The Love From Vengeance

226: PAINS

ARIEL’S POV

Holding Janice, I couldn’t stop taking my eyes off Luke. The men had come out of nowhere and fired a gunshot at him. Luckily, the bullet went straight to his shoulder. I just hoped it couldn’t get worse

than that.

Luke fell to his knees, holding his shoulders. The pain was too much for him to bear.

“Luke!” I called his name loudly, and then I ran straight to him.

The men behind pointed their guns at us, ready to release more gunshots. But I wasn’t even giving them my attention.

I didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want to run towards Luke, making it look like I cared for him. But I couldn’t help it. Seeing him bring my daughter really brought this feeling within me. Something I couldn’t explain.

“It’s alright, Ariel. I’ll be fine,” Luke told me softly, holding his bleeding shoulder. You and Janice should leave before these people do something terrible to you guys.

“We can’t leave you,” I disagreed, looking into his eyes, and I had this worried expression.

“Just go. I told you, everything’s alright.”

“But if you die, it won’t be.”

“Why, huh? I thought you didn’t want me. I thought you came for revenge. So if I’m killed now, won’t you be satisfied?”

“Don’t say that, now. Can’t you see we’re in the middle of a terrific situation?”

“I can see that. But I just want you to be honest with me.”

“About what?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Okay, I think we’ve given you guys enough time to talk. Now it’s time to die,” one of the men spoke.

are doing this for money,

to offer your family. But will

don’t know our families.”

of this. So I plead with you,

already seeing the changes. We kill all of you now, and we’ll have enough money to feed

226: PAINS

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the men not to shoot. But they just laughed

no need for anyone to die. But

watched this scene unfold. I couldn’t lose Luke, not after

for that hatred.

I had to do something, even if I had no strength. I’d do my best, and luck would be on my

everyone around me. “I

a deep breath and continued, “I may have come here for revenge, but seeing Luke with my daughter…it changed everything. I don’t want anyone to get hurt; please just put

their eyes. But then, one of them raised

to get up and protect me.

before the man could pull the trigger, Andre jumped in front of me, shielding me from

him as he collapsed to the ground.

events took aback the men. Luke managed to get up and

why did you do that?” I kneaded him, trying to stop the bleeding from his

you were an amazing friend, remember? And I’ll do anything to protect you, even if it means sacrificing my life,” he replied weakly, his eyes closing as he lost

looked up at Luke, who was now fighting off the other men. He managed to knock their guns off, even with his injury. He stood strong

needed to be taken to the hospital.

mercilessly.

ground. I looked up at the men once again; their attentions were not even on the ground. I looked at Andre, his eyes closed, recalling his words before he zonked out.

the guns and stood up, walking in that direction. I

to me, surprised and terrified faces they had at

PINS