Chapter 2 Revenge

"Jasper, please escort her back to look after Theodore first." Darian glanced at the frail Ariana on the bed, his face showing no emotion. "There's still work to be done at the company. I need to go now."

"Dad, I understand. Go ahead. I've got this," Jasper quickly responded.

After Darian and the doctor exited, only Ariana, Jasper, and Brielle remained in the hospital room.

Despite being nearly consumed by intense emotions, Ariana held onto a sliver of hope. She gazed at Jasper intently and questioned, "Jasper, what's happening? We've been together for three years, and I never knew you were the youngest son of the Anderson family head. Have you been deceiving me all this time?"

"Or what else?" Before Jasper could respond, Brielle interjected with a scoff. "Ariana, you're still so naive. Isn't it obvious? Jasper loves me. As for you, you were merely a convenient tool for artificial insemination."

She didn't wait for Ariana to respond. Spinning around, she embraced Jasper, planting a passionate kiss on his lips.

Ariana seethed with anger at their shameless display, her whole body shaking as she came to accept the harsh reality that she had been manipulated.

Feeling utterly defeated, Ariana wanted to rush forward and tear them apart.

"Bastards! Burn in hell!"

Unable to contain her anger, Ariana threw the glass of water at them. Although it missed them, it soaked them thoroughly.

The sound of the glass shattering echoed through the hospital room, mercifully interrupting the disgusting sight of their kissing.

"What on earth are you doing?"

Enraged by Ariana's actions, Jasper stormed over. His face contorted with anger as he reached out and grabbed her by the throat, squeezing so hard that it seemed he might choke the life out of her.

Ariana, feeling uncomfortable from being choked, struggled and threatened, "Jasper, I'm carrying Theodore's child. Aren't you worried about what might happen to the baby? Don't you care about the consequences?"

"Worried?"

Hearing this, Jasper's grip didn't relax; if anything, it tightened as he sneered, "Theodore is practically a dead man already. What should I be afraid of?"

A surge of panic flashed through Ariana at his words.

But she quickly calmed down, coldly smiling. "Not afraid? Are you really sure he's on his deathbed?"

Truthfully, Ariana wasn't sure herself.

But fortunately, she guessed correctly.

Jasper's face turned red, and he unconsciously relaxed his hold.

Theodore had always been a looming figure in his life, and despite knowing Theodore's days were numbered, he still didn't dare to offend him.

While Jasper was distracted, Ariana managed to free herself from his hold and started coughing wildly.

She touched her neck with a look of disgust and shouted, "Jasper, you're such a coward."

"Ariana!"

Brielle, hearing this, exploded in anger and was about to teach Ariana a lesson, but was stopped by Jasper.

"Why are you stopping me?" Brielle asked Jasper, visibly angry.

"We're in a hospital. It's not the right place to cause a commotion." He gently held her hand, soothing her with patience, saying, "Brielle, please go ahead. I'll handle everything here."

Hearing this, Brielle was still dissatisfied. She retorted, "Jasper, why do you still protect Ariana at this point? Tell me! Do you still have feelings for her?"

"Babe, how could I still have feelings for her?" Jasper laughed softly, playfully squeezing Brielle's cheek. "I even arranged for you and your mom to bring her here. Isn't that proof enough of my commitment? Doesn't it show my love for you?"

Finally, Brielle smiled, satisfied. She shot Ariana a scornful look as she left, taunting, "Ariana, after your unconscious husband dies, you'll be a widow. No one will want you, and you'll be forever alone with the title of Mrs. Anderson!"

Ariana was too weak to respond. She simply closed her eyes, overwhelmed by a wave of deep-seated hatred.

Then, she let Jasper lead her calmly back to the Anderson mansion.

Upon arrival, the servants recognized her immediately and led her directly to Theodore's room.

The thought of seeing her husband in name alone made Ariana's heart race.

She was once told by Jasper that he had an older brother who used to bully him, yet she never expected that brother to be Theodore.

Jasper's harsh words described Theodore as a bad-tempered, strange man who tormented him since childhood...

So, Ariana had never imagined that Theodore would be exceptionally handsome, with a face that seemed blessed by the heavens. Even though he was now unconscious and lying in bed, his presence still commanded awe.

Looking at Theodore sleeping there, it was hard for Ariana to believe that this was the same formidable eldest son of the Anderson family head.

Three months ago, Theodore had been left in a vegetative state from a car accident, and doctors said he wouldn't survive more than six months.

Yet this was the harsh reality. Otherwise, Darian wouldn't have been so desperate to use Theodore's stored sperm to have Ariana act as a surrogate mother.

As she thought about this, an unusual idea took root in Ariana's mind.

Theodore might be incapacitated, unable to affect any decisions, but Ariana was alive and well. Why should she allow herself to be manipulated by others?

She wanted revenge!

Several thoughts raced through her mind, and without thinking, she gently stroked Theodore's face.

A daring plan for vengeance began to form in her mind.

With the unborn child in her womb and her ties to the Anderson family...