426: CROSSROADS

ARIEL'S POV "Luke!" I came out loudly, feeling Luke hands on mine. The grip was really tight. I sniffled before I asked, "Luke, are you finally awake?" Luke's hand tightened around mine, hope and relief washing over me. Tears filled my eyes just when I looked down at him, his eyelids fluttering as he slowly regained consciousness. "Luke!" I brought it out, my voice filled with a mixture of joy and worry. "Are you finally awake?" As he glanced around the room, his eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes clouded with confusion. I could see the momentary disorientation in his gaze, and my heart ached knowing the ordeal he must have been through. But as his eyes settled on me, I saw something else stirring in their depths—anger, resentment, maybe even betrayal. It was like a dagger to my heart, cutting through the relief I had felt moments before. "I'm glad you're finally okay," I said softly, reaching out to brush a tear from my cheek. But before I could say anything else, Luke's v