THREE FACES

Ever since they got back from Pastor's , Bella sat in deep thought, struggling to figure out how to approach the matter. Mason had said that if she truly wanted the call to have an impact on Adrian, they’d have to get him married to the woman in the town. Otherwise, he’d stick around just a few more days before leaving again. Bella couldn’t even move from the couch, let alone think about making dinner.

That was the state Mason found her in when he walked in. He was immediately concerned, assuming she was just worried about Dahlia. He knew her well...when something was on her mind, she couldn’t find peace.

Later that evening, they sat eating dinner while the nightly news played in the background. One thing about this couple was their deep love and care for each other. Their only real struggle came from their son. But everyone faces their own unique trials in life.

Bella shifted uncomfortably, watching Mason enjoy his food, then said, “Mason, I’ve been thinking...”

He looked up at her and asked, “You’ve been thinking what, dear?”

The weight of the situation pressed hard on Bella. She felt like she’d failed somehow, but she had no other choice. Adrian was her only son, and she would do anything for his love and attention.

Mason broke the silence again, saying, “I hope you’re not still worried about Dahlia. Poor girl. Just before I came home, I heard her crying. It broke my heart. I wish there were a way to bring her back to us, but Willow would never allow it. Maybe I’ll go to the village head’s house first thing tomorrow morning...”

He paused, looking at Bella, whose face now showed even more distress. A new thought had entered her mind. Maybe this was the solution...? Before she could finish the thought, Mason said, “Bella, are you okay? You didn’t hear a word I said. What’s bothering you? Please talk to me.”

Bella shifted her position, then started gently, “Mason, I feel so much for Dahlia. She’s like the daughter I never had. Just knowing you heard her crying today hurts me deeply. I really wish we could get her out of this pain and hardship she’s in.

“Mason, I was thinking... what if we consider arranging a marriage between Adrian and Dahlia?”

Mason dropped his fork, stunned. He stared at her like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Bella, are you alright? Are you serious? How would that even work? Dahlia has been through so much....she deserves a life of peace and comfort, not a husband like our son. A boy who doesn’t even respect us, let alone the woman he’d marry. Or have you forgotten that over in New York, where he’s living his new life, he’s already married?”

“You want us to push Dahlia into this just to satisfy our own feelings?”

He shook his head and picked up his water glass.

Bella’s face fell, and her eyes welled up with tears. “But Mason...”

He quickly interrupted, “I don’t want to hear another word about it. It’s not happening. Adrian will not marry that girl.”

Bella looked up sharply, surprised to hear Mason use Adrian’s name. To her knowledge, the last time he called him by name was during his naming ceremony. For him to speak it so plainly now...this was serious. She said nothing more as he got up from the mat and walked away.

Her mind raced again, trying to think of another path forward. To her, this had felt like a rare chance.

***

They all sat around the large, elegant dining table, which had twelve chairs. Harper, Uncle Sam’s favorite, had her hands wrapped around his, clinging to him playfully while Granny doted on her.

“Oh Uncle Love,” she pouted, “I feel so embarrassed pulling up to hangouts in that old car. It’s been a whole year, and you still haven’t upgraded it for me. My friends don’t take me seriously anymore.”

From where Lucian sat, he stared at her with an amused, almost enchanted smile.

Uncle Sam set down his fork, now paying full attention to her, and began, “Baby, I’m sorry, okay? I’ve just been really busy lately. I know you need a new car. Please be patient...there’s a shipment of new vehicles coming in at the end of December. You’ll get to pick whichever one you want, alright?” He reached out and stroked her head like a child.

But Harper pouted again and whined, “Uncle, I don’t want just any car. I want your car. Please?”

Uncle Sam raised his brows in surprise. “You want my car?”

She nodded eagerly and then added, “And if you’re not giving it to me, then forget it....I don’t want anything at all.”

He scooted his chair closer to hers and gently held her hands, trying to soothe her. “Sweetheart, it’s not that I don’t want to give it to you. It’s just that there are important documents stored in different compartments in that car and...”

Before he could finish, she stood up abruptly from the table. “You know what, Uncle? I just lost my appetite. And I don’t want your car anymore. Keep it.”

Then she walked off, leaving a slightly stunned silence in her wake.

She stormed off angrily as Granny called after her.

Excusing himself, Sam quickly followed her.

Just then, Arabella arrived, holding a bowl in her hand, clearly on her way to serve something. She paused mid-step, staring at the scene in front of her before walking in, waving her hands dramatically.

“Well, look at this! Now this is what I call a whole new level of clinginess… May goodness help you both.” She threw a pointed glance at Ava, who was stirring her spoon in her plate absentmindedly.

“My darling, should I dish you up some fresh fruit?” she added, tilting her head.

Ava forced a small smile and shook her head. “No thank you, Arabella, I’m already full…”

Before she could even finish, Lucian chimed in with a gentle smile on his face. “Fruit is good for your health....especially at night. Have just a little, okay?”

She didn’t know why she agreed, but she found herself smiling back and nodding. “Okay, Uncle. I’ll have some.”

