Ariana’s stomach twisted painfully. She shook her head. “Not yet… but that will happen soon.”
Her mother frowned. “Then where are we going?”
Ariana smiled nervously, not knowing how to tell her mother that Vincent had decided to help them. She looked at Vincent quickly, her eyes begging him to bail her out.
With a nod, Vincent stepped forward smoothly, his voice warm this time. “You don’t need to worry about anything, Linda. Just trust us.”
Her mother hesitated, clearly confused, but eventually nodded. “If you say so.”
As they walked toward the car, her mother leaned closer to Ariana who supported her and whispered, “What is happening? Where are you taking me?”
Ariana gently touched her arm. “Don’t worry, mum. You’ll find out soon.” She smiled reassuringly and exhaled, her heart fill
