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.

I needed to find Ariel fast. But where could she be? My mind was still

search? I’ve gone through so many places, and I haven’t yet seen you. What will I do

THREE DAYS LATER

hung low in the sky as I made my way to the small, quaint cemetery on the outskirts of town. I adjusted my

1. the funeral of Luke. The tragedy

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

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,

faces drawn.

at the

195 HIS FUNERAL

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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.

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. I could tell when I saw him at that

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

myself lost in a whirlwind of emotions: sadness, anger, and disbelief. How could a child so young be taken away? Why do

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 the moments

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 other mourners, seeing our

I approached Elizabeth and Manuel, my heart heavy with sorrow. I took their hands in mine, offering a silent gesture of support

so sorry for what happened.”

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

you say that?” Manuel asked her.

father of Lukel and Janice,” she answered him softly.

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

a deep sigh.

Manuel said under his breath. “How come I never knew about it? Ariel never told me. And speaking of Ariel, where is she? I haven’t seen her in the

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

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

195: HIS FUNERAL

broken.

why haven’t you informed the police about it?” Manuel