Arabella watched them closely, noticing Ava’s shy glance and the soft look on Lucian’s face. Her heart swelled with quiet hope. If her hunch was right, no one would be happier than her. Lucian and Ava would be a perfect match.

Meanwhile, Granny, who hadn’t been paying attention for a while, was still lost in thought about Harper’s angry exit. She struggled to her feet and muttered, “Sam always pushes things too far. Now she’s upset and will probably be gone for a week again. All over a car? I don’t like this nonsense…”

Everyone turned to stare at her, surprised by the completely one-sided argument she was making against Harper.

Before Granny could fully stand, Sam and Harper returned to the sitting room, her arm looped tightly around his, clearly having made up. Granny’s face lit up immediately as she said, “My Harper, calm down. Of course he’ll get you a car....it’s only right.”

Sam just smiled as he helped Harper settle into her seat. “You know, Granny, if Baby doesn’t get her way, there’s no peace in this house.”

But Harper wasn’t smiling. Deep down, all she could think was...how could she ever let Uncle Love marry someone else? All this affection he gave her now would go to his wife. And if he had children, they’d naturally become his whole world. What would be left for her?

Granny’s phone rang, and she tried to get up again. Arabella quickly said, “No, let me bring it to you.”

Granny replied, “No, it’s okay. I actually needed to stretch my legs.”

As Granny walked away, Arabella seized the moment, not wanting Sam and Harper to keep making Ava feel like an outsider.

“Lucian, when are you bringing the woman you plan to marry so I can bless her? I just hope she’s sensible, someone who knows how to care for a husband....not some flashy road model always strutting on pavement.”

The moment she said that, Harper’s expression changed. She didn’t need anyone to tell her....Arabella was taking shots at her. She had hated that woman since childhood. Even though Arabella had raised them after their parents passed, Harper couldn’t stand her. Every day, she wished she could be rid of her. If it weren’t for Ava, Arabella would have kicked her out years ago.

Lucian just smiled and scratched the back of his neck. “Soon, Arabella. I’ll bring her soon.”

Arabella turned to Lucian and scowled. “Good. You shouldn't follow your friend....the one who married a ghost, apparently, and has no family. If I had my way, we’d drag him to a church and pray for deliverance. But of course, his mother wouldn’t allow that.”

“And as for you Sam....what kind of nonsense is this? Clinging to your niece like some teenage romance. There’s no marriage between the two of you, and you’re just fooling around. The day you actually settle down, let’s see what happens to your ‘moon and stars’ fantasy!”

Everyone just stared at her.

Sam put his phone down and looked at Arabella, stunned at how blunt she was. Harper was fuming, close to exploding. She felt like launching herself at Arabella and shutting her up for good.

Arabella was thrilled. Her goal was to torment them the way they had tormented Ava.

Sensing Harper was about to speak, Ava quickly stood up and said, “Arabella, I’ll head to my room,” hoping to prevent an ugly scene. She knew if this continued, Harper would lose control and go off on Arabella...and no one would stop her. She also knew Arabella had done it all on purpose because of her.

“Uncle,” Harper said, voice trembling with rage, “if we don’t get rid of that woman, she’s going to poison Ava’s heart against all of us. You know Ava’s naive. She won’t know who truly loves her. Uncle, did you hear what she said? You and Granny are the only ones tolerating her for Ava’s sake. If it were up to me, she would’ve been gone long ago. She doesn’t even belong here...there’s nothing tying her to this house.”

They hadn’t even made it halfway up the stairs before Arabella spun around and charged toward Harper.

“Repeat what you just said, you little brat! Shameless, reckless thing....do you even know what marriage means?!”

Ava rushed forward and pulled Arabella back while Sam jumped up, livid, turning to Lucian. “I told you to stop enabling this woman. She’s insane.”

Before he could finish, Arabella snapped, “Your mother’s the insane one...not me, you hear?! And you better get used to me. I’m not going anywhere. As long as I breathe, you won’t mess with Ava. You’re all pathetic!”

She grabbed Ava, who was now crying, and dragged her upstairs.

Lucian just ran a hand through his hair, watching the chaos unfold. He muttered to himself as the show played out in front of him.

Once they got to the bedroom, Ava pulled her hand free, tears still running down her face.

“Arabella, why? Why would you do this? You know I don’t like anyone being disrespected because of me. Please, if you’re only causing trouble with Uncle and Harper because of me...please stop. I beg you.” She pressed her palms together in a plea.

Arabella glared at her but said nothing. She’d tried to teach Ava to stand up for herself since she was little, but that soft heart of hers always got in the way. Her gentleness had become her weakness, and her sister had taken advantage of that from the start.

Without saying a word, Arabella stormed out, leaving the door open behind her....clearly upset herself.

Brownsville, Nebraska

The sudden knock at the door made them all pause mid-meal, their hands frozen over their plates in the open sitting area.

Isla stood up, sighing. “Keep eating. I’ll go check. Probably some collectors trying to break down our gate again…”

To be continue...