Dangerous Love: You Are My One and Only Bride novel Chapter 1604

Arianne caught Henry passing by and stopped him. “Henry, do you have some free time? There’s something I want to ask you about.”

Henry stepped forward. “Yes. What would you like to talk about?”

Arianne gestured toward a chair. Henry hesitated, then took the one next to her.

She shot wary glances at the stairs instinctively, worried that Mark would appear in any minute. “Henry, his aunt invited me to her place for a chat earlier today. She told me that she not only knew about the plane crash, but she was also the one who helped push the plan into motion,” Arianne said. “You’ve already seen what it's like between her and me; she’s got a lot of bones to pick with me. Now that I know about her participation, I don’t want Mark to care for her ever again. I also don’t want her to see Smore at all. Tell me, is my retaliation overt?”

The butler was an even-keeled man who never spoke before thinking. He mulled her words over for a while before giving his verdict. “No, not at all. She's merely an extension to this family; a relative. But you’re his wife. You’re his family. No matter what you do, it is within your jurisdiction. Furthermore, the rest of the retinue and I know how much you’ve tried to be cordial with Mrs. Leigh. We are very aware of your character and the way you treat others. However, there is a caveat: I must caution you against applying too much aggression when you’re dealing with Mr. Tremont. Be mindful of his temper and feelings. After all, she is his aunt.”

Henry’s words were just the boost of confidence Arianne needed. “Understood, Henry. Thanks. I’ll tread this issue as well as I can,” she replied. “I’ve told that woman that if Mark stepped through her damn door one more time, I’ll admit defeat. I never wanted things to come to this, believe me, but God, his aunt really forced my hand.”

Henry nodded slightly. “I see. In any case, if there’s nothing else, please excuse me.”

While the family was having dinner, Mark’s phone rang repetitively.

They were all notification tones. At first, he had not wanted to read them. But to his annoyance, they kept coming, and at one point, he finally read it.

Arianne held his gaze, deadpanned. Behind her eyes, as still as ice, were unreadable emotions. “If you can’t stop fussing about your aunt, then take her back into the house! Why go through the trouble of buying her a place to stay if you’re only going to keep running back to her? It’s fine if you don’t think that’s a nuisance somehow. But for God’s sake, don’t drag me and Smore into the drag!”

The flip in her attitude toward Shelly was too jarring, Mark realized. Previously, she had been rather tolerant and charitable of Shelly, but now, she was as stubborn as a mule. Something was amiss.

“Seriously, what came over you, Ari? You haven’t been acting like yourself since late afternoon. What ticked you off? Is it that time when I bought a place for Aunt Shelly before discussing it with you?” Mark asked. “But you didn’t flip out after you found out about it, so why the aggression over it right now? That’s quite a delayed response, honestly. Either way, I’m not a fan of guessing grievances, so just be upfront and tell me what’s wrong.”

Arianne set down her fork and knife and smiled mirthlessly. “Buying a place isn’t the problem. It’s your money, so I couldn’t care less about how you spend it. But you’re my man. I care about how much someone else is using my man,” she said. “I’m pissed by how you constantly neglect me and Smore ever since your aunt appeared, okay? If she were the sort of relative who’s wise, amiable, kindly, welcoming—I wouldn’t have problems mingling with her at all. But your aunt is as far away from those qualities as she possibly can be. What more do you expect me to do to foster peace between us, huh? I’ve had enough of her throwing psychotic fits at me while I nod and forgive her unconditionally like a moron. I’ve had enough of her dominating all of your free time to the point that I hardly see my husband anymore! What, you like a submissive woman who never complains about her husband? Sorry, then. Your wife ain’t it.”