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!”

silence. I didn’t know what he was thinking at the moment, but he became hushed

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

the option, and an expressed anger at him would never make things.

eyes still fixed on me. I nodded, and he turned

you didn’t speak to me,” I carefully said.

drank more wine. “I didn’t want

my

of wine on the table, along with his glass. And a sigh moved out of his lips. “Yes, I was angry with

you should have at least brought it

Luke chuckled promptly. “You’ve started

mean?” I slowly asked.

pictured in your mind; the two of us dwelling together in Heaven.” Luke laughed softly. “It

poison all because of me, and you’ve gone through terrific moments all because of me. I appreciate that. And I know this is my grandfather’s promise; to treat you nice. But

you trying to say now?” I

And even if

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.

crammed the glass with wine, he dropped the bottle back on the 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 there. But the fact that we’re going to start craving a mutual feeling, the romantic type, is so absurd. Let’s just be

downwards. “And by that, you want things to go back to the way it used to

ever change, Ariel?” Luke asked, sipping

think it did,” I replied, looking at him once

BV BITTER MEMORIES

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. You came back, looking bold and ravishing. And we had a huge argument back then, which literally made no sense.

the glass back on the table. “And then we had to get involved into another silly argument at