Escaped My Ex, Got Snatched by His Rival - Chapter 498

Chapter 498: Unsaid feelings
Ariana knew that she was acting like a troublemaker. She knew and understood it. But she had no idea what to feel at that moment.

She felt happy and sad; at the same time she was angry and upset. Why did they not look for her before? Why did they never search for her? Why now?

All kinds of thoughts filtered in her head, and Ariana had no idea which one to put first. Her feelings worsened when she thought of the humiliation that she went through a few hours ago.

Though she had always been collected, Ariana felt like her heart was going to burst.

“I know that you are feeling really confused, my child.” Kaylyn tried to be as patient and calm as she could; even though she wanted Ariana to accept her, she didn’t push her.

With a delicate smile, Kaylyn reached out to hold Ariana’s hands in hers. “We will look into this matter as carefully as possible. There has to be a reason why such a thing happened.”

Kaylyn had investigated Mrs Harlow and was surprised to find out that the person was none other than her twin sister, Marcia.

Back then her parents had sent her to the orphanage because she was born with a weak immune system and they didn’t have the money to pay for her treatment.

Later, she was adopted by her parents who treated her really well. Later she married Theodore and completely forgot about her family who had given up on her as she was happy and content with her present.

If not for this incident she would have even forgotten that she once had a sister.

Ariana’s nails dug into her palms while Kaylyn continued to speak, “I am really sorry, Ariana. Though none of us knew about the truth, it doesn’t change the fact that our carelessness had caused you a great deal of pain. If we had been careful, then nothing would have happened to you.”

“You don’t need to apologise to me,” Ari responded. She did not know what to say or how to treat Kaylyn. “It was not your fault and as for what happened in the past can’t be blamed on you either.”

No one would have thought that such a thing would happen, and even if she was targeted due to the Ashford family’s background, there was nothing Ari could do about it. Even if she were to lose her temper or start crying, nothing would change.

“You don’t have to put a brave face in front of me.” Kaylyn sat down on the edge of the bed and spoke in her gentlest voice, “Never. I know that you and I never got the chance to be together, but I still carried you in my womb for nine months. Just because I didn’t raise you, it doesn’t mean that I love you any less.”

She raised her hand and cupped Ariana’s cheeks. “You can speak to me about your feelings, Ariana. No matter what the circumstances we are in, you are my daughter, and that will never change.”

Ari did not understand how it was possible for her to feel close to a woman whom she had never even met in her life. However in the face of Kaylyn’s soft words, she couldn’t help but feel her eyes sting with tears. Many times she had dreamed of having a mother who would care for her.

When she was sick and hungry, she would hug herself to sleep and mimic the patting motion of Mrs Harlow, which she did when Ariel was sick.

“Let your feelings out,” she heard Kaylyn say and these words were enough to make Ariana’s heart burst. However, she still held herself back, she was too scared. The mother she had known all her life had not only abused her mentally and physically but she had also left her in the hand of a man who had tried his best to groom her.

“..I ..I don’t want to –because if I cry …I might snap,” Ariana whispered. She lowered her head while stifling a sob.

“We are here for you,” said Mateo. “I know that you cannot accept us,” he added when he saw Ariana open her mouth to speak. “But at least let us have a chance?”

His voice was almost pleading, but Ariana had no idea how to reply to this kind of plea. What was she even supposed to say? That she was willing to trust them unconditionally, but then what about Penelope?

As long as that woman was here with them – would she even have a place in this family?

Would she even be loved?

With her flawed body and past as disgusting as hers? Compared to her, wouldn’t the Ashford family want to have Penelope as their daughter?

“Please give me a few minutes alone,” said Ariana.

Though Mateo was disappointed, he did not show it on his face. He nodded and agreed, “Alright.”

He turned to look at his brothers and said to them, “What are you standing there for? Ari said that she wants some time alone.”

Emil and Keon seemed like they had something to say, but they glanced at Ariana and held themselves back.

“If you want something, make sure to tell us, Ari,” said Emil.

“We are right next door,” commented Keon.

Theodore didn’t say anything; instead, he walked up to where Ariana was sitting and reached out to touch the top of her head.

“Take some rest,” he told her before turning to look at his wife, who seemed hesitant to leave but still got up from the bed. She kissed Ari on the forehead before saying to her, “Call me when you feel alright, and even if you don’t, you can still call out to your mother.”

As the Ashford family turned to leave, Mateo’s gaze fell on Nicolai. He narrowed his eyes on him and said, “Nico, what are you doing? Shouldn’t you return home now?”

His sister had just returned home; what was Nicolai doing by hovering around her like a buzzing housefly?