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 seeing my

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

HOLDING ON TO

2/3

it was not good. “My mother died when I

immediately, holding his head, and I could

asked, shifting

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

of his shoulders. “Let’s go upstairs.

get things heated. He might just lose consciousness, stressing himself, and I wasn’t up

took him to his room, I could feel

like waves

clear, and I knew I needed to handle the

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

trying to ward off the pain that

breaths, okay? In and out,” I coached gently,

my lead, his breathing gradually evening out as he focused

encouraged, reassuringly touching his shoulder.

melting away from Luke’s body as the minutes passed. The lines of strain on his face began to soften, replaced by a look of weary resignation.

asked softly, giving his

fixed on some distant

back there,” he murmured, his voice heavy

a lot to process,” I reassured him,

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

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

looked at me, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes. “Do you… do you know what’s going on?”

out a deep sigh. “Well, there are a lot of things to talk about. But not right now; you’re still

me, his cast dispelling the bewilderment.

“You take care, hun. I’ll be

rry, what now?”

I stood up

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

HOLDING ON

crossing

taking her back off the