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!”

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

silence. But I knew I had to compose myself, and keep it together at the moment. For what could

expressed anger at him

softly, his eyes still fixed on me. I nodded, and he turned his face away, drinking from his

passed Luke, and you didn’t speak

to.” Luke drank more wine. “I didn’t want to, Ariel. I just needed some

my breath. “But you were angry with me, weren’t you?”

of wine on the table, along with his glass. And a sigh

have at least

broke me off. “To fix things?” Luke chuckled promptly. “You’ve started thinking too far, Ariel, haven’t

you mean?”

of us dwelling together in Heaven.” Luke laughed softly. “It was just

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 I know this is

say now?” I

heart. And even if

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.

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

by that, you want things to go back to

change, Ariel?” Luke asked, sipping from his wine.

think it did,” I replied, looking at him

BV BITTER MEMORIES

wine. “I remembered when I first saw you after five years. You came back, looking

argument at the forest, where we met Foster. It still