Livid Guardian's Endless Coddling

Eva blurted out everything that happened right after Arna left the country and refused to return. She wanted Arna to know how the consequences of her actions were affecting everyone in the Morgan family.

"Aunt Amelia and Uncle Rowan fell sick. I have lost count of how many times your mother cried till she fainted. Your father didn't dare to leave her alone for a minute. If you weren't their daughter, believe me, Brother Alan would have choked you to death. If Aria hadn't stopped, Rian would have dragged you back home if he had to lock you up."

There was more to tell but Eva felt herself evil looking at Arna's state. She knew it wasn't going to be easy on her but Eva wasn't going to regret her actions either.

Arna felt dizzy hearing everything. She trembled like a leaf hanging by a thin string but her focus didn't flatter from Eva.

Eva spilled her hands away adding, "I know they would never tell you all these so that they could keep you happy and less burdened." She again grabbed Arna's arm, "At least have you noticed your mother doesn't eat chicken anymore?"

Arna tried to breathe but it was suffocating. She and Aria used to go torture Alan for chicken dishes. So she knew Aria didn't stop eating chicken because it's her favorite. Aria stopped because it reminded her of Arna and Aria would end up being sad which would worry everyone.

"Not only that..."

Isaac grabbed Eva's hand and pulled her away. "Eva that's enough." It wasn't a request. It was his conclusion.

Eva bit her lips looking at Isaac's glare. She obediently yet forcefully calmed herself before looking at Arna who looked like she had lost her strength, might collapse on the floor anytime.

Nonetheless, Eva didn't regret what she told. She wanted Arna to reflect on her actions and be aware of how much she hurt Aria and others.

Eva didn't want Arna to run away or blame Aria again which was the real worry Isaac. So she sincerely requested, "It's alright if you can't love her, please don't hurt her, please." A tear rolled down on her cheek which she was quick to brush away and left with Isaac who cued Ivan to take care of Arna.

Eyes red and moist, Ivan went close to Arna but she stumbled back and held the wall of the cafe. She stopped him by lifting her hand as she walked towards the river.

"Snow..." His voice was laced with heartache but Arna was too overwhelmed with her emotions to focus on him.

She waved her hand and tried to speak but only tears came from her efforts to speak. "G-Go... Go to your m-mom. P-please, go. I-I want to be alone."

Ivan didn't listen to her, he followed her close without leaving her side. He wanted her to cry out to calm down but she was holding it in. "I am sorry..." The words left his lips without knowing.

He was sorry for not protecting her fragile heart which she was barely holding on to. He was sorry that his mother broke her heart to millions of pieces. "I am sorry..." He bit his lips, still being attentive to her wobbling body.

Arna, who was trying to stop him, inhaled deeply before shaking her head, "I-I am sorry. I made your mom sad. Go and take care of her. Please..." She really wanted to go back to the past, trusted herself more, ignored Naira's words, and ran to her parents.

She tripped and almost fell but Ivan held her quickly and carried her up. He went to the nearest bench which was facing the river and placed her down. He cupped her flushed face, she had lips quivering, her eyes had lost life, looking dull and painful. He knew this hit her hard.

Not only him, he, Arsh, and whoever she used to ask about how her family members were doing, everyone lied to her as well. She was asking sarcastically to hide her real emotions and none told her the truth so that they could weigh her down, realize things and return to them soon.

Did they also make a mistake? If they had told her the truth, would she have returned to them sooner? Was she even ready to listen to the truth?

"Snow, everything is past. Don't dwell on it. You can make up for everything... Cry, if you want." Ivan knew she wasn't in the state to listen to anything.

Arna sniffled but didn't cry. She didn't protest when he hugged her, urged her, and apologized to her. She felt her whole body weak to even lift her hand. 

She gave him a gentle push and her voice barely reached his ears, "Please go. I want to be alone." She felt selfish to see him tending to her when she had no idea when he was in trouble and she never helped him tackle it.

Ivan was helpless. Hearing her hoarse voice, he patted her arms and firmly told her looking her in the eyes, "Be right here. I will be back in a minute..." He didn't get a response, still, he ran towards the nearest shop to get water.

He was quick to return but also late. Arna had burst into tears in Aria's embrace and Alan was sighing standing close to them.

A sense of failure hit him hard. Alan had sent Arna with him to spend quality time together. How did he return their daughter? Broken-hearted by his own family?

He didn't have the guts to look them in the eye. He didn't have a response to any of their questions. He didn't have the cure for Arna's sufferings. He felt ashamed to face them.

He asked a stranger to keep the water near them and left silently. He was leaving the park when he saw Arsh. There was inexplicable silence between them looking each other in the eye before Arsh rushed inside without a single word.

Ivan drove his car in the city aimlessly before going home at midnight. His home was filled with a silence that was torturing for him. It was a sleepless night without knowing what happened at Arna's end.