The Love From Vengeance

394: HOLDING ON TO HOPE

ARIEL’S POV

Finally, Luke and I entered the mansion. The foyer’s familiar grandeur and opulent furnishings welcomed

Us.

“Welcome home, Luke,” I said softly, guiding him further into the expansive hallway.

Luke’s gaze wandered, taking in the elegant surroundings with a mixture of awe and confusion. I could sense his struggle to reconcile the unfamiliar with the fragments of memory that danced just beyond his

reach.

But as we walked, a wave of warmth enveloped us as the familiar faces of the household staff greeted Luke with genuine delight. Their smiles were infectious, banishing the shadows of doubt that lingered in

his eyes.

Mariam emerged from the sitting room, her face lighting up as she caught sight of her nephew.

“Luke, darling, you’re back!” she exclaimed, rushing forward to warmly embrace him.

And then, as if on cue, Celine appeared at the top of the staircase, her expression a mixture of relief and longing. “Luke!”

She went to hug him quickly, but Luke was just giving her a stupefied face.

He kept on with the expression as he brought out, “Mom, you’re alive?”

She gazed at him in confusion, and this was the part where I had to slap my face and say, ‘Oh my god.‘

“What is going on?” Luke inquired, demanding an answer from me or his mother. His eyes are not leaving mine. “My mother is dead. Why am I seeing her face around here?”

Celine’s eyes went to mine, and she, too, was confused. The look she was giving me could tell that she wanted an explanation for this whole drama.

“Ariel, what’s going on?” She queried.

“Okay, calm down, people. There’s no need for any of us to argue around here,” I said, trying to diffuse the

situation.

“No one’s arguing here; we’re just asking questions,” Celine told me.

“Ariel, I asked you something.“Can you please give me an answer to my question?” Luke inquired, staring

at me.

Luke, you need to

me to act when I’m seeing my mother standing

I answered in a low tone,

ON TO HOPE

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get high, and it was not good. “My mother died when I was

his head, and I could

I asked, shifting closer

he responded, still fixing both of his hands

I held both of his shoulders. “Let’s go upstairs. We’ll discuss all this later.”

walked Luke to his room upstairs, not wanting to get things heated. He

I took him to his room, I

waves of heat.

knew I needed to handle the situation

I said softly, guiding him

still rubbing his temples as if trying to ward

and out,” I coached

followed my lead, his breathing gradually evening out as he focused

encouraged, reassuringly

minutes passed. The lines of strain on his face began to soften, replaced

I asked softly, giving his shoulder a

nodded, albeit slightly, with his gaze fixed on some distant point beyond the walls of

there,” he murmured, his voice heavy with

okay, Luke. This is all a lot to process,” I reassured

understand any of this. How can my mom be here when she’s supposed to

head around,” I began, choosing my words carefully.

hope flickering in his eyes. “Do you… do you

right now; you’re

at me, his

“You take care,

rry, what now?”

I stood up

I was suspended. This situation was about

HOLDING ON TO HOPE

crossing her arms like she was

my name, taking her back off the wall