The Love From Vengeance

195 HIS FUNERAL

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195: HIS FUNERAL

LUKE’S POV

Burning in intense rage, I pushed Harriet away from me hard. “Let go of me, Harriet!” I yelled, my anger boiling over. She stumbled and fell to the ground, her smirk finally fading.

“You can’t do this to me, Luke. You can’t just leave me like this! I’m not going to let you.”

“I can do whatever I want, Harriet. And right now, I want to find Ariel and make sure she’s safe.”

“She doesn’t deserve you, Luke. She never did,” Harriet spat. “I’m the one for you. You are meant for

1. me. We are meant for each other.”

“That’s not for you to decide. Now tell me, where is she?”

“I don’t know. But even if I did, I wouldn’t say a damn thing.”

“You better tell me now, Harriet. I know how brutal and crazy you can be.”

“You don’t know me at all, Luke. You never did,” she hissed, standing up and brushing herself off.

“I know enough to know that you’re capable of anything,” I retorted, my fists clenched at my sides.

“You know what? Fine. To find your precious Ariel. But don’t come crying to me when she breaks your heart again,” Harriet sneered.”

“And who told you she broke my heart, huh?”

“Oh, please, Luke. If you’re going to start telling me lies, save those sh*t for someone else,” she spat

before marching off.

But where

to see you now? Where am I going to search? I’ve gone through so many places, and I haven’t yet seen you. What will I do about this? Where are

THREE DAYS LATER

low in the sky as I made my way to the small, quaint cemetery on the outskirts of town. I adjusted my tie nervously, feeling the weight

1. I was attending the funeral of Luke. The tragedy of a young life cut short

family. Yes, his family, not mine.

I approached the gathering, I could hear the soft murmurs of the mourners and the sniffles of those trying to hold back tears. The air was heavy with grief, and the atmosphere was suffused with a

and faces

Elizabeth, standing at the front,

195 HIS FUNERAL

2/3

a silent prayer for strength and comfort. And I still needed some for myself. But they needed it the most since they were

carrying the scent of freshly turned earth. The minister’s voice was a soothing murmur as he spoke of life’s fleeting nature and the precious gift of each moment. I listened, my thoughts drifting to the time I first

his boundless energy, the joy he brought to their lives. Tears streamed down her face, and Manuel reached out to

could a child so young be taken away? Why do such

the air, its mournful melody weaving through the crowd. I closed my eyes, letting the music wash over me, a balm for my aching soul. I thought of Luke, of the moments we would never share, of the milestones he would

close, the sun broke through the clouds, casting a golden light over the cemetery. I felt a sense of peace settle over me, a quiet acceptance of the cycle of life and death. I

the final words were spoken, the crowd began to disperse, offering their condolences to the grieving parents. I approached Elizabeth and Manuel, my heart heavy with sorrow. I took their hands in mine, offering

so sorry for

her eyes. “Thank you, Luke. Thank you for being here. But we’re the ones

do you say that?” Manuel

father. He’s the father of Lukel and

me. “Is what she’s saying true? Are you the father of Ariel’s

let out a deep sigh. “Yes, I

of Ariel, where is she? I haven’t seen her in the past two days. Is

to this funeral. But since she’s not

and I’ve been really worried about her,” Elizabeth entered,

195: HIS FUNERAL

broken.

the police