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 down.”

expect me to act when I’m seeing my mother standing in front of

things are a little bit complicated.” I answered in a low tone,

ON TO HOPE

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high, and it was not good. “My mother died when I was seven

paused immediately, holding his head,

What’s wrong?” I asked, shifting closer to him.

my head… hurts,” he responded, still fixing both of his

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

to get things heated. He might just lose

to his room, I

like waves of heat. His

knew I needed to handle the situation delicately.

guiding him to sit on

rubbing his temples as if trying to ward off the

okay? In and out,”

evening out as he focused on the simple rhythm.

relax,” I encouraged, reassuringly touching his shoulder.

The lines of strain on his face began to soften, replaced

softly, giving his shoulder a

some distant point beyond the

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

Luke. This is all a lot to process,”

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

began, choosing my words carefully. “But sometimes,

looked at me, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes.

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

me, his cast dispelling

tapped his shoulder forthwith. “You take care,

rry, what now?”

I stood up

room forthwith. After closing the door, I was suspended. This situation was about to spiral out

HOLDING ON TO HOPE

crossing her arms like she was waiting

she called my name, taking her