worried, Elliott,

(12:30):
half listening, said Mom, I'm sure it's fine, but a
pit of anxiety sank deeper. He felt like he was
ignoring a taking time bomb in his personal life. Finally,
Arianna stopped being vague about her new friend. One evening,
while Elliot was filing some documents in his home office,
Arianna strolled in and casually mentioned, Hey, I've been going

(12:53):
to a self defense class with this police officer, Jerome Wilkes,
you know, just to learn some basic moves. He's cool,
no big deal. Elliot had half an urge to question
her more, but the day had battered him with back
to back negotiations. Instead, he just forced a smile, said
good for you, and turned back to his spreadsheets. Arianna

(13:15):
left with a flicker of a smirk, as though she
knew she'd tested him. A part of Elliot told himself
it's healthy for her to have interests, ignoring the faint
alarm bells manifested. Two weeks later, Arianna began wearing the
silver necklace that Eliot recognized from a pricey jewelry boutique downtown.
She mentioned she'd snagged it at a close out sail,

(13:35):
but Elliot had once tried to get Arianna a gift
from that same boutique. He knew their concept of a
sale meant still hundreds of dollars. Could Arianna afford that
on her own? Probably not. Eliot's confusion grew. Instead of
confronting her, he studied her more carefully. At times, she'd
dress up in a stylish outfit late in the afternoon

(13:57):
and vanish until late. When pressed, she'd name some friend
or another. Elliott felt cornered in swirling suspicion, but lacked
the mental space to address it. Hadn't He was entangled
in final negotiations for a new commercial tower sale that
demanded his every waking hour. During this tense period, a
long time friend from college, Quincy Russell, dropped by Elliot's

(14:20):
office over lukewarm coffee. Quincy confided that a mutual friend
had seen Arianna having a cozy lunch with some uniformed guy. Immediately,
Elliot's heart hammered. He forced a casual shrug. Yeah, that's Jerome,
her new self defense buddy. I guess they are friends. Quincy, unconvinced,
said I'm telling you, man, the person who saw them

(14:43):
said it looked more than friendly. Elliot's expression hardened, but
he murmured, thanks, I'll keep my eyes open. Inside, he
was already furious, hating the notion that some bizy body
was gossiping about Ariana, but seeds of dread sank deeper
he realized he'd been tiptoing around the possibility that Arianna
might be cheating at home. That evening, Arianna breathed in

(15:06):
a round ten lips parted in a faint smile, hair
slightly disheveled, claiming she'd been at a friend's birthday. Elliot
studied her face for a moment. She froze under his gaze,
then turned defensive. Why are you staring, He masked his suspicion,
just noticing you look different. Arianna brushed it off, heading

(15:27):
to shower. Elliott clenched his fists, feeling a wave of
helpless rage. The unstoppable real estate shark who'd closed multi
million dollar deals with the slightest push, was powerless in
his own marriage. That night, he lay awake, Arianna's soft
breathing next to him while he stared at the ceiling.
Her phone beaped from the night's and she snatched it quickly.

(15:50):
He pretended to be half asleep, but glimpsed the name
on the screen, Unknown and Arianna's flush of excitement. As
if to confirm his darkest suspicions, elliot phone buzzed at
midnight with a text from an unrecognized number, Elliot, do
you know where Arianna really was tonight? His blood turned cold.
He typed back, who is this? No reply? Heart pounding,

(16:14):
he realized there might be someone feeding him clues about
Arianna's betrayals. He drifted to an uneasy sleep, half determined
to bury himself in denial, half craving to unearth the truth.
The anonymous message replayed in Elliot's head all through the
next morning. He'd tossed in bed the entire night, haunted
by the possibility that some stranger knew more about Ariana's

(16:36):
whereabouts than he did. Was it a friend or someone
hoping to stir up drama or a random troll? He
tried calling the number again, straight to voicemail. Arianna stepped
out early, claiming she had a hair appointment. Elliot simply
stared at her retreating figure, remembering how she'd breezed in
late last night, wreaking faintly of cologne that wasn't his.

(16:58):
Elliott walked into the kitchen sipped black coffee mind swirling.
Never once in his adult life had he felt so paralyzed.
In business, If there was a suspicion about a client lying,
he'd investigate quickly, gather data, and confront them with unstoppable logic.
So why not do the same with Ariana? Why was
he so paralyzed? Partly because he dreaded what he'd find

(17:22):
if he looked too closely, But the text from that
unknown number forced his hand. If someone else was noticing
Arianna's behavior, it implied her affair, if it was truly
an affair, might be more blatant than he cared to admit.
A wave of anger rose in him. He decided it
was time to investigate thoroughly. That night, Arianna once again

(17:43):
left for girls night. Elliott made a show of being casual,
offering no pushback. She slipped out the door, wearing an
outfit he'd never seen, revealing a bit more skin than usual.
Alone in the silent house, Elliott felt a swirl of betrayal.
The unstoppable professional in him took over. He rummaged in
her desk drawers, scanning for any suspicious receipts, notes, or evidence.

(18:08):
Most of her personal finances came from his credit card,
but he saw unusual at M withdrawals in the bank statements.
He recalled she'd said she needed extra petty cash for
what though. Then, as if fate was guiding him, Arianna
had left her phone behind just as it lit up
with a text from j W. The preview read can't

(18:30):
wait to see you again last night was incredible. Elliott's
chest clenched painfully. He grabbed the phone, tried Arianna's birthday
as a passcode. It unlocked. Surprised at his own boldness,
Elliot scrolled the message thread. The evidence was damning. Arianna
had been sneaking around with Jerome Wilkes, a uniformed officer,

(18:52):
exchanging romantic texts that explicitly describe physical encounters, mentions of
meeting at the Oakwood Hotel, about how I I miss
your smile, you have no idea, how a live you
make me feel, and other lines that practically branded Ariana's
betrayal into Elliott's mind. The second Eliot realized Ariana was
having a full blown affair, his heartbreak converted into a

(19:15):
cold fury. The man who sealed real estate deals with
ruthless efficiency was now determined to deliver righteous punishment. He
set the phone down, heart pounding, tears threatening to form,
but he refused to cry. If Ariana had deceived him
so deeply, she no longer deserved those tears. Then a
strategic voice in his head said, don't confront her yet.

(19:39):
We need more evidence. Yes, evidence, He needed a plan.
Elliott took photos of the text messages with his own phone,
ensuring he had back ups. He discovered Arianna was meeting
Jeroam at some motel on the outskirts of town, usually
once or twice a week, always timed when Elliot had
late showings or weakened open houses. The betrayal stung. He

(20:02):
glimpsed Arianna's illusions. I just want to feel wanted, she
texted Jerome. Elliot is never around. Another message from Jerome read,
I'll treat you better than that money hungry bastard. Eliot's
rage sword money hungry bastard. This cop had no idea
how hard Elliot had worked to build everything. He muttered

(20:24):
under his breath, you want to see money hungry, officer.
Let's see how hungry you get when I'm done with you.
The next day, at Riverside Properties, Elliot paced his office,
ignoring calls from clients. He sent a message to Quincy
asking him to come by after lunch. When Quincey arrived,
Elliot locked the door and practically shoved the screenshots in

(20:47):
front of him. Look at this, he growled. Quincy's jaw
tightened as he skimmed the messages. Damn man, Arie, Hannah.
I'm sorry, this is serious, Elliot stared out the Windowoise,
I'm not going to be some clueless chump while they
laugh at me behind my back. No, I'll show them
who they're dealing with. Quincy sensed the dangerous edge in

(21:10):
Eliot's tone. Dude, maybe just talk to her or get
a divorce. Don't do anything rash, Eliot snorted. Talk to her.
She made her bed with some uniformed clown No, I
want to bury them both. She's going to regret crossing me.
The unstoppable predator and Elliott awakened. For years, he had

(21:32):
rarely used manipulation or subterfuge outside of real estate deals,
but now he realized it was time to treat Arianna
and Jerream like obstacles that needed to be cornered and destroyed.
He calmly canceled the rest of his day's appointments, telling
Hankett was a personal crisis. Then he spent the afternoon
building the strategy. How to gather conclusive proof that Arianna

(21:54):
was cheating with Jerome, how to humiliate them, how to
ensure Arianna gained nothing from a divorce settlement, and how
to burn Jerome's career to ashes. He did consider just
divorcing Arianna quietly and moving on, but his pride was
battered and his love had soured into something vengeful. He
pictured Arianna sneaking back home from cheap motels or fancy

(22:17):
restaurants with Jerome, then lying to Eliot's face. The betrayal
was too deep. Elliott wanted her to feel the same
misery she had inflicted on him, so he planned that evening.
Elliot called a private investigator named Brook Langley, whom he'd
once helped by a downtown loft. She owed him a favor.
He explained Arianna's suspicious behavior, told Brooke about the texts,

(22:41):
and asked if Brooke could track Arianna discreetly to confirm
the affair. I want iaklead photo evidence, Eliot said. Brooke agreed.
She also suggested capturing any phone calls or hotel visits.
On camera if possible. Elliott made a mental note to
possibly hide cameras in their house, but he had to
be careful not to tip Ariana off. Meanwhile, Ariana, unsuspecting,

(23:05):
was currently out shopping for groceries, ironically leaving Elliot alone
to plan her downfall. When Ariana returned, arms loaded with
store bags, she found Elliott at the kitchen table, calmly
scrolling on his laptop. She forced a bright smile. Made
us dinner, she said. He returned a polite nod, lacking
his usual warmth. Ariana stiffened a bit, noticing the tension.

(23:29):
You okay, he responded, Long day at the office, Arianna shrugged.
They ate in near silence, Arianna occasionally glancing at Elliot's
stony expression. She had no idea the entire facade of
their marriage was about to be shattered. A few days later,
Ariana had lunch with Jerome at a quiet bestro near

(23:50):
the police station, unaware that Brooke was tailing them from
across the street, snapping photos of them laughing. Intimately, that afternoon,
Arianna snuck in to Jerome's patrol car for a short
drive to a cheap motel, Brooke trailing them captured every angle,
time stamping each shot. That evening, Brooke emailed Elliot with

(24:10):
a set of incriminating photos Arivanna in Jerome's arms, Ariana's
lips on Jerome's Eliot's heart hammered with a mix of
devastation and triumph. He had the proof. No more guesswork.
Arianna was definitely cheating. Elliott forced himself not to confront
Ariana that night. Instead, he responded to her casual greeting

(24:32):
with a subdued tone, feigning ignorance. Meanwhile, his phone buzzed
with the hospital's number. His mother, Dana, had just had
a stroke. Eliot's world rocked. He realized his personal meltdown
was overshadowing the fact that his mother needed him. He
raced to the hospital, Arianna trailing behind in the ward.

(24:53):
The doctors said Dana's stroke was mild, but she'd need
therapy and close monitoring. Ariana awkwardly hove, offering Elliot a
shaky hug. I'm sorry. Elliot felt torn, heartbreak, anger, fear
for his mother. He needed to hold it together. Arianna's
presence almost mocked him. She was the unfaithful wife offering

(25:15):
comfort He could no longer trust. Still in front of
the hospital staff, he played the supportive husband role, not
wanting a scene. Dana stabilized. Over the next couple of days,
Elliott spent hours at her bedside, grappling with guilt. He
was so fixated on Arianna's betrayal that he'd neglected the
warning signs in his mother's health. Arianna tried to assist,

(25:38):
but Elliot's cold hostility pushed her away. He told her,
you do what you want. I've got mom to worry about.
Arianna stung retreated. She occasionally brought Dana flowers or stayed
for short visits, but Elliot refused to let Arianna get
too close. He'd snap, don't pretend you care. Arianna's eyes

(25:58):
would water, but she'd not. She recognized Elliott's fury but
had no idea he possessed conclusive evidence or a plan
to retaliate. During this tension, Elliot scheduled a romantic getaway
under the guise of an anniversary trip to Lake Willow,
a scene a cabin he'd once sold to a retiring couple.
Arianna was puzzled, but she guessed Elliot might be trying

(26:20):
to reconnect after the hospital scare. Meanwhile, Elliot quietly extended
an invitation to Jerream from a fake email, claiming there
was a lucrative land investment near Lake Willow that needed
a police perspective for some legal reason. He instructed Jerream
to come around the same date the trap was set
one evening. Arianna hesitantly told Elliott, I can postpone if

(26:44):
you want to stay close to your mom. Elliott forced
a tight smile, Mom insists I keep living my life.
Don't worry. We'll come back quickly if anything changes. Arianna
bought it. She sent Jerream a quick text. Trip is on.
I'll see you near Lake Willow if we can arrange time.
Jerome responded with excitement, evidently blind to the possibility that

(27:07):
Eliot was masterminding the entire set up. Quincy, the only
friend whose somewhat guessed Elliott's plan, called him out. Are
you sure you want to lure them both to the
same place? This could escalate out of control? Man. Eliot's
tone was chilling. I want them to show me exactly
who they are. I'll handle the rest. Quincy tried, warning

(27:28):
him that with Arianna's mother in law in the hospital,
the timing was grim. Eliot retorted, My mother deserves better
than a son who's being cuckolded in ignorance. I'll fix
this then I'll be at mom's side. Even Quincy could
see the unstoppable logic swirling in Elliott's eyes, an unholy
mix of heartbreak and real estate cunning. All Right, Quincy muttered,

(27:52):
but please be careful. Arianna and Elliott packed for the
Lake Willow cabin. Arianna tried to lighten the mood. Maybe
this trip will help us reconnect. Elliott offered a faint shrug,
that's the plan. She didn't see the cameras he slipped
into the trunk or the hidden phone clone he carried.
She just felt a sense of relief that maybe they'd

(28:14):
fix their problems. She texted jerream quietly, we'll be at
the cabin Friday night. I'll get a headache or something
Saturday afternoon to slip out. Please be discreet. Jeram texted
back a winking emoji. Arianna's heart raced with excitement and guilt.
She rationalized that she had no choice but to keep

(28:35):
living these double lives because Elliott was never truly present.
They set off before dawn, Elliott behind the wheel, Arianna
gazing out the window, phone in hand, occasionally texting. Elliot's
jaw remained clenched, eyes on the road, quietly bracing for
the confrontation that would soon detonate. The sense of impending
disaster hung thick in the SUV's silence. Arianna imagined her

(28:59):
romantic quakened that might let her slip away with Jerome.
Elliot imagined forcing them to show their infidelity, capturing it
on camera, then crushing them with the final blow. The
stage was set for the dreaded unveiling. A salty breeze
blew across Lake Willow, still waters, ruffling the towering pines
that circled the modest cabin. Elliot drove with both hands

(29:21):
on the wheel, jaw set, mind sketched with a single focus,
exposing Ariana and Jerome next to him. Arianna wore a
pair of oversized sunglasses and fiddled with her phone. In
the back seat and overnight bag held Elliot's secret recording gadgets,
mini cameras, a hidden digital audio recorder, plus the black
folder that contained print outs of Ariana's text messages. He'd

(29:44):
studied each line so many times he could almost recite them. Rage,
heartbreak and a savage thirst to humiliate them twisted in
his gut. The final hour of the drive, Arianna tried
a couple of times to make small talk. Should we
pick up grown nurses? She asked softly. Elliot nodded, without
meeting her eyes. Might as well, there's a shop near

(30:07):
the lake. We'll stop there. She offered a forced smile,
maybe hoping to break the ice. I'm glad you picked
this place. It looks so beautiful online, he shrugged. Ye,
the perfect get away. His tone was careful, betraying no
sense of the storm inside him. For Ariana, the tension
felt thick as tar. She kept glancing at Elliot's profile,

(30:31):
the strong jaw, the stern mouth, those weary eyes that
used to brighten whenever she walked into a room. She
longed to figure him out, whether he suspected or if
the darkness in him was just from stress at work
and worry over his mother's stroke. She told herself everything
would be fine if she could slip away for an
hour or two with Jerome, just a small moment to

(30:53):
reassure their affection, then maybe she'd come back to Elliot
and salvage the rest of the week end. The guilt
that churned inside her was overshadowed by a craving for excitement,
For attention, she felt Elliot no longer provided. Eventually, they
pulled off the main road and turned onto a winding
gravel driveway partially hidden by tall spruces. The cabin emerged

(31:16):
from behind a thicket, a rustic wooden structure perched at
the water's edge, bright sunlight dancing over its front porch.
Arion appeared through the windshield, letting out a small gasp.
The cabin had a picturesque look, with large windows that
opened onto the lake. Beside the gravel lot sat a
wooden dock bobbing in the gentle current. This is lovely,

(31:38):
Arianna murmured, removing her sunglasses. Elliot killed the engine. Yeah,
let's get inside. They carried luggage up onto the porch,
Arianna remarking how the place smelled of cedar and fresh pine. Inside,
the main living room was airy but cozy, with a
wide stone fireplace, a sagging but comfortable looking couch, an

(32:00):
old fishing memorabilia pinned along the walls. Arianna ran her
hand along a side table, searching for a lamp switch.
Ellen it trailed behind his gaze sweeping for vantage points
to places hidden cameras. Secretly, he'd already visited the cabin
the previous weekend, while in advance of Arianna's knowledge, he

(32:20):
pretended to show a vacation rental property to an out
of down client, an elaborate ruse that gave him time
to set up wiring for two miniature cameras in the
living room and near the bedroom hallway. Now he only
needed to confirm they were angled properly and seen by Arianna.
He wouldn't risk checking them in front of her, so
he forced a smile. We'll get comfortable, then we can

(32:44):
pick up groceries in the nearest town, Eliot announced. I'll
build a fire tonight. That it'd be nice, Arianna said,
setting her purse on a table. Feels peaceful here, peaceful,
Elliott thought grimly, though soon enough it would be a
warzone for her and her cop boyfriend. He took Arianna's
suitcase to the modest upstairs bedroom. It had a single

