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.

watched her go, feeling a mix of anger and frustration. I needed to find Ariel fast. But where could she

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

THREE DAYS LATER

my way to the small, quaint cemetery on the outskirts of town. I adjusted my tie nervously, feeling the weight of the occasion pressing down

1. attending the funeral of Luke. The tragedy of a young life cut short weighed heavily

mine. I didn’t even know

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,

and faces drawn.

Elizabeth, standing at the front, their faces

195 HIS FUNERAL

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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

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

of Lukel–his infectious smile, his boundless energy, the joy he brought to their lives. Tears streamed

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

my eyes, letting the music wash over me, a balm for

me, a quiet acceptance of the cycle of life and death. I looked around at the faces of the other mourners,

offering their condolences to the grieving parents. I approached Elizabeth and Manuel,

for what

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

why do you say that?”

the father of Lukel and Janice,”

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

out a deep sigh. “Yes, I am the father.”

“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 past two days. Is she with

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,”

195: HIS FUNERAL

broken.

haven’t you informed the police about it?”