396: Beyond Words


    ARIEL’S POV


    Luke caught me before Inded on the ground, and I found myself enveloped in his strong, reassuring


    embrace. Our eyes locked in a moment of pure connection, the chaos of the spilled dinner forgotten as


    we gazed deeply into each other’s souls.


    In the fleeting instant, time seemed to stand still as the world around us faded into the background,


    leaving only Luke and me suspended in a silent exchange of emotions. His warm breath brushed


    against my cheek, sending convulsions down my spine as I tightened my grip around his neck, feeling


    the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my chest.


    There was something undeniably maic about the way our gazes held as if we weremunicating


    without words, sharing our hopes, fears, and dreams with nothing but the unspokennguage of our


    hearts.


    In Luke’s eyes, I saw a depth of understanding andpassion that spoke volumes, reassuring me


    that we would face challenges together no matter what challengesy ahead.


    The seconds ticked by, and I felt a sense of sangfroid wash over me as if I had finally found a


    sanctuary at the heart of the storm in Luke’s arms. I felt safe, cherished, and utterly alive, each


    heartbeat echoing the unspoken truth of our bond.


    Luke released me from his embrace slowly, almost reluctantly, but the connection between us lingered


    in the air like an invisible thread binding our souls together.


    Without a word, we both knew that this moment had once again stirred something between us,


    deepening the bond that already existed in a hundred billion ways.


    So I stood there, still lost in the depths of Luke’s gaze, wondering what the future held for us. But for


    now, in this precious moment of silentmunion, that was all I wanted.


    But I eventually tore my gaze away from Luke’s, with a small smile tweaked at the corners of my lips.


    This moment was funny, lovely, and wonderful.


    It didn’t take long before Luke slowly let go of me, and I stood upright.


    “I should start going now,” I told him softly, gesturing toward the door.


    “Yeah, you should.” He nodded, and I left the room with a smile on my face–yes, a face filled with joy.


    Luke may have forgotten about me, but the spark and connection would still be there. Nothing would


    ever disappear. The lovely memories we shared would all return in just a


    matter of time. And yeah, the terrible ones.


    Fuck that!


    ****


    The day had gotten really dark, and Janice came home with my mother. Yes, she showed up with my


    mom, and they were both at the door. I was d Marcus had not fallen asleep.


    Janice approached me. “Mom, it’s so nice to see you.” She hugged me tightly, and my mother was


    standing behind her.


    Yes, I’ve spent the past few days with Luke and haven’t visited the house. Janice didn’t visit the


    hospital since she was busy with school stuff, projects, and all that. What did I know?


    “How have you been? I hope you are well all this time. And what about dad? Is he doing okay?”


    “Well, your father has woken up. He’s no longer in aa.”


    “That’s incredible news!” Janice eximed, her eyes bright with joy. “Can I go see him? I


    want to tell him how much I missed him.”


    I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. “Actually, Janice, Dad’s resting right


    now. He’s asleep,” I said gently, cing a hand on her shoulder. “I think it’s


    best not to disturb him at the moment.”


    Her excitement dimmed slightly, but she nodded understandingly. “Okay, I’ll wait until he wakes up. But


    I’m just so relieved to hear he’s doing better.”


    I managed a small smile, grateful for her optimism. “Yeah, it’s a huge relief for all of us”


    She nced around, noticing the solemn atmosphere in the house. “Everyone seems to be asleep.”


    “Yeah, and you should go to sleep. You have school tomorrow.”


    “Actually, Mom, tomorrow’s Saturday.”


    “Ohhh,” was what I said. “Yeah, but you should still go to sleep. You need to get some rest. You’re


    exhausted from whatever you were doing today.”


    “Alright, I’ll just go to my room then. Let me know if Dad wakes up, okay?”


    “Of course,” I assured her, watching as she made her way upstairs.


    Janice disappeared from view, and I let out a sigh, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. I didn’t know


    how I was going to tell her that her father couldn’t recognize her anymore.


    What was going to be her reaction when she found out that he had forgotten about her, thinking he


    didn’t even have children?


    Wow, this was moreplicated than I thought.


    “What’s going on, Ariel?” My mother asked, walking closer to me.


    I had totally forgotten that she was still in this house.


    “Mom? Oh, sorry, I can’t actually get what you’re saying.


    “I know something’s wrong, Ariel.”


    “What?” I made a silly face. “Nothing’s wrong. Nothing’s wrong; it’s all fine. You should get going now.


    Or it’s toote; you’ll have to spend the night here. Hold on, let me just find a room upstairs.”


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    “Ariel, you don’t have to pull an act in front of me. Drop the fake face, alright?”


    “Who said this is a fake face?”


    you


    She gave me a disbelieving look, crossing both of her arms. And staring at her, I suspired.


    “Fine, fine. You got me. This is just my… I don’t even know what to say.” I spoke lowly, settling down on


    the couch.


    “I’m the one who gave birth to you. I know these things.”


    “Great, you should get an award then.”


    My mother sat next to me. “Ariel, I can tell that something is not right.“Your actions, your words, and


    your look. Everything’s just off. So you tell me, honey, what is the problem?”


    After her calm words, I took a deep breath. “It’s about Luke.”


    “It’s what about Luke?”


    “He finally regained consciousness; that’s great. But unfortunately, he lost his memory.”


    “Luke lost his memory.”


    “Yes, the doctor had to let me know that the car ident was serious, and it erased a lot of things from


    his head for a lot of people, including me and Janice.”


    My mother nodded at my words. “Hold on. So now you’re telling me that Luke doesn’t know you’re his


    wife.”


    “I did tell him and try to make him recall things, but instead, his head just started hurting, and boom, he


    cked out. So now, I really need to be careful.”


    “Wow, that’s really painful.”


    “I know, and I’m trying my very best not to stress him at the moment, keeping him away from people so


    they don’t start talking too much. I don’t want him getting pains in his head anymore.”


    “But you do know you’ll have to tell him everything.”


    “I know; that’s why brought him to this mansion.”


    “I think it’s best you start telling him everything now,” my mother suggested.


    “I will, but not tonight.“He might start feeling pain and lose consciousness. And I’m not up for that.”


    “It’s a part of the process,” she said.


    “And I need to take things carefully,” I responded.