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.

need to calm

you expect me to act when I’m

complicated.” I answered in a low tone, taking my

HOLDING ON TO

2/3

good. “My mother died when I was seven

his head, and I could

I asked,

I don’t know, my head… hurts,” he responded, still fixing both of his hands around his

of his shoulders. “Let’s go upstairs. We’ll discuss all

walked Luke to his room upstairs, not wanting to get things heated. He might just lose consciousness,

I took him to his room, I could feel the

off him like waves of

clear, and I knew I needed to

Luke, let’s get you settled,” I said softly, guiding him to sit on the edge

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

out,” I coached gently, sitting

followed my lead, his breathing gradually evening out as he focused on the simple rhythm.

it, just relax,” I encouraged, reassuringly

The lines of

softly, giving his shoulder a

albeit slightly, with his gaze fixed on some distant

snapping back there,” he murmured, his voice heavy with fatigue.

to

just… I don’t understand any of this. How can my mom

your head around,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “But sometimes, things aren’t always what they

me, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes. “Do you… do you know what’s

a deep 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 talking

at me, his cast dispelling the

tapped his shoulder forthwith. “You take care, hun. I’ll be right back.”

rry, what now?”

I stood up

door, I was suspended. This situation was

HOLDING ON TO HOPE

and Celine was standing right there, crossing her arms like she was waiting for me.

my name, taking her back off the wall and