“No need. I’m heading down the mountains now,” Ariel replied. She wasn’t keen on sticking around and being a nuisance.

Just as she was about to move away, a hand grabbed her wrist. She looked up and met Jayson’s nonchalant gaze.

He said, “You can stay. I’ll change to another room.”

Ariel frowned. She was about to pull her hand away when Jayson let go first and deliberately stepped away.

“It’ll be hard to explain to Grandma if you leave now,” he said.

Realization dawned on Ariel, and she asked in disbelief, “You want me to cover for you and Nancy?”

She couldn’t believe that he would do this just so it would be easier for him to explain to Betty. What exactly did he take her for?

Jayson looked at her as he adjusted his cufflinks. “None of this would be a problem if you hadn’t shown up.”

Ariel felt a surge of frustration rise within her. Was he implying that this was all her fault?

She pursed her lips and set a condition. “Fine, but you have to approve my resignation immediately.”

Jayson narrowed his eyes slightly, smiling faintly as he replied, “Okay.”

Ariel couldn’t make out what his smile meant. She went straight to her room.

As for what happened between them, no wonder Jayson hadn’t told her about coming to Quillan’s Peak. It turned out he was planning to bring Nancy here for a date.

Had Ariel known about this, she wouldn’t have agreed to come.

She rubbed her temples. Though she no longer cared, she couldn’t help but feel bothered.

Ariel unpacked her clothes from her suitcase and then checked out the activities offered by the guesthouse. There was also a horse range with staff guiding the rides, which seemed pretty interesting.

She decided to head over to the horse range.

Ariel heard a woman’s playful voice as soon as she arrived. “Stop rutting against me, Lucas! You’re being so shameless!”

“The horse is acting up, but you’re blaming me for it?” the man replied lazily, his tone full of mischief.

Ariel froze in her steps, her gaze wandering over. A couple was riding a horse together–one of the man’s hands was holding the reins from behind the woman, while his other hand tilted the woman’s chin up as they shared a kiss.

Perhaps her gaze had been too obvious as it made Lucas glance over. His gaze darkened, and he frowned. It seemed like he didn’t appreciate being interrupted during their intimate moment.

Ariel’s pride was wounded by his gaze.

She had been used to

being protected by Lucas for over a decade. He had treated her like she was his one and only, never once speaking harshly to her. For many years, he had poured his love for her, and he was the first man she had ever fallen for

Even when he got into trouble three years ago, Ariel had promised Morgan that she would marry Jayson in exchange for reducing Lucas‘ sentence–just so he could get out sooner.

Though she had let go of the past, he was still the

most important family member to her.

But now that Lucas had become so indifferent and impatient, Ariel couldn’t help but wonder what was real anymore.

She had been with Jayson for three years, yet she still couldn’t win his heart. However, Lucas had once loved her dearly.

Would kinship change too when love faded?

Ariel did not bother greeting them. She hurried to leave.

Wendy spotted her. “Ariel? I didn’t know you were here as well. Come and have dinner with us! My friend Nancy and her boyfriend are staying here too.” 12

Ariel was taken aback for a moment when she found out that Wendy and Nancy actually knew each other.

Lucas would have known how terrible her married life had been then. But no one seemed to care about her well–being as

Jayson’s wife.

“No need. I’ve eaten dinner already.” Ariel’s mood plummeted suddenly, and she turned to leave.

Wendy took another glance at her before nudging Lucas. “Your sister isn’t looking too well–I wonder if she’s sick. You

should go check on her.”

He remained unperturbed. “She’s already an adult. I don’t know why she’s acting so fussy–she won’t die from it anyway.”

“Why are you so indifferent toward her?” Wendy asked, confused.

Lucas raised his brows and chuckled. “She’s just my sister. Only you and Lori visited me for the past three years I was in prison. Wouldn’t I know who to treat best?”

Wendy’s face flushed red instantly. “Good to know that you care-”

Ariel stopped coming out of her room. She felt uncomfortable no matter which couple she ran into.

She was Jayson’s wife and Lucas‘ sister–the closest person to them in the past–but now she was completely shut out. Why bother tormenting herself?

She no longer cared. After browsing through a foreign drone forum for two hours, she took her medicine and slept through

the night.

Ariel decided to head down the mountain today.

She stepped out of her room at 8:00 am. Right across from her, the door to the suite opened, and Jayson and Nancy walked

out together.

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