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

going to search? I’ve gone through so

THREE DAYS LATER

way to the small, quaint cemetery on the outskirts of town. I adjusted my tie

1. Today, I was attending the funeral of Luke. The tragedy

his family, not mine. I didn’t even know

The air was heavy with grief, and

and faces drawn.

standing at the front, their faces

195 HIS FUNERAL

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offering a silent prayer for strength and comfort. And I still needed some for myself. But they needed it the most

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. I could

to their lives. Tears streamed

in a whirlwind of emotions: sadness, anger, and disbelief. How could a child so young

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 milestones he would never reach.

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 shared grief and our shared humanity..

approached Elizabeth and Manuel, my heart heavy with sorrow. I took their hands

for what

Thank you

say that?” Manuel asked her.

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

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

out a deep sigh.

Manuel said under his breath. “How come I never knew about it? Ariel never told me. And speaking of Ariel,

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

worried about her,”

195: HIS FUNERAL

broken.

informed the police about