On the other end of the line, Holden expressed gentle concern, feigning ignorance, and inquired, âHow did you sustain your injury?
Who did it?â
Ariana provided a succinct and matter-of-fact account, addressing each question with precision.
Nevertheless, the person on the other end of the line remained steadfast in his role as a concerned husband, causing Arianaâs cheeks to flush with embarrassment and shyness.
Noticing Arianaâs blushing countenance, Melon grew immediately concerned and urgently asked, âMommy, why are you blushing? Are you running a fever? Should I call the doctor?â
For a protracted, uneasy moment, Holden, on the opposite end of the phone, lapsed into silence, a pause that Ariana also endured.
Arianaâs countenance blushed a deep crimson, her inner turmoil palpable.
How could Melon lay bare her vulnerabilities in such a manner, casting a shadow over her reputation?
In an effort to end the embarrassment, Ariana engaged in a few more strained pleasantries before deliberately releasing an exaggerated yawn.
âOh, my, Iâm quite fatigued.
Itâs high time I retired for the night.
Weâll chat again soon!â Without waiting for a response, she swiftly ended the call.
âs
Immediately upon disconnecting, Ariana flung the phone aside as if it had scalded her, cradling her head in her hands.
Her silent scream resonated with the weight of her shame.
Her flaming cheeks seemed to resist cooling while that voice, eerily reminiscent of Theodoreâs, was still in her thoughts.
In dire need of distraction, Ariana switched on the television, only for young Melon to undermine her yet again.
âBut Mommy, I thought you were sleepy? Why are you watching TV now?â
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Ariana snapped.
Seizing the boy roughly, she sank her teeth into his soft, pale cheek in a vicious nip.
âNot another word from you, starting this very moment!â she threatened.
Melon, perplexed by his motherâs wrath, looked pitiful but dared not defy her dominance.
Meanwhile, Holden couldnât stifle a chuckle once the line fell silent.
Alongside his laughter, an intense yearning to meet Ariana in person surged within him.
The realization jolted him.
She had thoroughly enchanted him.
When Shawn entered, he discovered Holden beaming more brightly than he had in quite some time, feeling Intrigued.