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.

Andre pleaded. I glanced back at him. He did not move forward. “I know you people are doing this for money, but please, you don’t have to kill anyone.

one. And I know you guys need money to offer your family. But will they really want this? They wouldn’t want you to get involved in any

shut up, you don’t know our families.”

know one thing: they won’t be in support of this. So I plead with you, just

all of you

226: PAINS

2/3

begged the men not to shoot. But they just laughed and insulted him, calling him

tried to reason with them, telling them that there was no need for anyone to die. But they were adamant, their greed for money clouding their judgment.

as I watched this scene unfold. I couldn’t lose Luke, not after witnessing what he had done. The rage disappeared

for that hatred.

I made a decision. I couldn’t let these men harm the people around me. I had to do something, even if I

yelled, surprising everyone around me.

breath and continued, “I may have come here for revenge, but seeing Luke with my daughter…it changed everything. I don’t want

their eyes. But then,

to get up

Andre jumped in front of me, shielding me from the

screamed, watching him as he

the men. Luke managed to get up and tackle one of them to the ground while I ran

that?” I kneaded him,

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

their guns off, even with his injury. He stood strong for me, for Janice, for us. I was just

friend was unconscious right now; he needed to be taken to the hospital. I set my eyes on Luke

mercilessly.

the guns which were on the ground. I looked up at the men once again; their attentions were not even on the ground. I looked at Andre, his eyes

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

surprised and terrified

PINS