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.

fast. But where could she be? My mind was still telling me that Harriet had

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

THREE DAYS LATER

on the outskirts of town. I adjusted my tie nervously, feeling

1. I was attending the funeral of Luke. The tragedy of a

knew his family. Yes, his family, not mine. I didn’t even know that he

sniffles of those trying to hold back tears. The air was heavy

faces

at the front, their faces etched

195 HIS FUNERAL

2/3

I still needed some for myself. But they needed it the most since they were the ones who spent years with him. The ones who watched him grew. But I was the one who witnessed him die.

rustling through the trees, 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

forward, her voice trembling as she spoke of Lukel–his infectious smile, his boundless energy, the joy he brought to their lives. Tears streamed down her face, and Manuel reached out

lost in a whirlwind of emotions: sadness, anger, and disbelief. How could a child so young be taken away? Why

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

peace settle over me, a quiet acceptance of the cycle of life

their condolences to the grieving parents. I approached Elizabeth and Manuel, my heart heavy with sorrow. I took their

so sorry for

up, tears glistening in her eyes. “Thank you, Luke. Thank you for being here.

why do you say

of

as he glanced at me. “Is what

sigh. “Yes, I am the father.”

of Ariel, where is she? I

me, she’d come to this funeral. But since she’s not here,

really worried about her,” Elizabeth entered, her tone

195: HIS FUNERAL

broken.

police about it?”