(33:06):
large bed, plus a small window overlooking the lake. We
can stay up here, Elliot said, evenly. Arianna gave him
a quizzical look. Most times they would have discussed sleeping arrangements.
Or teased about how they'd arrange the bed. Now it
was just a statement, she exhaled quietly, flickers of relief
and tension swirling. Perhaps he was opening up a crack, Perhaps,

(33:30):
though he had no idea. After half an hour of
settling in, Arianna stepped out onto the deck, overlooking the water,
phone in hand. While Elliott claimed he was going to
check the basement. Truthfully, he wanted to confirm the camera
angles from the second system. The basement door creaked as
he ducked into a low ceiling storage area. Floodlight trickled

(33:52):
through a tiny window. Crates were stacked along the walls,
but in one corner, Elliott had placed a hidden camera
behind an old fishing net. He crouched down, pulled out
his phone, checked a specialized app that displayed each camera's
live feed, crisp perfect angles. He saw Ariana on the deck,
her back turned, typing away, possibly texting Jerome. Already, he

(34:16):
forced himself to breathe His mother was in the hospital,
his wife was betraying him, and soon he'd be orchestrating
a dramatic confrontation. The swirl of stress might break a
lesser man, Elliot prided himself on being unstoppable. If Ariana
wanted to see you unstoppable, he would show her the
darker side of his cunning. Footsteps overhead told him Ariana

(34:39):
had stepped back inside. Elliott switched off the camera app
slipping the phone into his pocket. Time to act normal,
He headed upstairs, calling out, you said you wanted groceries, right,
she turned from the window. Sure, yeah, Let's see what's
in the fridge first. They rummaged around, found minimal provisions,

(35:00):
and decided to head to the local store a few
miles down the main road. In Ariana's mind, she was
partly excited for a small grocery run. She'd use that
time to gauge Elliot's mood to see if he might
spontaneously open up. She also wanted to slip Jerome a
text about approximate times. In Elliott's mind, the grocery run

(35:21):
was a chance to keep Ariana calm, show normal, see
so she wouldn't sends a trap. They drove to a
little mom and pop's store called Shady Pines Grocer. Arianna
hopped out, scanning the empty lot. I guess business is slow.
Elliott forced a shrug, following her in The store smelled
of old wood floors and fresh produce. Arianna picked up

(35:43):
fruit and vegetables absent mindedly, occasionally glancing at her phone.
Elliot watched her from the corner of his eye. Halfway
through their shopping, Ariana excused herself to grab a phone
call out front. Elliott pretended to read labels on some
jarred sauces, but snow to the door just far enough
to eavesdrop. Arianna's voice was hushed and urgent. Yes, yes,

(36:06):
I'm here with him now. No, I think he's totally unsuspecting.
I'll figure out a time. It'll probably be tomorrow afternoon. Yes,
I'll keep you posted. She hung up quickly. Elliott felt
his pulse hammer the final confirmations Arianna was planning to
meet Jerome soon perfect, He forced himself to step back

(36:29):
to the produce ale, picking up a bag of potatoes.
Arianna strolled in, cheeks slightly flushed, offering a smile that
struck him as false. Everything okay, he asked, Just a
friend calling about something, She said, quickly changing the subject.
I found some steaks on sale. Thought we could grill tonight.

(36:50):
He nodded, Sure, stakes it is. They bagged their groceries
and paid at the single register near the store's entrance.
Elliott's mind real with anticipation. Arianna's foam beeped again, and
she tapped out a reply in lightning speed, ignoring him.
The drive back felt taut as a piano string. Arianna

(37:11):
occasionally hummed some soft tune While Elliot stared at the
winding road. He pictured the next day's confrontation in his head.
He wanted them to walk right into his web, no
chance to hide or backdrack. Back at the cabin, Arianna
busied herself in the small kitchen area, rummaging for pans,
marinating the stakes. Elliot stepped onto the deck, scanning the horizon.

(37:35):
A gentle hush of waves lapped against the wooden dock,
and tall pines lined the lake's edge. Late afternoon sun
cast a golden glow across the rippling surface. It could
have been a romantic paradise had Ariana not been cheating
with Jerome. Elliot clenched the poor trilling inhaling the crisp
pine air, telling himself to hold it together for the

(37:56):
plan to succeed. Ariana and Jerom had to be lee
ef they were safe. He walked in forced a grin
need help. Ariana eyed him wearily. He never usually offered
help with cooking. I'm sure you can prep the salad.
They worked side by side in silence. Arianna occasionally glanced
his way, hoping for small talk or a crack in

(38:18):
his shell. Elliot, in turn, was too busy thinking about
how tomorrow might unfold. After they'd finished in the kitchen,
they sat down for an early dinner at a small
wooden table near the fire base. Arianna uncorked a bottle
of cheap red wine, poured them each a glass, and
lifted hers to us. She said awkwardly. Elliot nodded, taking

(38:39):
a sip without meeting her gaze. Her marinate was decent,
the steak tender. Elliot methodically cut and ate. Arianna tried
to lighten the mood with a question about his real
estate deals. He gave short replies, not wanting to break character,
but not wanting to talk either in truth. The quiet
unsettled Ariana. She'd half expected that they might have an

(39:03):
argument or a heart to heart. Instead, they existed in
a standoff, both harboring secrets. After dinner, Arianna cleaned up,
humming softly to herself. Elliot told her he would gather
some firewood. He left the cabin, walking around to the
side where a stack of logs sat under a tarp.
He inhaled, bracing for the next steps. He texted Quincy

(39:26):
an update. They planned to meet tomorrow afternoon. Camera set.
Wish me luck. Quincy texted back a single line, don't
do anything insane man. Night fell, blanketing the lake and
starlight inside. Arianna had changed into pajamas, perched on the
couch with her phone. Elliot tossed a few logs into

(39:47):
the fireplace, struck a match, and soon had flames crackling.
The dancing glow cast flickers across Arianna's face, making her
look strangely vulnerable. She cleared her throat, nice fire, he nodded,
Settling in the armchair a short distance away. Arms folded,
She tried to meet his eyes. Elliott, aye, He cut

(40:09):
her off. We can talk tomorrow. Let's just rest. Arianna's
eyes gleamed with confusion. In the past, if she had
something to share, Elliot would listen, maybe not wholeheartedly, but
at least he'd attempt. This was different, A new coldness,
she sighed, rose from the couch. And muttered good night.

(40:29):
Moments later, Elliott heard the bedroom door click shut. Alone
by the firebase, he stared into the flames, imagining Arianna's betrayal.
Scenes from the text messages replayed in his mind, her flirting,
praising Jerome's physique, mocking Eliot's absence. He ground his teeth.
The unstoppable man in real estate was about to become

(40:51):
unstoppable in vengeance. She'd see the price of humiliating him. Eventually,
he dozed off. Around midnight. He woke with a stiff neck.
He trudged upstairs to find Arianna already asleep on the bed.
Back turned. For a moment, Guilt bubbled at the memory
of how they used to hold each other close. Then

(41:12):
he reminded himself she'd replaced his closeness with another man's.
That setting rekindled his anger. He grabbed a spare blanket
and pillow, returning to the living room couch to sleep.
Come morning, Arianna found Elidot in the kitchen, sipping coffee,
phone in hand. She put on a show of cheerfulness.
Morning sleep okay out here, he shrugged, I dozed off

(41:35):
by the fire It's fine. She noticed he was still
wearing his shirt from last night, hair ruffled. In another era,
she might have teased him about BedHead or hopped onto
his lap. Now there was an invisible wall. They had
a quick breakfast. Ariana, mind racing, tried to plot how
to break away for Jerome. She typed him a text

(41:57):
in the bathroom, letting him know Elliott was distracted with
some phone calls. They planned to meet that afternoon. While
Elliott was presumably out on a nature hike or a
supply run, Arianna took extra effort, brushing her hair, putting
on subtle make up. She told herself it was just
in case Elliot noticed. In reality, she wanted Jerream to

(42:18):
see her looking good. Elliot pretended to engage in phone calls,
stepping outside as though discussing a property matter with a client.
In truth, he checked the camera feeds from his app,
confirming everything was set. Arianna's movements around the cabin were captured.
She'd rummaged through her suitcase, changed into a casual but

(42:39):
flattering outfit, texted with a hush hush, air perfect. Arianna
breezed into the living room, where Elliot pretended to be
off the phone, so she said, twisting a strand of hair.
Are we doing something today? Kayaking maybe, or a walk
around the lake? Elliot offered a tight smile. Actually, I

(42:59):
might to that bigger town about twenty miles away. There's
a hardware store. I need some supplies for the cabin.
Arianna's eyes lit with opportunism. Oh you want me to
come along, she asked, trying not to appear too eager.
He shook his head. Nah, it's just a quick run.
You can't chill here. Enjoy the lake, perfect, Arianna thought.

(43:23):
Jeream was scheduled to arrive around two pm. Eliot leaving
for a hardware store was precisely the window she needed.
She rained in her excitement, replying with a casual All right,
I'll just read and maybe do a little yoga. Elliot
gestured at the living room. There's a nice wide space
if you want to do yoga indoors. Arianna nodded, thanking

(43:47):
him for the suggestion. He pictured the camera capturing her
every move. Let her think she was being clever. In
a few hours, she'd be caught red handed with her
cop lover. Around noon, Elliot grabbed his keys. Ariana was
in the kitchen, nibbling on a piece of fruit. He
announced in a neutral tone, I'll probably be gone a

(44:08):
couple hours. If you need me, call, She forced a
sunny wave. Great, see you soon. Then he climbed into
the suv and started down the gravel driveway instead of
continuing to the main road, though he parked behind a
cluster of trees a few hundred yards away while out
of Ariana's line of sight. Heart pounding, Elliot opened the

(44:30):
camera app on his phone and waited. Nearly forty five
minutes later, a beat up sidan rolled down the drive.
Elliot recognized Jerome from the pictures. The uniform was absent. Instead,
the man wore jeans a snug t shirt that showed
off his muscular frame. Ariana must have told him Elliot

(44:50):
was out. The sedan halted in front of the cabin.
Elliot watched intently on the live feed from his phone,
Arianna peeking through the living room window. Rushing to open
the door for Jeram. He entered with a grin. Arianna
looped her arms around his neck, greeting him with a kiss.
Eliot clenched his jaw so tight it ached, but a

(45:11):
grim satisfaction also boiled within him. The evidence was playing
out exactly as planned. On the camera feed, Arianna led
Jeram to the living room couch. They exchanged low intimate words.
Ellot flicked between camera angles. He caught Arianna leaning in,
whispering something about finally we have time. Jeram responded, I

(45:35):
missed you. Eliot's hands shook around the phone. This was
the ultimate betrayal happening in what Arianna believed was a
romantic getaway with her husband. He watched them settle in
a partial embrace. On the couch. Arianna was telling Jeram
about Eliot's work errands, and Jerream cracked a smug joke
about real estate guy's being too busy to keep an

(45:57):
eye on things. Arianna giggled, tucking her legs under herself
to snuggle closer. Elliot felt a savage thrill. Furious and electrified.
Let them get comfortable, let them incriminate themselves thoroughly. After
about ten minutes of them canudling, Elliot felt it was
time to strike. He started the suv engine. The camera

(46:19):
feet stayed open. Ariana and Jeroam rose from the couch,
exchanging heavier kisses. Arianna whispered something about the bedroom upstairs.
Jeroam smirked. Elliot seethed they were about to escalate perfect
He turned onto the driveway, accelerating quickly came as Ariana
and Jerome began climbing the stairs to the master bedroom.

(46:41):
Elliot watched them vanish from the living room camera feed,
but on his phone he switched to the hidden corridor
camera capturing the upstairs landing. Indeed, the two of them
emerged at the top of the staircase, Arianna leading Jerome
by the hand. Elliot's stomach roiled with both heartbreak and
set savage impetus. Enough was enough time to confront them.

(47:03):
He sped up the gravel drive, parked aggressively near the porch,
and leaped out. Adrenaline roared in his ears. He could
do this calmly or with an explosion. He chose both.
No more delays. Ariana would see exactly what unstoppable looked like.
He yanked open the front door so violently it banged
against the interior wall, making a thunderous crack inside the house.

(47:27):
Ariana and Jeram lurched in shock. Eliot's camera feed on
his phone stuttered momentarily as the two lovers turned toward
the staircase. Railing confusion, twisting their features. Elliot's voice boomed
through the cabin, every syllable clipped by cold fury Ariana, Jerum,
get down here now. The echo reverberated off the wooden beams.

(47:50):
He marched into the living room, fists clenched, eyes blazing
with the unstoppable force that had once secured him million
dollar property deals. Only now it aimed to devastate them both.
On the upstairs landing, Arianna froze, her cheeks flaming, red
hair disheveled. She'd been seconds away from leading Jerome into

(48:11):
the bedroom. Jerome, in a tight black T shirt, stood
behind her, gaze darting, assessing the threat. Elliot's sudden presence
and savage tone ignited chaos. Eliot, Arianna began her voice trembling.
Shut it, he snapped. You think I'm blind, You think
I don't know who You're letting into this cabin behind

(48:32):
my back. Jerome stepped forward, placing a protective hand on
Arianna's shoulder. Look, man, you can't just I can do
whatever the hell I want. Eliot's bat this is my cabin.
He pointed at Jerome, eyes narrowing. You're trespassing. You want
me to call your precinct and let them know you're
creeping around with a married woman, because I have that

(48:54):
number on speed dial. Arianna's heart pounded, tears spilling. She
tried to find words, stumbling Eliot, it's not what I
Please let me explain. Elliot yanked out his phone, tapping
a few icons before turning the screen so they could
see a crystal clear still image of them kissing on
the upstairs landing, fresh from his hidden camera feed. Arianna's

(49:18):
mouth fell open in shock. Jerome's expression hardened. You want
to talk about, explaining, Eliot snarled. Explain this. You two
have been lying to me for months, meeting in motels,
sneaking around while I bust my ass to pay for
your life. Jeram tensed as if to approach the stairs,
but Arianna clutched his arm, whispering don't. Elliot marched forward,

(49:42):
rage fueling each step, until he stood at the foot
of the staircase. He pointed a finger at ariana voice
quivering with betrayal. You thought I was clueless. You thought
I was so busy with real estate deals that I
wouldn't notice you sneaking around. Her tears spilled I I
never meant to, it just happened. I was lonely. You

(50:03):
were never stop. Elliot commanded the single syllable carrying brutal authority.
Arianna's lips quivered, eyes wide in terror. Jerome tried to
appear steady, though his eyes flicked from Ariana to Elliot. Look, Carter,
we can handle this. Calmly let Ariana, come with me.
We'll get out of your hair, and Elliot barked a

(50:24):
cold laugh. Oh that's rich. You think you can just
waltz away with my wife after screwing behind my back.
You think that's how it works. He brandished the phone again,
flipping through multiple photos of them in the cabin in
the motel parking lot. Intimately engaged, Arianna gasped. She recognized
some shots from nights. She believed they were discreet. What

(50:48):
is all this? Eliot's eyes narrowed like a lion cornering prey. Evidence.
You see, my dear wife. I don't do anything half asked.
Real Estate taught me that if you suspect rondae, gather
the data first. And oh did I gather it? He
brandished a folder from his jacket, texts, pictures, timelines, enough

(51:10):
to ruin officer Jerome's career. Jerome's jaw set. You have
no right, Elliott cut him off, voice lethal. No. Write
on the contrary, I have every right, my house, my property,
my marriage. You want to see me share these pictures
with your boss, your chief, or maybe the local news,

(51:30):
because I guarantee they'll devour a story of an adulterous cop. Arianna, trembling,
took a tentative step down the stairs. Ellilt, please, we
can talk about this. Don't do anything drastic. He glared
up at her chest, heaving with rage. You want to
talk now after you lied to me day after day,

(51:50):
humiliating me behind my back? How dare you? The tension
sword crackling in the air. Arianna's tears magnified as she
realized the depth of elliot plan, the recordings, the evidence,
the unstoppable thoroughness. Jerome exhaled, sharply face pale, look carter,
he said in a low tone. I get your pissed,

(52:11):
but let Arionna come with me. We'll leave you alone.
No drama. Eliot's lips curled into a mocking'swerk. I'm sorry,
is that an attempt at negotiation? Let me clarify something.
I decide how this drama unfolds. Not you. He turned
his gaze on Ariana and you. Ariana, you're not leaving

(52:32):
with him, not until we settle a few matters. She
shook her head helplessly. Voice choked Eliot. I'm so sorry.
I was lonely. You're never around. I felt invisible. He
practically snarled, so invisible. You decided to let this uniformed
clown bed you in our home. My mother is in

(52:52):
the hospital and you're hooking up. Save your tears. I'm
done being the naive husband. Eliot reached into his folder,
pulled out a stack of papers. Recognize this, he asked Ariana,
waving it. It's a separation agreement I drafted weeks ago.
It ensures you walk away with almost nothing. Arianna's face

(53:13):
strained of color. She recalled signing some financial documents under
Elliott's pressure, but she hadn't realized the scope. What what
do you mean by nothing, she stammered. Elliott's voice was ice.
I'm entering. You don't get a dime from me when
I file for divorce. No house, no alimony, no lavish lifestyle.

(53:34):
Jeram here can foot your bills if he still wants you.
Jeram bristled, don't talk about her like she's property. Elliot turned,
eyes blazing. Shut your mouth, or I'll release these photos
right now. You'll be property of the tabloids, then the
police disciplinary board. Jeram clenched his fists, but stepped back,
knowing Elliot held all the cards. Arianna sank onto a

(53:58):
lower step, tears courseing down her cheeks. This isn't what
I wanted. I never wanted to hurt you like this,
He stared at her lips, pressed something like heartbreak flickering
behind the fury. Don't feed me your regrets. It's too late.
Elliot inhaled, forcibly, containing his trembling anger, shifting into the

(54:19):
cunning negotiator. Here's what's going to happen, he said, firmly. Marianna,
you signed the separation agreement. I now have your name
on multiple disclaimers, enshowing you relinquish claims to my assets. Next,
you'll remain with me for a while, pretending we're still married,
until I finalize certain legal moves. Let that sink in.

