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.

anger and frustration. I needed to find Ariel fast. But where could

gone through so many

THREE DAYS LATER

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

1. of Luke. The tragedy of a young life

not mine. I didn’t

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

faces

standing at the front, their faces etched with pain as

195 HIS FUNERAL

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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

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-

their lives. Tears streamed down her face,

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

over me, a balm for my aching soul. I thought of Luke,

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

began to disperse, offering their condolences to the grieving parents. I approached Elizabeth and Manuel, my heart heavy with sorrow. I took their hands in mine, offering a silent gesture of support and love.

sorry for what happened.”

“Thank you, Luke. Thank you for being here.

you say that?” Manuel

father of Lukel and Janice,” she answered him

as he glanced at me. “Is what she’s saying

out a deep sigh. “Yes, I am the

me. And speaking of Ariel, where is she? I haven’t seen her in the past two days. Is she with

funeral. But since she’s not here, I think you already have an answer to your

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

195: HIS FUNERAL

broken.

the police