Eight Years Lost A Love Unclaimed (Ariella)
Chapter 5

The next morning was the weekend, and I woke to the sound of knocking.

It was Chloe.

"Ariella! I hope I'm not interrupting you and Xavier. Is he still in bed? What a lazy boy!"[]

Chloe spoke as if she was being considerate, but her face showed no regard for me as the hostess.]

Without waiting for my permission, she slipped into the bedroom like a cat.]

Soon, she came out. She was giggling, with Xavier, who was wearing only his underwear.[]

"Xavier, you're such a lazy boy. The sun's already up."[]

I threw the blanket on the couch at Xavier, my expression cold.

"Cover up. You two might not be embarrassed, but I am."]]

Xavier took the blanket with a frown, sitting on the couch with annoyance.]

er.[

Chloe sat down next to him, close as ever.

This was the first time I'd seen Chloe since the trip. Her face was smooth, no sign of any injury.

She noticed me looking and gave an awkward smile.

"Ariella, Xavier didn't mean to leave you behind that day. It's my fault..."

"But I was so scared of getting a scar on my face. Luckily, it healed quickly. I'm really sorry. How are your injuries?"]]

Chloe's innocent eyes looked at me, full of guilt.

But I could see the smugness and provocation in her gaze.

She was proud that Xavier had left me behind to take care of her.

I ignored Chloe's fake concern, but Xavier defended her.

"It's okay, Chloe. I explained it to Ariella. She said she doesn't blame you."

I gave a calm, mocking smile.

"I said that? I don't remember. I guess I hit my head harder than I thought."[]

We all fell silent, the atmosphere awkward.

Xavier was clearly holding back, his chest rising and falling. Finally, he couldn't contain it anymore.

"Ariella, what's your problem? It's over. Do you really need Chloe to apologize?"

Chloe pouted, looking pitiful and hurt.

"I'm sorry, Ariella. I was selfish. Don't blame Xavier..."

Watching their performance, I suddenly felt nauseous.

"This house feels gloomy. You two can stay here. I'm going out."

"0

I threw on a coat and left, wandering around for two hours before heading back.

I figured those two lovebirds would be done with their display of affection and gone by now.

When I opened the door, they were still shamelessly playing on the couch.

"Xavier, you're so naughty! Stop pulling my hair, we're not kids anymore!"

I frowned, seeing the half-eaten takeout on the table

When they saw me, they toned it down a bit.]

"Ariella, you're back. Hungry? We ordered too much takeout. You should have some."]

She spoke casually, like she was the hostess of the house.

"I'm not hungry. In fact, I feel like throwing up. And I hate it when people don't clean up after eating takeout."

Xavier was a clean freak and hated it when I didn't clean up after takeout.]]

We argued about it countless times. But with Chloe, it was no big deal.

I repeated Xavier's words to Chloe, knowing he'd hear them.

"I'm sorry, Ariella. I'll clean it up right away."[]

Chloe's apologetic tone made me look like the bad guy.

Xavier couldn't stand it anymore.

"Enough, Ariella. If you don't want us here, just say so. There's no need to be so passive-aggressive."]

It was okay for him to criticize me, but when I repeated his words to Chloe, it wasn't.

"Let's go, Chloe. We'll hang out at your place and let her cool off."[]"

I watched them walk out, arm in arm, without a word.

At the door, I calmly spoke up.

"Take care."]]

Chloe suddenly stopped and turned to me, remembering something.]]

"Oh, Ariella, I really love that necklace. Can I borrow it for a few more days? Xavier said it suits me perfectly."

I froze for a moment, then casually smiled.]

"If you like it, you can have it."]]

Yes, take it. And take that man with you too.

I'm done. I don't want him anymore.

Chapters

"Xavier, you're so naughty! Stop pulling my hair, we're not kids anymore!"

I frowned, seeing the half-eaten takeout on the table.

When they saw me, they toned it down a bit.[]

"Ariella, you're back. Hungry? We ordered too much takeout. You should have some."

She spoke casually, like she was the hostess of the house.

"I'm not hungry. In fact, I feel like throwing up. And I hate it when people don't clean up after eating takeout."[]

Xavier was a clean freak and hated it when I didn't clean up after takeout.[]

We argued about it countless times. But with Chloe, it was no big deal.[]

I repeated Xavier's words to Chloe, knowing he'd hear them.]

"I'm sorry, Ariella. I'll clean it up right away."]

Chloe's apologetic tone made me look like the bad guy.

Xavier couldn't stand it anymore.

"Enough, Ariella. If you don't want us here, just say so. There's no need to be so passive-aggressive."]

It was okay for him to criticize me, but when I repeated his words to Chloe, it wasn't.]

"Let's go, Chloe. We'll hang out at your place and let her cool off."[]"

I watched them walk out, arm in arm, without a word.

At the door, I calmly spoke up.

"Take care."]

Chloe suddenly stopped and turned to me, remembering something.

"Oh, Ariella, I really love that necklace. Can I borrow it for a few more days? Xavier said it suits me perfectly."

I froze for a moment, then casually smiled.]

"If you like it, you can have it."]

Yes, take it. And take that man with you too.

I'm done. I don't want him anymore.