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Natalie simply shook her head, and walked straight into his open arms, burying her face in his chest. “I failed her as a mother.”

“It’s not your fault. You thought that you were making the right decision by leaving her behind. Who knew that things would turn out this way?”

“She’s going to hate me,”

“Give her time. You can’t expect her to warm up to you anytime soon,” He added, “And perhaps release the cuffs too?”

“No!” Natalie rejected that suggestion, pushing away from his body as if he had just been manipulating her with his touch and she didn’t want to fall for it.

“It would make her feel more at home and less than a prisoner. Natalie, if you want her to accept you just a little bit, you have to extend an olive branch first. Remember, you want to be the mother you missed out on during her childhood, it’s not too late now. Moreover, this place is secure, not even an ant could get out.” He assured her.

“Fine, release her while I go speak with Rose, she must be confused with what’s going on so far.” Arianna was not the only one that needed an explanation.

Arianna was still reeling from what happened so far and the startling reality of the situation she was in when the door clicked open and another stranger stepped into the room. Well, not exactly a stranger, he was that man from earlier, and now that she looked at him fully, he looked quite familiar to... Elijah.

.....

Damn.

Why does it feel like there was more she was yet to know? So far, her mother was good at keeping secrets – devastating ones.

“You’re Elijah’s brother, aren’t you?” Arianna said, looking at him and already thinking of how to use him and get the hell out of here. She was an adult, legally eligible to have her own life without interference, not even from a long-lost mother. How dare that woman kidnap her all because she wants a mother, daughter reunion. Well, they already had one. It was time to let her go.

“Eldest brother,” Eric pointed out, stalking over to her and though Arianna pretended to be brave, she still was cautious about him. Why would he return here after her mother left? Her mind was already heading in that direction. Surely, her mother wasn’t negligent.

She pushed down the fear and asked him, “Why are you here?”

Eric slowly sat down on the bed and Arianna didn’t take her eyes off him, watching him like a patient cheetah waiting for the right time to hunt its prey, except that in her case, it was to bolt.

“You don’t have to worry about me,” Eric said when he sensed the tension coming from her, “I have no interest in you and would never have. In fact, we are going to be family soon.”

“W-what?” Arianna was confused until she saw the small smile at the corner of his lips and her jaw dropped to the ground.

Oh God, no.

In one word, if he and her mother got married, then she and Elijah would be in-laws. Arianna couldn’t help but wonder what would have been the case if she and Elijah had been couples. Would her mother have given way for her and Elijah’s happiness? Or would she have to sacrifice her happiness for a woman she didn’t know existed until recently?

Honestly, Arianna didn’t know how to feel about her mother. She moved from her father, Edward to Daniel, Marcel’s father, and finally now, Elijah’s brother, Eric. If it wasn’t for the relationship between them and the truth she’s heard, Arianna would have called her a slut.

Fine! Perhaps she still was a bit resentful that her mother had easily moved on from her father, Edward. Her father loved her so much, you know? Didn’t she feel the same for him? Why does it feel unfair?

“Well, congratulations to you,” Arianna said to him, her tone lacking sincerity. She was not happy at all.

“Are you so sure about that?” Eric said, reaching for her hand and she flinched until he lifted the key in his hand, showing that he meant her no harm, and only then was Arianna able to relax. It seems her mother finally came to her senses.

Step one of her plans was achieved.

“I know that you have every right to be mad at your mother, however, it has not been easy for her either,” Eric said to her while unlocking the cuffs and in turns, her hands were finally free.

“I know,” Arianna nodded, rubbing her wrist, “I heard the whole story and as much as I’m mad at her, I’m more furious at Daniel. To think that without his interference, I would have a perfect family and -”

“And your mother wouldn’t have to marry me,” Eric completed the words for her as if he had read her mind.

Yep, it was pretty much that, Arianna didn’t say it out loud.

“Listen...” Eric faced her, “I know about you and Elijah...”

“Awkward” Arianna breathed. She was definitely not talking about this here and not with him of all people.

“It’s hard -”

“I’m not in love with your brother, anymore,” She stopped him right there.

“I know, but I still want to apologize to you because if that hadn’t been the case, one of us would be making the sacrifice by now. So do you accept my apology,” He put out his hand.

“Sure,” Arianna enveloped his hand with hers.

He was just about to move away when Arianna suddenly pulled him into a sudden hug, surprising him.

“Thank you?” Eric accepted the hug without questioning and they broke apart.

Done with his mission, Eric got up from the bed and was heading to the door when he suddenly turned and Arianna’s heart skipped a beat.

He said to her, “Could you please give your mother a chance? She really wants the best for you.”

“I’ll try,” Arianna shrugged.

“Thank you,” Eric said and closed the door.

But as soon as the door was shut, Arianna pulled out the phone behind her with a sleazy smile. Yes, she would definitely give her a chance.