The Heiress' Revenge

Chapter 198: Take Her Away

Ariana’s POV

I had to get out of here. I had to run or hide cause If I stayed any longer, I would tell him everything. I would fall into his arms and would confess that I was alive and that I still loved him and that I had never stopped loving him, and then everything I sacrificed would be for nothing.

The door opened, and Phillip walked in. His eyes scanned the room.

Natasha is on the floor.

The maids against the wall.

Dante reaching for me and me, standing in the middle, my face exposed, my tears falling, my mask gone.

"Emily?" His voice was confused. "What’s going on? What happened?"

I saw my chance, my only chance to get away from here, so I ran to him and grabbed his arm, pressing myself against his side.

I looked up at his face; his eyes were wide, and his mouth was open. He had never seen me without my mask before.

"Emily," he whispered. "You’re... you’re beautiful... I didn’t know I never imagined. You’re so beautiful."

I didn’t have time for his compliments.

I just needed to get out of this room and get away from Dante.

I needed to disappear before I lost myself completely.

"Phillip, please," I begged with my voice shaking. "Please take me away from here. Please get me out of this room."

Phillip’s face hardened.

He looked at Dante.

"But Natasha"

I cut him off, "Her husband."

"Okay," he said. "Okay, Emily, I’ll take you. Come on."

He put his arm around my waist, but Dante moved, stepping in front of us and blocking the door.

His eyes were on me.

Burning.

Desperate.

Angry.

"You’re not going anywhere," he said with a voice that was low and daring. "Not until you tell me the truth. Not until you look me in the eyes and tell me you’re not Ariana."

I held Phillip’s arm tighter, pressing myself closer to him. I needed something to hold on to so I wouldn’t fall apart.

"I already told you," I said with my voice cold. "My name is not Ariana. My name is Emily. I don’t know who Ariana is. I’ve never met her, I’ve never heard of her. I’m just a maid. Now, please, let us pass."

Dante shook his head. "No, I don’t believe you. You’re my wife."

I laughed in a bitter sound. "Your wife is dead, and you said so yourself. You watched them lower her casket into the ground. She’s gone, and she’s never coming back. And I am not her."

Dante’s face crumpled, and his eyes were wet. "Then why do you look like her? Why do you sound like her? Why do you have her eyes? Her nose? Her mouth? Why does my heart recognize you even when my mind can’t explain it?"

I felt the tears come again.

I blinked them back.

I couldn’t cry. I couldn’t break.

I couldn’t let him see how much his words were hurting me.

"I don’t know," I said. "Maybe I just remind you of her. Maybe you’re so desperate to see her again that you’re seeing her in every woman who crosses your path. Maybe you need help, Mr. Russo. Professional help. Because this... this is not healthy."

Dante stepped closer, his hand reached out.

His fingers almost touched my face.

I flinched, turning my head away.

"Don’t," I said. "Don’t touch me. Don’t come near me. I’m not your wife, so I want you to leave me alone."

Dante’s hand dropped to his side. His face was pale. His eyes were broken. "Ariana, please. Please just tell me the truth. I’ve been living in hell for two years. I’ve been drowning in grief. I’ve been dying without you, and now you’re here... alive. You’re standing right in front of me, and you’re pretending you don’t know me."

I shook my head. "I’m not pretending I really don’t know you. I’m sorry for your loss, sir, but I can’t help you. I’m not the person you’re looking for."

Phillip tightened his arm around my waist. He looked at Dante. "You heard her. She said she’s not your wife. Now step aside and let us pass."

Dante’s eyes moved to Phillip. "Who are you? Why is she holding onto you? Why is she looking at you like you’re her only hope?"

Phillip didn’t flinch. "I’m the man who’s going to take her away from here."

Dante laughed.

I felt Phillip’s hand on my back, gentle and reassuring. "Emily doesn’t owe you anything. She doesn’t have to explain herself to you. She doesn’t have to justify her existence. She’s her own person. She’s not a replacement for your dead wife."

Dante’s jaw tightened his hands clenched into fists. "Stop calling her Emily. Her name is Ariana. She’s my wife."

I stepped forward and pointed my finger at his chest. "For the last time, I am not your wife, so do yourself a favor and marry Natasha. Be happy and your life.... leave me alone."

The words hung in the air.

Dante stared at me.

His face was white, looking like I had stabbed him in the heart.

I turned away cause I couldn’t look at him anymore.

I would break.

I would fall.

I would run into his arms and beg him to forgive me.

"Phillip," I said. "Please let’s go."

Phillip nodded, putting his hand on my back and guiding me toward the door.