The Love From Vengeance

318: PATHS DIVERGED

ARIEL’S POV

I held Laura’s gaze steadily, my expression resolute. “I mean exactly what I said. If you’re worried about someone, pay close attention to your own husband. I’m not going to talk too much. But don’t be blind to what’s right in front of you.”

Laura’s eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed in suspicion. “What are your trying to say about my husband?”

“I’m saying that maybe he’s not as innocent as you think,” I replied evenly. “But that’s your business to sort out. Right now, I need to take care of mine.”

Without waiting for Laura’s response, I turned on my heel and headed inside the mansion to pack my belongings. As I made my way through the familiar halls, my heart felt heavy with the weight of my decision, but I knew it was the right one.

I found Janice in her room, playing with her toys. I crouched down beside her, cupping her face in my hands. “Sweetheart, we’re leaving,” I said softly.

Janice looked up at me, confusion flickering in her eyes. “Leaving? But why?”

I brushed a gentle kiss against her forehead. “Because it’s time for us to start fresh somewhere else, where we can be happy.”

Janice nodded solemnly, sensing the gravity of the situation. “Okay, mommy. I’ll go with you wherever you go.”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I gathered Janice into my arms, holding her close. “Thank you, sweetheart. Let’s go.”

With Janice in my arms and my belongings in tow, I returned to the front door, where Laura was still watching silently. I paused in front of her, my heart heavy with unresolved emotions. But this was the right step to take. And I needed to follow through with it, or something terrible might happen if I continued living in this house.

“Goodbye, Laura,” I said quietly, my voice thick with emotion. It was for the best. Take care of yourself.”

BADLI DIVER

Laura remained silent, her expression unreadable, as she watched us leave the mansion for the last time. As I stepped out into the rain, I knew that I was closing a chapter of my life. But I also knew I was stepping into a new chapter filled with hope and possibility with Luke and Janice by my side.

Just as I was about to walk further with Janice, Laura halted me and said, “Wait!”

I stopped walking and turned around, my hand positioned around Janice’s shoulder. Actually, both of us turned around.

us. “You can take one of my cars. I don’t want you both walking

I held her hand tightly. I turned back

“Thank you,” I

me, and I could see pain in her eyes. “Ariel, I’m… I’m

my eyes slowly, and I could say the same for her. “I’m sorry, too.”

and I held both of Laura’s shoulders, smiling at her. Thank

me. “Take care of yourself. “And take care of the little one.” Her gaze went down to Janice, a quick look, and then the eyes fell back on me. “I believe you can handle things really well on your own. But if you ever need help with anything, you just have to know I’m here.

me.”

that. Thank

softening as the seconds passed by. “You’re welcome, Ariel. Just promise

head, curious about what she

me that you’ll take care of yourself, too,” she said earnestly. “You’ve always been strong for

touched by her concern. “I promise,

of relief mingled with sadness as we embarked on this new journey.

turned out to

seat with Janice beside me,

would now turn out to be my past, I was also

started the engine, ready to drive and make

pour, and its rhythmic beat against the car’s windshield matched the tumultuous thoughts swirling in my mind. With each mile closer to Luke’s mansion, my anticipation and apprehension grew in equal

her small hand gripping mine tightly as she stared out at the

destination.

see us? Would he understand why I had to

be happy. That was

stretched into what felt like

we drove

night. The occasional flash of lightning illuminated the darkened sky, casting eerie

imposing gates of Luke’s mansion

moment where the true family would

my nerves, I started calling Luke on the