Chapter 13 Nobody Is Going to Work Today
The next morning, Arielle woke up to a strange feeling.
Silence.
No rushing footsteps.
No doors slamming.
No assistants calling schedules.
Suspicious.
Very suspicious.
She sat up slowly, glanced at the time—
8:30 a.m.
…
Why is the house still alive with people?
She stepped out of her room.
And froze.
The living room looked like a hostage negotiation zone.
Lucian sat on one side of the couch, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly messy—criminally handsome and very clearly not at work.
Opposite him, her four sons sat like an interrogation panel.
All of them.
No suits.
No urgency.
No schedules.
Just… vibes.
Bad vibes.
Arielle blinked.
“Why,” she asked slowly, “are all of you still here?”
Everyone turned to her at once.
Lucian stood up immediately.
“Arielle, did you sleep well?”
Too fast.
Too eager.
…Why is he smiling like a golden retriever that just learned a new trick?
Rhett clicked his tongue. “Dad, sit down.”
Lucian ignored him.
“I canceled my morning meetings,” he said quickly.
“I thought we could… talk.”
Zayden frowned.
“You canceled meetings?”
Lucian nodded.
“All of them.”
Darian’s eyes narrowed.
“Interesting.”
Emrys tilted his head.
“Very interesting.”
Arielle’s eye twitched.
Why does it feel like I’m about to be auctioned?
She cleared her throat. “I have work today.”
Instant chaos.
“No.” — Lucian
“I’ll drive you.” — Darian
“Cancel it.” — Rhett
“I already checked her schedule.” — Zayden
“Let’s eat first.” — Emrys
They all spoke at once.
Arielle raised her hand.
“STOP.”
They froze.
She inhaled deeply.
“One at a time,” she said.
“Explain why none of you are going to work.”
Lucian spoke first, immediately.
“I took the day off.”
Rhett scoffed. “He’s lying.
He’s avoiding consequences.”
Lucian shot him a glare.
“Watch your tone.”
Darian crossed his arms. “You’re being suspiciously clingy.
”
Lucian didn’t deny it.
“I want to spend time with my wife.”
The room went silent.
Arielle stared.
…My what now?
Zayden adjusted his glasses.
“That’s exactly the problem.”
Lucian frowned.
“Excuse me?”
“You suddenly want time now,” Zayden continued calmly, “after years of absence.”
Rhett leaned forward.
“Yeah. We’re not convinced.”
Emrys looked at Arielle instead.
“Mother, what do you want?”
Everyone turned to her.
Arielle felt sweat gather at her temple.
Why am I being interviewed like the final boss?
She hesitated. “I just want… peace.”
Lucian nodded eagerly.
“I can give you that.”
Rhett snorted.
“You gave her trauma instead.”
“Rhett.” Darian warned.
Lucian clenched his jaw. “I made a mistake.”
That stopped them.
His voice was low. Serious.
“I misunderstood something important,” he continued.
“And I intend to make it right.”
Arielle’s heart skipped.
…Oh no.
Why does he sound sincere now?
Before she could respond—
“I’m taking Mom out today,” Rhett announced suddenly.
Lucian turned sharply. “No.”
“I already planned it,” Rhett said casually.
“Bike ride. Lunch.”
Lucian’s eye twitched.
“Absolutely not.”
Darian stood. “She has time with me. Business lunch. Quiet. Safe.”
Zayden shook his head.
“Logically, she should rest.”
Emrys smiled faintly.
“Or she could come with me.”
Everyone turned.
Rhett: “Where?”
Darian: “Why?”
Lucian: “…Excuse me?”
Emrys shrugged.
“Anywhere she wants.”
The room exploded.
“I’m her husband!”
“She’s our mother!
”
“You’re biased!”
“You’re desperate!
”
Arielle backed away slowly.
Why is everyone fighting like I’m the last slice of cake?
??
She clapped her hands.
“ENOUGH.”
Silence.
She pointed randomly.
“You—work.”
“You—also work.”
“You—stop glaring.”
“And YOU—” she looked at Lucian, “—breathe.”
Lucian obediently inhaled.
The sons stared.
Arielle sighed.
“I will go out,” she said slowly.
“Alone.”
“No.” — Everyone.
Her eye twitched again.
I am surrounded by lunatics.
She turned.
“Fine,” she said. “I’ll decide.”
She looked at Lucian.
He straightened instantly.
Then at her sons.
Four pairs of intense eyes.
Arielle smiled faintly.
This… is going to be fun.
“Give me one day,” she said.
“Each of you will get your turn.”
Lucian’s eyes lit up.
The sons stiffened.
Arielle walked away, muttering—
I transmigrated into a CEO novel…
but why does it feel like a reverse harem custody battle?
Behind her, five men stared at one another.
War had been declared.
? Author’s Note ?
Hi my loves ????
I hope you enjoyed this chapter of absolute chaos, clinginess, jealousy, and unserious men refusing to go to work.
Lucian has officially entered his Golden Retriever Redemption Arc?, while the sons have decided that nobody is touching their mother without a committee meeting, background check, and heated argument first ????
This chapter is meant to be:
Lighthearted
Funny
Chaotic
And the calm before even worse chaos ??
Arielle is slowly realizing that her peaceful life plan has failed spectacularly… and honestly? We love to see it.
?? Engagement Prompts:
Comment if you laughed at “reverse harem custody battle” ??
Vote if you think Arielle is lowkey enjoying this
FOLLOW me on Wattpad so I keep feeding you long, chaotic chapters ????
I promise the next chapters will include: ?? Dates
?? Sabotage
?? Public embarrassment
?? Maximum jealousy
?? Arielle pretending she’s not enjoying it (she is)