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.

Ariel fast. But where could she be? My mind was still telling me

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

the small, quaint cemetery on the outskirts of

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

knew his family. Yes, his family, not mine. I didn’t

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 sense of profound loss. I scanned the crowd, recognizing familiar faces twisted in sorrow, their eyes

and faces drawn.

standing at

195 HIS FUNERAL

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the guests. My heart ached for them, knowing the unimaginable grief they must be feeling. I made my way towards them, offering a silent prayer for strength and comfort. And 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 precious gift of each moment. I listened, my thoughts drifting to the time I first met Lukel, a bright- eyed,

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

of emotions: sadness, anger, and disbelief. How could a child so young be taken away? Why do such tragedies happen in the world? The

violin filled the air, its mournful melody weaving through the crowd. I closed my eyes, letting the music wash over me, a

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 looked

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

for

her eyes. “Thank you, Luke. Thank you for being here. But

say that?” Manuel asked her.

of

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

a deep sigh.

told me. And speaking of Ariel, where

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

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

195: HIS FUNERAL

broken.

police about it?” Manuel