The Love From Vengeance

82 BITTER MEMORIES

ARIEL’S POV

“Why are you laughing? I’m only spitting facts,” I told Luke, making a puzzled face after he laughed to my recent words.

“Well, Ariel, you are spitting nonsense,” his tone was full of mockery. “You don’t have to start pretending now. One thing I finally realized, is that you don’t care for me. You don’t care about anyone in my family. You’re only concerned about your business.”

I took a deep breath. “I know why you’re saying that.”

“I know you do,” Luke responded immediately.

“It’s because of Riley, isn’t it?” I asked, and set my eyes on him. “You’re still mad at me for showing up late at her funeral.”

“Showing up late?” Luke glared at me. “Fuck that Ariel! You didn’t even show up

at all.”

“I know and I’m sorry. It’s just that I was…”

“Busy with business, am I not right?” Luke cut me off.

I sighed, being silent for a moment before I finally replied, “Yes.”

“Riley was an angel. She was so nice to you. And that’s how you repay her? Remember she died all because of you.”

“I know, and I felt guilty for that,” I vocalized, trying to find the words. “I felt guilty for not showing up. I felt guilty for not spending so much time with her, even when she wanted to. I felt guilty for so many things, Luke!”

was thinking at the moment, but he became hushed after I

I stared at him back, looking into his eyes, with no words escaping my lips. And having no knowledge of the silence. But I knew I had to compose myself, and keep it together at the moment. For what could I

and an expressed anger at

I nodded, and he turned his face away, drinking from his glass of

you didn’t speak to me,” I

wine. “I didn’t want to, Ariel. I just needed some time alone.”

uttered underneath my breath. “But you were angry with me,

dropped his bottle of wine on the table, along with his glass.

“But you should have at least brought it out to

me off. “To fix things?” Luke chuckled promptly. “You’ve started thinking too far, Ariel,

you mean?” I slowly asked.

dwelling together

at him while he continued, “I thank you for everything you did for me. You took poison all because of me, and you’ve gone through terrific moments all because of me. I appreciate that. And

you trying to say now?” I aksed

love with you. The feelings can’t just unfold in my heart. And even if I’m going to fall in love, I don’t think it’s going

his glass, fixing his eyes on me directly. “I know you also don’t love me. So please, let’s not act like we’re actually crazy over each other. Let’s not start talking like there’s

table. “We’re only married. It’s what my grandfather wanted. And his wish has been fulfilled. You’re addressed as Ariel Reynold in anywhere you are, wherever you go. It’s actually a good thing. That can at least bring a smile on my grandfather’s face from up

by that, you want things to go back to the way it used to be?”

change, Ariel?” Luke asked, sipping from his

it did,” I replied, looking at him once

BV BITTER MEMORIES

Luke enunciated, his hand perked up a little, as he had a hold of the glass of wine. “I remembered when I first saw you after five years.

involved into another silly argument at the forest, where we met Foster. It