Escaped My Ex, Got Snatched by His Rival - Chapter 386

Chapter 386: The Arms of Warmth
When Nicolai noticed the delicate tears falling down Ari’s cheeks, the anger that he had been carrying in his heart throughout the entire morning slowly withered.

He sighed and reached out before pulling Ari into his arms. He hid her from the world that had been nothing but cruel to her, while murmuring, “It’s alright. You are fine.”

The spell of winding emotions of fear and terror that had been hovering over Ari before, seeping into her very bones, broke the second Nicolai hugged her. Her fingers dug into the fabric of his shirt as she continued to cry.

Since the very minute she woke up and found that she had been captured by someone whom she believed to be her very own sister, Ari felt terrified and helpless. She couldn’t stop crying, and soon she was sobbing. She clutched the fabric of Nicolai’s shirt, causing wet patches to appear on the fabric.

And Nicolai held her, pulling her into his lap as he rocked her back and forth.

“Shh, it’s over,” he comforted her. His hand patted her on the back, at the same time stroking her head as he tried to comfort her.

Nicolai had only seen Ari put a strong front in front of him, even though she feared him, Ari would look him in the eye as if she were his equal like she could hurt him just as badly as he could.

He could see that she was pretty badly shaken.

“It’s alright Pallas. No one is going to hurt you now,” said Nicolai. He hugged her tight and softly spoke in her ears, “You have fought bravely and you have survived, Pallas. You shouldn’t be crying like this, my brave, wild cat.”

His words were like a blanket of warmth that Ari had been searching for throughout this ordeal. And finally, she could see her situation entirely, as well as what led to this tragedy.

She closed her eyes and leaned further close to him as she stammered, “They are not my—they are not my family.”

“I understand what you are trying to say. After all, this is pretty hard for you. If I were you, I would also not be willing to accept that bitch is my sister—” he thought that Ari was saying this because she was angry with Ariel and her selfish and cruel actions but—

Ari shook her head. She raised her head and bleakly looked at him, “I mean it literally, Ariel told me that I am not related to her and that family. I—I have no family. I —I am all alone,” She released a shuddering gasp and her lower lip wobbled dangerously as she choked on her sobs once again.

Nicolai’s eyes widened upon hearing her words, he reached forward and cupped Ari’s head from behind. He pulled her close and without another question, he hugged her close.

“It’s okay. Whoever says that you are alone? Ain’t I with you?”

*****

On the other hand, Keon and his brothers met with Kayden, who was heading out of the forest. The four of them crossed one another somewhere around the middle.

Kayden looked at the Ashford brothers, who resembled cornered beasts. They were panting and looked troubled, even their clothes were ruffled and covered in creases.

“What are you three doing here?” He asked with a frown.

Keon didn’t answer him, instead, he turned and looked around the forest. “Di—Did you see my s—Miss Harlow?” He was about to call Ari his sister but stopped himself just in time.

“I have,” Kayden answered with an inquisitive glance at the three men. “But why are you looking for her? I don’t think she is related to you at all.”

“How is she not—” Emil began, but he was silenced by the heavy look of reproach on Mateo’s face. He paused and changed his words, “Just tell us where she is at the moment.”

“What do you—”

Kayden didn’t even finish speaking when the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the silent surroundings. A second later, Noah dressed in a black trench coat came rushing.

His assistant, Brandon, was holding an umbrella in his hands while running after Noah.

Noah looked around before turning to look at Kayden with an expression of intense dislike. “Dimitri.”

“Nelson,” Kayden nodded at the man with a matching expression. “Peculiar place for a midnight walk, are you finally realizing your worth as a wild animal’s meal? Thank goodness, you are doing a favour to the world. Ya know?”

His words caused Noah to frown, but before he could retort, Emil laughed rather nastily. Both Noah and Kayden turned to look at the man who arched a brow and questioned, “What? It was funny, can’t I even laugh?”

Though he seemed to be addressing the two of them, his eyes were fixated on Noah whose frown if possible deepened even further.

“Have I done something to offend you, Mister Emil?” Noah asked, sensing a lack of friendliness and respect from Emil.

“No. I just don’t like you,” Emil replied in a clipped tone. As if he could like the man who had ruined his sister’s life, Noah Nelson didn’t even know what kind of treasure he had in the palm of his hands, and he determinedly threw it away.

Noah frowned. However, he didn’t have the opportunity to worry about Emil and the reason for his animosity towards him.

He turned towards Kayden and questioned, “Where is Ariana?”

“Why are you looking for her?” Mateo asked sharply as he finally glanced at Noah. Earlier, he thought that the man was just not worth enough for him to pay attention to him.

But now that he heard Noah speak the name of his sister, he could not stop himself.

“That…” Noah began in a stern tone. “I believe it is not a matter of concern for you and your brothers. But what about your brothers, why are you three here?”

“We are here because we found out that the doctor who saved Emil’s life was kidnapped,” replied Keon in a cold voice. “I believe it’s only right for us to help someone who had saved my brother’s life, right? However what surprises me is that you, of all people, are looking for your ex-wife.”

“Are you already regretting it, Mister Nelson?” There was a subtle hint of gloating in Keon’s voice, Noah would have noticed if he wasn’t worried sick about Ari’s safety.