ASH AND RUIN

CHAPTER TWO: FIRST STEP TOWARDS REVENGE

ASH AND RUIN

CHAPTER TWO

Arthur Launcent and Helen Launcent sat in their bedroom in silence. The house was heavy. The weight of Arielle's return hung over the house. Helen was battling her tears back; she was in inner turmoil. She looked at her husband. Grief had changed him. He looked smaller, but for the first time in ten years, she saw life in him. But somehow, it didn't make her happy, realizing that her husband had been living his life for revenge.

“Arthur.”

He turned his head.

“Yes, honey.”

“Do you think we made a mistake?”

“In what, taking Arielle in?”

He arched his eyebrows.

“No, of course not.” She shook her head. “You know what I mean.”

Arthur sighed.

“Helen, they killed Audrey.”

“I know, but…”

“They destroyed Arielle's life.”

“Yes…”

“Then why are you asking if we made a mistake?”

“It's Arielle. She's no longer the Arielle we know. Today, when I saw her at the airport, I felt that change. Do you remember when she used to come to dinner, the shy smile she used to give?”

She wiped her tears as they eventually fell.

“After what they did, she would never remain the same. You know the state she was in when we took her in.”

Helen wiped her tears furiously.

“Arielle is not a weapon for our revenge, Arthur.”

Arthur stood up and walked to the window, looking out at Aubervale.

“She chose this herself, Helen.”

“But she's not the Arielle we know. Doing this would not bring Audrey back.”

His face darkened.

“Years of watching them graduate, go on to have careers, have boyfriends. My Audrey couldn't even have a boyfriend. Years of watching them act as if nothing happened, as if my daughter didn't die because of their lies.”

The anger in Arthur's voice made Helen flinch.

“Nothing would bring Audrey back. We know that already, but this would give us closure.”

“Arthur, we can still stop this.”

In a firm tone, he said, “Helen, go to sleep.”

He pulled the duvet over her.

“You would need the energy tomorrow.”

Arthur stood over her for a while before walking out of the room, walking to the study room where Theo and Arielle were seated, studying company paperwork.

They looked up when they saw him come in.

“Dad, why are you here?” Theo stood up and went to meet him.

He waved Theo off and went to sit in front of Arielle.

“Are you ready for tomorrow?”

“I have been preparing for this for ten years.”

“Are you sure you want to go in with your name?”

She looked him in the eyes.

“Yes. I want them to know I'm back.”

She opened a file and passed it to Arthur.

“We are planning an acquisition for Oakridge Constructions.”

Arthur's eyes widened.

“This is…”

“Yes, one of the companies under Beaumont Enterprises. In recent years, they have been declining. Buying Oakridge increases our influence while hitting Beaumont Enterprises with a low blow.”

Arthur looked up at Arielle, his face carrying a mixed expression.

He looked at Theo.

“Whose idea is this?”

“Arielle's.”

His face darkened.

Arielle had changed, and he had no idea if he was pleased by this drastic change.

Or not.