Much earlier...

Arianna stepped into the house. It was one of the properties her family owned in Las Vegas.

The ride back home had been silent, deadly silent. No one dared to say a word, not even Josephine who was the cheerful one in the family.

Arianna knew the discussion they would have as soon as they settled in.

As if on cue, her father turned to her, worry evident in his gaze.

"Is Daemon holding something against you? Is he threatening you with something?" He asked.

Arianna glanced between her siblings before her gaze returned to her father, confusion marring her face now.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"You’re refusing to divorce Daemon. That must mean that he has something against you."

Arianna sighed. Her father still didn’t believe that she and Daemon got married to help him.

She didn’t blame him at all. Because Daemon didn’t lay down any conditions for her like she’d done the day they signed the contract, it was completely understandable to think that he was up to no good.

Even till now, she believed he was up to something.

Although, if it was a good thing, she didn’t know.

"Not at all, father. He does not have anything against me and he’s not threatening me to do this," she replied. "It’s just that you need help with the weapons for fighting off Sanchez."

"I already told you that I have already covered. I have some friends in Asia who might be willing to help—"

"Might," Arianna cut him off. "How sure are you that Sanchez hasn’t reached these people yet and threatened them not to help you?"

Mr. Wesley instantly clamped his mouth shut.

"Look, you said it yourself. All our warehouses have been burnt down to the ground by this man. He’s threatened suppliers not to help you, else, they’ll meet themselves in your position. Do you really think these friends of yours are going to help out? Oh wait, have they even contacted you yet to ask if you need any help to begin with?"

Mr. Wesley couldn’t answer. He couldn’t bring himself to.

He’s been in this situation for about a year, a whole year when Crisanto Sanchez started to attack his base.

A whole year and none of these friends had checked in on him.

Mr. Wesley was lying to himself when he mentioned them. They wouldn’t help him. If they wanted to, they would have done it a long time ago.

But he needed Arianna out of Daemon’s grasp as soon as possible.

Arianna sighed when she saw her father’s dejected face.

"Daemon only promised to give you the weapons that you need. And you don’t have to worry. If things go south, I’ll leave."

"But will you leave alive?" Cassian asked this time around. "What if he keeps you hostage before you can make a move?"

For some reason, Arianna couldn’t answer that question. It was crazy to think that she didn’t see Daemon in that kind of light.

"You should have just stayed here and never returned." They heard Nicholas say.

He was slumped on the couch, staring into blank space.

"What did you say?" She asked, hoping she’d heard wrong. Nicholas wouldn’t say such a thing to her.

He slowly turned to look at her, his face cold and devoid of any emotion.

She’d never seen him like that. Perhaps while they were torturing information out of their enemies, but he’d never once looked at her like that, as if she was a mistake.

"I’m saying, you should have stayed back here and never returned," he repeated, the same tone still present. He wasn’t joking or trying to lighten up the situation.

"Nicholas, what are you saying to your sister?" Mr. Wesley questioned, glaring hard at his son. "Apologize to her immediately."

"And why would I?" Nicholas questioned as he got to his feet. "Before she returned, we only had one problem, and that was to think of a way to fight off Crisanto. But now, we also have to worry about her and this stupid union she’s sharing with the Langford family." Then his gaze slowly landed on her. "You wanted to help father? I’m sure there are so many ways you could have done that instead of marrying an enemy’s son." Then he sized her up, as if putting one and two together. "Don’t tell me you fell in love with him after he saved your life?"

"Nicholas!!" Cassian yelled. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"I’m not spouting rubbish! She only returned and gave us more trouble to deal with. I wish you’d never returned. In fact, I wish you never lived to—"

Nicholas stumbled backward at the impact of a hard fist connecting with his face.

He held his face with his palm and checked to see it was already stained with blood.

"What is wrong with you?" Cassian bit out. "Have you gone insane?"

Nicholas spat blood to the ground.

"After knowing what she’s gone through, you’re still wishing for her to die?"

"Think about it. If she did, we wouldn’t have to worry about the Langfords and stay extra alert in case they attacked us." Cassian stared at him as if he was a fool. "Think about it, if Daemon decides to turn his back against us and wage war on us, do you think we’ll be able to survive it? We haven’t even handled Sanchez so tell me, do you think we can handle two wars at the same time?"

Cassian gnashed his teeth as he glared at his younger brother.

He hated to admit he was right in a way, but blaming Arianna like everything was her fault wasn’t the way to go about it.

"At least, unlike you, she’s trying to help. What have you done?"

Nicholas reared back as if he’d just been slapped in the face. Hurt flashed across his face and it lingered for a second too long.

"What have I done?" He questioned back.