Glass Waltz (A Short Story)

Green

James's concern for his granddaughter Ariel's well-being grew with each passing day. On video calls and during visits, she appeared cheerful and engaged, yet she often complained of fatigue, which she attributed to her pregnancy, and seemed overly concerned about James's health. Something didn't sit right with him. Ariel had stopped going to her studio, causing her best friend and colleague Annie to worry. Despite Annie's efforts to coax her back, Ariel stood firm on needing rest.

The pregnancy was progressing smoothly according to the doctor's reports and Adrian's shared ultrasounds, but James was haunted by a persistent unease. Ariel's enigmatic comment on the night she announced her pregnancy was out of character and it echoed in his thoughts. She brushed off his worries as needless when he brought them up, intensifying his unease.

James sensed a profound bond with Ariel, yet he couldn't shake off the suspicion that she was concealing something from him. The revelation that she had concealed her pregnancy from the family for three months was especially troubling. He was aware that, according to his will, this child would inherit millions, a detail that only he and his attorneys knew, not even Ariel.

Ariel's pregnancy had come about swiftly, just a month into her marriage, which raised more questions for James. He was baffled by Ariel's apparent ignorance of the situation. But what truly troubled him was Adrian Carlton's intense ambition, a quality that always made James apprehensive.

The ping of his phone signaled a message from his granddaughter, revealing an ultrasound image adorned with a pink heart. Emotions surged through James as he anticipated the arrival of his great-granddaughter, a cherished new member of the family. Amidst his worries, he found himself wishing that the little one would possess Ariel's remarkable beauty and be spared her naivety.

In the seventh month of her pregnancy, Ariel often stood before her wardrobe mirror in her undergarments, admiring the gentle swell of her abdomen where her daughter lay. If asked about her feelings on the pregnancy, she'd affirm her happiness with certainty. The joy of carrying a daughter and the anticipation of motherhood filled her, even if she felt as much an object as a mother. The thought of her child was precious to her.

Yet, defining her overall happiness was challenging for Ariel. What were happiness and sadness, after all? Were they mere illusions, empty promises designed to mislead? Emotions made one vulnerable to manipulation and seemed a human exclusive. Ariel no longer saw herself as human. She couldn't remember the last time she cried, smiled sincerely, had a food craving, wished to dance, or wanted to chat. These had become duties, not desires.

However, one emotion remained strong within Ariel: her love for James Scott, her grandfather. This love was her sustenance amidst the chaos, overshadowing even her fondness for her unborn child. Some might criticize her as a neglectful mother, self-centered, or melodramatic for not overcoming her emotional detachment to fully engage with motherhood. But Ariel was powerless to change; she didn't choose to feel this way.

Her love for her child was deep and unwavering. Given the choice, she would not hesitate to put her daughter's needs before her own. However, thoughts of her unborn child brought a tumult of emotions: feelings of betrayal, sorrow, and exploitation. The fear that her daughter might be used as a tool in her father's plans, just as Ariel had been, was unshakable—a vicious cycle in motion. These uncertainties haunted her, making her second-guess her choices, including the decision to bring her daughter into such a complex world.

Ariel's need for support grew urgent as she watched her belly grow and felt her daughter's lively kicks. Every movement was a reminder of her resolve to hold onto her humanity, despite those who tried to dehumanize her. She was determined to retain just enough of herself to be the mother her daughter deserved.