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? How in the world do you expect me to act when I’m seeing

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

ON TO

2/3

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

head, and

wrong?” I asked, shifting closer to

head… hurts,” he responded, still fixing

“Let’s go upstairs. We’ll discuss all

room upstairs, not wanting to get things heated. He might

to his room, I could feel the tension

him like waves of heat.

I needed to handle the

settled,” I said softly, guiding him to sit on the

to ward off the pain that lingered in his

deep breaths, okay? In and out,” I

evening out as he focused on the simple rhythm.

just relax,” I encouraged, reassuringly touching

melting away from Luke’s body as the minutes passed. The lines of strain on his face began to

I asked softly, giving

on some distant point beyond the walls of

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

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

sighed, leaning back against the pillows with a weary sigh. “I just… I don’t understand any of this. How can my mom be here when

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

his eyes. “Do

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

at me, his cast dispelling the bewilderment.

take care, hun. I’ll be right

rry, what now?”

I stood up

was suspended. This situation was about to spiral out

ON

there, crossing her

name, taking her back off the wall