Chapter Thirty-Eight
"You both know that I've never divorced my Aria. She still carries my name. You have faked her signature and prepared false divorce papers to get me remarried. I didn't object as it was your last wish, mom. But now that your health has improved, I can't stay in this marriage any longer," said Laurence with a fierce conviction. He knew that they had showed his fake divorce papers to Eric Parker to get him to agree to the wedding.
"Yes, I want a divorce too. This was a mistake that I've been repenting for the last few months. I want my children to know their real father, " said Serenity.
"What can we say when you both have already decided," said his mom, her face flushed red with indignation. Serenity felt that it was a strange way of expressing her happiness. Her own granddaughter had been found and yet she looked kind of angry?
Laurence's dad didn't look happy either hearing their announcement. Laurence smiled in relief after the truth was out and left for the airport. Serenity got up go upstairs to pack after Laurence was gone.
Penny Lennard suddenly jumped up from her chair and started pacing the floor in a frenzy. Serenity turned around and her jaws dropped at the sight. She had always seen her sick and in bed. There was a ferocious expression on her face as she turned towards her husband.
"What do we do now? He's gone to get her," she asked, furiously clenching and unclenching her fists. The moment her eyes fell upon Serenity, she composed herself a little, "Serenity, you can call your brother, pack your things and leave," she said rudely. Serenity nodded and walked into the elevator. She called Liam and asked him to come and get her.
"Can we please ask Antony to finish her off before Laurence reaches Arkansas? Now we know her location," said Penny Lennard, excitedly.
"Antony won't work for me anymore," said Harry Lennard gravely.
"But why?" She asked with panic.
"He wants 5 million dollars for his efforts for the last four years. I've only paid him 2 million," said Harry Lennard.
"Why don't you pay the rest? Ask Laurence for the money?" She asked him with frustration.
"I can't. Laurence is suspicious after the last payment. He had the Antony's account checked by his PI. He has frozen my bank account. I don't have any access to it," said Harry holding onto his head. "I had asked Eric for a loan too. He refused me."
"Then contact Jake, " suggested his wife.
"Jake died in a police encounter last month," informed Harry.
"I don't believe this. Can't we hire someone new?" She asked helplessly.
"No, I have to pay them an advance and I don't have money. Also Antony has spread rumours in the market about me and no one's willing to work for me. He thinks I had Jake killed as a revenge for Laurence's accident," said Harry Lennard with a sigh.
"Goodness, then what do we do? Laurence will know everything that we did to that bitch," said Penny Lennard pacing the floor like a mad woman.
"Nothing I guess. Serenity's left. So what does it matter who Laurence marries?" He asked his wife. He was tired of being manipulated by her for money. He wanted to gain Laurence's trust now. He knew that it was a distant dream but he could try. Without money he was powerless and dependent upon his son.
"I knew you'd turn out to be a good for nothing bastard. I'm out of here. I don't want to stay here and face Laurence's wrath," she said, rushing upstairs to her room to pack. This was a good opportunity to make her escape and go to her long time boyfriend. Harry Lennard was now penniless and Laurence would cut all ties with her once he finds out the truth. She quickly packed all her jewelry and all her expensive clothes and all the money that she been accumulating for ages into suitcases. She called her boyfriend and he came with his truck to pick her up. Penny Lennard didn't say a word to her worthless husband. She simply loaded her luggage into the elevator and loaded them onto ber boyfriend Kenneth Bailes's truck. Harry Lennard didn't stop her. He saw that she had nearly ten suitcases full of stuff. He didn't care about her just like she didn't care about him. He knew about her boyfriend who wasn't a straight person at all. Nothing could stay hidden from Harry Lennard. Kenneth was a most wanted smuggler who dealt with weapons. He would let Penny learn her lesson the hard way.
Sandra had gone to meet Lisa and update her about Arianna. She had no idea what was going on at home. Lisa informed her about the Facebook message she received from someone called Samuel Hughes who was a friend of Arianna. Both awaited eagerly for news updates from Laurence.
Laurence boarded his jet on time. He was excited at the prospect of meeting his Aria and his daughter. Lauren, that's the name she gave their daughter. His eyes filled with tears of happiness. He went straight to the bedroom of his jet. They had made love on this very bed for the first time on her wedding night. Lauren was conceived that night. He touched the bedspread and again fresh tears pooled into his eyes. His Aria, his baby, he couldn't believe that he had found them at last. The bedroom made him too emotional. His mind was undergoing an upheaval. He went out to sit on the landing seat eager to land.
He couldn't wait for the flight to reach Arkansas. It was a five hour flight and he sat looking out of the windows at the clouds floating by. He thought about the times that they spent together, the love that they shared. He prayed to God that she and Lauren were safe.
At the hospital in Russellville, the nurse who recognised Arianna searched for her details in the hospital patient records. She showed the nurse in charge of Arianna and Lauren. She called the emergency number given there. It was Ben's number. After the call disconnected, Ben informed Sammy and rushed to the hospital with Jane.
"Where are Arianna Lennard and her daughter? We're her relatives?" Said Ben at the reception desk.
"Please go to the emergency room ICU sir," said the receptionist.
They rushed to the emergency room ICU to find an unconscious Arianna. Lauren was in the pediatric ward as she too was in a state of shock. They spoke to the doctor and found out that Arianna suffered from knee injuries and lumbar region sprain. Her spinal cord was saved thankfully although she had fractured two of her ribs.
They rushed to the pediatric ward and saw Lauren sleeping as well. Sammy came rushing in to meet them outside the pediatric ward. He had tried to make payments for the treatment but was stunned to discover that Laurence had made online payments. They informed him that they had called Laurence Lennard as it was the only number saved in her contact list.
"He's on his way here, " said Sammy. Ben and Jane stared at him with disbelief. After so many years her husband finally was coming to see her? They didn't know as many details as Sammy did.
They waited patiently at the hospital for Laurence to arrive from Las Vegas.
"It's a five hour flight, so he should be here by 10 o'clock in the night," said Sammy. Jane had to leave since she had to cook for the children. Ben went home to have his dinner. Afterwards he returned to the hospital while Sammy went to Ben's house to eat dinner. Lauren was fine and she was playing. She would be released the next morning. Arianna hadn't gained consciousness yet and they were worried about her. The doctor informed them that she was fine but under the influence of antibiotics and painkillers. Once the effects reduce, she should gain consciousness too.
There was nothing to do but wait for Laurence to arrive and they did just that. Ben was feeling very sleepy so Sammy sent him home. He stayed alone at the hospital and waited for Laurence in the ICU lobby.
It was around fifteen minutes past ten o'clock when Laurence arrived at the hospital. He was directed towards the ICU at the reception desk. He went to the ICU and was directed towards Arianna's bed. He slowly walked towards Arianna. She was lying unconscious, he saw. His heart went out to her. She had grown so thin and pale. She had grown up, her face had matured. She looked so helpless and lonely as she slept.
"Aria, I've come to take you home," he said and he couldnt stop the tears from falling. He held her hand and wept onto it.
"Forgive me Aria, " he mumbled again and again.
Arianna felt someone's presence right beside her bed, the familiar cologne, the same deep voice. How could it be possible? How could Laurence be here with her? He was married. She tried to block it all but still it didn't go away. She slowly opened her eyes and stared into the blue eyes of her one and only love, her Laurence.
