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"Ariel!" Elizabeth exclaimed, rushing forward and wrapping her arms around her cousin. Felicia shot an angry look but said nothing.
"I missed you so much, Ariel! Wait… what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Elizabeth asked, her eyes scanning Ariel's pale, swollen face.
Her gaze darted around the room, searching for Ariel's mother. Then, turning to her father, she asked, "Where's Aunty Lily?"
"I don't know," her father replied, his voice tight. "I've asked the same question, but there's been no response."
Elizabeth's eyes softened as she looked into Ariel's, asking gently, "Where is your mother?"
Ariel drew a deep, shuddering breath. She met Elizabeth's gaze briefly, then looked down at her uncle before whispering, trembling, "My… my mother… she… she's dead."
"WHAT?!" The room erupted.
"Wh-what do you mean by dead?" Uncle James stammered.
"She's dead," Ariel said quietly, her voice breaking.
"You're not joking, are you?" Uncle James asked, trying to steady himself. "Just tell me what happened."
"I… I don't know what happened… we… we were attacked by…" Ariel's voice faltered as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Attacked by what?" James demanded, his patience thinning.
"By… monsters," she whispered, trembling.
"MONSTERS?!" Everyone exclaimed, including Melanie, who had just returned from her errand.
"They… they killed my mom," Ariel said, voice barely audible.
"Wait… they killed her and left you?" Aunt Felicia asked incredulously, eyes narrowing. All eyes turned back to Ariel, demanding an answer.
"I—I don't know how I survived," Ariel explained, choking back sobs. "But we were attacked yesterday, and she… she disappeared after she died."
Chuckling coldly, Felicia sneered, "This girl must be joking. Disappeared? What do you think we are—children who believe every story?"
"Do you think we're living in a fantasy world? Just tell us what happened," she demanded sharply.
"I'm telling the truth!" Ariel's tears fell like a river, her voice cracking.
"Mother, please don't pressure her," Elizabeth intervened softly.
"Take her to freshen up, give her something to wear, and prepare some food," Uncle James instructed his elder daughter. "I'll find out what happened."
Ariel stood, ready to leave, but her uncle's gentle voice stopped her.
"Ariel… be at ease. I'll find out what happened to your mother, okay?"
She nodded slowly, and Beth led her to the guest room, already prepared for her.
"Here's the bathroom," Elizabeth said, handing her a soft gown. "There's hot soup on the table—eat it while it's still warm."
"Thank you," Ariel whispered. "I'll manage from here."
Beth paused, then called softly, "Ariel?"
"Hmm?" Ariel looked up.
"You don't need to thank me. I'm so sorry for what happened to your mother. I don't know what you've been through, but you'll be safe here. You'll start a new life with us."
Ariel felt her chest tighten at Elizabeth's kindness, so different from her mother and younger sister. She bit her lip to hold back the tears, clutching her gown tightly, and nodded without looking at her.
In the bathroom, Ariel slowly undressed and sank into the warm bath, letting the water rise to her neck. She closed her eyes, trying to absorb the pain, unaware she was drowning in her grief.
After a few minutes, she bolted upright, splashing water across the floor and coughing uncontrollably.
Elizabeth rushed in at the sound, gasping at the sight of Ariel's state. She wrapped a towel around her trembling cousin.
"Are you alright?" she asked, panic in her voice.
Shaking her head, Ariel clung to Elizabeth's arm as they left the bathroom. Sitting on the couch, Ariel accepted the hot soup Elizabeth handed her, sipping weakly.
"It's okay to feel this way," Elizabeth said softly, wiping Ariel's tears. "I don't know what you're going through, but you'll be alright. If your mother were here, she wouldn't want to see you like this. Cry if you need to… don't punish yourself. I'm here for you."
The tenderness in Elizabeth's voice broke Ariel completely. She buried her face into Elizabeth's shoulder, sobbing, as Elizabeth held her close, crying with her.
---
The next morning, the sun rose bright over the city. Uncle James, torn by worry, received a call-up letter. He wouldn't have time to uncover what had happened to his sister—he had to return north for work.
"You're leaving?" Felicia asked, noticing him packing his suitcase.
"Yes, I just received a letter. I can't waste any more time," he said, adjusting his watch. Then he gently took her hand.
"I'm leaving my niece in your care. Take good care of her."
"Of course," Felicia said, putting on a sad face.
"I trust you… I love you," James said softly, kissing her forehead before heading to Ariel's room.
"Beth, take care of her," he instructed.
"Yes, Dad. Safe travels," she replied, hugging him and Melanie tightly. He left the compound.
---
Two days had passed since Ariel arrived. She finally explored her room, taking in the wide space. A small bed sat by the window, a lantern hung on the wall, a blue couch and round glass table occupied the center, and a tiny freezer rested nearby. Fresh flowers decorated the room.
Ariel's tears welled up at the sight of the flowers. Elizabeth approached quietly, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you done eating?"
"Yes, thank you," Ariel said, hiding her eyes.
"Please don't say that. We're sisters," Elizabeth said kindly.
Sisters? Ariel thought. My mother would never consider this family…
"What are you reading?" Ariel asked, seeking distraction.
"A romance novel," Beth replied, showing her.
"The Bond," Ariel whispered softly. "I've read it already. Very interesting."
"Wow, really?" Beth exclaimed happily.
"Yes," Ariel chuckled. "I love novels—especially romance. I imagine myself as the FL, wishing for a wonderful man as a husband." They laughed together.
Beth's heart swelled seeing Ariel smile again.
"But now…" Ariel's voice faltered as she turned to the window. "Everything is gone—my mother, my happiness, my dreams… buried like they never existed." She clutched her chest, tears streaming.
"I can't breathe… it hurts so much. I loved my mother… I just don't know what emotions I'm feeling. I… I can't hold it anymore…" She broke down completely.
Elizabeth's cheeks were wet from tears as she pulled Ariel into a warm hug, stroking her hair.
"You'll be fine," Beth whispered. "Dad will find who did this. For now, be strong. I promise… everything will be alright."
Ariel, exhausted and heartbroken, fell asleep on Beth's shoulder, comforted by her sisterly embrace.