2 A SCANDALOUS HEADLINE

  LUKE'S POV   After taking the document from her hands, I gazed at it and then looked up to meet her eyes. She seemed to be on the verge of tears, her sad expression tugging at my conscience. I couldn't understand why she was putting herself through this, knowing she would end up in tears.   As I tossed the divorce paper on the table, I lit up a cigarette and blew the smoke in her direction. She coughed, clearly not enjoying the secondhand smoke, but I didn't care. She had taken things too far, and I was not going to let her get away with it.   "You've played your little game long enough," I sneered, blowing another puff of smoke in her face. She coughed again and stepped back, but I grabbed her hands and pulled her towards me.   Her body pressed against mine, and I held her chin, my gaze roaming over her body, which was barely covered by her robe. I pushed her away forcefully, and she stumbled, but managed to maintain her balance.   This whole situation was strange and unexpected. Ariel had always loved me, even though I never reciprocated her feelings. I didn't want anything to do with her family, who were nothing but gold diggers and thieves. But circumstances had forced me to marry her.   And now she was standing in front of me with divorce papers, as if she had planned this all along. She should be grateful that I even touched her, something I never wanted to do. But I had been drinking with my friends at the bar, and things had gotten out of hand. It wasn't until I took a shower that I regained my senses and realized the consequences of my actions. She could get pregnant from the activity we just carried out.   But it was clear that she was going insane, and this was not something her family wanted. They were enjoying all the benefits of my wealth, so why would they want the marriage to end?   "What are you plotting now?" I asked, giving her a serious look.   She met my gaze and said with determination, "I'm not plotting anything. I just want a divorce."   I chuckled, not believing her for a second. "Are you sure about that?"   She let out a deep sigh. "Yes, I can't continue living like this."   "Don't blame me; you got yourself into this mess. If you hadn't come into my life, you wouldn't be feeling so broken right now," I retorted, blowing another puff of smoke in her face. She flinched and turned her head away.   "Please stop," she pleaded, her eyes avoiding mine. "I've given back everything I owe you. My parents took your money, but all the torture you've put me through has paid for it," she said, her voice breaking. I could see the tears in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away. "You've made my life a living hell, Luke. I don't love you anymore. I don't want anything to do with you." And with that, she burst into tears.   I stood there, looking at her, and feeling a twinge of guilt. I had always enjoyed seeing her suffer, but now it was the last thing I wanted to see.   After a few moments of crying, she composed herself and handed me the divorce papers and a pen. "Here. Sign it."   I wasn't pleased with the situation, but I wasn't going to let her know that. So I grabbed the papers and pen from her, keeping a smirk on my face.   "Do you really think I won't sign this?" I taunted.   She just coughed and turned away, crossing her arms over her chest. I chuckled, shaking my head, and then signed the papers, fulfilling her wish.   "You better not regret this," I warned in a deep voice before throwing the papers at her face and tossing the pen on the floor. I grabbed my wallet and took out a card, throwing it at her as well. "Consider this payment for your hardships these past few years."   I stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind me. She could go to hell for all I cared. I never truly liked her anyway.   *****   After I was done with work and exhausted and drained out, I drove to the Sun House. Just so you know, I didn't spend the night with Ariel last night. After that conversation, I went to an apartment close to my company and spent the night there, getting myself some peace of mind.   Well, today, Ariel and I are going to pay my grandfather a visit. It was something we did once in a while, and there were dates fixed for the occasion.   The Sun House was where my grandfather resided. It was a nice place for someone to just chill and relax, but that stupid wife of mine made it the complete opposite.   Dressed in a crisp blue suit, I stood outside the house and couldn't spot Ariel anywhere. She was supposed to be bidding patiently for me; that was how we did it anytime we went to visit my grandfather. I wondered where she was now.   I spotted a maid heading in my direction, and then I halted her. "Where's Ariel?" I questioned the maid.   She hesitated, looking at me cautiously, but then she answered. "Mrs. Reynold hasn't arrived yet; should I call her on the phone?"   I gave the maid a look of disgust for delaying before giving me an answer to my question. "There's no need for that; you may go." I dismissed her, and she left my presence. I walked away afterwards.   Going further, I saw my grandfather as he tended to the plants in our yard. His age had not diminished his handsomeness, and his passion for gardening had only grown since his retirement. People often teased him, suggesting he become a professional gardener.   As I approached, he turned to me with an uncharacteristically stern expression. He scanned the area, as if looking for someone, and I followed suit, confused by his behavior.   "Where is Ariel?" he asked, locking eyes with me.   "I'm not sure," I replied, shrugging. "She was with me at my apartment last night."   "You fool!" he growled, flinging his watering can at me. I dodged it and took a step back. "You absolute idiot!"   "What did I do?" I asked, bewildered.   "What did you do?" he echoed, his anger palpable. "You..." he trailed off, scanning the yard. His friends, former coworkers now all elderly, had recently arrived.   My grandfather let out a sigh. "Come with me," he said calmly, leading me away. As we walked, I noticed his friends staring at me, but I followed him regardless.   "So you're the reason for the scandal?" he snarled once we were inside the house. I was still lost, trying to comprehend what was happening.   "What scandal?" I asked.   He walked over to a table, grabbed his phone, and thrust it at me. "Take a look!"   I reluctantly tore my gaze from him and saw a news article on the phone. The headline read, "Golden-Award Winning Actress Harriet Donald's Mysterious Boyfriend Revealed: Luke Reynold!" Accompanying the article was a photo of Harriet and me having dinner a few days ago.   I remembered the dinner, but the photo made it look like we were kissing. In reality, I had only been helping her keep her balance after she stumbled. Harriet was my girlfriend, the woman I loved and wanted to spend my life with. But Ariel had to come along and ruin everything.   "Can you explain this to me?" my grandfather demanded, his tone threatening.   "Grandpa, this is nonsense," I lied. I didn't want him to know I was still with Harriet. He was unpredictable, and I didn't want to risk his reaction.   "Don't lie to me, you idiot!" he shouted, grabbing a teacup and hurling it at me. I managed to dodge it, but it shattered on the ground.   "Harriet will never get married into the Reynold family, not while I'm alive!" he declared. "Don't be ungrateful like your father!"   I narrowed my eyes but kept my cool. "I won't, Grandpa. I won't."   "Don't make empty promises. You better do as I say, or else!" he threatened. "Do you want to ruin Ariel and The Walker family's reputation? Why do you have to be so stupid?"   His words stung, but I bit my tongue and remained silent, looking down.   "Now get out of here and fix this mess!" he barked. "Understood?"   "Yes, grandpa," I said with a low reply, not wanting to cause any more trouble.   "Good. Now go!" he snarled, and I left without another word.   Once I made my way outside, I called my assistant Jack and told him to make sure the post was deleted, along with any other related articles. Then I drove home.   As I pulled into my driveway, I saw a lady standing nearby. She was wearing a white dress, facing away from me. Of course it was Ariel; she finally came running back. What a prodigal wife she was.   I cleared my throat, feeling victorious as always. "Well, well, well. Look who's come back. I thought you didn't."   "Luke!" She turned and hugged me, her face beaming with joy, leaving me in shock.   But guess what? It wasn't Ariel.