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.

her go, feeling a mix of anger and frustration. I needed to find Ariel fast. But where could she be? My mind was still telling me that Harriet

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

THREE DAYS LATER

clouds hung 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

1. funeral of Luke. The tragedy of a young life cut short

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

soft murmurs of the mourners and the sniffles of those trying to hold back tears. The air was heavy

faces drawn.

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

195 HIS FUNERAL

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way towards them, offering a silent prayer for strength and comfort. And I still needed some

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, energetic child.

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

How could a child so young be taken away? Why do such tragedies happen in the world? The questions swirled in my mind, unanswered

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 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 around at the faces of the

to the grieving parents. I approached Elizabeth and Manuel, my

so sorry for

looked up, tears glistening in her eyes. “Thank you, Luke. Thank you for being here. But we’re the ones who

do you say that?” Manuel

he’s their father. He’s the father of Lukel and Janice,” she answered him softly.

Manuel’s face changed as he glanced at me. “Is what she’s

deep sigh. “Yes, I am the father.”

come I never knew about it? Ariel never told me. And speaking of Ariel, where is she? I haven’t seen her in the past

she was with me, she’d come to this funeral. But since she’s not here, I think you already have an answer to your question.”

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

195: HIS FUNERAL

broken.

haven’t you informed the police about it?” Manuel asked her.