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.

mix of anger and frustration. I needed to find Ariel fast. But where could she be? My

now? Where am I going to search? I’ve gone through so many places, and I haven’t yet seen you.

THREE DAYS LATER

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

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

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

was heavy with grief, and

and faces drawn.

Andre’s parents, Manuel and Elizabeth, standing at the front, their

195 HIS FUNERAL

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comfort. And I still needed

ceremony began with a gentle breeze 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 precious gift of each moment. I listened, my thoughts drifting to the time I first met Lukel, a bright- eyed,

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

as the service continued, I found myself lost in a whirlwind of emotions: sadness, anger, and disbelief. How could a child so young be taken away? Why do such tragedies happen in the world? The questions swirled in my mind, unanswered

a lone violin filled 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

clouds, casting a golden light over the cemetery. I felt a sense of peace settle over me,

and Manuel, my heart heavy with sorrow. I took their hands in mine,

so sorry for what happened.”

you, Luke. Thank you for

say that?” Manuel

father of Lukel and Janice,”

face changed as he glanced at me. “Is what she’s saying true? Are you

deep sigh. “Yes, I am

it? Ariel never told me. And speaking of Ariel, where is she? I haven’t seen her in the past two days. Is she with you, Luke?”

come to this funeral. But since she’s not here, I think you already have

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

195: HIS FUNERAL

broken.

police about it?” Manuel