The Love From Vengeance

114 STRAINED APOLOGIES

LUKE’S POV

Lucifer had left me, and here I was, my head being flooded with heavy thoughts. The party continued, and people were still joyful, except for me. I stood still, outside the mansion, my hands fixed on my waist, my eyes narrowing down, heavy sighs escaping my lips.

The song playing at the moment was enough to soothe someone, bring the tranquility right into your soul, and make you be at peace. It was melodious, the tune was really heavenly. But guess what? I was not at peace here, after what that man had mentioned to me.

It was a good thing to be rich, silk–stocking, prominent, known by the people. Not by all, but by most. Good relationships, bad relationships, they were all present. Envy, hate, bitterness, were still counted right here. And I could see what these were translating into. A death wish, planning to put me in the grave, taking my soul away, a scheme to send me to the other world.

Confusion was still over me, my brain was still cracked each minute, trying to get a clue of the person bringing out all these schemes. There were tons of conflicts, and many haters. But I swear, I was too laborious to store the foes in my head.

Facing moments like this, the terror gets worse each day, and the anxiety might shackle you, leaving you with nothing left to say. Only the fear of losing your life, and the people around you. But this fear wasn’t a new thing, since I had lost the people most precious to me.

And I could only blame myself for Riley’s death. The little one would have still been here, smiling today, if she had not come to live with me. Life was quite unpredictable, and there were regrets for making certain decisions.

But right now, who was left to lose? What was left to be gone? My life? I couldn’t care less. If I could back in time, I’d do it. I’d sacrifice my life, just to make sure Riley’s legacy goes on.

“Luke Reynold,” someone mentioned my name, and I had to turn around. It was Andre, he was moving closer to me. “It’s actually a nice thing to see you at the party.” He shook hands with me, with a smile on his face. “Glad you made it. I thought you weren’t going to show up.”

I smiled back, knowing why he said that. “Well, I did. And I came here to say sorry.

“Sorry for what?” He asked, as our shake came to an end.

114 STAINED APOK

273

morning, around my house,”

I wasn’t

that?” I queried, raising an

had every right to be upset, seeing the two of us that way. After all, Ariel is your wife. I should be

him a baffled look, cause man, I was exceedingly surprised

fact that you’re trying to be nice around here. But come on, you don’t really have to say all those things, and we just got to face the truth. I spoke hurtful words that didn’t even make sense. And I regret that moment. Trust me,

laughed, and then he held my shoulder. “Luke. These things I’ve spoken are nothing but the truth. If I were in your shoes, I’d do the same. Or even worse, I’d beat the hell out of the man I see holding hands with my wife. You don’t have to worry

point, I could say I was envy of his demeanor. But we need to be real around here. I was really stupid this morning, just

It

we go inside, and have a few drinks?” Andre suggested, patting

was still thinking about what Lucifer told me, wondering if it was true. He told me to be very careful, but how the hell was I supposed to? I didn’t even

happy, and forget about anything else. Forget about business, forget about all sort of problems. Just forget about

deeply, my mind still not soothed.

some drinks. Chat with people, have all sort of conversations. Laugh

approached us, wrapping his arm around

grinned at him. “Mr. Humphrey. Wow, you came to

I couldn’t miss this special

you?” Andre kept on with his

because there are thousands of

the man responded in a playful tone. He glanced at me. “Good evening,