(54:41):
You'll stay under my watch or I release every piece
of evidence. Arianna blinked, horrorse spreading. You can't make me stay,
he chuckled darkly. Oh but I can, because if you
run off, I drag your name through the mud and
let your precious Jereum face the consequences of seducing a
married woman, lack of moral character, conduct, and becoming an officer.

(55:04):
This man will lose everything, possibly face charges if I
spend a trespassing or blackmail angle. Don't test me, Jerom
glared at Ariana, voice hushed. We can fight this. You
know he can't blackmail you legally, Ella laughed. Try me.
I know how to spin a narrative between the cameras,

(55:25):
the texts, your vile commentary about me in them, the
vantage that you're an officer, exploiting your position. My attorneys
would have a field day if I choose to go public.
Your career is done, Arianna, sobbed. Ella it please, this
is cruel you're hurting me. Just just let me go.
He stepped forward a few more steps, hurting you after

(55:46):
you stabbed me in the back for months. Don't talk
about cruelty. You have no idea what cruelty is. Silence fell.
Arianna's chest, heaved with ragged breaths, tears glistening. Jerream's eyes
flicked from Ariana to Elliott, seeming torn between lunging at
Elliot or retreating. Finally, Ariana spoke, voice trembling. If I

(56:08):
do what you say, you'll keep the affair private. Elliot
nodded once. I'll handle it quietly, but you must comply
with my instructions. The instant you disobey, I leak everything. Understood.
She wiped her eyes, voice faint. Yes, understood. Jerome scoffed,
leaning on the banister. You're insane. Harder, She's a grown woman,

(56:31):
not your puppet. You can't keep her hostage. Eliot's grin
was predatory hostit. No, No, she's free to go. The
blackmail is simply a natural consequence of her betrayal. You
see she leaves, the evidence goes public. He locked eyes
with Ariana. You want to destroy him, then run. Otherwise

(56:52):
you stay. Arianna gazed at Jerome in desperation, clearly conflicted.
The policeman stared back from prustration etched in his features.
Ari come with me, he insisted, quietly. We can figure
this out. She shook her head, tears streaming. He'll ruin you.
I can't do that. To you. I'm sorry. Elliot lowered

(57:14):
the phone, stowing it in his pocket. Now that we've clarified,
get out, Officer Wilkes. You're trespassing on private property. Jerome glared.
You can't seriously expect me to just walk away. A
flash of something dangerous crossed Eliot's face. He stepped aside,
pointing to the door. Out unless you want me to

(57:36):
call your precinct, or, better yet, retrieve the loaded forty
five I keep in my trunk, then we can see
how official you are. Jerome's nostrils flared. Arianna let out
a shaky sob. The officer muttered a curse under his breath,
turning to Arianna, this is madness. You don't have to
do this. She just looked down, guilt ridden, unable to

(57:59):
meet his eyes. He realized there was no immediate solution.
Elliot had out maneuvered them. He descended the last few steps,
glaring at Eliot as they passed each other in the
living room. The tension was thick enough to slice. Ereona
remained on the staircase, tearstripping onto her knees. Elliot stood rigidly,

(58:19):
arms folded, watching Jerome move to the door. The policeman
paused before opening it, glancing back with a final savage glare.
You'll regret this, he spat. Elliot's smirk was pure frost. Doubtful.
Now goodbye. Jerome slammed the door behind him, footsteps stomping
on the porch, then the sound of the sedan starting

(58:42):
up outside. Areona flinched at every noise, heart hammered, tearful,
regret swirling. This was never how she intended it to end.
She'd only wanted a taste of excitement, not a scorched
earth war. A hush fell across the cabin as Jerome's
car engine faded into the distance. Are Honor remained on
the stairs, trembling arms, hugging herself as though physically cold.

(59:05):
Eliot let out a slow, ragged breath. He turned to
face her, a swirl of heartbreak, betrayal, and triumphant fury
in his eyes. They stared at each other from across
the living room. Arianna's tears silently fell. Elliot advanced a
few steps, voice cold, Well, that was enlightening. Now you

(59:26):
know exactly where we stand. Your staying with me, following
my rules until I finalize a few matters. Then We'll
see if I let you off quietly, or if I
decide to bury you. She choked, How can you be
so cruel? We we used to love each other, he inhaled, sharply.
We used to. You decided that wasn't enough. She tried

(59:48):
to stand, legs wobbling, eyes, pleading Eliot. I'm sorry I
was lonely. You were never home, your real estate deals
were endless. I needed to feel some kind of closeness.
I made a horrible mistake. I get that, she paused,
swallowing thickly. But I'm still a person. I still have feelings.

(01:00:10):
You can't just treat me like like a prisoner. He
let out a harsh laugh. Feelings. You threw those away
when you betrayed me. If you want sympathy, look elsewhere,
or better yet, ask your cop boy toy how to
cope with unemployment. Ariana's face flinched as if slapped. She
realized the full brunt of Ellot's unstoppable capacity for revenge.

(01:00:33):
He held all the evidence and wouldn't hesitate to use it.
She pressed her palm to her mouth, stifling a sob.
What what do you expect me to do now? He exhaled,
crossing to the couch, dropping his folder on the coffee table. First,
you'll come back with me. We'll maintain appearances for a while.
People don't need to know about our arrangement. Then, when

(01:00:56):
I say so, we finalize the quiet separation possible, a
divorce that leaves you with nothing unless you follow my conditions.
Exactly understood, Arianna sank onto a lower step, tears rolling.
And I have no say in this. You're just dictating everything.
He arched a brow. You had your chance to speak up, Ariana,

(01:01:18):
but instead you slept with another man. Now you pay
the consequences. She shivered, hugging herself. You've changed, Elliott. You're
not the man I remember. His lip curled. No, you
changed me. Don't forget that. Silence descended, thick and stifling.
Arianna sniffled, at a loss for words. Elliott watched her

(01:01:41):
with frigid detachment, heart of him ached with heart break.
He had loved this woman passionately once, but the ferocity
of betrayal overshadowed everything else, forging him into a punisher. Eventually,
he stepped toward the kitchen, rummaging for a glass of water.
Arianna remained on the stairs tears crying on her cheeks.

(01:02:01):
Staring at the folded separation agreement, she realized any illusions
of quickly leaving with Jerum were shattered. She'd stepped into
Elliott's domain, and he refused to release her. At length,
Elliot returned, handing Arianna a glass. She stared at him
in confusion. What's this? He shrugged, You look like you

(01:02:21):
might faint. Drink it. She accepted the water, sipped, watery
eyes meeting his I never wanted this to happen, she whispered.
I was just so lonely. He glared. Spare me. If
you had come to me and said you were lonely,
I might have tried to fix it. Instead, you snuck
around with a two bit. Policemen don't expect pity. Elliot nodded,

(01:02:45):
once toward the bedroom hallway. Go pack your things. We're
leaving the cabin tonight. I'll drive back. This place is
ruined and away. I'll handle the keys. You just do
as I say. Arianna rose shakily, shoulders slumped, tears renewed.
She began ascending the stairs. Before she vanished, she paused

(01:03:06):
to look at Eliot one last time, heartbreak shining in
her eyes. I'm I'm so sorry, she repeated. He stared
without softness, not sorry enough. She vanished into the bedroom.
Eliot sank onto the couch, burying his face in his hands.
The unstoppable man had triumphed in humiliating them, cornering Ariana,

(01:03:29):
but inside he felt no victory. The woman he built
a life with heads shattered his trust. His mother lay
in a hospital bed. His revenge burned hot, but behind it,
a raw emptness yawned. He exhaled a tremulous breath, telling
himself he had no choice but to see this through.
Arianna's tears didn't change the fact that she made him

(01:03:51):
a fool. He pictured the time she must have whispered
sweet nothings to Jerome while ignoring Eliot's calls. The image
fanned his anger anew no turning back, Elliott Carter gripped
the steering wheel tighter than he should as he navigated
the winding road away from Lake Willow. Evening shadows stretched
across the asphalt, and his head lights cut through the

(01:04:13):
half light with an unsteady glow. Beside him, Arianna sat
rigid in the passenger seat, face blotched from crying in
the back of the suv, rested their half packed suitcases.
The illusions of a romantic weakened thoroughly shattered. Barely an
hour earlier, Elliott had forced jeream the cop Arianna had
been secretly meeting out of the cabin at near Gunwaint.

(01:04:35):
Though no firearms were drawn, the threat had been real enough,
echoing in the tension that now weighed the air like
a lead blanket. The hush inside the car was so
heavy it felt as though any word might detonate it.
Arianna clasped her hands in her lap, eyes fixed on
the side mirror, probably half hoping to see Jerream follow them,

(01:04:55):
yet also dreading what would happen if he did. Eliot's
gaze was laser focus on the road, his thoughts swirling,
and a toxic mix of heartbreak, anger, and a savage
satisfaction that he had gained the upper hand. Fifteen minutes
crawled by before Arianna broke the silence. Eliot, she said, softly,
voice still trembling. Where are we going? He kept his

(01:05:17):
eyes forward back to riverside. He said, I've already wasted
enough time here, and I need to check on my
mother at the hospital. At the mention of Dana, Arianna
bit her lip. She had always been fond of Elliot's mother,
but lately gilt loomed whenever she thought of Dana's failing health.
Elliot would have been more present for Dana if he

(01:05:39):
hadn't been so consumed with Arianna's betrayal. Arianna felt a
pang of remorse twist in her belly. I could come
with you to see her, she ventured timidly. I want to,
he cut in, voice edged with steel. I don't think so.
After everything you pulled, you lost the right to cozy
up to my family. You made your bed with that cup.

(01:06:01):
Now you'll face the consequences. Ariana flinched. She'd grown used
to his cold remarks over the last few days, yet
each one still stung like a fresh slap. She turned
her gaze back out the window, watching the forests pass by.
Silence reclaimed the suv thick and nearly suffocating. Back in

(01:06:22):
the city, the drive took over two hours. By the
time they pulled into their suburban neighborhood, night had fully settled.
The neat lawns and pale street lights of Meadow Lane
felt surreal. After the chaotic confrontation at the cabin. The
entire trip had spanned less than two days, but to
Ariana it felt like a lifetime. She was no longer

(01:06:45):
just bored or restless. She was trapped. Elliott parked the
suv in the driveway, turned off the ignition, and let
out a long breath. He lingered a moment, as if
mentally preparing for some ordeal. Arianna felt the tension in
his posture. Finally, he mumbled, get your things, then opened
his door and stepped out. Arianna obeyed, quietly hauling her

(01:07:09):
bag from the back seat. The night air was cold,
and she shivered as she followed Elliot up to the
front door. The house seemed so much bigger, emptier, and
more forbidding than it had before. Inside they flicked on
the lights, dust motes danced in the glow, or maybe
Arianna's eyes just played tricks on her. She realized Elliot

(01:07:30):
had barely been home the last few days, rushing to
the hospital or burying himself in real estate deals. If
circumstances were normal, Arianna would set her bag down, maybe
greet him with a warm kiss, ask about dinner plans.
But now she hovered in the foy uncertain, He locked
the door, turned and fixed his gaze on her for

(01:07:51):
a moment. Neither moved. Arianna noticed subtle lines of exhaustion
around his eyes. She recognized that relentless ferocity, the unstoppable
edge that had made him so successful in real estate,
now directed at her. It felt terrifying. I have to
go see Dana tomorrow, Elliot stated, first thing in the morning.

(01:08:11):
Ariana swallowed, nodding. I'd like to come. No, he barked,
making her flinch. Then he caught himself exhaled, you're staying here.
Don't test me, Ariana. She pressed her lips together. I
I'm worried about her too, she whispered, I care about
your mother. Funny way of showing it, Elliott's spat, carrying

(01:08:34):
on your fling while I was juggling my job and
my mom's health crisis. Very touching. Tears rushed to Ariana's
eyes again, but she forced herself not to sob, not
to crumble. I never wanted it to go this far.
Well it did, he glared, stepping closer, intimidation radiating. Remember
our agreement. Keep living here with me, Pretend everything's normal

(01:08:58):
for the outside world's so I can finalize certain legalities.
If you even think of contacting Jeram or defying me,
I'll blow this wide open. Understood, She felt a knot
in her throat. Yes, I understand. He grabbed his suitcase,
turning to head upstairs. Then do as you're told. I'll
be in my room. You find another space if you want,

(01:09:21):
He paused on the first step, not looking back. Don't
bother me tonight. She stood there, watching him ascend. A
tear slipped down her cheek. This was the man she'd
once adored, the man she'd hurt so badly that she'd
awakened a dark side in him. Now she was reaping
that whirlwind. Caged by her own mistakes, Remorse pulsed in

(01:09:43):
her chest. She wondered fleetingly if she should call Jerome
for comfort or run away, but Elliott's threat echoed in
her mind. He'd destroy everything. She sank onto the sofa,
burying her face in her hands. Her future looked as
bleak as a sealed tomb. Morning came in a haze
of overcast skies. Elliot was already gone. When Arianna crept

(01:10:06):
out of bed. She found a note on the kitchen counter,
scrawled in his neat but terse handwriting, going to see
mom at Saint James's then office. Don't leave the house
unless absolutely necessary. She trembled, reading it, a swirl of
resentment and guilt battling inside. She felt like an inmate
on house arrest. Did he'd expect her to just wait

(01:10:28):
aimlessly all day? Well? Yes, Arianna realized that's exactly what
he expected. She brewed coffee, trying to calm her nerves.
The ring she once wore was stashed in a drawer somewhere.
She didn't feel right wearing it now, she wondered the
quiet house. Everything looked the same, from the living room

(01:10:48):
photos of her and Elliot in happier times to the
spiral bound property brochures on the coffee table. Yet it
all felt suffocating. Overshadowed by his ultimatum. She tried turn
on the TV, flipping channels, but found no distraction. Her
phone lay on the coffee table, powered on. She could
text or call whomever, but the threat hung. If Elliot

(01:11:11):
discovered she contacted Jerome, there'd be a brutal fallout. Arianna's
heart clenched as she recalled how forcibly Elliot had confronted
them at the cabin. She imagined his reaction if he
caught her. Now, she didn't want to push him further.
By noon, she paced the living room, arms hugging herself,
she glimpsed the partial separation agreement. Elliot had forced her

(01:11:35):
to sign so many disclaimers and complicated legal language, leaving
her with almost no claim on their home or finances.
She realized with a sick jolt that if Eliot divorced her,
she'd walk away practically penniless, forced to rely on her
parents or find a job. Maybe that was still better
than living under his tyrannical watch. Then again, the scandal

(01:11:57):
might humiliate her family, tarnish her name, and he'd ruined Jeroam.
A wave of shame overcame her, remembering how Jeram was
suspended or close to it, all because of her, and
of course, Eliot's unstoppable vendetta. Finally, she sank onto the couch,
burying her face in her hands. God, she whispered, what

(01:12:18):
have I done? Meanwhile, Elliot stood beside Dana's hospital bed,
the beep of monitors filling the sterile air. Dana looked pale,
hair disheveled, but her eyes lit up with faint warmth.
Upon seeing her son, she tried to speak, but her
words emerged slurred. Elliot, I'm here, mom, he said, quietly,
pulling up a chair. He gently took her hand, though

(01:12:40):
a thousand violent emotions churned inside him. How are you feeling?
She managed a shrug and crooked smile. It pained him
to see her so vulnerable. For a moment, the raging
heartbreak receded, replaced by genuine concern. He remembered being fourteen,
standing beside her at his father's funeral, vowing to protect her.

(01:13:01):
And now, all these years later, she had a stroke,
and he'd been too distracted by Arianna's betrayal to see
the warning signs early. The guilt burned. Dana's eyes flicked around, searching.
She tried to form a question. R R. Elliot knew
she meant Ariana. He clenched his jaw, forcing a half truth.
She's at home, mom. She wants to be here, but

(01:13:24):
I thought it better she stay. He swallowed. He could
guess his mother's next question. She'd always been fond of Ariana.
If Dana learned the real story, it might worsen her condition.
He forced, calm, don't worry. Arianna is fine. The doctor said,
you'll need more therapy, but we'll get you through this.

(01:13:45):
Dana squeezed his hand gently, as if to say she
believed him. She had no idea how shattered her son felt.
He tried to keep his expression neutral. He couldn't talk
about Ariana's betrayal now. The heartbreak threatened to bubble out up,
but he willed it down. His mother needed calm, not drama.
A nurse stepped into check vitals. Elliot said his quiet goodbyes,

(01:14:09):
promising he'd return soon. As he left the hospital, Striding
down the corridor, he felt the phone in his pocket
vibrate a message from Quincy. Any update you okay? Elliott
typed back a curt reply, sticking to the plan. Ariana's
at home under watch. We'll call soon. He paused, leaning

(01:14:29):
against the wall, letting out a trembling breath. The unstoppable
reel estate tycoon wanted so badly to fix everything in
his life, to rewrite the betrayal, but no, the only
path left was to maintain control, finalize the punishment. Ariana
would remain under his roof, paying for her sins, at
least until he decided otherwise. He clenched his teeth and

(01:14:52):
headed to the office, mind swirling with deals and revenge
in equal measure. By late afternoon, Ariana was curled on
the living room armchair, staring blankly at her phone. She'd
scrolled social media feeds, seeing pictures of old friends. Everyone
else seemed to have normal, happy lives. She was living

(01:15:13):
in a quiet nightmare. She considered calling her mother or
her sister, But what would she say? I cheated on
my husband and now he's basically blackmailing me to stay.
That conversation would devastate her parents. Suddenly, the front door
knob turned. Arianna jolted to her feet. I fear flickering
that it might be Jeram or Elliot back in a fury,

(01:15:35):
the door opened to reveal Eliot in a crisp gray suit,
face taut with stress. She held her breath as he entered.
He set down his brief gaze near the foyer and
locked eyes with her. House Your mother, Arianna asked, voice trembling.
She half expected him to snap at her again. He exhaled.
She's stable, better than before, but still a long way

(01:15:58):
to go. He tossed his key's on the side table,
crossing the living room for a moment. He just studied her,
arms folded, expression a swirl of weariness and anger. You've
been unaware, she shook her head. I stayed like you, said,
He nodded curtly. Good a pause, lingered, I can't of
you running off and stirring up scandal. She swallowed. I wouldn't.

