Ariana's heart softened as she listened to his distressed confession.

Though she wanted to respond, words failed her. She felt a sense of helplessness, recognizing that fate had led them to this complicated juncture.

Taking a deep breath, Ariana gently pushed him away, her voice resigned. "Let's just stop arguing. It's pointless."

As Ariana spoke, she made a move to leave, only to be firmly restrained by Holden's embrace. He questioned anxiously, "Where are you going? Are you going to see Mitchel? I won't allow it."

Exhaling a weary sigh, Ariana turned to face Holden, meeting his intense gaze. His eyes were red, his grip unyielding as he held her close. “Please don't leave me," he said.

Feeling her resolve weaken at his plea, Ariana longed to reach out and comfort him, but she hesitated. Despite her efforts to break free, his hold remained steadfast. Resigned, she sighed softly. "Please, just let me go for now. I won't leave the house. I just need some alone time to gather my thoughts."

Holden clung to her firmly, his resolve unwavering. “I can't release you. If I do, you'll only distance yourself from me and avoid me."

With a tumult of emotions swirling within her, Ariana's frustration boiled over. “Are you feeling aggrieved? Who's at fault for all of this?"

She unleashed her anger, pounding on Holden's chest and delivering a sharp slap, but his grip remained unyielding.

Ariana vented her fury. “What's wrong with me avoiding you? We have no connection now, and I have every right to avoid you. It's better if we never cross paths again!"

But before she could finish her tirade, a sudden kiss descended upon her lips, firm and commanding.

Ariana's frustration boiled over, her struggles intensifying as she sank her teeth into Holden's lips and lashed out with her hands in fury.

She tasted blood. Yet despite the pain, Holden clung to her, his grip unyielding.

Feeling deeply aggrieved, Ariana's tears flowed freely.

Seeing her tears, Holden released her, flustered by her distress.

Ariana pushed him away, tears streaming down her cheeks as she cried out, “What do you want from me? Do you want to label me as your 'mistress'? Everyone knows you're engaged!"

Holden tenderly kissed away her tears, saying, "You're not a mistress. Don't speak of yourself that way. Please, stop avoiding me. Give me time, and I'll give you a solution."

Ariana scoffed bitterly, wiping her tears as she said, "Time? How long do you need? Should I wait until Sadie's baby is born? Or should I wait until you both age? By then, I'll be dead, won't I?"

Ariana was so enraged that she began to speak nonsensically, but before she could finish her sentence, Holden silenced her with a passionate kiss, pressing his lips against hers.

"No, that won't happen. Even if death comes, I'll face it by your side." Holden embraced Ariana tightly, showering her with kisses.