Fading Into You by Iris Blake 17

Jayceon holds Arabella tightly as she begins to vomit violently, overwhelmed by tension and nausea. Despite his insistence that she stop and reassurance that it’s not what she thinks, Arabella’s distress continues. Jayceon carefully carries her to the bathroom, where she dry heaves and he watches her with a mix of concern and confusion. Though he has been cautious in their recent encounters, the possibility of pregnancy crosses his mind, prompting him to order a pregnancy test for Arabella.

When the test arrives, Arabella takes it with trembling hands but later reveals she is not pregnant. However, she coldly states that even if she were, she would have an abortion, refusing to compete with Jayceon’s family for inheritance. This declaration reveals her deep disgust toward him, a feeling rooted in the bitter irony that it is Jayceon who does not want a child, not her. Arabella then tells Jayceon to let her know when he has time, signaling her desire to leave and divorce him.

Jayceon blocks her from leaving in the middle of the night during a rainstorm, leading to a tense confrontation. Arabella openly declares her wish for a divorce, fueled by the pain and betrayal she feels from their relationship. Jayceon counters by questioning whether she can afford to divorce him, referencing the financial support he has provided. This shocks Arabella, and Jayceon takes control by seizing her suitcase and leading her back inside.

As Arabella tries to escape, Jayceon catches her and carries her back upstairs to their bedroom, where he locks her in. Arabella feels trapped and drained as their toxic cycle continues, with Jayceon maintaining a calm, composed demeanor that only fuels her frustration. After a shower, Jayceon returns and gently but firmly replaces Arabella’s wedding ring on her finger, insisting that marriage is not a game and that divorce is not a decision she can make alone. Arabella remains determined to end the marriage, despite her lack of financial means to repay the support Jayceon and his family have given her. The chapter ends with Jayceon closing in on her, hinting at a further confrontation.

Jayceon held Arabella tightly, refusing to release his grip as he tried to calm her trembling form. “Arabella, please. Stop this. It’s not what you think,” he urged softly, his voice laced with urgency.

But Arabella’s body betrayed her—she retched violently, the tension overwhelming her.

Without hesitation, Jayceon bent down, gently lifting her into his arms. Carrying her carefully, he made his way to the bathroom. Arabella leaned over the toilet, dry heaving, her face pale and strained.

Jayceon watched her closely, a swirl of emotions crossing his face—concern, confusion, and something deeper he struggled to hide.

He had always been meticulous about precautions during their recent encounters. There was no way she could be pregnant. Yet, Arabella had longed for a child with him, a dream he had never shared.

Could she have acted without telling him? The thought gnawed at him.

Wanting to be certain, Jayceon ordered a pregnancy test from a nearby pharmacy, arranging for it to be delivered immediately.

When the test arrived, he handed it to Arabella with a quiet command, “Take it. Find out.”

She accepted it, her fingers trembling slightly as she held the small plastic stick.

In that moment, the harsh truth settled in—he didn’t want her to carry his child. His constant caution, his fear of an unplanned pregnancy, was undeniable.

Minutes later, Arabella emerged from the bathroom, handing the test back to him without a word.

“Don’t worry,” she said, her tone cold and resolute. “Even if I did get pregnant by accident, I’d have an abortion. No one’s going to compete with your woman’s son for the inheritance.”

Jayceon glanced down at the test, then up into her eyes, his brow knitting in confusion. “You really don’t want to have a child with me?”

She wasn’t pregnant, but the nausea had stemmed from something far more bitter—disgust. Disgust at him.

A bitter irony settled over Arabella. It was he who didn’t want a child. Not her.

“Let me know when you have time,” she said, turning toward the door without sparing him another glance.

Jayceon tossed the test into the trash and stepped in front of her, blocking her escape. “It’s the middle of the night, and the rain’s pouring down. Where exactly do you think you’re going?”

Arabella met his gaze, her expression blank but her words sharp as knives. “Anywhere—just as long as it means I can divorce you.”

They stood locked in silence for a moment before Jayceon asked quietly, “Are you sure?”

Arabella’s eyes burned with determination as she met his stare. “Absolutely.”

The last few days had been a torment unlike any she had ever known—like living in a personal hell.

The searing pain of betrayal by someone she once loved had nearly shattered her completely.

If she stayed, she was certain she would wither away and die.

A cold, humorless laugh escaped Jayceon’s throat.

