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.

you need to calm

to act when I’m seeing my mother standing

answered in a low tone, taking my eyes in another direction.

ON TO HOPE

2/3

“My mother died when

immediately, holding his head, and I could notice something.

wrong?” I asked, shifting closer

hurts,” he responded,

closer, I held both of his shoulders. “Let’s go upstairs.

upstairs, not wanting to get things heated. He might just lose

I took him to his room,

him like waves

knew I needed to handle the situation delicately.

settled,” I said softly, guiding him to sit on the

rubbing his temples as if trying to ward off the pain that lingered

and out,” I coached gently, sitting

breathing gradually evening out as

encouraged,

passed. The lines of strain on his face began to soften, replaced by a look

giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze.

gaze fixed on some distant point beyond the walls of

back there,” he murmured, his

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

with a weary sigh. “I just… I don’t understand any of this. How can my mom be here

around,” I began, choosing my words carefully.

in his eyes. “Do you… do you

sigh. “Well, there are a lot of things to talk about. But not right now; you’re still too weak for this. Not weak, though, but you know what I’m

me, his cast dispelling the

his shoulder forthwith. “You take

rry, what now?”

I stood up

door, I was suspended.

ON TO HOPE

there, crossing

called my name, taking her back off the