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.

to find Ariel fast. But where could she be? My mind was still telling me that Harriet had something to do with this.

am I going to search? I’ve gone through so many places, and I

THREE DAYS LATER

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

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

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

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

and faces

Elizabeth, standing at the front, their faces etched with pain

195 HIS FUNERAL

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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

The minister’s voice was a soothing murmur as he spoke of life’s fleeting nature and the precious gift

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 to

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

letting the music wash over me, a balm for my aching soul. I thought of Luke, of the moments we

a golden light over the cemetery. I felt a sense of peace settle over me, a quiet acceptance

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

for what

“Thank you, Luke. Thank you for being here. But we’re

you say that?”

father. He’s the father of

at me. “Is what she’s saying true?

deep sigh. “Yes, I am the

breath. “How come I never knew about it? Ariel never told me. And speaking of Ariel, where is she? I haven’t

since she’s not here, I think you already have an answer to

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

195: HIS FUNERAL

broken.

why haven’t you informed the police