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Hurt
(ARIELLE'S POV)
After Ashley left, Jared glanced at the door to ensure she was out of earshot before turning back to face me, his voice low. "What's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"This whole thing about neglecting you for Sofia. What's bothering you? I thought we sorted this out." His brows furrowed deeply, but there was no frustration in his voice-just confusion.
I glared at him. "You should know exactly what I mean, Jared. I had a fatal fall, all thanks to Sofia, and instead of helping me, you ran to her. And after that? You left me with Ashley to be with her. What am I to you, Jared? A joke?"
Jared's eyes narrowed confused. "Arielle, listen," he said, more measured now, as if picking his words carefully. "Sofia is pregnant. I couldn't risk anything happening to her or the baby. That's why I went to her first. But I made sure both of you got to the hospital. I called Ashley to stay with you because I couldn't be in two places at once. It made sense to leave someone familiar with you while I stayed with Sofia. She had no one else."
I scoffed. "Why the hell is Sofia in the hospital? I mean, I'm the hurt one here, and not her."
"She's in the hospital because she got hurt trying to save you."
Hold on, did I just hear Sofia tried to save me? Maybe I misheard because if I recall correctly, she pushed me down the fucking stairs.
"Are you kidding me? Did you just say Sofia tried to save me?"
"You were unconscious and oblivious to what happened, but for all it's worth, you owe Sofia a huge appreciation."
At this point, I was losing my cool. "What are you talking about, Jared?"
"Fine, I will explain. You were angry last night for reasons I can't fathom, and was about to leave with your bag when you slipped off the stairs. Sofia ran to rescue you, but slipped in the process too."
Holy moly! Who the hell fed him with these lies? Talk about calling the devil the angel he's not. Sofia was a devil and not an Angel.
"Sofia told me."
"And you just believed her? Without question?" I smiled bitterly. Why was I not surprised? That lady was capable of anything, if she was capable of pushing me down the stairs.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, eyes darting as though searching for the right words. "I don't know what to think, Arielle. I wasn't there. But I've known Sofia since childhood. She's never been anything but loyal-" "Loyal?" I spat, cutting him off. "She's lying! I didn't slip. She pushed me, Jared. I'm telling you the truth!"
"What do you mean?"
"Contrary to what she said, I didn't slip off the stairs. She pushed me..."
The silence that followed was suffocating. Jared just stared at me, his expression frozen like he was trying to process my words. But I could see doubt.
"I'm sorry, Arielle," Jared finally spoke up. "I think the fall must have affected your brain. I will go call the doctor now to have you examined."
"What the hell? What? Come back, Jared -" but he paid no heed to me as he hurried out the door.
I puffed out an angry air after he left, biting on my lower lip to stifle a frustrated scream. I couldn't believe it. Sofia not only tried to kill me to prove a point, she lied about it, and now Jared thinks I have amnesia. My train of thought was interrupted by Jared's arrival with Doctor Wade and the nurse.
"She's been spewing incoherent words. You should have reexamined, just in case you missed out on something the first time," Jared anxiously said to the doctor, like I was invisible in the room.
"Can you stop being dramatic, Jared Smith? Nothing is wrong with me!"
"Mrs. Smith, please, calm down. We will have you reexamine just like your husband suggested," Doctor Wade said in a placating tone.
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"Don't argue, please. Let us do our Job," doctor Wade said, smiling at Me reassuringly.
I reluctantly nodded, letting her have her way. But not without casting Jared an "I will kill you after this," look.
A few minutes later, Doctor Wade was done with the examination. "Fortunately, Mrs. Smith is in perfect condition. There's no concussion or injury to the brain that would have caused a memory loss. I think you should listen carefully to whatever she says, and please, do not overwhelm her."
"Thank you doctor," Jared mumbled, a remorseful look in his eyes.
Doctor Wade nodded and walked off with the nurse. Once again, we were left alone in the room and if looks could kill, Jared probably would be dead.
"What was that about? Amnesia? Are you kidding me Jared?"
His voice was quiet, almost fragile when he finally spoke. "Ari, I... It's hard to believe that she'd do something like that to you."
I could feel my pulse racing, anger bubbling beneath my skin. "So you just trust her over me?"
"It's not about trust, this is Sofia. She's always been protective of me, protective of people she cares about. She's my best friend. Why would she push you?"
Yet again, I felt a burst of pain in my chest. With everything going on, Jared still had the time to defend Sofia.
And did he just call her his best friend? At this point, high school sweetheart should suffice. Best friend? If he had called her once in the three years we have been married or mentioned her name to me, I would have believed this "best friend" claim of his.
He keeps calling her his friend, but there has been no contact in three years. What could possibly be the reason that two "best friends" would be out of touch for over three years? And why, when he could have openly admitted to being friends with her, did he choose to lie about the extent of their friendship until I heard it from Sofia?
"Look, Arielle, we don't have to argue -"
"She. Pushed. Me. Down. The. Stairs," I said, punctuating each word. Maybe this time, the gravity of the words will register in Jared's memory. "She pushed me, Jared, because she hates me. Because she's always had this possessive grip on you, and the moment she felt threatened, she acted out."
"For the last time Ari, I know you don't like Sofia, but telling lies against her, especially when she risked her life and her unborn child's to save yours, speaks low of you."
At this point, I knew my words would hold no value to Jared compared to Sofia's. He believed everything she told him, and it was pointless arguing.
"Leave," I said gravely.
"Pardon?" Jared asked, like I had spoken a foreign word.
I tried to fight the tears of pain and anger brimming at the corner of my eyes. "I'm tired, and need to rest. You should leave," I said, my voice a raspy whisper.
Fortunately, he didn't argue. I was glad about that because I didn't want him to see me cry.
"I will let you rest. You need it to think clearly. I'm heading home to freshen up, and I will fetch you clothes and toiletries."
I didn't bother replying, as I threw my face to the wall.
"I will be back," he mumbled and left.
After the door closed behind him, I let the tears out.