Chapter 27 #2
He fell silent again, as if the following words weighed heavily on his chest. “So,” he swallowed, “I want to tell you that I will do whatever you want me to do.” His gaze moved between Ariana and me.
“Especially you, Ari, because my sin against you was the greatest. If you want me to confess to the entire town, I will. I can speak at the town hall meeting. If you want me to go to the authorities, I will. Whatever you ask, I will do. I give you my word. I will take whatever punishment you want to give me. Only then will Tony and I be able to start our lives together.”
That was certainly unexpected. Both Ariana and I were speechless. The low hum of conversation from the other tables felt strangely distant, as if the world had drawn back to give space to this moment.
Ariana’s fingers were laced tightly together, her knuckles pale. I could see her chest rise and fall, slow and heavy, as if she were weighing every possible response. I, on the other hand, was still trying to make sense of the words I had just heard.
Christian sat with his hands clasped in front of him, his expression caught between guilt and determination.
He had just placed his future in our hands, ready—almost resigned—to bear whatever verdict we would deliver.
I glanced at Anthony. His eyes shone, and he looked as if he were silently praying Christian wouldn’t have to endure this moment, yet he understood that he needed to.
I decided to speak first.
“It’s all up to Ari.” I turned to her, my gaze softening. “You’re the one who was hurt the most by this. I… unknowingly became a part of it too. But in the end, this is your decision.”
She didn’t answer right away. Her gaze locked on mine, searching, almost pleading, as if she were silently asking me for guidance.
The conflict in her eyes was impossible to miss.
I could almost feel the push and pull inside her: the sharp, unrelenting drive for revenge against what Christian had done—because what he did was, in every way, unforgivable.
And yet, there was the other side of her. The part that belonged to the old Ariana, the one with a kind, forgiving heart. The one who believed in second chances, even when they weren’t deserved.
All three of us—Christian, Anthony, and I—waited with bated breath for her decision. Ariana closed her eyes, sinking into thought.
It took a long, heavy moment before she finally spoke.
“I haven’t forgiven you yet,” she said quietly to Christian.
“I still have this anger inside me that will probably never die. I’m not going to tell you how much you ruined me, how deeply you hurt me, because I believe you already know.
I want to punish you, Christian. To give you exactly what you deserve. ”
Her gaze shifted to Anthony, who was now crying silently. “But if I do that, I’d be punishing Tony too. And he doesn’t deserve it. I think you’ve both been through enough.”
Anthony’s sobs broke free, raw and uncontrollable.
“Get as far away from here as you can and never look back,” she said, her voice gaining strength. “Don’t let me see you ever again.” She reached out and briefly touched the back of Anthony’s hand. “And I wish you a good life.”
Then she stood, walking away from our table before any of us could speak. I turned to watch her go and saw Stephen stand as well, leaving cash on the table before following her out. Together, they walked out without another word.
When I looked back at Christian, tears were streaming down his face. Anthony was bent forward, his hands covering his face, his shoulders shaking.
“Did that just happen?” Christian asked, his voice unsteady. “Did she really let me go?”
“Yes,” I said.
“I can leave?” he repeated, as if he still couldn’t believe it.
“Yes.”
“Grayson, what about you?” he asked. “You’ll let me go too?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Fuck, Grayson.” He exhaled shakily, leaning back.
One hand pressed to his chest, the other reaching for Anthony.
Their fingers clasped tightly. “Thank you. Thank you so much. I don’t know how else to say it.
And Ari—God, I’m sorry. Grayson, I hope you can forgive me someday.
I hope I can do something to fix what I broke, but—”
“Just be good to him,” I said, nodding toward Anthony. I knew the kind of family he came from. Being with a man wouldn’t just anger them—it could make them dangerous. Disappearing together was a risk for this couple. “Be the best man for him.”
I took a sip of my coffee before standing and walking out. By the time I reached the parking lot, Ariana was already gone.
On the drive back to Belrose, my thoughts lingered on what had happened.
My heart softened. I was proud of Ariana for letting go of some of her hate and choosing to show kindness for their sake.
I knew that even if it looked like she had forgiven Christian for Anthony, deep down, it was because she couldn’t bear to see them kept apart.
In a way, she was doing it for Christian too.
And I thought about Stephen.
What did this man truly mean to her? Were they really together? None of it made sense—not when she had kissed me, not when she had chosen to take Kenji to the gala instead. Confusion and frustration twisted inside me like a knot I couldn’t undo.
When I arrived at Belrose, I thought about the things I needed to move again. Some of the staff had promised to help me. Sighing, I stepped out of the car, but just as I was about to go inside, Demi came running toward me on the sidewalk, her face twisted in fury.
“Where’s Taylor? Where the fuck is that whore!” she screamed.