Unable to witness her friend in such agony, Sonia held her tighter, and together, they wept for a while before regaining composure.
While wiping away her tears, Sonia asserted, âNo more wallowing in tears! You canât let yourself be powerless.
If that scoundrel is still entangled with Sadie, you can leave him!â
Observing Arianaâs despondency, Sonia sensed her struggle to let go.
She added, âBut from what I saw, it seems Holden still cares about you.
Todayâs wedding hardly had him paying any mind to Sadie.
Maybe Sadie used some trick to keep him around.
Now that we know Holden is Theodore, you should go and snatch him back!â
Ariana hesitated for a moment, her voice trembling.
âWhat about Adele?
And Sadie is pregnant again, complicating matters further.
â
Sonia, momentarily at a loss for words, scratched her head in frustration.
Angrily, she muttered, âWhy is this man so despicable?
Canât even rein in his own desires.
Useless!â
Ariana remained silent, her spirits still low, tears unabated.
She felt deeply distressed, her spirit crushed.
At that moment, a phone on the nearby table began to ring.
Ariana hesitated to answer, so Sonia reached over and picked it up.
It was displaying an unfamiliar number.
Putting it on speakerphone, an unexpected sweet, childlike voice came.
âAria, eat cakes!â
A familiar and soothing voice reached Arianaâs ears, unmistakably belonging to Adele, a fact that sent shockwaves through her.
Hastily grabbing the phone, Ariana questioned, âAdele, where are you?â
However, all Adele seemed capable of uttering was a single sentence on repeat.
âAria, eat cakes.
â
Just as Arianaâs anxiety hit its peak, a womanâs voice interjected, âHello, are you the kidâs mom? Your little one wandered off and is now at the local cake shop.
When I asked her for her parentsâ number, she gave me your number.
â
âThank you so much.
Send me the address, and Iâm on my way,â Ariana replied anxiously, ready to get out of bed in search of Adele.
âHold up, whatâs your rush? Sit tight,â Sonia interjected with a hint of anger, putting a damper on Arianaâs impulsive movement.
âYour wounds havenât healed yet.
â
âBut Adele is out there, Sonia.
They havenât found her, and I need to go get her,â Ariana insisted urgently, determination etched on her face.
âWhy is it your responsibility to play detective when Sadieâs kid is lost? If sheâs lost, itâs Sadieâs job to track her down.
Why are you in such a hurry? This is their problem, and besides, you havenât gotten proper rest yet.
Youâre staying here!â Sonia said.
Her frustration grew with each word.