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 calm down.”

world do you expect me to act when I’m

I answered in a low tone, taking

ON

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

immediately, holding his head, and I could

What’s wrong?” I asked,

responded, still fixing both

I held both of his shoulders. “Let’s

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

his room, I could

off him like waves of heat. His confusion

frustration were clear, and I knew I needed to handle the situation

settled,” I said softly, guiding

his temples as if trying to ward

breaths, okay? In and out,” I coached

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

I encouraged, reassuringly touching

minutes passed. The lines of strain on

better?” I asked softly, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze.

gaze fixed on some

snapping back there,” he murmured,

a lot to process,” I reassured him, offering a sympathetic

understand any of this.

it’s hard to wrap your head around,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “But sometimes, things aren’t

looked at me, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes. “Do you… do you know

of things to talk about. But not right now; you’re still too weak for this. Not weak, though, but you know what

brows at me, his cast dispelling the

“You take care, hun. I’ll

rry, what now?”

I stood up

closing the door, I was suspended. This situation was about to spiral

ON TO

right there, crossing her arms like she was waiting

she called my name, taking her back