Chapter 87 An Inevitable Reunion

Chapter 87 An Inevitable Reunion
“This house is incredible! Do you really live here? Mom, you see this, right?”
“Shh, lower your voice.”
Her expression turned awkward behind the mask covering half her face as Ariana's eyes met Sophia's.
Lucas tilted his little face upward, his eyes wandering around with sparkling amazement even as his hand remained clasped in Anne's.
“Sophia, you're like a princess. Your house looks like a palace.”
Ariana's son kept chattering.
“When I grow up, I will build a palace like this for my mom too.” His small lips instantly curved into a wide, confident smile.
Anne let out a soft laugh at Lucas's display of maturity. His cold side melted away whenever it concerned his mother. Meanwhile, Ariana could only press her lips together as she held back the tightness in her chest.
“I hope no one recognizes me. It's been years.” Her mind worked furiously as she watched Lucas continue talking excitedly. “Relax. It's only for a few days until Sophia recovers. Then I can go back to Germany.”
She reassured herself.
“Go wherever you'd like.”
Sophia gave her permission. Sitting in her wheelchair, she answered in a hoarse voice, though her lips curved into a broad smile filled with delight.
“But don't forget to be careful.”
“Yay! You're so nice!” he shouted excitedly, jumping in place. The movement stopped abruptly when Ariana gently pressed down on his shoulder.
He turned around and asked, “What is it, Mom? Am I not even allowed to look around?”
“This isn't our house.” Ariana shook her head firmly, and Lucas's face instantly fell.
“We won't be here long. We shouldn't trouble Sophia.”
“You're my guests. I'm the one troubling all of you,” Sophia said as Ariana pushed her wheelchair.
They made their way through the first floor, which was practically empty. No sunlight could enter because not a single curtain had been opened. Ariana froze. Lucas seemed to draw closer to Anne.
As far as the eye could see, only dim darkness filled the vast space. One or two servants happened to pass by, but they merely cast cold glances at their arrival.
“What is wrong with their attitude? Don't they see their mistress has returned?” Anne complained, her firm voice echoing through the mansion.
“It's okay, Anne. I'm used to it.” Sophia tried to sound calm despite the emotion caught in her throat.
“They're the only ones left. Grandfather dismissed most of the staff because my dad no longer wanted to manage the company. I've only had Maria with me.”
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hall, drawing Ariana's attention.
“Miss Sophia!”
The worried voice brought the wheelchair to a stop. Jenson immediately lowered himself and knelt before her.
“You disappeared without a word. Do you have any idea how worried I was?”
Sophia smiled warmly “I'm sorry for making you worry, Jenson. At the time, I went to visit my friends.”
Upon hearing that, his cheerful eyes, tinged with confusion, lifted and locked onto Ariana's blue eyes hidden behind contact lenses.
Jenson rose to his feet, offering his best smile. He extended his hand, intending to greet her professionally, but stopped when Lucas gently tugged at his pant leg.
“Sir, is this pen yours? Ouch, my mask strap broke.”

“This belongs to you.”
Moving quickly, Ariana pulled Lucas behind her before Jenson could get a better look at the face that resembled Christian's. She handed over the item in her son's place.
“Yes, thank you.” His response came awkwardly, his voice slightly stumbling. “Miss Sophia's guests are our honored guests. Please follow me. I'll show you to your rooms so you can rest.”
Ariana nodded heavily. She desperately wanted to refuse, but Sophia's pleading gaze made her swallow her helplessness.
“All right. Sorry for troubling you.”
Their journey came to an end.
They were escorted to the guest room Ariana used to clean when she worked there as a maid.
“Mom.” Lucas's adorable little voice eased some of her nervousness. His brow furrowed slightly as he tried climbing onto the bed but failed.
Ariana hurried over to help him, lifting him into her lap. He looked up. Ariana lowered her gaze. Their gentle eyes met.
“Does Dad know we're here? This is his house.” A bitter smile tugged at her lips as she brushed his hair back.
“Of course he can't know, or I'll lose you.” She answered silently. Then she spoke aloud. “He's working right now. We won't stay long either, only until Sophia gets much better.” She paused before carefully adding, “He already has a new family. We mustn't disturb him. Understand?”
The excitement instantly faded from Lucas's face. His head drooped, his little lips pouting.
“I thought this would be a great opportunity for him, but it turns out he threw us away.”
He muttered under his breath, grumbling with a hint of annoyance that made Ariana's brows knit together.
“What did you say, Lucas?” she asked for confirmation.
His voice had been too quiet, more like an inaudible complaint. Startled, Lucas looked up.
Then he flashed a bright smile and hurriedly wrapped his arms around his mother's neck.
“I didn't say anything. Mom, I'm hungry.” He lied. Then, in his heart, his eyes turned vacant. “I'm sorry, Mom. I promise I won't keep hoping for him anymore if you don't like it.”
Regret instantly filled his heart. Ariana chuckled softly as she stroked her son's head. Then she lifted her wrist and glanced at her watch.
“It's almost noon. I completely lost track of time. Wait here. I'll go to the kitchen.”
Lucas nodded obediently.
Putting her mask back on and wearing the contact lenses she had yet to remove, Ariana failed to realize her feet were carrying her toward the kitchen on their own.
She spotted a servant standing with her back turned, busy with her work. It was one of the old servants, a friend of Millie's.
Ariana knew that fact very well. Yet confusion instantly filled her face as she looked around.
“But where's Millie? Was she one of the servants Mr. Marley took away?” he thought echoed through her mind.
Then a voice startled her from her daze.
“Ma'am, are you having trouble finding the kitchen?”
“That's right.” She lied, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “I couldn't find any servants, so I wandered around looking for the kitchen because my son is hungry. Could I have a plate of lunch?”
“Of course. I'll prepare it right away. Please have a seat first.”
The servant gestured toward one of the bar stools. Curiosity tightened within Ariana's clenched fist.
When the kitchen servant returned carrying two lunch plates on a tray, Ariana finally spoke.
“Are there really no other servants in this house besides you?”
“There are still a few servants, ma'am. Enjoy your meal.”
Ariana gave a slight nod, unwilling to pry further. She stood and lifted the tray.
As she turned to leave, her eyes froze when they met a sharp gaze that was all too familiar.
The voice that came from behind her made her bite down harder on her lip beneath the mask.
“Welcome home, Mr. Christian.”