"I’m sorry, but if there is a better way to tell you that I’m not going anywhere, I will do that. However, please forgive me, as refusing your decision may always sound negative. In this case, I want to make it clear: I’m not going anywhere. If there’s anything you plan to do to me, then go ahead!" Ariana said, standing firm and unshakable.
Every beat of her words sounded strong and resolute. She seemed determined to challenge them, and perhaps the two of them wouldn’t be able to overpower her in a fight, which is why she stood her ground with such boldness.
Rosemary and Roseline exchanged irritated smiles and glanced at each other. If only this girl knew the plan they had for her, the trap they had set so beautifully, she would understand that they were doing her a favor by urging her to leave peacefully.
"I know you both don’t like me and that you’re trying to protect your brother! I promise I am not his enemy—or yours! I was a close friend..."
"Of course you are!" Rose interrupted, already weary of Ariana's words. She repeated them as if they didn’t understand the meaning of 'close friend.' They knew her connection to him, but they simply didn’t want her near him. What she didn’t grasp was that their love for him went beyond that of mere siblings.
"That’s exactly why we’re asking you to leave him! Just gather your things and go. We don’t want to cause you trouble because we’re not bad people! We just want this to end peacefully, so please—leave!" Rose yelled.
"Why? Why do you both want to get rid of me so badly? Why?" Ariana asked, exasperated, spreading her hands wide to show her dissatisfaction with the sisters.
"Because you are the daughter of the man who wanted him dead!" Rose exclaimed.
"But I promise you, I am an enemy of that man too!"
"That’s not enough! I know what you promise, and many people have made promises to me. I’ve learned that promises can be easily broken. Yours just don’t measure up," Mary added harshly. Ariana felt weakened, unsure of how to respond or prove that she meant no harm to their brother.
She understood well that they were trying to protect him. He had been through enough, and risking him again for her sake was not something they would accept.
 
"You see... you are out of words. Your dad is a very powerful man, and he is after my brother! He could attack at any moment, and we don't know how it will unfold. Having you here is just unacceptable! We are risking the life of our only brother and the true surviving son of my father! It is our duty to protect him, so you must leave!" Mary said, stepping closer and locking eyes with her.
Mary took a deep breath, glancing down before looking back up at Ariana. It was almost as if she felt pity for her; she had fallen in love with the wrong person at the wrong time, making it impossible for them to be together.
"I understand that you love my brother deeply, but this is for his own safety. If you truly love him and want to be with him, then you must go! Perhaps when all this is over, you can come back. Please!" Mary begged, her tone calm yet pleading.
Ariana remained silent for a moment, shaking her head in disapproval of their request. "It took me months to find him. I know exactly what I have been through and the horrors I faced just to see him. I swear I have done terrible things—things that haunt my mind—just to find him!"
"And now that I have finally located him, you want me to leave without achieving my goal? I am fighting against the same man who is after his life. We could join forces and defeat him, yet you want me to go. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I am not going anywhere," she boldly replied, tears streaming down her face.
However, the tears in her eyes did not sway the twins; they only highlighted how emotional she was.
"I will promise you both one thing: I won't fight back or try to protect myself. You are free to do whatever you wish to me now. If you want to kill me, go ahead. I just want to escape this world once and for all," she said resolutely.
Rose and Mary stood silently, unsure of how to respond to her. They wanted to say something, but the right words escaped them. The words she mentioned seemed so emotional that they found themselves at a loss for conversation, even though her feelings didn't affect them deeply.
"You see? The two of you couldn't do any harm to me now. That means I’m staying here, and nothing anyone does will make me leave without getting my revenge on my father!" she declared, storming out. Left alone, Rose and Mary exchanged glances, feeling as if they were both deaf to the situation, yet they understood how their plans were unfolding.
They had tried their best to reason with her, but she remained stubborn, seemingly willing to perish along with her stubbornness. It was just past midnight, and they decided to let her sleep, hoping they could also find some rest. Tomorrow, they would figure out their next steps.
                   • Next Morning •
Ariana couldn't sleep well since Sam was not beside her. She had waited for him to return throughout the night, but there was no sign of him. Now, morning had arrived; the sun was shining, and she stood outside the house, anxiously waiting for him.
On the other hand, it seemed like she was the only one truly bothered by his absence. Although she hadn’t seen the two sisters, she suspected they weren't concerned about him missing. She didn’t need to see them to know that they probably didn’t care.
As the day broke, she imagined the sisters were still in bed, sleeping soundly, oblivious to their brother's absence. It struck her as strange; they acted like they cared for him the most, yet their indifference suggested otherwise. Perhaps there was something she didn’t know about them.
While Ariana stood outside, the clock ticked away, and with each passing moment, her worry deepened. She began pacing, her eyes scanning the woods in search of any sign of Sam. All she could see were shadows and birds—nothing more.
As time went on and her anxiety grew, she considered that maybe the sisters had some idea about why he hadn't returned. After all, it made no sense for them to care so little about him when they had claimed to have his best interests at heart.
Just as she turned to go inside, she nearly bumped into Mary.
"Hey!" Mary exclaimed.
"I’m so sorry about that," Ariana quickly apologized for the unexpected collision.
"I was just about to come to your room to ask if you knew where your brother is. I mean, Sam..."
"Oh yes, I know you're talking about him because I only have one brother! I find it ridiculous that you’re asking me that when I was just about to ask you the same thing! The two of you slept in the same room last night, and now I can’t find him. I was hoping that when I came out here, you would know where he is! I’m surprised you’re asking me the same question! Where is he?" Mary asked, annoyance etched on her face.