596: LIKE THIS

ARIEL'S POV My heart sank as I turned around to see the last person I wanted to see: Luke. Tessa's eyes narrowed, her protective instincts kicking into overdrive. Luke tried to approach us, his face a mix of concern and trepidation. "Ariel, we need to talk," he began, his voice soft and pleading. I scoffed, my blood boiling. "Don't 'Ariel' me. You lost that privilege the moment you chose to lie to me. Get out of here, Luke. I don't want to see you." Luke's expression hardened, his fists clenching at his sides. "Ariel, please. Hear me out. I know I messed up, but I need you to understand why." "Oh, please," I spat, not caring about who heard. "Why? You're going to stand there and make excuses for cheating on me? Spare me the sob story, Luke. I don't want to hear it." Tessa placed a hand on my arm, her voice low and commanding. "Ariel, you don't need this right now. Let's go." "Dad, you have some explanation to do," Janice said, standing in front of Luke. "Janice, sweetheart," Lu