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

me to act when I’m seeing my mother standing in front of me, who apparently is

answered in a low tone, taking my eyes in another direction.

ON TO

2/3

was starting to get high, and it was not good. “My

immediately, holding his head, and I could notice

wrong?” I asked, shifting closer

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

held both of his shoulders. “Let’s go

things heated. He might

him to his room, I

him like waves of heat. His confusion

I needed to handle the situation delicately.

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

trying to ward off

deep breaths, okay? In and out,” I

evening out as he focused

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

passed. The lines of strain on his

I asked softly, giving his shoulder

his gaze fixed on some distant point beyond the walls of his room.

snapping back there,” he murmured, his voice heavy with

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

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 she’s supposed

it’s hard to wrap your head around,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “But sometimes,

a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes. “Do

lot of things to talk about. But not right now; you’re

at me, his cast dispelling the bewilderment.

shoulder forthwith. “You take care,

rry, what now?”

I stood up

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

HOLDING ON

right there, crossing her arms

her