(01:16:22):
I'm not trying to make things worse, Elliott. She hesitated,
then softly offered, I was worried about you, about your mom.
He scoffed under his breath. Keep your concern to yourself.
He walked past her toward the kitchen, rummaging for a
glass of water. Arianna followed a few steps behind, fiddling
with the hem of her shirt. She mustered some courage.

(01:16:45):
Can we talk about this arrangement, she asked quietly. I
understand your angry. I'm not blaming you for that, but
we can't just coexist in silence. He drank water, set
the glass down with a sharp clink. Oh, we'll talk,
all right. As soon as I finish some basic real
estate formalities, then we'll see about finalizing that separation agreement.

(01:17:09):
Arianna's heart sank. She had no illusions that he might
forgive her but hearing him so matter of fact about
discarding her burned still. She tried, Elliot, I never wanted
to hurt you. If there's any chance we can, he spun,
eyes flashing. Stop. You don't get to ask for second chance.
The only reason I haven't kicked you onto the street

(01:17:32):
with a scandal on your name is because I want
to do it on my terms. Understand my terms. She
bit her lip, tears forming again. He saw her tears,
but it only seemed to deepen the coldness in him.
You brought Jerome to our bed, Arianna, you spat on
everything we built. Don't dare ask me for sympathy. Those

(01:17:53):
words felt like daggers. Arianna wavered tears threatening to spill.
She recalled vividly the time she told Jeroam how unloved
she felt, how Elliott was never around. She realized that
didn't justify anything. I am sorry, she said, lamely. Again.
She was repeating the apology like a broken record. She

(01:18:14):
genuinely meant it, but he was long past hearing it.
He nodded stiffly. Good. Now I have work to do.
Do me a favor. Keep out of my way. If
I see any suspicious calls on your phone, or if
you decide to run to your family or to Jerome,
I'll bury you. Clear. She closed her eyes, silent tears

(01:18:35):
slipping down her cheeks, then gave the faintest nod clear.
He brushed passed her, heading to his home office. The
door shut behind him with a firm click. Arianna stood there,
shoulders slumped, feeling the house might as well be a prison.
The unstoppable resolve she once admired and Elliott had mutated

(01:18:56):
into a methodical torment. She realized this standoff might continue
for weeks, even months, until he was satisfied, or until
something broke. The question was which part of her soul
would remain if she made it through. Days blurred into
a static routine. Elliot rose early, either visiting the hospital
or heading straight to Riverside properties. Arianna woke to an

(01:19:18):
empty house, meandered around, trying to busy herself with mindless chores.
Her phone mostly idle except for checking up on world
news or random videos. She feared calling or texting friends
might tip Elliot's suspicion, so she avoided it. If they
asked why she was absent from social gatherings, she'd lie

(01:19:39):
with vague mentions of family stuff. She had minimal appetite,
losing weight. Elliot returned in the evenings, occasionally bringing takeout
or leftover conference lunches, but they rarely ate together. Sometimes
he'd toss her a container of food and vanish into
his office to do more real estate deals or to
finalize legal documents. Arianna tried a couple times to approach

(01:20:02):
him with small talk, did you manage that new listing?
Or is your mother improving? He either ignored her or
gave curt answers in. This new routine arrived when a
quiet Sunday rolled and and Arianna decided to do some
yard work to clear her head. The front lawn had
grown wild, something she used to take pride in. She
rummaged in the garage for gardening gloves, only to find

(01:20:26):
a small stash of old pictures Elliot had stored in
a box, photos of them from college, from their first apartment,
from the wedding. She sank onto a dusty stool, flipping
through them. Her heart twisted, seeing her younger self grinning
at Eliot, pure love in her eyes. In one shot,
Elliot lifted her in his arms near a campus fountain,

(01:20:47):
They both looked breathless with laughter. Tears trickled. When did
we lose all that? She was uncertain whether the blame
was entirely hers, or if Elliot's relentless drive had alienated her.
Probably both, but that didn't excuse her betrayal. She gently
placed the photo's back, tears smudging the corners. The ache

(01:21:07):
was almost physical. She took a deep breath, stepped out
to the lawn and began pulling weeds. Earthy scentse enveloped her,
the sun warming her arms. At least this was something
she could control, A small patch of chaos made orderly.
A fleeting sense of calm washed over her. But the
moment she heard Eliot's car pulling into the driveway, anxiety

(01:21:30):
crashed back. He stepped out, wearing a crisp button up shirt,
probably returnin' g from visiting Dana again. Arihanna paused her weeding,
heart skipping. She straightened, brushing dirt off her gloves. He
walked over, vantage scanning the yard for a second. Seeing
her kneeling in the grass, a pang of memory struck him.

(01:21:52):
He recalled Ariana, once bright eyed, planting flowers. The memory
caused a flicker of conflict in Elliott's gaze. She mustered
a small attempt at civility. Welcome back. How's your mom?
He said, his jaw same, not better, not worse. He paused,
glancing at the shears in her hand. Decided to fix

(01:22:13):
the yard. Arianna nodded, I needed something to do. Silence.
She bit her lip. I can cook dinner if you want.
He gave a non committal shrug, stepping on to the porch.
Sure whatever. With that, he disappeared inside, leaving her alone
in the yard again. She stared after him, tears threatening again.

(01:22:35):
Yet that was the closest to normal conversation they'd had
in days. Maybe he was softening a fraction. She finished
up weeding, put away tools, and then headed inside. Elliott
had changed clothes and was in the living room scanning
Emil on his phone. Arianne a tentatively approached. I'll check
the fridge to see what we have passed. O kay,

(01:22:58):
he nodded, without looking up. She sighed, heading to the kitchen.
For a fleeting second, it felt like an old routine,
Arivanna cooking, Ellet busy with work. The difference was the
thick tension that overshadowed everything. She boiled water, soddied some
onions and garlic, rummaged for a jar of tomato sauce.

(01:23:18):
She even found some ground beef in the freezer. The
movements felt mechanical, but they calmed her nerves somewhat. She
set the table half expecting him to ignore the meal,
but after a few minutes he wandered in, phone in hand, scrolling.
Smells decent, he commented. Slight relief blossomed. She served him

(01:23:38):
a plate of spaghetti, sprinkling grated cheese on top. He
slid his phone aside, picking up a fork. She watched
from across the table, uncertain if she should join him
or retreat. He flicked his gaze at her empty seat.
Might as well eat, he said, tersely. She swallowed, nodding sure.
She served herself and sad, hands trembling slightly, they twirled

(01:24:02):
spaghetti in silence, no conversation beyond the clink of silverware.
Arianna noticed how she lacked appetite, but forced a few bites.
Elliot eventually asked, you get groceries again. We still have
enough for the week. She blinked, not expecting any question
from him. I do I can go tomorrow morning if

(01:24:23):
we're low on anything. He nodded, vaguely, returning to his food.
That was the end of that, but in Arianna's eyes,
it was a small improvement from complete stone walling. They
finished in her Arianna stood to clear plates, but Elliot
said leave it. I'll handle the dishes. You keep out
of trouble. She frowned, a swirl of confusion. He rarely

(01:24:46):
offered to do the dishes. He turned away, busying himself
at the sink. She retreated to the living room couch,
sinking into the cushions, hugging her knees. Am I reading
too much into that? Perhaps it was a sign that
he was less enraged, or maybe he just wanted her
out of his space. Moments later, footsteps approached. She looked

(01:25:07):
up to see Elliot standing a few feet away, drying
his hands on a dish towel. His expression carried a
mixture of weariness and unspoken conflict. Arianna's chest tightened. She'd
grown so used to him ignoring or snapping at her
that this quiet approach unsettled her. He cleared his throat,
I I have some updates about the separation agreement. Her

(01:25:30):
stomach dropped. She stiffened, bracing for bad news. I need
you to sign an addendum, my lawyer says. It'll finalize
the disclaimers on your share of the house. Arianna's eyes
flicked to the coffee table. She recalled the earlier papers
She swallowed so soon. He shrugged, voice, better, better to

(01:25:50):
handle it fast that way, if you decide to run
off with your cop friend, I'm fully protected, understand her
heart ached, She hated how he's see bat references to Jerome.
She nodded numbly. Fine, she whispered, I'll sign. He nodded, good,
because tomorrow evening I want you to meet me at

(01:26:11):
his office, my attorney, that is, to finalize. We'll keep
it discreet. Arianna's eyes misted with tears, but she forced
them back. Yes, I'll do it. She stared at him,
wanting to ask if this meant he'd let her go soon,
but the words caught in her throat. She felt half
dead inside, caged by her misteeds. They lapsed into silence again. Elliot,

(01:26:34):
crossing to the far side of the living room, flicking
through channels on TV. Every Honor realized the day was
done and another night in this oppressive standoff began. She
considered sleeping in the guest room again to avoid an
awkward confrontation. Strangely, though, after the new separation papers were mentioned,
Elliott seemed slightly calmer. She wondered if having a plan

(01:26:57):
for their final break gave him a sense of clothes.
Did that mean he was leaning toward letting her leave
quietly or was he planning a final humiliating blow. The
unpredictability gnawed at her. Eventually, Arivanna cleared her throat. I'll
turn in, she said, softly. Good night. Elliott paused, glancing

(01:27:17):
at her with an inscrutable expression. Might he said, gruffly,
then returned his attention to the TV. Arianna left, heading
upstairs to the guest room, mine swirling with an easy
hope and deep regret. Morning dawned with a drizzle tapping
the roof. Arianna woke from a restless sleep, heart pounding
with the memory of her upcoming meeting at the attorney's office.

(01:27:41):
She recalled the vow she'd made to Elliot comply or
face utter ruin. She dragged herself to the shower, letting
hot water wash away the tension, But the fear wouldn't
rinse off downstairs. Eliot was already dressed in a crisp
navy suit, tie impeccable. He drank coffee by the window,
phone pressed to his ear. Arianna hesitated in the hallway,

(01:28:03):
waiting for him to finish his call. The lines of
his face were harsh, but as he ended the call,
he flicked a glance her way. We need to leave
at four p m. He said, no, greeting my attorney
scheduling us for a four hundred thirty slot. She nodded,
clasping her hands. Okay, I'll be ready, He tilted his head.

(01:28:24):
You can stay here all day or do errands. I
don't care, but keep your phone on. If you vanish,
i'll know understood. She's swallowed, giving a small nod. Yes, Elliott.
He grabbed his keys from the counter, breezing out the
door without another word. Arianna released a trembling breath. She

(01:28:44):
half wanted to run away, half convinced that would be insane.
He'll find me, he'll expose everything. She closed her eyes,
recalling the scorching humiliation at the cabin when he showed
her the camera feed. No, she'd sign the papers, swallow
her pride, and maybe he'd eventually let her go. The
day crawled by. Arianna tidied the house, rummaged for groceries,

(01:29:08):
forcing herself not to dwell on what might happen. After
she signed, she felt a flicker of worry about Jerome's situation.
Was he suspended or fired? Should she try to message him?
She dared not. Elliot had threatened to check her phone.
She pictured Jerome alone in his place, cursing her name,
or maybe planning some misguided rescue. The thought both warmed

(01:29:32):
and terrified her. By three hundred forty five, Arianna paced
the foyer, awaiting Elliot's return. Rain drummed the windows. She
wore a modest outfit, not wanting to appear defiant or alluring,
just a black skirt and a neutral blouse. Her phone beeped.
She jumped, But it was just a spam email, she exhaled. Finally,

(01:29:53):
Elliott's car pulled up. She grabbed her purse, opened the
front door, stepping onto the porch. He scanned her expression unreadable.
Let's go, he said. The drive to the law firm
was silent. Tension coiled between them. Ariana's pulse raced. She
pictured the sterile office, the official stamp on her near

(01:30:15):
penniless separation. Would that be the final blow? Or was
he planning more steps? She realized she had no control
either way. They arrived at a tall brick building downtown.
Eliot escorted her into an elevator, then a hallway marked
with brass letters Somerset Hall and Beckett, Attorneys at law.
Arianna's mouth felt parched. Elliot typed a text on his phone,

(01:30:39):
ignoring her. A receptionist guided them to a conference room.
The walls were lined with austere volumes of legal code.
A tall, stern faced man in a dark suit introduced
himself as Michael's Somerset. He shook ELO's hand firmly, then
turned to Ariana with a polite nod. Missus Carter, he said,

(01:30:59):
with prac dist courtesy. She tried to return a tiny smile,
but her nerves tensed, reading the title Missus Carter as
a cruel irony. Michael invited them to sit at a
polished mahogany table, sliding a fresh set of documents forward.
Arianna's stomach fluttered when she saw the lines referencing relinquishment
of property claims and no alimony. She shot Elltt a

(01:31:22):
quick pleading glance. He returned a cold stare silent. Michael
cleared his throat. So, mister and missus Carter, we have
the additional disclaimers to finalize. This ensures that if dissolution
of marriage occurs, the distribution of assets follows the outlined conditions.
His tone was professional, but Arianna sensed a mild disapproval.

(01:31:46):
Did he guess the tension in the room? She took
a pen, scanning the lines. It says, Iya, under no
circumstances can claim partial ownership of the Meadow Lane House,
or any future real estate acquired with Carter funds, or
any future commissions earned by Elliot from real estate transactions. Correct.
Michael nodded yes, It effectively nullifies community property claims. Mister

(01:32:11):
Carter's wealth remains his alone. Meanwhile, you retain personal belongings
and any separate assets you may have had prior, but
for the arrangement, you aren't receiving spousal support or a
share in the marital property, and you are also required
to keep details of your personal arrangement confidential. Her vision
blurred with tears. She blinked them away. Elliot sat with

(01:32:34):
arms folded, offering no comfort. She sensed an unstoppable finality.
She steeled herself. She deserved it, didn't she She broken faith?
She had no illusions? Now all right, she whispered, pen poised,
she scribbled her name on each line pointed out by Michael.
The attorney notarized. Elliott counter signed. When Arianna set the

(01:32:58):
pen down, a chill ran through her. She looked at Elliott,
half expecting an outburst or a taunt. He just gave
her a curt nod. Standing to shake Michael's hand, Ariannor
rose on shaky legs, feeling like she'd signed away her
entire life. Michael ended with a firm the original separation
agreement stands. This addendum closes any loopholes if either party

(01:33:23):
files for divorce the terms are locked. Arianna felt the
bottom of her stomach drop. Elliot offered the attorney a
measured thank you, then guided Ariana toward the door. As
they stepped into the drizzly evening, Arianna's tears welled. Was
she free now or just pinned more tightly than ever?
Elliot's next move was unknown. She had to find out,

(01:33:45):
but the moment she tried to speak in the car,
he silenced her with an icy glare. The unstoppable plan
was in motion, and Arianna was more trapped than ever.
The drizzle had turned into a steady downpour. By the
time Elliot an Airnor returned to the Meadow Lane house,
raindrops drummed the car roof like a relentless march. Arianna

(01:34:06):
sat stiff, eyes downcast, still reeling from the finality of
the papers she'd signed. She fell hollow, as though the
future had been ripped away, leaving only an indefinite captivity
under Elliott's watch. Elliott parked in the driveway, killed the engine,
and let out a slow breath. He stared at the
water beating on the wind shield. Arianna mustered courage to speak.

(01:34:29):
So that's it, Then she whispered, I've signed away everything.
He nodded, without looking at her. You have when the
time comes, and trust me that day's coming. The divorce
will happen on my terms, with my conditions. You'll walk
away with no claim, just as we agreed. Or you
can choose to fight me in court and watch me

(01:34:50):
bury you with evidence up to you. Her throat thickened.
She recalled the humiliating camera footage, the possibility of a
scandal that would score orch her social circle. She closed
her eyes, a tear escaping. You never used to be
so cruel, she said brokenly. He swung his gaze her way,
anger flickering cruel. That's rich coming from you. You lied,

(01:35:14):
she did, used me for comfort and money while hooking
up with that cop. His voice trembled with hatred. Then
he shoved open the car door, stepping out into the rain.
Arianna wiped her eyes followed him to the porch, both
of them dashing through the downpour. Once inside, Elliot shook
off the droplets from his coat, then turned to lock

(01:35:36):
the door. Arianna hovered near the foyer and certain if
she should retreat or attempt a conversation. She ventured softly,
you keep talking about me as though I planned it
all maliciously. I didn't, I was. He spun, eyes blazing.
Don't just don't. She swallowed her words. He exhaled, dropping

(01:35:56):
his car keys on the side table. I'm done for tonight.
I have a headache from all this. If you try
to corner me with your tears, I'll shut you down, understood,
She nodded, miserably, hugging her elbows. He brushed past her,
ascending the stairs. Arianna remained by the front door, tears
welling again. The gloom of the house pressed in, and

(01:36:18):
the storm outside only magnified the sense of entrapment. As
the night deepened, Arianna sat alone in the living room.
The overhead light glowed softly, illuminating the swirl of dust moats.
She recalled the fiery confrontation at Lake Willow, the forced
separation agreement, the new disclaimers. She was living in a

(01:36:39):
world that felt unreal. She had once been Arianna Carter,
wife of a rising reel estate star. Now she was
a shadow in her own house. A memory drifted the
day Eliot had proposed to her back in college. Kneeling
under the campus oak tree, her squealing yes through joyous tears,
She buried her face in her hands, fresh tears leaking

(01:37:02):
that memory was gone. She had destroyed it for what
a fleeting sense of excitement with Jeroame. She remembered Jerome's
final words before he left the cabin, telling her you
don't have to do this. She wondered if he was
still out there fuming at Elliot's blackmail, or if he'd
truly given up. She had no way to contact him safely.

