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 me,

answered in a low tone, taking my eyes in

HOLDING ON TO

2/3

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

immediately, holding his head, and I could notice something.

What’s wrong?” I asked, shifting

responded, still fixing both of his

both of his shoulders. “Let’s go

I walked Luke to his room upstairs, not wanting to get things heated. He might just lose consciousness, stressing himself, and I wasn’t up for that.

I took him to his room, I could feel the

off him like waves of heat. His confusion

I knew I needed to handle the situation delicately.

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

his temples as if trying to

In and out,” I coached gently, sitting beside him.

his breathing gradually evening out

I encouraged, reassuringly

Luke’s body as the minutes passed. The lines

better?” I asked softly, giving his shoulder a

some distant point beyond

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

to process,”

understand any of this. How can my mom

began, choosing

hope flickering in his eyes. “Do you…

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

furrowed his brows at me, his

shoulder forthwith. “You take care, hun. I’ll be right back.”

rry, what now?”

I stood up

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

HOLDING ON

standing right there, crossing her arms like she

my name, taking her back off