**Ashley's POV**
I blinked rapidly, trying to process what I was seeing. My heart raced, and a heavy feeling settled in my stomach as I fixed my restless gaze on her.
"Araya!" My voice trembled, barely above a whisper, filled with disbelief. Tears welled in my eyes, and I felt them begin to spill over as I called out her name.
"Sister!" I cried, my voice cracking as I reached up to lightly clasp my throat, the weight of emotion choking me.
"Ara, is it really you?" Emma squealed, her eyes wide with hope. I could feel the warmth radiating from her, the tingling of her skin brushing against mine as she stepped closer, her own eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
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**Peony's POV**
A pang of guilt twisted in my chest as I watched her cry. She looked so familiar, like someone I had seen in my dreams. I frowned, my brow furrowing in confusion, unable to recollect. Dismayed, I inched forward, my heart aching at the sight of her tears.
"Ara!" I moaned softly, my eyes lighting up with every passing second. I reached out, my fingers trembling as I caressed her face, but she stood still, her legs seemingly numb, her voice caught in her throat.
"You're alive, sister? You didn't die," I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I continued to caress her cheek. The glitter of hope sparkled in my eyes, and I could see the love she held for her sister, a bond that saddened me because I wasn't her sister but someone entirely different.
"It's you, Ara." My instincts had never failed me before. "You are Araya, right? My sister, Asher's mother."
I...
"You are her mother and my sister, remember? Asher, Alex, Emma, everyone—Asher!" My words tumbled out in a rush, confusion swirling in my mind.
She wiped her tears, her gaze dazed as she looked at me. I took her hands, squeezing them gently, determined not to give up.
"We lived in our house in Bainbridge. Araya Kathryn Elizabeth Stewarts—that's your name! Don't you remember? You birthed Asher, sister. I know this isn't the right place to talk about it, but you were kidnapped. You…" I squealed, my voice trailing off as I turned to look at Asher, who already had tears pooling in her eyes, more streaming down her cheeks.
"I... I... I..." That was all I could mutter as I watched them look at me like I was some sort of actress performing a drama. What else was I supposed to say? The fact that I was Asher's mother, her sister, or anyone else didn't add up . I had just regained a fragment of my memory, and I wasn't ready to reveal it to anyone, even if it hurt those around me. My mind judged me harshly.
"I'm certain you're playing a drama. What do you call it? Emotionally draining your sister before admitting it?" she shouted, startling me with her outburst.
"You're back for me, just like the last time."
I looked up at her, my brows raised in surprise, and I patted her shoulders softly, trying to calm the storm brewing between us.
Everything felt slow right now, and I didn't understand what to do or how to act. Cry? Smile? Frown? What?
She drew me closer, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug. My mind drifted down memory lane, cold beads of sweat forming on my forehead as I closed my eyes.
Sister.
Sister.
Sister!!!
Sister!!!
Someone was calling out to me as I closed my eyes, but she had her back to me.
Who was she? Why was she hurting my memory?
Why was I sad seeing her cry? Why?
Without realizing it, my tears began to fall, shocking everyone in the living room, including her friend, who stood an inch away with her mouth agape.
"You are my sister! My Araya," she continued, crying over my shoulder. Caught off guard, I tightened my hold around her back, feeling the warmth of her body against mine.
I thought I knew this young lady who resembled me, but I couldn't fathom how.
"Enough bluffing, Asher. She is not the one you think she is," Mr. Dragons muttered, breaking the silence. Hostility was clear in his tone, and with a stride, her friend stood beside him, arms crossed, a frown etched on her face.
"What do you mean, brother? Who is she then?" Asher asked, her voice trembling, close to tears. I could see the hope in her eyes shatter.
Battling with his own feelings, he tucked his hands into his pockets, his shoulders slumping as he sighed sadly. "Asher, Emma, meet Peony Acosta from Orlando, the new perfume teacher for Asher."
They faltered at his words, their faces falling. Disappointment washed over them like a wave. Emma felt a lump in her throat, while Ashley's disbelief was palpable.
"You're lying," she ranted, shaking her head in denial, unable to accept the truth.
She turned back to me, desperation etched on her face. "Sister, what is he saying? You are my sister, right? You'll return just like you always do?" She held my hand tightly, her grip pleading, but when I lowered my head in silence, her hope crumbled. She released her grip, covering her mouth as she cried on Emma's shoulder.
"How is this even possible? How can you have the same striking resemblance to her sister?" Emma pressed hoarsely, her eyes digging into mine, searching for answers.
Something deep inside me told me I was closer to this girl than anything.
I wanted to tell her I was sorry I wasn't her sister, for shattering her hopes, but I couldn't. I watched her cry hard over her friend's shoulder, my heart aching for her.
"Asher…" he cleared his throat, holding her shoulder gently as she looked up at him, her eyes red and puffy.
"I was also perplexed the moment I found her at the airport, but you have to accept the truth," he said, pursing his lips, his expression dejected. "Acosta is not Stewarts."
"Asher, are you okay?" her friend asked, cuddling her, but she yanked her hand away and ran out, her footsteps echoing in the silence.
I was left in shock, my heart racing.
After she left, her friend followed suit, leaving me with Asher, who seemed both angry and sad, her body trembling with emotion.
"Why would you do that to her?" she screamed, startling me.
"To what do I owe this accusation?" I asked, crouching down beside her, my heart pounding in my chest.
She took her time to reminisce on what had occurred, cleaning her tears from her eyes, her expression hardening as she roughly picked up the pillow from her nanny's hand.
"You shattered her hope. It's the first time in years I've seen her genuinely happy, and you crushed her glimmer of hope. You did it."
"What?!"
I stood rooted to the spot as she burst into tears, her body shaking with the force of her sobs.
I knew the house had become muddy and sad, but how was it my fault?
"Just like Aunt Ashley, Emma, Dad, and me, we wished you were my mother," she yelled in pure agony, her voice raw.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be what you wanted me to be," I apologized, but nothing I said seemed to make a difference.
"Be my mother," she insisted, her eyes pleading, desperation etched on her face.
An irked melancholy feeling erupted within me. Shocked, aghast, perplexed, and bewildered, I asked, "You want me to be your mother?"
"Yes, Miss Peony. I know you look like my mother, but I love you the same way I love my mother. I know we haven't known each other for long, but deep down, I love you very much. My feelings go beyond friendship. When I see you, I feel my mother's presence around me. It's a request. Can you be my mother until the party is over?" she stressed, her eyes shining with hope.
I staggered backward, my heart racing as I looked into her eyes. They radiated hope and happiness, and I felt like I was that glimmer of hope.
"But… but…" I stammered, captivated by her blue orbs, unable to find the words.
"No buts, Miss Peony," she said, her voice firm, a hint of annoyance creeping in. "It's not a hard request." She cupped my hands, her grip warm and reassuring. "Be my mother, will you?"
"I… I… I…" I was troubled. What would her father say if he found out? Would he think I compelled her to make me a mother to extort him for money? Conflicting thoughts swirled in my mind.
"I take your silence as a yes. Thank you very much for accepting," she said hastily, while my jaw dropped in disbelief.
She played smart with my silence. In the next moment, I crouched down to her level and planted a kiss on her forehead, my heart swelling with an unfamiliar warmth.
"There are some apologies to make, Mum, will you?"
"Huh?!" My eyes widened as the new yet foreign feeling of being called "Mum" for the first time rushed through my veins. Instantly, I felt a jittery excitement in my stomach, and I kind of loved it.
"Oh yes, pretty daughter! Time to rectify," I laughed, bolting up the stairs as she followed behind, bouncing up and down with delight.
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