Arabella blinked, startled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

His voice was icy and resolute. “Arabella, can you even afford to divorce me?”

Her body froze, the question hitting her like a blow.

Without another word, Jayceon closed the front door firmly, took the suitcase from her grasp, and led her through the other entrance toward the living room.

Arabella yanked her hand free. “Jayceon, what do you mean by that?”

He grasped her hand again, firm but not unkind. “Let’s talk upstairs.”

She shook him off, her voice trembling with frustration. “I don’t want to stay here!”

Jayceon’s tone was steady, reminding her, “Arabella, we’re not divorced yet.”

Her emotions teetered on the edge of collapse. With a sudden shove, she pushed him away and bolted for the door.

But Jayceon was faster. He caught her around the waist, hoisting her effortlessly over his shoulder as she struggled and kicked.

Arabella fought against him the entire way as he carried her back upstairs to their bedroom.

Once inside, Jayceon set her down roughly on the bed, sweat beading on his forehead from the effort. “Cool off. I’m going to take a shower.”

Before stepping into the bathroom, he quickly changed the passcode on the bedroom door, locking her in without a word.

Arabella sat trapped inside, the sound of the shower echoing through the room. Slowly, all her strength seemed to drain away.

Their relationship had long followed this exhausting cycle—not really arguments, but more like her shouting into an endless void.

Jayceon remained calm through it all, speaking with a frustrating composure that made her blood boil.

When he said she couldn’t afford a divorce, he meant it in terms of money.

After his shower, Jayceon emerged dressed in pajamas. Arabella sat at the vanity, lost deep in thought, her face shadowed with pain.

He smoothed the pillows and blankets on the bed before approaching her.

Reaching out for her hand, he paused when he noticed the wedding ring resting on the dresser.

Silently, Jayceon picked it up and gently slid it back onto her finger.

As Arabella tried to remove it again, he gripped her wrist firmly, stopping her.

“Arabella,” he said softly but firmly, “marriage isn’t a game. You chose to marry me. Deciding to divorce isn’t something you get to do alone.”

Arabella was beyond caring now. “Jayceon, I’m getting this divorce no matter what. I know the Palmer family owes you. I’ll pay it back later.”

Slowly, Jayceon released her wrist and took a few steps back, sitting on the foot of the bed.

His eyes locked on hers, his voice dripping with dismissiveness. “With what?”

They stared at each other. Arabella’s expression was raw and wounded.

She had married Jayceon fresh out of college, agreeing to be a stay-at-home wife.

Over the years, he had supported her, her parents, and her brother.

At this moment, she truly had no way to repay him.

Jayceon stood and moved closer to her.

Placing one hand on the vanity’s edge and the other on the back of her chair, he effectively trapped her.

“Arabella,” he said quietly, “if you can’t see clearly, let me do the math for you.”

The chapter closes on a raw and painful confrontation, laying bare the fractures in Arabella and Jayceon’s marriage. Their emotional turmoil is palpable, rooted in unspoken fears, resentments, and the harsh realities of dependency and control. Arabella’s resolve to seek a divorce clashes with Jayceon’s insistence on the weight of their shared commitments, revealing the complexity of their entangled lives and the deep wounds that have festered beneath the surface.

Despite the tension and bitterness, there remains an undercurrent of unresolved connection and vulnerability between them. Their struggle is not just about money or status but about trust, identity, and the desperate human need to be seen and valued. As the chapter ends, both stand at a crossroads, caught between the desire for freedom and the chains of their past, setting the stage for the difficult choices that lie ahead.

The tension between Jayceon and Arabella is reaching a breaking point, and the next chapter promises to delve even deeper into the complexities of their fractured relationship. As Arabella grapples with her feelings of betrayal and desperation, Jayceon’s cold pragmatism and control threaten to suffocate any hope of reconciliation. Readers will find themselves drawn into the emotional storm swirling around these two characters, wondering if there is any path forward for them or if their marriage is truly beyond repair.

Expect more raw, unfiltered moments where vulnerabilities clash with stubborn pride, and the true cost of their shared past comes to light. The power dynamics between Jayceon and Arabella will be tested further, revealing hidden motives and unresolved pain. Will Arabella find the strength to stand her ground, or will Jayceon’s unwavering grip keep her trapped in a life she no longer wants? The next chapter holds the answers, but not without stirring the heart and mind in equal measure.

Joseph King

Joseph King is an editor and storyteller who ensures every chapter is clear, polished, and engaging for readers.