(01:37:23):
The phone was a risk, and if Eliot discovered even
a single message, she forced herself to stand, walk to
the kitchen rummage for tea. She needed to calm her nerves,
enough tears for one night. She still had to find
a way to exist in this twisted arrangement, maybe even
find a small crack in Eleinot's armor to negotiate a

(01:37:45):
less painful outcome. Or perhaps there was no negotiation. She
felt the swirl of despair re emerge. Footsteps behind her
made her jump. Elliott stepped in, arms crossed. He changed
into sweatpints and a shirt, hair slightly damp from a shower.
She offered a shaky attempt at a smile. I was
making tea. Do you want some? He paused, scanning her face,

(01:38:08):
then shrugged. Sure, fine, She swallowed, turning to fill a
second mug. The hush was brittle, but his presence felt
a shade less aggressive than an hour before. She set
the mug in front of him, her fingers trembling. Look,
I know you don't want to hear me grovel, but
I do want you to know I regret hurting you
every minute of every day. His jaw tightened. Regret doesn't

(01:38:32):
fix betrayal, he said simply, though his tone wasn't as ferocious.
But keep going. I'm curious if you have a plan.
She looked at him, uncertain plan. Elliot let out a
low breath. Yes. Are you planning to wait until I
decide to officially divorce you? Or do you hope we
can salvage something out of this rack? He set the

(01:38:54):
mug down, eyes cool, because if you think there's a
shot in hell, I'll forgive your dreaming. Her chest burned
with sorrow. I just want to make amends. I know
you might never forgive me, but maybe we can at
least keep the peace. He studied her, swirling the tea
in his mug. Peace for how long? You see? Arihanna.

(01:39:15):
Part of me wants to toss you out tomorrow and
plaster your affair everywhere. Another part wants you to suffer
here day after day as I finalize my mother's situation,
my finances, everything, I haven't decided which is more satisfying?
She paled Elliott. He shook his head, cutting her off. No,

(01:39:35):
I'm just laying it out. Don't assume any kindness from
me right now. You're an asset. I'm controlling a living,
breathing asset. Do as I say, and maybe I end
this quietly or maybe not. Tears rimmed her eyes. She
bit her lip to stifle a sob. He was unstoppable.
She had no illusions that emotional please could sway him.

(01:39:59):
She mumbled, I understand. Then, in a shaky voice, I'll
do whatever you say. He gave a grim nod, sipping
the tea. For a moment, the kitchen was silent except
for the hum of the fridge. Arianna's heart pounded. This
was a warped existence, like a hostage scenario, but no
one was kicking down the door to rescue her. She

(01:40:21):
half wished she had the courage to flee, but images
of Elliot's savage revenge pinned her in place. Finally, he
finished his tea, placed the mug in the sink, and
turned away. I'm going to bed, he said, Stay out
of my room. She sighed, tears welling again as he
disappeared into the hall. Another night in a half lit

(01:40:41):
house with no sense of tomorrow, Ariana set her mug aside,
tears dripping on to the countertop. She whispered, what did
I do to my life? The unyielding hush of the
house offered no answer. Morning brought a phone call from Quincey.
Elliot had already left. Arianna's phone chirped showing Quincy's name.

(01:41:02):
She hesitated, then answered with a trembling Hello, Arianna. Hey,
it's Quincy. His voice was cautious. He and Arianna had
been acquaintances through Elliot, though not especially close. Listen, I
tried calling Elliott, but he's not picking up. I wanted
to check on him, or on you, I guess. A

(01:41:23):
surge of panic twisted Arianna's gut. Quincy, I Elliot might
not like me talking to you. Quincy's tone softened. I
get it, but I'm worried about you. I know something
bad went down. Elliot's acting off. He's never missed my
calls like this. She closed her eyes, tears threatening. It's complicated, Quincy,

(01:41:46):
I can't say much. Please just it's not a good time,
he exhaled on the line. Look, Arianna, whatever's happening. Elliot
is scaring me. I've never seen him so bent on revenge,
and I suspect it involves you and that cop. Right,
She swallowed, not sure if she could confirm. After a

(01:42:07):
moment she whispered, yes, but please, I can't talk about it.
I understand. Just if you need help, I want you
to know you can trust me. I might not condone
what happened, but Elliott's wrath is insane. Don't let him
destroy both your lives. Tears slipped, She sniffed, Thank you, Quincy.

(01:42:28):
It means a lot, but I can't risk telling you more.
I'm sorry. It's okay, I get it. Just call me
if it becomes too much. Take care, Arianna. He hung up.
She put the phone downest tight. The conversation left her
half grateful, half terrified. If Elliot discovered she spoke with Quincy,

(01:42:49):
would he lash out. She found a piece of paper
and scribbled Quincy's number, just in case, then she stashed
it behind a kitchen drawer. She felt a flicker of
relief that at least someone out there cared, but even
that relief was overshadowed by her fear of Eliot's unstoppable vengeance.
At noon, Arianna heard the front door open, expecting Eliot.

(01:43:12):
She hurried into the foyer, only to find a delivery
man holding a package. She signed for it, stepping aside
as he left. It was a small box labeled from
a law office in another city. Confused, Arianna carried it
to the table, uncertain if she should open it. Probably
Ellett's business. She didn't want to meddle, but curiosity nod.

(01:43:34):
As she debated. Elliott strode in. She jumped. He spotted
the package. What's that, he asked, setting down his briefcase.
It just arrived some law office, she said, extending it carefully.
He snatched it, scanning the label, his expression darkened. Damn it,
he muttered under his breath, opening it with a kitchen knife.

(01:43:57):
Arianna hovered anxiously. He pulled out a bolder stuffed with documents.
She glimpsed to ficial seals. What is it? He glared
at her. Nothing that concerns you. Another property dispute. He
stuffed the folder back in. Arianna bit her lip, stepping back,
the scowl on his face told her to drop it.

(01:44:17):
He marched to his office door, slamming behind him. Ariana's
heart hammered. She dreaded that every new piece of mail
or phone call might trigger his rage anew. The day
wore on, Arianna busied herself with cleaning. Around mid afternoon,
Elliott emerged, wearing a grim expression. He poured a cup
of water, noticing Ariana vacuuming the living room for a

(01:44:40):
moment he just watched. She killed the vacuum, turning to
see him an awkward hush, Hi, she said meekly. He nodded,
I'm heading to the hospital again. My mother's condition isn't
improving as fast as they hoped. Despite her fear of him,
Arianna felt genuine concern. She parted her lips. I I'm sorry.

(01:45:02):
She's a fighter, though, I hope the therapy helps, he sighed,
rubbing the bridge of his nose. The unstoppable force flickered
with a trace of vulnerability. Me too, he said, voice slow.
She doesn't need stress right now. Then his gaze sharpened.
Which is why we can't let her suspect how messed

(01:45:22):
up things are here. If she asks, we're fine, Arianna nodded.
Of course, I wouldn't want to upset her. She paused,
summoning courage. Could I see her elliot, I'd behave just
She's always been kind to me. He set the water
down with a frustrated thud. I told you already, not yet.

(01:45:43):
Let her get stronger before you dump more tension on her.
Arianna's shoulders sagged, but she didn't argue. He inhaled, controlling
his temper. If if she specifically requests you, maybe then,
but I'll decide the time. Ariana managed to say small nod,
tears brimming. He looked away, swallowing, then grabbed his keys.

(01:46:05):
She watched him go, empathizing with the pain he must
be feeling over Dana, but the barrier between them was
too thick to offer comfort. The door shut, leaving Arianna
alone again with the vacuum and her regrets. That evening,
Arianna prepared a light dinner, almost by habit. When Elliot returned,
he looked exhausted. Quietly sank into a chair at the

(01:46:28):
dining table. She placed a plate of grilled chicken salad
before him, surprising her. He muttered a terse thanks. She
sat too, nibbling her portion. Mid dinner, Elli's phone buzzed.
He frowned, swiping to answer Hello. A pause. Arianna glimpsed
him stiffen. Yes, Yes, that's correct, understood. He ended the call,

(01:46:51):
face dark. She ventured bad news. He shot her a
warning glare. She lowered her gaze. Sorry. He drummed his
fingers on the table. Then sighed, it's about Jerome. Arianna
froze her fork slipped clattering. What about him? Elliot let
out a humorless chuckle. Where it is he's under official

(01:47:12):
department review. The internal affairs folks are sniffing around. My
attorney might have shared some anonymized tips. So it's moving along.
Arianna's eyes widened. You're having him fired, she whispered, horror
creeping in. He shrugged, biting a piece of chicken. Don't
act so shocked. You said you regretted the affair, So

(01:47:35):
why do you care about his job? She bit her lip,
tears forming I never wanted to ruin his life, Elliot,
he was just She trailed off, unable to articulate. She
realized how monstrous it sounded. He was just a fling
or comfort. Indeed, it was monstrous. Eliot's gaze turned cold.

(01:47:56):
He was just a fling. That cost me my marriage,
my peace of mind, my sense of trust. So if
his career goes down, that's on you both. Arianna pressed
her trembling fingers to her forehead. This is all so ugly,
she choked out. Can't you let it go? His lips
curled in a sneer, let it go? Did he let

(01:48:16):
go of you? Did you let go of humili hating me?
No Erivanna, this is only the beginning. If I feel merciful,
maybe I won't push for charges. But that's my call.
Her heart hammered. She realized A knew that Ellett was
unstoppable in revenge, she had no clue how to reason
with him. She blinked tears aside, took a shaky breath,

(01:48:39):
then dared to speak, What do you gain by wrecking
him completely? Doesn't it just keep you drowning in hatred?
His hand clenched the fork. I gained the knowledge that
neither of you get away scot free. He's scum. He
bedded a married woman. Let him pay. She pressed her lips,
seeing the feral glint in his eyes. Right or wrong,

(01:49:00):
he was beyond negotiation. She swallowed a sob, Returning to
her half finished meal. They ate in brittle silence. Each
bite tasted like ash to Ariana. She dreaded what her
infidelity had unleashed. Even if Elliott eventually divorced her, Jerome
might be jobless or faced disciplinary action that would tarnish
him forever. Ariana's gilt weighed heavy but she felt powerless

(01:49:24):
to change Elliot's vendetta. Days stretched further. Elliot's real estate
deals continued, but he meticulously kept Ariana under a near
house arrest scenario, not forcibly locked, but threatened enough that
she obeyed. Each morning, he'd instruct her not to leave
or contact anyone. If she needed groceries, she'd text him

(01:49:45):
a list and he'd pick them up after work. She
felt more caged than ever. One afternoon, the door bell rang.
Arion at tensed, uncertain who it might be, she peeked
through the people, seeing an older woman she recognized as
an old neighbor, Missus Dylan, carrying a small plate of cookies.
Arianna opened up, forcing a polite smile. Oh hi, missus Dylan.

(01:50:10):
The woman beamed, dear, I haven't seen you in a while.
Baked some chocolate chip cookies. Thought i'd bring by a treat.
How are you and Elliott? Arianna's stomach twisted. We were fine,
she lied, He's at work. I'm just, you know, busy
around the house. She've accepted the plate with shaky hands.

(01:50:31):
Missus Dylan's kind eyes observed her closely. You look a
bit tired, dear. Is everything all right, Arianna forced a laugh.
Just some family stresses, but we're managing. Thank you for
the cookies. She quickly tried to wrap up the conversation,
uneasy about letting the neighbors sense any trouble. Missus Dylan

(01:50:53):
nodded sympathetically, Well, if you ever need a chat, I'm
next door. Don't be a stranger. Marivanna thanked her closed
the door, exhaling, She placed the cookies on the kitchen counter,
tears springing again at the normal sea of neighborly kindness.
Once she'd have invited Missus Dylan in for coffee chit

(01:51:14):
chatting about community events. Now Arianna was a prisoner of
her own misdeeds, too ashamed to confide in any one.
When Elliot came home that evening, she told him about
Missus Dylan's visit. He scowled, you keep your mouth shut,
don't let neighbors suspect trouble. She nodded obediently, Yes, I did.

(01:51:36):
I just told her everything's fine. He exhaled, tension easing
a fraction. Arianna realized he was hyper vigilant about public image.
That left her further ensnared. One false word could set
him off. Late that night, Arianna's phone vibrated with an
incoming call from an unknown number. She was lying awake

(01:51:57):
in the guest room. Heart leaping, she eyed the skins.
Unknown calls typically spelled danger, yet curiosity overcame her. She'd
answered in hushed tones, Hello, Hello, male voice, Harry, it's me.
Her breath caught Jerome. She sat up, pulse racing, Jerome,

(01:52:17):
Why are you? How did you get this number? He scoffed,
I'm calling from a burner phone. You think I can
just wring you from my normal line? Arianna, I need
to see you. Panic flooded her. She glanced toward the door,
certain elele it might over here. No, I can't. Eliot
is hale. He threatened everything. He's having you fired. Did

(01:52:40):
you know? Jerome's voice sounded bitter. I know Internal Affairs
is breathing down my neck. I'm suspended pending an investigation.
This is insane, Rihannah. We can't let him ruin our lives.
She closed her eyes, tears slipping. What do you want
me to do? She whispered, voiced Tram. He's unstoppable. He

(01:53:02):
has all this evidence. He threatened to leak it if
I even try to leave. Jerream's tone turned urgent, So
you'll just stay locked under his thumb forever. That's not you. Listen,
I have a plan. If you can meet me somewhere,
we can talk. We can figure out a new angle.
I might know a lawyer who can help. Please Erehanna.

(01:53:23):
Her heart hammered. She'd yearn to hear from him, but
now that he was on the line, the fear overshadowed
any relief. She pictured Elliott's bow. One call to that cop,
and I bury you. She's swallowed, voice shaking. I can't
if he finds out you called, I'm terrified, Jeream cursed softly. Look,

(01:53:43):
if we do nothing, he wins. He's sabotaging my entire career.
You think he'll stop once he's done with me, he
might lock you away, Arehanna. You can't just let him
treat you like property. This is it's not right. Tears
burned her eyes. She knew it wasn't right, but how
to fix it? Jerom, I regret everything we did. I

(01:54:06):
never meant to create a war. Maybe it's best if
we just accept the punishment. He hissed, You can't be serious.
We I cared about you we can start over, maybe
in another city. Let me protect you. That phrase stabbed
at Arianna's heart. She had once felt that thrill, the
sense of being protected by Jerome's strong arms, but the

(01:54:30):
consequences had become nightmarish. She forced a harsh whisper, there's
no protecting me from Eliedot. You don't know the lengths
he'll go. Then fight back, Jeroam urged, I'm offering help.
This doesn't have to be your fate. She wept silently.
I can't. I'm sorry, I can't. She ended the call abruptly,

(01:54:52):
fear overshadowing the guilt. The phone slid from her hands,
tears dripping on to the bed. I can't do it,
she dreaded Elliott, discovering even this short call, the entire
conversation left her shaking, but also stirred flickers of confusion.
Should I have listened to Jerome's plan? She put the
phone on silent, burying it under her pillow. For hours,

(01:55:15):
she lay awake, mind spinning with Jerome's words fight back.
But how morning light found Ariana sleepless, eyes puffy, she dreaded.
Facing Eliot, she prayed he wouldn't check phone logs, He
typically only threatened that, but who knew her nerves frayed,
half expecting him to barge in demand answers. Buck He

(01:55:37):
left the house early again, presumably to check on Dana
or to finalize real estate deals. She dragged herself to
the kitchen, hands trembling as she brewed coffee. The day
stretched endlessly. She replayed Jerome's call in her head. We
can't let him ruin our lives. We can start over.
Let me protect you, a swirl of longing and terror.

(01:56:00):
If she tried to meet Jerream, Elliot would crush them.
So was her only choice to remain, sign away everything,
live as a captive until Elliot decided to sever the
marriage quietly. Late that afternoon, Elliott's mother had a sudden downturn.
Dana's stroke complications flared again, prompting an emergency call from

(01:56:22):
the hospital. Elliot rushed there, tension at maximum. Arianna discovered
this only hours later when Elliot texted her staying overnight
at hospital. Don't do anything stupid. She felt a wave
of worry for Dana, but also recognized she had the
house to herself. Did that open a window to contact
Jeream or flee? She paced the living room, phone in hand,

(01:56:46):
struggling with indecision. If Dana was in dire condition, Elliott
might be too distracted to watch her. Could she slip away?
But if he came home to an empty house, he'd
blow up her phone. He might interpret her leaving as
finals defiance. She pictured him venting that rage on Jeram
or her parents. She pictured news outlets receiving the humiliating footage. Eventually,

(01:57:09):
she sank onto the couch, hugging a pillow. She texted
Elliot a single line, I'm sorry about your mom. Hope
she stayblizes. Let me know if I can help. She
doubted he'd respond. The clock ticked. She dozed off well
past midnight, exhausted from mental strain. By dawn, Arianna startled

(01:57:30):
awake to her phone buzzing with a text. She fumbled
it a message from Eliot. Mom's stable, but we have
a long road. I'll be home midday. She exhaled relief
that Dana was still alive. Part of her wanted to
race to the hospital hold Eliot's hand, but that was
a fantasy. She had no place in his emotional life now.

