A Love Forgotten (Arianna and Elijah) novel Chapter 7

Teri finally believed me. She looked at me with heartache. "Ari, you… Forget it. It's good that you've finally seen the light. Elijah has caused you too much suffering over the past seven years."

I didn't say anything. Being unable to have the person one loved was a painful thing. One's mentality would spiral out of control due to suffering, and constant spiraling would lead to insanity.

I'd never suffered a defeat or had any failures, but I lost everything the year I turned 18. I didn't know what happened between 18 and 25, but I knew it couldn't be good.

I said, "Help me, Teri. I want to return to my family."

She sighed and shook her head. "That won't be easy. You've cut off contact with them for five years."

I saw the pity in her eyes and lowered my head, feeling bitter. My body was feeling sad, but how could I not be? This was my family we were talking about.

My eyes reddened. "That's why I need your help. I want to start off by contacting my brother. He's always doted on me…"

Teri's expression shifted. "It's not that I don't want to help, Ari. Jonathan won't agree to see you."

"My, if it isn't Mrs. Linden. What are you doing here, drinking such cheap coffee?" A sarcastic voice rang out, making me frown.

Teri shot to her feet, looking furious. "I'm warning you, Evelyn Snow. Don't try to pick a fight!"

A red-haired woman in a floral dress stood before me. Her makeup was exquisite, and she had several shopping bags hanging from her arm. To her right stood two companions who looked just as fashionable as she was.

While appraising me, their expressions were as scornful as Evelyn's.

I stood up and pulled Teri back. "I don't know her. Let's go."

Before Teri could say anything, Evelyn mocked, "What? You don't know me? Have you been so busy that you've forgotten all about me? We're old friends!"

I frowned. "I don't know you, Ms. Snow."

She laughed and turned to her companions. "Did you hear that? She said she doesn't know me!"

One of her companions in a yellow dress laughed with her and said sarcastically, "Oh, let her be. We wouldn't want to know a bootlicking bitch who refuses to leave Mr. Linden alone, anyway."

They laughed meanly.

My expression turned icy, and I tugged on Teri. "Let's go. We don't have to stoop to their level."

Suddenly, Teri flew into a rage. She shouted, "Who do you think you're calling a bitch? Could there be anyone in this world cheaper and bitchier than you? You know Elijah is married, yet you still tried to seduce him.

"You're not any better, Sharon Lowry. Your family kept trying to wine and dine Elijah to get a business deal with Linden Group. You're the cheapest of the lot! You come from a family of cheap bastards!"

Her outburst made Evelyn and her companions stand there in stunned silence. Evelyn was the first to return to her senses. She pounced on Teri, wanting to pull her hair. I knew how good Teri was in a fight, though. I'd seen her in them countless times since childhood.

If she claimed she was Halton City's best fighter, no one would dare claim otherwise. She grabbed a cup of unfinished coffee and splashed it at Evelyn. The latter covered her face and screamed.

Meanwhile, Sharon swung her shopping bags at Teri. Teri wasn't paying attention, so I stretched my arms to shield her. The bags hit me, making pain spread through me.

This infuriated Teri. "How dare you bitches try to hurt Ari! You guys are asking for trouble!"