398: INNER DEMONS
ARIEL’S POV
I slowly opened my eyes and noticed that I was alone in the bed. I sat up, rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and looked around the room for Luke. However, rcouldn’t find him anywhere.
I frowned, feeling a sense of unease wash over me. Where could he have gone so early in the morning? I checked my phone for any missed calls or messages, but there was nothing. Panic started to rise in my chest as I got out of bed, threw on a robe, and rushed out of the
room.
I searched the whole mansion, calling out Luke’s name, but there was no response. I was starting to get really worried. What if something happened to him? What if his memory had suddenly returned, and he had left without telling me?
Just as I was about to call the police, I heard a noise coming from the backyard. I ran towards the back door and flung it open, my heart pounding.
And there he was, standing in the middle of the backyard with his back to me. Relief washed over me as I ran towards him, my feet barely touching the ground.
“Luke!” I exclaimed, wrapping my arms around him from behind.
He turned around a surprised expression on his face. “Ariel? What are you doing here?”
“What do you mean? What am I doing here? I live here,” I said, slightly confused.
He looked at me with a puzzled expression. “But this is my house.“I live here alone.”
My heart sank as I realized that he still didn’t remember me or our life together. I tried to keep the disappointment off my face as I pulled away from him.
“Luke, it’s me, Ariel.“Your wife,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
“My wife?” he asked, clearly confused. “I don’t remember being married.”
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I struggled to keep my composure. “You were in a car accident, and it caused you to lose your memory. I’ve been taking care of you since then.”
He looked at me in shock. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember any of that.”
I felt a lump form in my throat as I tried to hold back my tears. This was not how I had imagined our reunion after he regained consciousness.
“I’ll help you remember, Luke. I promise,” I said, determination filling my
Voice.
All of a sudden, he made an angry face. “Get the hell out of my house.”
“Are you really being serious now?” I quizzed him.
“Do I look like I’m joking?” His face said it all. “Now, get the hell out of this mansion.”
“Luke, I can’t leave you. What’s wrong? “Why are you being so rude to me?” I held both of his shoulders.
My heart pounded in my chest as Luke’s expression turned cold and hostile. Before I could do anything, he shoved me away with surprising force, causing me to stumble backward and fall to the ground.
Pain shot through me as I hit the hard surface, and my breath knocked out of me. I looked up at Luke in shock, unable to comprehend his sudden change in behavior.
“What are you doing?” I cried out, my voice trembling with fear and confusion.
Ignoring my question, he grabbed me roughly by the arm and dragged me across the floor, his grip like a vice around my wrist. I struggled against him, but his strength was overpowering.
He pulled me towards the front door, his movements swift and determined. Panic surged through me as I realized he was forcing me out of the house.
“Stop, Luke, please!” I pleaded, tears streaming down my cheeks.
But he remained silent, his face a mask of anger. With one final push, he shoved me out of the door and into the cool morning air.
I stumbled forward, my body aching from the rough treatment. As I tried to gather my bearings, I heard the sound of Luke’s car engine starting up.
And right after that, he appeared beside me, grabbing me roughly by the arm and hauling me towards the car. I struggled against him, but his grip was relentless.
“Let me go, Luke!” I screamed, my voice desperate.
But he paid no heed to my pleas, throwing me into the passenger seat with a rough shove. I landed with a thud, the impact knocking the wind out of me.
Before I could recover, he slammed the door shut and started the car, driving off with screeching tires. My heart raced as I tried to make sense of what was happening, the world spinning around me in a blur of confusion and fear.
Suddenly, the car came to a halt, and Luke opened the door, pulling me out roughly. I stumbled as he dragged me across the muddy ground, my clothes becoming soaked with dirt
and grime.
With one final shove, he pushed me into the mud, leaving me lying there, dazed and
disoriented. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I struggled to comprehend what had jus happened.
But then, as if waking from a nightmare, I blinked to find myself lying in bed,
Neves open safe and sound. I looked around, and after that, I exhaled deeply.
It was all just a dream–a terrifying, heart–wrenching nightmare. Oh gosh, that was really horrible. For a moment, I felt like I was in hell.
Relief flooded through me as I realized that Luke would never treat me that way. He may have lost his memory, but the love and compassion he had shown me in reality would never fade away.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed aside the lingering fear and uncertainty, grateful to be back in the comforting embrace of reality. And as the morning light filtered through the curtains, I knew that whatever bullshit lay ahead, I would face them with courage and strength, bla bla bla, knowing that love would always prevail in the end.
Yeah, that’s what I used to strengthen myself most of the time. I was a big fan of the saying, ‘Love conquers all.‘ So, what did you expect?
Shaken by the intensity of the nightmare, I slowly pushed myself up from the bed, my heart, still racing with residual fear. My hands trembled slightly as I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the lingering sense of dread.
With unsteady steps, I made my way to the bathroom, the cool tiles soothing beneath my feet. Turning on the faucet, I splashed cold water onto my face, hoping to wash away the remnants of the nightmare that still clung to my mind.
As the water dripped down my cheeks, I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heartbeat. The image of Luke’s hostile demeanor lingered in my mind.
“What was that all about?” I muttered to myself, trying to make sense of the jumbled. thoughts swirling in my head.
The dream had felt so real and vivid that it had left me questioning everything. Was it just my subconscious playing tricks on me, or was there a deeper meaning behind it?
I dried my face with a towel; I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that lingered within me. The fear of losing Luke, of being cast aside and forgotten, gnawed at my insides, leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed.
