Livid Guardian's Endless Coddling

Arna realized it was going to her nightmare which will haunt her for many years. She wanted to laugh at herself for expecting a blissful life filled with happiness and love.

Returning or not returning, what she has in life was retribution for her mistakes. She hoped only she should have the punishments for her sins but not her family or others.

Ivan took a step next to her but Isaac held his arm. Isaac hated it but he still shook his head stopping Ivan from protecting Arna.

If Ivan protects Arna, Isaac knew Eva would never calm down, and accepting Arna as their son's bride would become a dream.

Arna needs to face Eva for their smooth future and to cool down Eva's frustration which was piled up for nine years. Despite knowing it was going to be hard on Arna, Isaac chose what was best in the long term.

Ivan knew his father's worries. He needs his mother's approval for his and Arna's relationship and he also wanted to protect Arna. So he was stuck between mother and love.

Hoping he could control the situation, "Mom, what time is your..."

Eva lifted her land, cutting off his words. Meanwhile, Isaac dropped a message to Alan. Arna knew Eva was going to chide her. She neither stopped Eva nor looked at Isaac or Ivan for help.

"Aunt..." Arna wanted to apologize.

'Pak' 

"Mom." Ivan couldn't stop himself from grabbing his mother's hand when she was about to slap Arna the second time.

Eva's breathing was heavy, one who looked hurt was Ivan, Arna stood frozen with red finger imprints on her cheek. The stinging pain of her cheeks made her numb for a moment, she could feel how much Eva hated her. She bit her pain but didn't let her tears trickle down.

Isaac wanted to calm down his wife or take Aria's name saying hurting Arna is equal to hurting Aria but taking Aria's name would be another grave mistake. Eva will lose her reasoning.

He pulled his face mask up to be unrecognizable as a slap was enough to grab everyone's attention. The other three weren't so famous by their face in the city so it was manageable.

Eva shrugged off Ivan's hand and hissed at him, "Ivan, don't come between this. This doesn't concern you." It was a warning for him to stop defending Arna.

Eva looked back at Arna whose head was hanging down, biting her inner lip to be strong from break down. Eva wasn't new to Arna, she is aware Arna takes every punishment once she accepts her mistakes. 

Eva was slightly surprised to see Arna the same without talking back or raising her voice at her. But it wasn't enough to put down her anger.

Even though Eva wasn't the type to resort to violence, looking at Arna, all she could remember was what Aria went through after Arna left and repeatedly pushed Aria away. 

Her hand lifted again but Ivan was far quicker than her. Before she could raise her hand above her waist, he held her hand tight.

Eva breathed forcing herself to stay calm but recalling each incident, the temperature of her anger shot higher. "You deserved that, you know why?" She asked Arna through her teeth.

Arna bit her inner lip hard and tasted metallic yet she didn't stop. It was the pain she wanted to have to remind herself she will have to face Eva, today or tomorrow.

Sensing Eva was waiting for her response, she tried her best to sound unemotional but her pain and flooded emotions revealed her restrained hurt voice, "B-because M-M-Mooma wo-won't p-punish me." A tear dropped on the floor from her lashes without her control.

"Momma?" Eva sneered, "I had thought you love her so much that you wouldn't dare to hurt her. But I had forgotten she is a fool when it comes to children. Do you know why?"

"Eva." Isaac's soothing voice failed to ease the air.

Arna didn't respond. She is aware of Aria and Eva's bond. In fact, each one who is close to Aria was always protective of her and supported her unconditionally.

Eva held Arna's arm roughly and shook her to face each other. Eva's words had the hint of pain and also freezing cold, "She grew up without a mother, her own grandfather tried to kill her. She lost her father. For goddamn sake, you haven't even been through one percent of what she suffered."

Arna froze. She knew about Aria's mother and father. She had no idea about Lucas Cooper trying to kill Aria. She blankly stared at Eva.

Eva pushed her away, rolling her eyes, "Do you think you suffered being alone in a different country?" She snickered. "Arna Morgan, have you ever lived a day knowing there are people out there trying to kill you, kidnap you and molest you? If not, don't you dare say you suffered."

"Eva..." Isaac grunted feeling it was going too far. He even tried to pull her away but Eva was adamant. "Why do you want me to stop? Wasn't she blaming Arrie for her success as a burden? She should also know why Arrie had to work hard to be successful. She should also know what Arrie went through before getting that success."

Arna was pale, standing and hearing Eva. She always heard the good side of the coin, she never knew this side. She never asked, nobody ever told her. 

Ivan hated himself. He wanted to stop his mother, he wanted to hug Arna and console her. All he could do was kick the wall and feel the physical pain with his aching heart.

Eva turned back to Arna whose teeth were chattering for controlling her emotions which were on the brink to burst out. Eva had no pity. "Fine, leave the past. I am sure Arrie asked you about the troubles you went through, did you ask even once what happened after you left? Arna Morgan, did you ask even once?"

Arna opened her lips and a tear rolled her cheeks. She realized Vince was lying to her as everything was fine just so that she won't panic. She wanted to ask what happened but no words came out other than the tears rolling down continuously.

"Mom, please. Please stop this." Ivan pleaded but it wasn't enough to calm down his mother.