A Hopeless Pursuit (Forbidden Love Series Book 10)

After Three Months

Lisa didn't return home the after the day she left home, three months back. Her dad had come over to Sofia's house thrice to coax her to return home, trying a different tactic each time but Lisa was adamant. She knew exactly why they needed her! Laurence had returned last month more depressed than before. He had brought Serenity home from her father's house. After hearing their parents complaint about Lisa's leaving home, he had come down to meet Lisa.  She had told him everything that was happening to her. Laurence was disappointed with their parents and had supported her and comforted her. He had already bought a house for himself and Lisa to move into. His best friend Troy had it renovated in his absence. It was ready to move into but Laurence didn't want to live there with Serenity. He was seriously thinking of releasing her so that she could return to her Alexander. He noticed that his mom was quite well so he didn't need to listen to her any more. He would now move on with his own life.

Liam didn't contact her after that phone call and although Lisa missed him immensely, she knew that the future wasn't so bleak. She had to grow up and escape from the clutches of her parents first. She was just going through the latest Facebook pictures that she had uploaded when she saw a message from some unknown person called Samuel Hughes. She was about to delete and block him when her eyes fell upon the name Arianna in the message. Curious, she read the message. It seemed that Samuel Hughes was a friend of Arianna. He wanted Laurence's latest mobile phone number. Excited that at last there was a faint ray of hope for her brother, she provided Laurence's number and sent the message. She had to inform Laurence about this after school.

After school she was held up at school for extra classes. By the time she returned home she had completely forgotten to call Laurence and was busy studying for the weekly test scheduled for the next day. She remembered the next day after her test was over. So she waited for school to get over. After school she returned home and tried calling Laurence but his phone was busy. After lunch however she received the shock of her life when a hassled and worried Sandra came over to see her. Apparently Laurence received a call from some hospital in Russellville, Arkansas informing him that his wife Arianna and daughter Lauren were injured in a road accident and admitted there.

Laurence had left for Arkansas after talking to Serenity asking for a divorce. She had agreed and left to go back to her dad's house. Laurence had broken the news to their parents and they didn't take the news well. Sandra escaped the moment she got an opportunity to update Lisa. Thankfully neither Lauren nor Arianna were serious. They squealed with delight at the news that finally Laurence would be united with his family. She told Sandra about the message she had received from Samuel Hughes.

"Laurence's Sim card as well as his old phone was destroyed in the car accident. Maybe she tried to contact him many times, poor girl," said Sandra.

"Yes, what she might have gone through with two vicious hit men of Vegas after her," shuddered Lisa. She had heard her parents discuss how Arianna was lucky  to escape death. The car which was supposed to hit the cab she was in, missed it and had hit Troy's car instead with Laurence inside it. Both friends had been critically injured and were in a state of coma for two nearly two years.

Sandra received a phone call from Scott, who was at the Lennard house. After a brief talk, she disconnected the call with a shocked expression on her face.

"What happened Sandra?" Asked Lisa worriedly.

"Your mom packed all her stuff into numerous suitcases and left home forever. Apparently she had some boyfriend who came to pick her up," informed Sandra and Lisa gaped at her.

"Your dad didn't even stop her," said Sandra.

"I just hope that Laurence doesn't bring Arianna and Laurence to that unlucky house," said Lisa.

"I agree with you," said Sandra.

After two days Laurence called to inform them that he was united with Arianna and Lauren. He would return to Vegas with them in another few days. He had already asked Troy to get the new house cleaned and ready. He wanted Lisa and Sandra to shift there permanently with their stuff.

Lisa squealed with delight. Her dream of living in her own house with Laurence's family had come true. She thanked God and went to pack her stuff. She informed Sofia and Victoria and thanked her parents for everything that they had done for her.

Sandra went away to pack Laurence's stuff to be shifted into the new house. In the evening, Lisa was busy packing when Leo came rushing inside her room and closed the door.

"What am I hearing, Lisa?" He asked angrily.

"What?" Asked Lisa with confusion.

"That you're leaving?" He asked  holding her arm and swinging her around to face him.

"Leo leave me. Yes, I'm going to my brother's new house. I'll stay with him," she informed him, trying to free herself from his grip. Leo had been acting weirdly ever since he returned from that Michigan trip. He wasn't friendly and funny any more. He was moody and kept throwing at Lisa, trying to be possessive of her. Lisa tried her best to avoid him though.

"No Lisa, you can't leave me. Why can't you stay here?" Asked Leo, distressed.

"Leo don't start again. I want to stay with my brother. Now move and let me pack," she said, pushing him away.

"You're mine. I won't let you go," he continued much to Lisa's displeasure.

"I love someone else for life  I told you before. I don't belong to you. There cannot be anything else but friendship between us," she repeated patiently. The conversation had been going on for the last three months. It seemed that Leo didn't understand at all that she loved Liam. She couldn't love another in this life.

"Then do what you want but I swear that one day you'll have to come back to me. No one can love you more than I do," he swore before leaving the room. Lisa massaged her temples and continued packing, glad to be able to escape from this torture.

The next day, Sandra came to get her. She loaded all her luggage onto the car and they drove to their new home. It was a two storied sprawling house with a swimming pool and a kids pool too. There was a big garden in the backyard with a fountain. There was a kids play ground with a swing, a slide and a sand pit too. Lisa ran all around the house, excitedly inspecting everything. Troy came out with an indulgent smile on his face. He loved Lisa like his own sister.

"You like it Lizzy?" He asked with a smile.

"Yes bro, I love it," she said clapping her hands and walking away to inspect.

The next few days they arranged all the stuff and settled into their new home. Finally the day arrived when Laurence would be arriving with his family. They eagerly awaited his arrival. An ambulance drove through the gates followed by Laurence's car and Sandra and Lisa  rushed forward to greet them.

The moment the ambulance stopped, Sandra saw Arianna, tears of happiness streamed down her cheeks. Even Lisa was in tears. Sandra went forward to help get Arianna out of the ambulance.

"Arianna, welcome home," said Lisa with tears in her eyes. "I've prayed every single day for your return," she said, kissing Arianna's cheek.

"Thanks Lisa. It's because of you that Laurence could find me," she said, kissing her back. A smiling and relieved Laurence alighted with Lauren in his arms.

"Oooo, she's so cute, bro," said Lisa rushing to take Lauren from him. Sandra hugged Arianna in a gentle embrace.

"I'm so glad that you're home at last, Arianna, " she said wiping her tears.

Lauren was sleepy so they went inside quickly. Sandra took her to feed her and put her to bed as soon as possible. Arianna's attendant took her to Laurence's bedroom and helped her onto the bed. Lisa excitedly helped Sandra as well as Arianna's attendant. Laurence smiled indulgently at her. He was glad that at last she had settled down into his house, at last she had a place to call home. 

"Lisa, are you happy now? This is our home from now on," he said giving her a hug.

"Yes bro, I'm very happy, I can't explain how much. At last our family's complete," she gushed with happiness.

The next few days they settled down into the new house bonding with one another. Sofia and Victoria came over many times to stay with her. Lisa was free, she was happy. She only waited to turn eighteen now.