Chapter 40 Back to Reality （With a Headache）
?THUMP.
?Arielle hit the sand of the Maldives so hard she bit her tongue.
?"ARIELLE!" Lucian screamed, dropping his coconut and sprinting toward her.
"You just... you turned into a hologram!
You were wearing a robe! And you had a stick!
You almost hit me with a stick in the 4th dimension!
"
?The five children—Rhett, Darian, Zayden, Emrys, and AJ—surrounded her instantly.
?"Mom, your heart rate spiked to 180," Zayden said, checking his watch.
"And you smell like... sandalwood and ancient justice?
"
?Arielle sat up, rubbing her head. She looked at Lucian, then at her five brilliant, protective, and slightly annoying children.
She was back.
?"Lucian," Arielle groaned, taking his hand to stand up.
?"Yes, my Queen? My Boss? My CEO?"
?"If I ever pick up a piece of jade again," Arielle sighed, "just tackle me.
I think I just saw a version of the future where I had to beat people with a piece of wood just to get a point across.
"
?"A stick?" Emrys’s eyes lit up. "Can I have the stick?
Is it a laser stick?"
?"No," Arielle laughed, looking at her family.
"But don't get too comfortable. We have five days left of this vacation, and I still haven't officially decided if I’m firing your father from my heart or just from the company.
"
?Lucian’s face fell. "Seven years on the sofa, remember?
I'm working on it!"
?Arielle looked at the horizon.
The "Ancient Life" was waiting for her, but first... she had a modern empire to finish building.
AUTHOR’S NOTE ??????
?WE ARE BACK IN THE MODERN WORLD! ?????
Arielle has returned for the final 5 chapters! The mystery of her "vision" will remain in the back of her mind as she wraps up her business with Lucian and the kids.
?Coming up next:
?The Final Cross Family Showdown.
?Arielle’s "Will" and the fate of the company.
?The "Grand Departure" that leads to the next book!
?? VOTE if you’re ready for the Grand Finale!
? COMMENT "WAITING FOR THE PRINCESS" so I know you’re hyped for the next book!
? FOLLOW me for the final 5 chapters of this legendary journey!