(01:57:52):
Around noon, he arrived, looking haggard. She hovered near the kitchen,
unsure if she should speak. He slow umped into a chair,
rubbed his temples. She gathered her courage, offering any update.
He swallowed, nodding. Doctors say it's complicated, more therapy, possibly
another procedure. He closed his eyes. She's in a rough spot,

(01:58:16):
Arianna's heart clenched with pity. She stepped closer. I'm truly sorry.
If there's anything I can do. She half expected him
to lash out, but he sighed, shoulders sagging. For once,
no anger flared in his gaze. Maybe the stress of
nearly losing his mother again overshadowed it. I know I
just need to keep visiting, paying for whatever therapies. That's it,

(01:58:40):
he hesitated, as though wrestling with an impulse. Finally, he said,
if if she specifically asks for you, maybe you can come,
but only if we keep it calm for her sake.
I don't need her stroked out by drama. A small
flicker of hope, Ariana nodded fervently. Anything you say, I
want her to get better, she swallowed, feeling a wave

(01:59:02):
of sympathy for Elliot. Beneath the unstoppable fury, he was
a man deeply worried about his mother. Arianna bit her lip,
wanting to comfort him, but she recognized the chasm. He
rose from the chair, stepping away. I'm going to shower,
he mumbled, heading upstairs. Marianna watched him ascend a swirl
of empathy and heartbreak. She realized that hatred and vengeance

(01:59:26):
didn't remove his capacity for grief. She whispered a prayer
for Dana's recovery, feeling more trapped than ever. She loved
Elliot's mother once loved him, but had no path to redemption.
The morning ended with Arianna quietly making soup for lunch,
hoping to provide a small comfort. Elliot ate in subdued silence,

(01:59:46):
occasionally releasing a heavy sigh. The unstoppable man's iron walls
were chipped by his mother's plight, but he still clung
to that revenge fueled arrangement with Ariana. They parted ways
that afternoon, Elliot heading back to the hospital. Arianna left
in the house. She stared at the empty living room,
half expecting Jerreoam's call, half dreading it. Tension welled unstoppable

(02:00:10):
in its own right, leaving her paralyzed between the fear
of Eliot's wrath and the guilt of what she'd done.
When would it end? A restless dusk settled over the
meadow Lane home. Arianna watched the sky fade from the
living room window, the day's final sunlight staining the horizon orange.
She realized it had been nearly two weeks since the

(02:00:30):
cabin explosion. Two weeks living under Elliot's unspoken threats, signing disclaimers,
tiptoing around each other in a house that once represented
their shared dreams. Her phone beeped. She jumped, heart pounding
another unknown number. She snatched it up, only to see
a simple text from Quincy. Still worried any updates, She

(02:00:52):
sighed with relief. It wasn't Jerome. She didn't think she
could handle that anxiety again. She typed a quick reply,
no big changes. Elliot's mother is critical. She hesitated, then sent.
The phone remained silent, presumably quency. Receiving it, but not
wanting to push the front door. Rattled, Arianna placed the

(02:01:14):
phone aside, schooling her expression. Elliott walked in. He wore
a wrinkled dress shirt and a tie, askew, as though
he'd spent the entire day juggling hospital visits and real
estate emergencies. He tossed his car keys on the foyer table,
ignoring Arianna's presence. Attention turned in the air. She cleared
her throat, dinner's ready, if you want some. She had

(02:01:38):
cooked a simple stir fry, more out of habit than
genuine appetite. He gave a curt nod, stepping into the kitchen,
rummaging for a plate. They ate at the table in
near silence. Marianna noticed the dark circles under his eyes.
She realized he might not be sleeping well. Part of
her wanted to say something comforting, but the memory of

(02:01:59):
his savage, which threats, held her back. Instead, she forced
a mild anything new with your mother? He stabbed at
a piece of chicken there, adjusting her meds might do
another scan. She's stableish a wave of relief, but also sorrow.
She recalled Dana's warmth, how she used to fuss over
Ariana's well being, always so supportive of their marriage. Now,

(02:02:23):
because of Ariana's betrayal, Elliot had no emotional anchor. She
braced herself softly, offering, I know you don't want me there,
but if it helps, I can just show up. Quietly.
Maybe bring something nice for her. I'd be discreet. He
paused mid bite, sighing. I told you, we'll see. She's

(02:02:43):
not even awake enough to talk long. I don't want
drama round her bed. Arianna nodded, chewing her lip. Okay,
I respect that. She resumed picking at her food. They finished,
and Elliot stacked the dishes in the sink. Ariana lingered,
trying to sense if there was a chance to talk
about anything deeper, but he shot her a warning look.

(02:03:06):
He was in no mood for heartfelt chats. She retreated
to the living room, hugging herself. Late that night, Arianna's
phone buzzed again. She tensed, glimpsing an unknown number. Could
it be Jerome? Her heart hammered. She debated ignoring it,
but a strange compulsion made her answer a hush, then
a gravelly voice. Missus Carter, not Jerome. She frowned. Yes,

(02:03:31):
who is this? The man exhaled, as if bracing. This
is Sergeant Hold from Riverside p D Internal affairs. I
need to confirm some details. Are you alone? Her pulse skyrocketed. Ah, yes,
I'm alone. Why are you calling me? He coughed lightly.
Where investigating Officer Jerome Wilkes. Your name has come up

(02:03:53):
in the context of a personal relationship. He had, We'd
like a statement from you. A cold sweat bread over
Arianna's skin, she recalled Eliot's vow to sink Jeram using
official channels. Now the PD was investigating, She bit her lip.
I'm not sure I can help, Sergeant Holt said, calmly,

(02:04:13):
we have reason to believe that improper conduct occurred. If
you provide a statement, it might clarify timelines, might even
help in some capacity. Arianna's voice quivered, I can't. I
can't talk about it my husband, He cut in, politely
but firmly. Missus Carter, if you're being coerced or threatened,

(02:04:34):
we can help, but only if you speak up. She froze,
tears stinging her eyes. The notion of telling the PD
about Elliot's blackmail both tempted and terrified her. She pictured
the scandal, the meltdown, the possibility Eliot would rage even harder.
She whispered, I can't, I'm sorry. Then she ended the

(02:04:54):
call abruptly, trembling. Her phone fell to the couch cushion.
Anxiety roiled in her her gut. The PD was sniffing around.
This could blow up even worse, Elliot might see the
call on her logs. She grabbed the phone, opened the
call log, and quickly deleted the entry. She prayed he
didn't have a remote method to see them. Upstairs, she

(02:05:16):
heard a floorboard creek. She rushed to compose herself. If
Elliott discovered i A had directly contacted her, he'd be furious.
Might suspect Ariana was cooperating. She forced slow breaths, tears leaking.
She realized that the external pressures from the pad from
Eliot's Unstoppable Vendetta were closing in. She felt cornered. Morning

(02:05:40):
found Ariana exhausted as gritty from lack of sleep. Elliot
was gone again before she awoke, presumably at the hospital
or the office. She numbly moved through the house, picking
up stray items, dusting furniture. She considered turning on music,
but the quiet around her was part of the punishment
she felt she deserved. Around noon, she rummaged for lunch,

(02:06:03):
appetite nonexistent. Her phone remained silent. After last night's call
from A A Dot. She worried they might show up
at the door. Would Eliot blame her for that. The
tension was suffocating. A small beep on her phone alerted
her to a text from a known contact, Dana's phone.
Arianna's heart jumped. She quickly opened it, reading high sweet girl,

(02:06:26):
nurse typing for me, miss you love d Tears welled.
Dana had asked a nurse to text on her phone.
Arianna typed back, in trembling relief, Dana, Oh God, I
miss you too. I want to see you. I'm so
sorry you're in the hospital. Please rest. She hesitated, then
scent it. If Eliot discovered she texted Dana, would he

(02:06:49):
be angry? Maybe not, since it was from Dana's phone,
not Arianna's initiation. A moment later, a reply, yes, talk soon.
Nurses they loved. Arianna smiled through tears. Hugging the phone,
she recalled the warmth Dana always radiated, but then fear struck.
If Elliot saw these messages, might he interpret them as

(02:07:12):
Arianna inserting herself behind his back? She shook her head.
He can't forbid me from texting his mother Kenny. Still,
the swirl of conflicting loyalties battered her. She tiptoed through
the day adrenalin spiking each time a car passed outside.
By evening, Elliot returned, face grim. She studied him, half

(02:07:32):
wanting to mention Dana's text over dinner a meager sandwich,
Arianna quietly said, Dana texted me through a nurse. She
misses me. She braced for his reaction. His jaw clenched.
She texted you, Arianna nodded, voice small. She asked how
I was nurse typed for her? I responded politely, just

(02:07:54):
telling her to rest, That's all. He stared, expression hoaring. Finally,
he let a slow breath. I see, well, at least
she's stable enough for that. Did you tell her anything
about us? No, Arianna said quickly, I would never do
that to her. He'd exhaled, Fine, then it's okay. Just

(02:08:15):
if she asks you to visit, let me know first.
I want to make sure she doesn't get upset. A
surge of relief. Okay, thank you. She felt an odd
flicker of gratitude that he wasn't flashing out. Possibly his
mother's situation had softened him, but the resentment in his
gaze remained, so she didn't push further. Over the next

(02:08:37):
few days, Arianna maintained that quiet, uneasy routine. She texted
Dana occasionally, trying to keep it cheerful. She gleaned from
the nurse that Dana was making slow progress. Elliot seemed
weighed down by the stress, often working late or staying
at the hospital. Arianna tiptoed around him, never certain if

(02:08:57):
a single misstep might trigger a meltdown. One evening, Elliot
arrived earlier than usual. Arianna was surprised to see him
at six p m. He looked bone tired, shoulders slumped.
She offered to warm up leftover soup. He nodded, sank
onto the couch. She tiptoed back with a steaming bowl,
placing it on the coffee table. He rubbed his face, Thanks,

(02:09:21):
he mumbled. She hesitated, then took a seat in the
arm chair, watching him. He sipped the soup, not complaining.
For once, Arianna mustered the courage to ask, how is
your mother? A flicker of sorrow crossed his face. Not
good there discussing another operation. My finances can cover it,
but I worry about the stress on her body. He paused,

(02:09:44):
voice trembling slightly. Arianna realized how deeply he cared about
his mother. She leaned forward, almost forgetting their ongoing war. Eliot,
I'm sure the doctors know what's best. Dana's strong, she
adores you. She you'll fight to get better, He sniffed,
holding the bowl in both hands. Yeh. A quiet hush fell.

(02:10:06):
Arianna's heart twisted with empathy. She almost wanted to place
a comforting hand on his shoulder, but fear of his
fury restrained her. He set the soup aside, gazing at
her with exhausted eyes. For a moment, the unstoppable vengeance
in him seemed overshadowed by heartbreak. Ariana dared a soft question,
do you want me to come? Maybe just sit in

(02:10:29):
the waiting room while you see her? She might like
knowing I'm there. He stared at her, eyes, flickering with
complicated emotion. Finally, he breathed out, fine, if she specifically asks,
I'll let you know. Otherwise, keep your distance for now.
It was an inch of concession. Ariana nodded, grateful for
that inch. He finished the soup rose and retreated upstairs.

(02:10:53):
Ariana exhaled, realizing how beaten he looked. She sensed a
tragic undercurrent he might lose his mother and that heartbreak
would only intensify his bitterness about Arianna's betrayal. She bit
her lip, tears flooding, God, I wish I could fix this.
One morning, soon after, Arianna woke to Elliot shaking her shoulder.

(02:11:16):
Unusual for him to come to the guest room. She blinked, disoriented.
He stood over her tents. Get dressed. We're going to
the hospital, he said, curtly. Her heart jumped. Is his Dana? Okay?
She asked for you, Elliot muttered, told me last night,
if you can come, she'd like it. I told her

(02:11:36):
we'd keep things calm, so get moving. Arianna threw off
the blanket, a swirl of nerves. She'd see Dana for
the first time in weeks. She quickly pulled on jeans
and a sweater, brushed her hair. Elliot waited by the
front door, arms folded. She hurried to slip on shoes,
half expecting him to scold her, but he just turned

(02:11:58):
and opened the door. Eating the way out. The drive
to Saint James's Hospital felt tense. Ariana fiddled with her
hands in her lap, pulse racing. She dared a glance
at Eliot. His knuckles were white on the wheel. Thank you,
she murmured for letting me see her. He gave no response,
eyes fixed on the road. The tension in him was palpable.

(02:12:21):
At the hospital corridor, Ariana's stomach churned. She worried Dana
might have guessed something was wrong. If Dana saw Arianna's heartbreak,
it could upset her. Elliot escorted Ariana to the ward,
instructing her in a low tone, don't stress her. Act normal.
She thinks we're fine. Ariana nodded, voice quivering, I understand.

(02:12:44):
They entered the room, the beep of monitors and antiseptic
smell enveloping them. Dana lay propped on pillows, rouman four
lines snaking from her thin arm, face paler than Ariana remembered,
but her eyes lit with relief. As she saw Ariana,
a fragile smile formed on her lips, though speech was
obviously labored. Elliott stepped forward, gently, taking Dana's hand. Mom

(02:13:09):
I brought Ariana, he said quietly. Dana's gaze flicked to Ariana,
and she let out a rasp of air that might
have been a laugh or a sigh. Ari She beckoned weakly.
Arianna swallowed tears and moved closer, carefully, leaning in, Dana,
I missed you. I'm so glad to see you. Dana
squeezed Arianna's hand with surprising strength, though her own fingers

(02:13:32):
were bony. Her words came halting, glad you here. Arianna
blinked back tears, forcing a warm smile. I've been thinking
of you every day. You're going to get through this. Yes,
Dana attempted a nod, turning to Elliot as if to confirm.
He patted her arm, expression torn between sorrow and warmth.

(02:13:53):
For a moment, the tension between Arianna and Eliot receded
in the face of Dana's vulnerability. They both hovered by
the bed, exchanging a brief glance that carried a flicker
of old unity. A nurse popped in, checking vitals, adjusting
and roman for drip. She smiled politely at Ariana, missus
Carter was asking for you. She said, she's improved enough

(02:14:17):
to have visitors for short durations. Arianna nodded, heart heavy
with compassion. She realized how deep her affection for Dana ran,
how much she had wounded the woman by fracturing the marriage.
They spent about ten minutes with Dana who tried to
form words that ended in breathy fragments. Arianna gently recounted
a mild version of daily life, leaving out the heartbreak.

(02:14:40):
Elliott confirmed therapy progress finances. Dana dozed off briefly, then woke,
smiling faintly at them. It felt surreal, the three of
them together again, as though the storm of betrayal hovered
outside the hospital walls. Finally, the nurse signaled that Dana
needed rest. Elliot kissed his mother's forehead, and Arianna squeezed

(02:15:03):
her hand, whispering, I love you, Please get well soon.
Dana's eyes misted and she nodded. Exiting the room, Arianna's
tears threatened. Elliot walked beside her in silence down the corridor.
She glimpsed the weight of heartbreak etched on his face.
In the elevator, she mustered a hushed statement, thank you,

(02:15:23):
Elliot for letting me come. He exhaled, not meeting her gaze.
She asked for you, I wasn't going to refuse her,
just keep the act. Arianna nodded. She realized even this
small moment of cooperation was overshadowed by the unstoppable arrangement.
Once outside, Arianna and Elliot walked through the parking lot.

(02:15:45):
She inhaled crisp air, then softly, I wish circumstances were different.
She deserves better than this tension. He glanced at her,
face stony, but fatigue softened the edge. Circumstances are what
they are. Manage for her sake. Don't get ideas that
this changes anything between us. As spark of sorrow lit

(02:16:06):
Arianna's eyes, I know, she whispered. She stared at the
ground as they continued to the car, her chest ached
with longing for a life that was gone, replaced by
the unyielding consequences of her betrayal. That evening, Arianna sat
in the living room, flipping channels aimlessly. Elliot was in
his office, the door half open. She could hear the

(02:16:28):
low murmur of a phone conversation. She realized he must
be finalizing some real estate contract or possibly discussing the
hospital bills. Then out of nowhere, Eliot's voice rose. Frustration evident.
She muted the TV, listening tensely. He sounded upset, What
do you mean the sale fell through? I head that locked?

(02:16:49):
Are you incompetent? A pause, then he barked, no, Sam,
that's not acceptable. This was a done deal. Another pause,
then more anger. Fine, I'll handle it personally, right. Fine.
A minute later, he ended the call with a sharp sound.
Arianna heard a crash, may be a pen thrown across

(02:17:10):
the desk. Heart racing, she braced for him to come out. Indeed,
footsteps stormed into the living room. Elliot seething with anger,
He paced, running a hand through his hair. That incompetent
asshole lost me a major commercial sail God, damn it.
Arianna watched quietly, sympathy flickering. She opened her mouth, then

(02:17:32):
closed it, uncertain if offering comfort would incite more anger.
He noticed her gaze, snapping, what you want to gloat
that my unstoppable streak just hit a snag. She shook
her head quickly. No, Elliot, I'm sorry you lost a deal.
That must be stressful. He paused, chest heaving for a moment,

(02:17:53):
he seemed torn between lashing out and letting the anger subside. Finally,
he let out a ragged breath. I'm dealing with a
thousand things, my mother's health, the fiasco you caused. Now
this feels like everything's going to hell. She hesitated, stepping forward,
You've always been strong, unstoppable in business. You'll fix it.

(02:18:15):
I know you will. You're the best in real estate.
The words were meant as genuine encouragement, though they nearly
echoed the flattery from their better days. He scowled, but
a flicker of something sparked in his eyes. I guess
I have no choice but to fix it, he muttered,
though the compliment seemed to calm him fractionally. He collapsed

(02:18:35):
onto the couch, rubbing his temples. Ariana swallowed, staying a
respectful distance. After a tense moment, he spoke, voice quieter.
You used to say that all the time, that I
could do anything. She felt the heart break under his
angry veneer. She sank on to the opposite couch cushion,
a cautious closeness. Because I believed it, she said softly.

