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

you expect me to act when I’m seeing my mother standing

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

ON

2/3

it was not good. “My mother died when I was seven years old. Why am

holding his head, and I could notice something.

asked, shifting closer to him.

responded, still fixing both of his hands around his

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

upstairs, not wanting to get things heated. He might just lose consciousness, stressing himself, and I wasn’t up for that.

to his room, I could feel the tension

like waves of

and I knew I needed to handle the

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

complied, still rubbing his temples as if trying to ward off the pain

out,”

his breathing gradually evening out as he focused on the simple

just relax,” I encouraged, reassuringly touching his shoulder.

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

better?” I asked softly, giving his

fixed on some distant point beyond the walls of his

he murmured, his voice heavy with fatigue.

a lot to process,”

just… I don’t understand any of this. How can my mom be here when she’s supposed to

know it’s hard to wrap your head around,” I began, choosing

flickering in his eyes. “Do you…

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

furrowed his brows at me, his cast dispelling the

his shoulder forthwith. “You take care,

rry, what now?”

I stood up

room forthwith. After closing the door, I was suspended. This situation

ON TO

crossing her arms like she was waiting for

her back off the wall and