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

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

HOLDING ON

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

paused immediately, holding his head, and

asked, shifting closer

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

both of his shoulders. “Let’s go upstairs.

to get things heated.

him to his room, I could feel the

waves of heat.

I needed to handle

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

to ward off the pain that lingered in

out,”

gradually evening out as he focused on

relax,” I encouraged, reassuringly touching his

The lines

I asked softly, giving his

slightly, with his gaze fixed on some distant point beyond

snapping back there,” he

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

don’t understand any of this. How can

I began, choosing my words

glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes. “Do you…

things to talk about. But not right now;

at me, his cast dispelling the bewilderment.

forthwith. “You take care, hun. I’ll be

rry, what now?”

I stood up

was suspended. This situation was

HOLDING ON TO HOPE

there, crossing her arms

called my name, taking her back