(02:18:58):
I still do in a sense. He gave a bitter laugh.
I wish you'd told me you felt neglected before you
crawled into wilkes His bed. Her throat constricted, tears glistening.
I wish so, too, Elliot. I made a horrible mistake.
I can't take it back. He studied her, heartbreak swirling
behind his eyes. No, you can't. That's why I can't

(02:19:22):
forgive you. Then he forced himself up the moment of vulnerability. Gone.
I'll be in my office, he muttered, and strode off,
leaving Arianna with tears brimming. Days turned into weeks. Arianna's
life was a tense monotony, overshadowed by Elliot's quiet fury.
She had minimal contact with the outside world except the

(02:19:44):
occasional text from Dana's nurse or the neighbor's wave. Elliot
spent long hours oscillating between hospital vigils, real estate deals,
and stewing over his undone revenge. The Unstoppable Man was
a coiled spring, not always attacking Arianna, but never showing
genuine warmth. One afternoon, Arianna braved the living room rummaging

(02:20:05):
for an old novel when she found a thick envelope
on the coffee table the return address Red Riverside Police
Internal Affairs Division. She froze Elliott must have placed it there.
Was it related to Jerome's case. She felt an icy
pit in her stomach. She heard Eliot's footsteps and spun
to see him looming in the doorway. He'd obviously caught

(02:20:27):
her noticing the envelope. It's from a he said, flatly,
addressed to me, though they mention you. They request an
official statement regarding Officer Wilkes his moral conduct. They want
me to confirm certain details. Her chest fluttered with panic.
You won't, you said, You keep it quiet unless he nodded, sharply,

(02:20:49):
unless you defy me. For now, I might hold this
over him, but the PD is pushing. They want me
to testify about his involvement with you. You realize if
I sign an after David that he seduced you while
you were vulnerable, his career is basically over. She swallowed,
voice faint, ellot, Please, I know I hurt you, but

(02:21:09):
does it have to go this far? His lips curled.
Don't blame me. This is your mess. If Internal Affairs
is sniffing around, that's their business. I can provide them
with a statement, or I can choose not to. I
hold the leverage. Arianna's tears welled. He was unstoppable, indeed
thriving on the power. She had no illusions that appeals

(02:21:33):
to mercy would sway him. He tossed the envelope on
a side table. Just another piece of insurance that you
behave understood. She nodded, numbly, tears slipping Yes, Eliot, he exhaled,
stepping away. I'll decide what to do about Wilkes when
the time's right. For now, worry about yourself. Arianna stood there,

(02:21:55):
trembling as Eliot left the room. She realized the net
was closing tighter around Jerome, all orchestrated by Elliot's unstoppable vendetta.
She dreaded what might happen if she tried to intervene.
Her heart squeezed with guilt and fear, swirling in a
cycle of regret. Each day brought a fresh reminder that
her life wasn't hers Ennemore. As storm lashed Riverside city

(02:22:18):
with fierce winds and torrential rains, thunder boomed outside, shaking
the windows of the Meadow Lane house, Arianne appeared through
the downpour in the mid afternoon, gloom, feeling the echo
of the storm inside her soul. It had been about
a month since the fiasco at Lake Willow, a month
of silent captivity under Elliot's continuing threat. She slept fitfully

(02:22:40):
in the guest room, drifting in a fog of sorrow.
That day, Elliot had left early for the hospital. He
texted mid morning that Dana's condition had stabilized a bit,
but she wasn't out of danger. Arianna felt both relief
and sadness. She typed a response, I'm praying for her.
Let me know if you need me. She didn't expect

(02:23:02):
a reply. Usually he only texted instructions or occasional updates. Now,
near two p m. The wind howled and the windows rattled.
Arianna sat on the couch, hugging her knees, mind drifting,
she replayed old memories of simpler times. Her phone beaped,
startling her. She checked the screen a message from Elliott

(02:23:24):
coming home. Storm closed the hospital's main entrance, power issues.
I'll be there in twenty Ariana exhaled. Maybe they could
talk about Dana's status, possibly a chance for some conversation.
Within half an hour, she heard the front door rattled.
She rushed to greet him, but froze upon seeing his

(02:23:44):
soaked form. He'd apparently parked outside in the swirling rain.
Water dripped from his hair, running down his jacket. He
locked the door behind him, swearing softly. Arianna fetched a
towel from the closet, offering it. He snatched it with
a curt thanks. Drying his hair, he studied her, noticing
her anxious expression. The storms messing with the power grid

(02:24:08):
at the hospital, he explained, They asked non essential visitors
to leave so they could focus on critical patients. Mom's stable,
so I left. Ariana nodded relief, loosening her chest. That's good.
I guess that she's stable. I mean, he gave a
tight nod, Stepping forward, Water dripped from his jacket on

(02:24:30):
to the floor. God, I hate storms, he muttered, Shrugging
off the jacket. Arianna gestured, let me hang it up
to dry. She gently took it, hanging it near the
door for a moment. They stood in the foyer, the
overhead light flickering from the storm surges. Ariana mustered a small,
shaky smile. Can I make you coffee or tea to

(02:24:51):
warm up? He'd exhaled, chest still tight with tension. Sure.
They moved into the kitchen, the thunder rumbling outside. Mariana
put water onto boil while Elliott leaned against the counter,
arms crossed. Water droplets still clung to his hair. She
risked to question any new developments with the PD or

(02:25:11):
she half choked on her words. His jaw twitched. I'm
ignoring their requests for a statement so far. They can
wait until I decide how to handle it. Arianna swallowed,
relief that he wasn't rushing to bury Jerome, though the
threat remained. The kettle whistled. Arianna poured hot water into
two mugs, adding instant coffee. She handed one to Elliot. Cautious,

(02:25:35):
he accepted, gazing into the steaming cup, sore might knock
our power out. He muttered, We have flashlights, right, She nodded,
I can look for them. She rummaged under the sink,
retrieving the flashlight. He just nodded as she set it
on the counter. A sudden crash of thunder rattled the house,
followed by the lights flickering off, plunging them into darkness.

(02:26:00):
On a gasped heart racing, Elliott cursed, damn it. They
stood in near pitch black. The only light the faint
glow from the windows, tinted gray by storm clouds. Arianna
fumbled for the flashlight, flicking it on. A narrow beam
illuminated Ellot's face. He looked stony. She swallowed. I guess
the power's out. He exhaled, yes, I'll check the breaker

(02:26:24):
but it's probably the storm. We might have to wait
it out. Another roll of thunder boomed and rain pelted
the windows like mails. Arianna felt a tremor of fear.
She followed Elliot as he headed to the breaker box
in the garage. The flashlight bopped in her grip, creating
dancing shadows. He flipped a few switches to no, a

(02:26:45):
veil dead. He muttered, We'll have to manage until it's restored.
Back inside, Arianna set the flashlight on the kitchen table.
The beam angled so it provided some illumination. They listened
to the raging storm outside. Ellis rubbed his temples. Ariana
mustered a shaky attempt. We have candles, I think in

(02:27:06):
the hall closet. Maybe we can light them. Stay in
the living room. He nodded wordlessly, so she fetched a
handful of candles, setting them around the living room. As
they let them, the flickering glow cast eerie shapes on
the walls. Arianna couldn't help recalling the nights they used
to spend by candle light in romantic settings. Now tension

(02:27:28):
replaced all romance. They settled on opposite ends of the
couch the coffee between them, Turning lukewarm in the gloom,
Ariana sipped hers, forcing calm. Another crack of thunder startled her,
and she let out a small gasp, quickly stifling it.
Elliot eyed her a faint eyebrow. Raise you hate thunder too,

(02:27:49):
I guess, he murmured. She managed a weak nod. I'm okay,
she braced herself, deciding to attempt conversation. Elliot, how are
you coping with all this distress? The deal's your, mom,
he grimaced, swirling the coffee. I'm managing. That's all you
need to know. Lightning flashed through the window, revealing the

(02:28:10):
scowl etched on his face. Arianna's heart twisted. She realized
he needed an outlet for his pain, but would never
accept comfort from her after her betrayal, She ventured, if
you ever want to talk about it, He cut her
off with a harsh laugh. Talk to you about the
heartbreak you caused, the mother you betrayed by hurting me.

(02:28:30):
He shook his head. No thanks, she winced. I know,
I'm sorry, she whispered, voice trembling. I just want you
to know I'd listen. Save it, he said. Another crash
of thunder rattled the windows, and in the flickering candlelight,
Arianna saw his chest heave with pent up emotion, but
he forced it down, continuing in a cold tone, we

(02:28:53):
do not share anything personal and amore. They fell silent,
each lost in separate storms of emotion. For half an hour.
The only sounds were the raging wind outside and the
occasional patter of rain against the glass. Arianna closed her eyes,
hugging her knees, she recalled the nights years ago, how
Elliot would reassure her during storms that felt like another life. Suddenly,

(02:29:17):
a frantic rap at the front door made Ariana jolt.
Elliot stiffened. She grabbed the flashlight, shining it toward the entry.
Who could be out in this storm, she murmured, heart pounding,
She half feared it might be Jeream. Elliot marched to
the door, Ariana following with the light. He cracked the
door open, revealing a soaked figure in a hooded poncho.

(02:29:40):
A neighbor's voice called Eliot, it's mister Garcia from across
the street. Sorry to bother you, Elliot sighed, stepping aside. Garcia,
come in, the neighbor hustled inside, water dripping face contorted
with worry. I'm so sorry, but the storm flooded part
of our our basement. My wife's down there trying to

(02:30:02):
salvage boxes. But we need a wet back or some
extra hands, and your lights are out. But I thought
maybe you'd have a pump or something. Eli's shoulders slumped.
He realized he had a small submersible pump in the garage.
Arianna blinked in confusion. The neighbor apologized, I hate to intrude,
but we're desperate. Elliot pinched the bridge of his nose. No,

(02:30:26):
it's fine, let me see what I've got. Ariana, hold
the flashlight. Come on, she followed, shining the beam. As
Elliot rummaged in the garage, they found the old pump
he'd used once to drain a pond for a property project.
Garcia exhaled relief. This might help, Thank you man. Without thinking,

(02:30:47):
Arihanna offered, do you need an extra pair of hands?
I can come help. Elliott paused, glaring, No, you're staying here.
The neighbor blinked. Arianna's cheeks flushed. She realized how controlling
it must sound. She stammered, I just want to help.
Elliott's tone was final, not in this storm. I'll handle it.

(02:31:10):
Garcia the frowned, sensing tension. It's okay either way. We
just need the pump, but if we have extra hands
it helps. Elliot shot Ariana a lethal look. She closed
her mouth, stepping back, her eyes burned with humiliation. The
neighbor watched uncomfortably as Elliott turned to him. I'll come

(02:31:31):
with you, help set it up. Arianna wait here, understood.
She nodded, numbly, feeling like a child, scolded Garcia quietly
thank them. Elliott motioned him out the door, pump in hand,
leaving Arianna alone in the half lit house. The storm
outside raged on, echoing her inner turmoil. She realized once

(02:31:53):
more that Elliott's unstoppable grip on her life extended even
to small acts of neighborly aid. She he sank onto
the couch, tears escaping. I'm a prisoner in my own home.
Almost an hour past, thunder roared, lightning flashed, and Arianna
anxiously paced, worried about Elliot in the storm, but also

(02:32:14):
a flicker of anger rose at how he'd humiliated her
in front of a neighbor. She recognized that Garcia must
sense something was off. She considered slipping out the door,
running away, but the swirling storm, the dark, and the
knowledge that Elitt might reappear at any moment pinned her
in place. Finally, the front door opened again. Ellit stumbled in, drenched,

(02:32:37):
wiping water from his face. The overhead lights flickered back on.
Power had been restored. Ariana exhaled in relief. Your soaked,
she said, rushing to fetch another towel. He let her
hand him in the towel, not quite meeting her gaze.
How did it go, she asked, timidly. Did you help
mister Garcia with the flooding? He nodded, dropping the pump

(02:33:01):
on the foye floor. Yes, the basement had about six
inches of water. We rigged the pump, got it draining.
They'll manage now. Arianna hesitated, chewing her lip. I'm sorry
if I stepped out of line earlier offering to help.
I wasn't trying to, he cut her off, sighing heavily.

(02:33:21):
Let's not do this, Arihanna. You know the situation. I
didn't want you out there in the storm, and I
definitely don't want you wandering around. After everything that's happened enough,
She flinched, swallowing back tears. I understand. He peeled off
his soaked jacket. Arianna took it, hanging it near the door. Again,

(02:33:41):
the tension coiled thick in the air. She dared an attempt.
Would you like coffee or something hot? You must be cold?
He paused, then grudgingly nodded sure. As she moved to
the kitchen, he ran a hand through his wet hair.
Stepping into the living room, she heard him sink on
to the couch with a weary groan. She boiled water,

(02:34:03):
heart pounding. She realized how these domestic tasks, preparing drinks
tidying up were her only ways to show some small
care for him. Perhaps, deep inside, she hoped he might relent,
But as the water whistled, she glanced at the living
room doorway, recalling the unstoppable vow he made. Could small
gestures of kindness break that vow? She doubted it. She

(02:34:26):
returned with two mugs of hot chocolate, this time, figuring
coffee might keep him awake. He've accepted the mug with
a single nod. They sipped quietly, each on separate sofas
the newly restored electricity glowed from the overhead lamp, but
the swirl of the storm outside and their inner turmoil remained. Finally,
Arianna braced herself, Elliot, do you see an end to this?

(02:34:51):
I know you said you'd keep me here until you
finalize your plans, but it's been weeks. I'm wondering how long.
He stared into his mug, face unreadable. That depends on
a lot of factors, my mother's health, my deals, and
your behavior. If you keep your head down may be
sooner rather than later. If you slip, well you know

(02:35:13):
the consequences. She trembled, tears welling again. I won't slip.
I gave you my word. He looked up, brow furrowing.
Your word used to mean something. Now I only trust
it so far. Let's leave it at that. A sob
caught in her throat, but she forced it back. She
realized how deeply she'd shattered his trust. The unstoppable man

(02:35:36):
who once confided in her now saw her as an
unfaithful stranger. She half wanted to scream, or run or
beg Instead, she sipped the hot chocolate, tears slowly trickling.
A couple days later, Arianna was startled by a ring
at the door while Elliot was at the hospital. She
peered through the window to see a man in plain

(02:35:57):
clothes flipping a badge riverside. Peter dar clenched her another officer,
possibly from Ay. She considered not answering, but the ring
persisted and the man glanced around, probably certain someone was home.
Finally she cracked the door open. Yes, he introduced himself
as Lieutenant Brenner. Ma'am, I apologize, but I need to

(02:36:19):
ask about Jerrem Wilke's official matter. Are you Arianna Carter?
Her heart hammered, yes, but I I can't talk. He
held up a palm. I'm not here to cause trouble,
but we've got an ongoing inquiry into wilkes his conduct.
We suspect certain individuals threatened to block testimonies or blackmail.

(02:36:40):
Are you safe, blink if you're under duress? Her eyes widened,
she stammered, I can't do this. Please leave. Then she
tried to close the door, but he pressed gently, missus Carter,
if you're being coursed, the PD can protect you. A
wave of longing to accept help crashed in her chest.
But Elie, its unstoppable. Wrath overshadowed it. She recalled the

(02:37:03):
camera evidence the humiliating scenario. She whispered, I'm sorry, I can't.
Then she pushed the door shut, locking it. The man
knocked once more, then cursed under his breath, footsteps receding.
Arianna stood with her back to the door, breathing hard,
tears falling. They keep offering me a life line, and

(02:37:23):
I keep turning it away. That evening, Elliot arrived, noticing
her puffy eyes. She trembled, Worried the p d might
have left a card. She bit her lip, deciding not
to mention the policeman's visit. If Elliot found out, he
might lash out or suspect she was colluding. The fear
gripped her. She forced a shaky smile dinners in the oven.

(02:37:46):
He gave her a curious look, but said nothing. She
realized each day was a ticking bomb, and the fuse
was nearly burnt. Night fell, Arianna lay awake, haunted by
unstoppable nightmares. She saw Elia in a rage, brandishing photos,
humiliating her publicly. She saw Jerream losing his job, blaming her.

(02:38:07):
She saw Dana collapsed in the hospital, undone by stress.
She jolted upright, chest heaving. I can't live like this forever,
she thought, But is there any escape? She recalled Jeroam's
vow to protect her, the PD's offers for help. Could
she risk everything? The chance that Elliot would retaliate was enormous.

(02:38:28):
She pictured him behind the scenes, unstoppable in real estate,
unstoppable in revenge, forging new ways to corner her if
she tried, the uncertainty paralyzed her. A day or two later,
Ellot came home, quietly, setting his keys down. Ere An
appeared at him from the living room. He rubbed his
neck exhaustion, radiating. Mom's stable again, she's regaining a bit

(02:38:53):
more speech. Arianna managed a relieved nod, stepping closer. That's wonderful.
I'm so glad lad He eyed her, hesitation flickering. Then
he said, she asked about you again, said she wants
you to sit with her soon. Ariana's heart leapt. Oh,
I'd love that if if you let me. A conflict
churned in his eyes. Yeah, fine, we can go tomorrow,

(02:39:17):
but you follow my lead. We keep everything calm. She nodded, eagerly,
tears misting. Of course, thank you, he paused, then turned away,
I'm heading for a shower. Ariana stared after him, half
hopeful that maybe these small concessions indicated a softening. Then
she recalled the roiling storm of heartbreak behind his composure.

