Livid Guardian's Endless Coddling

Aria went upstairs to the bedroom and saw Arsh had tucked Arna in her and Alan's bed. Since Arna would wake up repeatedly with nightmares or panic, she felt relieved to keep Arna close.

She sat and watched the father and son dabbing the hot wet towel on Arna's face, feet and hands. They reminded her of Oliver bringing a soft smile to her face.

Arsh suddenly cupped Aria's face, pressing the wet towel on her tear-stained face, "Go, Mom, take a bath." 

Alan glanced at them and saw his wife smile indulgently at their son. He sometimes doubts if she was spoiling Arsh and Arsh was spoiling her. Anyway, all he cared about was that Arsh never stresses out his wife.

Aria shook her head pulling Arsh's hands down, "I called Roxy, we will change Arna's to comfortable wear. You get fresh and eat something. Shall I cook something quick for you?"

Arsh was about to turn down, Rooney's voice sounded from the door, "I brought dinner for Brother Nemo." Roxy followed him inside, "You three go out, we two will help Snow." Arsh and Rooney went to the former's room, Alan went to the bathroom.

With the amazing coordination of the family, it wasn't difficult for them to take care of Arna or anybody in the home.

....

Her spoiled habit of dozing off in the bathtub let Alan take care of his exhausted wife and lay her down next to Arna. Arsh frequently checked on them as he worked, Alan slept on the couch but had to sleep next to Aria when she woke up searching for him.

Arna woke up due to an empty stomach, Arsh handed her soup without disturbing their parents. She dozed off again but woke up again with a nightmare of her mother running in darkness to hold her. Alan coaxed her to sleep. The next time when she woke up, Arsh was yawning at the door and her mother hugged her to sleep.

That's how the night slowly crawled to the dawn for the family of four.

----

At seven in the morning, Aria had completed her exercise and reached the bedroom with Alan who had worked out. Both froze at the door when they saw Eva sitting in front of Arna. Aria literally felt her heart at the throat.

Aria was about to rush in and speak, Alan held her back and whispered, "Shhh... Listen."

Arna, who woke up, spread her hands looking for her mother but found none. She opened her eyes to see Arsh resting on the day bed. She really wanted to tell them, she wasn't a child anymore but she felt good how they still cared so much about her. Anyway, it was increasing her guilt more and more.

Then she felt somebody's presence and flipped on her back. Her eyes widened as soon as she saw Eva. She jerked up and bit her lip. For instance, she felt like it was a dream and gulped nervously.

Eva lifted her hand and sensed Arna's body immediately tense up as she braced herself for a churning strike on her cheek instead of moving away. Anyway, Eva brushed her fingers on Arna's cheek which was fine.

Arna flung her eyelids open and noted Eva wasn't angry anymore. Instead, she was worried. "A-Aunt Eva, I- I am sorry. I-I know I am late..." Before she could finish her words, Eva hugged Arna.

Eva always cared about Arna even though she was very angry at her. After she heard everything that had happened with Arna in the past, Eva couldn't stop herself from looking for Arna. She wasn't sorry was what she did, she was just there to comfort Arna.

Arna was taken by surprise. She saw her parents watching them and her mother smiling and she cued her to relax.  Arna wrapped her hands and breathed in relief.

Eva sat back after a few seconds and pulled her ear, "You little brat, you should have just gone to your Mom and Dad for help without listening to others." 

Arna pursed her lips and nodded, accepting her mistakes, "I was in the wrong, Aunt. Eva."

Eva sensed self-blame in Arna's voice and the liveliness she had shown on the homecoming dinner was nowhere to be seen. Anyway, she shook off her thoughts as Arna was in shock and just woke up. 

"Look at your dark circles. Take a break for a few days and rest." Eva advised and Arna obediently nodded her head. "Yes, aunt Eva. Dad said the same."

The duo continued to talk. Eva, Aria, and Alan sensed how obedient and plain Arna was responding. Arna's personality wasn't that way, she was a lively and happy child.

Alan knocked on Aria's head seeing her chew her lip, "Don't start again."

Aria: "..."

Her husband reads her mind well. Aria was thinking if their concern was suffocating Arna. But leaving Arna alone or caring less about her won't solve the issue.

Eva, who heard Alan's voice, looked around to see the couple. She smiled nervously, "Who should I guard up? Your mother or your father?"

Arna glanced at Eva, then at her parents. Her mother obviously faked her squinted eyes. "Dad won't do anything to you because of Mom. Aunt Eva, you should run from your wifey." She responded.

Eva was thinking the same but Aria stomped her feet and left for the bathroom. Eva exclaimed in surprise, "Woah, your mother is jealous of you. My Wifey still loves me so much."

Arna: "..."

She felt like her mother was acting to make her smile hence the smile that appeared on her face was forceful as she lowered her head and sighed.

All she knew was what she did and how much her actions hurt everyone. She tried to think about how to make everyone happy and make everything good. But nothing came to her mind leaving her weak and helpless.

She was afraid to share her messy thoughts thinking that might make them worried again. She wanted to use this break time and collect herself.

----

At Ross Villa

Ivan had lost count of how many times he looked at his mobile waiting for Arna's message. He many times grabbed his mobile to dial her number but controlled. He knew Eva was going to meet Arna but he was uneasy to meet anyone. 

He was even thinking his previous night's silence might affect his friendship with Arsh.