(02:39:40):
She realized how uncertain everything was, how unstoppable his anger remained,
but she'd cling to any sliver of normalcy for Dana's sake.
The next afternoon, they visited Dana again. Areona gently held
Dana's hand, brushing back the older woman's hair. Elliot stood
by the bed, arm's folded expression. Dana gave Ariana a

(02:40:02):
faint smile, forming halting words glad you hear. Arianna forced
a warm smile. I'm here, Dana all the time. You
just focus on getting stronger. She glimpsed Eliot's face, guarded
but not vicious, Possibly the presence of his mother tempered him.
Dana's eyes flicked between them, suspecting tension, but she was

(02:40:23):
too weak to probe. She merely squeezed Ariana's hand. A
nurse stepped in. Arianna recognized her as the one who
had texted from Dana's phone. She smiled kindly, nice to
see you again, missus Carter, Miss Dana has been asking
about you daily. Arianna's chest tightened with guilt. They were

(02:40:44):
living a monstrous lie in front of this nurse pretending
to be a stable couple. Elliot cleared his throat. We
won't stay long, don't want to tire her. The nurse nodded,
continuing her checks. Dana gave a small moan of protist.
Arianna patted her arm. I know, but you need your rest, okay.

(02:41:04):
Dana's watery eyes locked on Ariana, Struggling to speak Hull.
She tried to say both their names, but it came
out garbled. Arianna's tears brimmed again, and she gently kissed
Dana's cheek. We're here, don't worry, she whispered. After a
final lingering moment, they left, the silent corridor pressed on

(02:41:25):
Arianna's mind. She wanted to say something to Elliot, to
thank him or express sorrow, but as they reached the
hospital parking lot, he stuffed his hands in his pockets,
focusing on the sidewalk. She's doing better than expected, he murmured.
Arianna nodded, letting quiet empathies settle. Then they climbed into
the car tension building once again, halfway home, Arianna dared

(02:41:49):
to ask if if you want me to look after
her sometimes, I'm willing I can help. Elliot's jaw tightened.
I said, we'll see. Don't push it. She sware understood.
She whispered. A phone call blasted over Eliot's car bluetooth,
Michael Somerset, his attorney. Arianna froze as Elliot answered. Michael's

(02:42:12):
voice crackled, Elliot, We've got a new complication regarding your
separation disclaimers. The financial accounts might need another signature from
your wife. Ariana's stomach turned. She cast a sideways glance
at Elliott, who pressed his lips in annoyance. Really, Michael,
we did that already. The attorney explained some nuance about

(02:42:34):
joint accounts, intangible assets, blah blah. Elliot exhaled, fine schedulet
wheel sign I'll bring her in. Arianna closed her eyes, heart,
sensing another official step, ensuring she ended with nothing. Elliot
ended the call, focusing on the road. Arianna stared out
the window, tears silently falling another nail in the coffin

(02:42:58):
of her future. By the time they reached home, the
storm from earlier days had passed, replaced by an uneasy calm,
Arianna stepped out of the car, weighed down by an
unstoppable dread. She realized she was trudging toward an uncertain horizon,
more disclaimers, more threats, more blackmail. The only bright spot

(02:43:18):
was that Dana might recover. But how would Ariana survive
the emotional torture until Elliot decided to finalize everything. That evening,
the house felt smaller than ever, the walls pressing in.
Arianna scrolled her phone, reading the disclaimers Michael had emailed.
Each bullet point hammered the truth she was powerless, a

(02:43:39):
prisoner of Elliot's unstoppable vendetta. She half lay on the couch,
tears slipping quietly, whispering to no one, how much longer
can I endure this? Upstairs, Elliot typed away on his laptop,
possibly finalizing more deals or searching for new angles to
bury Jerome. The vow to punish Ariana and her lover
overshadowed everything. Arianna felt, her hope diminishing daily. Would she

(02:44:04):
break first or would Eliot's unstoppable wrath eventually subside? She
had no answers. She only had heartbreak. Rain pattered against
the windows once more, a steady hush that seemed to
haunt the Meadow Lane house for weeks. After everything, the
forced separation agreement, the menacing threats about Jerome's career, and

(02:44:24):
the precarious visits with Dana at the hospital, Arianna found
herself entering an uneasy dawn of realization. The unstoppable rage
Eliot once directed at her head simmered to a low,
constant burne, overshadowed by weariness and sorrow, but it still
bound her like chains. She'd lost count of the days
since that night at Lake Willow, her routine scarcely changed.

(02:44:47):
She woke to an empty house, busied herself with mundane tasks,
dreaded any ring of the phone or knock at the door.
Even Elliot, who had demanded she remain under his roof,
seemed unsta certain what to do with her presence. Some
days he came home late, a silent ghost, crossing the
threshold and offering no more than a grunt in greeting others.

(02:45:09):
He arrived carrying that distinct tension, like a predator deciding
whether the hunt was worth resuming. Beneath it all, Dana's
slow recovery formed a faint beacon. Twice more, Elliot let
Ariana accompany him to see Dana. Each time, Arianna's heart
clenched at the improvement in Dana's speech, at how lovingly
she tried to clasp their hands. Of course, they never

(02:45:32):
dared let her sense the real war Royally n g
in the marriage. Dana, in her halting voice, would say,
glad to see you both. Ariona forced watery smiles, longing
to confess her guilt, but too terrified of what it
might do to Elliott's mother. One visit, Arianna found herself
momentarily alone with Dana while Elliot stepped out for a

(02:45:54):
phone call. Dana's eyes filled with gentle concern. Managing a
few words, you okay, Arianna's throat tightened. I'm fine, she
lied softly. It's just busy. We'll be all right. Dana
squeezed Arianna's hand as though to say, I CeNSE your pain.
Arianna barely stifled tears. When Eliot returned, she said nothing

(02:46:18):
except that Dana was tired and they should go. Jerome's
presence loomed like a shadow she couldn't banish. Once in
a while, her phone showed unknown numbers calling, likely him
or the police. She still remembered the trembling phone call
urging her to fight back, but each time, fear pinned her.
Elliot's unstoppable vow hovered contact him and watch me beary

(02:46:40):
you both. She saw glimpses of that vow and the
furious stares he sometimes cast her way as he methodically
coordinated with attorney's finalizing the slamers. Arianna believed he might
soon push the final divorce papers forward and cast her aside,
publicly humiliated or quietly, depending on his whim Yet a
small shift occurred. In late evenings, Arianna occasionally glimpsed Elliot

(02:47:04):
sitting alone at the dining table, facing his hands. He
might stare at old photographs or bury himself in spreadsheets.
On one such night, she mustered the nerve to step closer. Elliett.
She said, gently, you look exhausted. Is there anything I
can do? He glared through red rimmed eyes, pain fracturing

(02:47:24):
his stern composure. Nothing, he spat, voice rough, but then
it softened. At least nothing you'd want to do. I
can't trust you. She swallowed that dagger, retreating with tears
breaking her eyes. Trust had no place in this scorched landscape.
They existed as uneasy roommates, colliding on the same battle field.

(02:47:46):
She knew that any misstep, any contact with Jerome, or
sign of disobedience might trigger Elliot's plan to release the
damning footage. Sometimes she wondered if it would be better
for him to do it and the uncertainty, but the
prospect of shame and heartbreak for both families stayed her tongue. Meanwhile,
Elliott had battles of his own. He wrestled with the

(02:48:07):
unstoppable swirl of heartbreak, wanting to watch Ariana squirm, yet
also resenting the daily tension. Guilt over his mother's precarious
condition gnawed at him. One evening, heading for bed, he
paused outside the guest room door. Ariana's soft sobs leaked
through the thin wood. For a moment, he nearly stepped inside,

(02:48:27):
some old echo of compassion stirring. Instead, he clenched his
fists and walked away. She destroyed us, he reminded himself,
this is justice. And then the final blow came, an
abrupt phone call from the hospital urging immediate presence. Dana
had suffered a sudden and severe complication. Elliot rushed out,

(02:48:49):
Areona close behind him. At the ICU entrance, the nurse
explained that Dana was critical. Doctors were preparing for emergency surgery.
Ariana saw Elliot's face go pale with fear. That unstoppable
bravado crumbling, he sank into a chair, fingers digging into
his hair, tears glistening. Arianna knelt beside him, risking everything

(02:49:11):
to place a hand on his shoulder. He didn't shove
her away. I can't lose her, he mumbled, voice fractured.
Ariana's own tears flowed. You won't, she whispered, She'll pull through.
She loves you. They waited intense silence, the hospital corridor
echoing with footsteps and hushed voices. Finally, a doctor emerged,

(02:49:33):
describing how they'd stabilized Dana. She would remain unconscious for
some time, her prognosis uncertain. Arianna wept in relief. Elliot
covered his eyes, trembling with exhaustion, and in that moment,
in the hush of the hospital corridor, he let Arianna
hold his hand for the first time since discovering her affair.

(02:49:54):
He said nothing, but for a brief minute, they shared
quiet sorrow as two people grieving apparent, not as cheater
and victim. Back home, the barrier reformed, but felt less impenetrable.
In the following days, Eliot let Arianna drive herself to
pick up groceries. No longer policing her every move so harshly,
She realized he was simply too emotionally spent to maintain

(02:50:17):
the fortress. She wanted to interpret this as potential forgiveness,
but the flickers of bitterness remained. He still shot her
cold glances if she lingered too close, still spat out
references to her fling still withheld any genuine closeness, but
the savage threats subsided to a quiet loathing. Then one afternoon,

(02:50:38):
Arianna's phone vibrated with a text from an unknown number.
Ari Bake news. I'm cleared of formal charges. They found
in sufficient evidence. I'm still suspended, but might avoid firing.
Please talk. She recognized Jerome's number. Her heart fluttered in confusion.
He's safe. Elliot didn't go all in. The unstoppable plan

(02:51:01):
to bury Jerream hadn't fully materialized. Perhaps overshadowed by Dana's crisis,
Ariana typed a shaky reply, I'm glad you're not fired,
but I can't talk now. I'm sorry. She hit send
tears forming The next beep came instantly. I still care, Ariana,
fight for yourself. She stared at those words until her

(02:51:23):
vision blurred, then deleted them and the entire thread. A
turning point arrived when Elliott discovered Arianna's partial texting with
Dana was ongoing, and he seemed unexpectedly calm about it.
He came home one evening caught Arianna rereading an old
text from Dana. She froze, phone in hand. He sighed,
it's fine, she needs the company. Ariana glimpsed him set

(02:51:47):
aside a stack of legal documents. I guess I can't
keep you from her. Not an amore, he admitted quietly.
Arianna's heart squeezed with hope. Maybe a fraction of trust
reat turning, but his next words reminded her the wedge remained.
But don't assume it changes anything between us. Once mom
stabilizes for good, we finalize the divorce. Over the next

(02:52:11):
couple of weeks, Dana's condition stabilized in earnest. The doctors
called it a miracle. She regained more speech, enough to
talk in short, clumsy sentences. The tension gradually receded from
Elliott's posture, replaced by exhaustion and relief. He announced to
Ariana that soon, if Dana's speech improved enough, they would

(02:52:33):
bring her home or move her to a rehab facility.
Arianna quietly offered to help with that transition. Elliot didn't
say no. She tried not to read too much into it.
As Dana improved, so did Elliott's impetus for revenge. The
unstoppable storm that had paused out of grief now threatened
to re ignite. Arianna saw him rummaging through the black

(02:52:54):
folder of evidence one night, face grim, she approached, voice
trembling Elliot. He looked up, scalforming what she swallowed. Here
are you planning to release that footage? I know you
said you might. He stared a moment, then nexthaled, slamming
the folder closed. Don't push me. I have legal angles

(02:53:16):
to settle. Let's just say, if you vanish, or if
you contact your cop lover, I'll do what needs to
be done. Arianna nodded, tears brimming, the unstoppable threat remained. Finally,
the day came a phone call from Michael Somerset. The attorney,
summoning Ariana for one last signature on a final revision
of the disclaimers. The divorce filing was near. Ariana's stomach

(02:53:40):
lurched with dread, but also a faint sense that the
end of this painful arrangement might be close, whichever shape
it took. She accompanied Elliott to the downtown law office
in pained silence, wind gusting cold air through the corridor. Inside,
Michael politely explained the last formalities. Ariana I of no
further claim on property or finances, ensuring that if Elliott

(02:54:04):
filed for dissolution, her share was zero. Arianna's hand shook
as she signed the final line. Elliot countersigned, jaw clenched,
Michael notarized, sealed it. They walked out into the hallway. Arianna,
tears on her cheeks, turned to elilate. So that's it.
You'll file for divorce soon, her voice nearly cracked. He

(02:54:26):
studied her tears streaked face, conflicting emotions swirling in his eyes.
For a long moment, he said nothing, then softly yes.
Soon She bit her lip, nodding, pain slicing her chest.
She wanted to apologize again, but the words felt empty.
They left the building side by side, yet light years apart.

(02:54:48):
Two days later, Elliot found out Dana would be discharged
to an assisted rehab facility. Arianna joined him, carefully guiding
Dana's wheelchair. The older woman's speech had improved enough to
form short sentences. She occasionally asked them are you good together?
Arianna forced a smile, telling her we're okay. Elliott remained stony,

(02:55:10):
but he nodded for Dana's sake. That night, Arianna and
Elliot returned home the house feeling more final. Arianna wondered
if the next day might bring the formal divorce filing.
In a swirl of anxiety, Arianna found herself in Eliot's office.
He was at his desk finalizing real estate forms. She

(02:55:30):
mustered shaky courage to speak. Elliot. She said, I know
you're about to end this, but I want to say
I'm sorry, truly, not for the last time. But I
know it may mean nothing. He glanced up, pen stilled
eyes haunted. You're right, it means nothing, but go on,
she swallowed. I regret betraying you. I've lived in torments

(02:55:53):
since that day. I'm not asking for forgiveness, just letting
you know I accept the consequences. If you want the
divorce final I won't fight you. He closed his eyes briefly.
I already knew you wouldn't fight. Why would you? She nodded,
tears slipping, and I I want you to know I'm
grateful you didn't publicly ruin me or my family or

(02:56:15):
release the footage. You could have done that, but you didn't,
he sighed, setting his papers aside. A silence thickened, broken
only by a faint hum from the air conditioner. Finally,
Elliott said, in a tired voice. Maybe I lost the
appetite for total destruction after seeing Mom nearly die. Or
maybe I realized humilitating you wouldn't fix my heart break.

(02:56:38):
Either way, I'm done. Arianna's tears glistened. Does that mean
you'll finalize the divorce quietly A bridle nod. Yes, I'll
have Michael handle it. You'll leave with no claim, as
we agreed, Then we never need see each other again,
Ariana suppressed a sob. Turning away, All right, she whispered.

(02:56:59):
Time felt suspended. The unstoppable wave had come full circle.
Arianna had no illusions. Now she'd exit with nothing, but
at least she might salvage some shred of dignity. She
spent the next few days packing half in a fog.
One morning, Elliot wordlessly handed her a short list of
items clothing, personal belongings, et cetera she could keep. She

(02:57:23):
quietly loaded them into boxes. The final blow came when
he said, Michael has the divorce petition. We'll sign soon.
You'll move out the next day. Find by you. She nodded,
voice caught in her throat, and then the hospital summoned
them again. Dana had requested a family meeting. Arianna didn't

(02:57:43):
know what it entailed, but Elliott insisted she come. They
found Dana in her rehab room, upright, eyes sharper, voice
still slurred, but intelligible. She told them I know something
wrong and asked them to be honest. Arianna's tears welled,
but Elliot shook his head, fumbling a gentle fib about
just stress. Dana sighed, no, I see, She cast Ariana

(02:58:07):
a mournful glance. Then Elliot, you fix Elliot's shoulders stiffened,
Arianna stared at the floor. Dana's question hung Would they
fix the marriage? Arianna felt certain the answer was no,
but a flicker of doubt surfaced in Elliot's eyes. He inhaled,
then replied quietly, we can't fix it, Mom, It's too late.

(02:58:29):
Dana closed her eyes, a tear sliding down her cheek.
Arianna pressed her lips, stepping forward to gently embrace the
older woman, who trembled with sorrow. Afterward, they left in
a hush in the corridor. Arianna apologized again, voice shaking.
Elliot gave no response. Over the next twenty four hours,

(02:58:50):
Ariana braced for the final blow. She sat in her
half empty bedroom, boxes stacked waiting. Elliott came in, handing
her a final set of documents from Michael. Sign these,
she complied, tears dripping onto the pages. He signed to,
not meeting her gaze. Early the next morning, Arianna found
Elliot in the foyer with her boxes. He gazed at

(02:59:12):
her with an emotion she couldn't name, rage, sorrow, emptiness.
She carried the last suit case. Where will I go?
She whispered, half in tears. He shrugged, voice low, I
don't care. We're done. She nodded, heart shreaded. She moved
to the door, pausing once more, eyes on him. Goodbye, Elliott,

(02:59:35):
she whispered. He hesitated, pressing his lips goodbye a single word.
She walked out into the dawn, forcing herself not to
look back. The unstoppable circle of betrayal and revenge had
reached its bitter conclusion. She never saw the humiliating footage
go public. Eliot apparently decided not to unleash it. Maybe

(02:59:56):
in the end, love for his mother overshadowed the final step.
Ariana left with a battered heart, no finances, a swirl
of regrets. She heard rumors that Jerream narrowly escaped being
fired thanks to insufficient proof for internal affairs politics. Meanwhile,
Elioett continued thriving in real estate, unstoppable and success, albeit

(03:00:18):
weighed by heartbreak. Dana eventually returned home, her health stable.
They parted ways, carrying wounds impossible to fully heal. Arianna
lived with the knowledge of her betrayal, starting from zero again.
Elliott lived with unshakable bitterness, but spared her the ultimate ruin.
The unstoppable fury had softened to an empty hush, and

(03:00:40):
so the story ended not in triumphant reconciliation, nor in
cataclysmic destruction, but in a subdued farewell. Arianna stepped into
a future of quiet repentance, Elliot resuming his unstoppable drive,
each forever changed by betrayal and heartbreak. The final pages
closed on the memory of a love that once was

(03:01:00):
undone by neglect and forbidden desire, leaving behind only the
echo of regret and the faintest hint of mercy. I
am lady Truth, and I hope you enjoyed that Cheat.
More stories to come, and I will talk to you
in the next one.

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