The Love From Vengeance

232: AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

ARIEL’S POV

Turning around, I saw my mother standing at the entrance of the shop. Quite surprising for me, wasn’t it? I just remembered that I had to meet her just when I arrived in New Haven. I was so filled with thoughts of vengeance that it took over my brain. Yes, she must really miss me all these days. A year might have been like a hundred billion years to her with me not being by her side. But anyway, I was glad to see her face once again.

“Ariel, you’re finally back,” she said softly.

“Mother!” I went to give her a warm hug.

“I miss you, my daughter; I miss you so much.”

“I miss you too, Mother,” I told her, and we let go of each other.

“So, where have you been? I’ve been so worried about you. I didn’t want to believe that you were dead, and I prayed day and night for your return. Thank God my prayers have been answered.”

I smiled at her. “I’ve just been away from everyone.”

“Yes, it’s quite clear. And I totally understand your point of view here. Losing your son was really a big blow to you.”

“Yes, it was. You do know I almost got killed, right?”

She looked at me in surprise. “What? Someone tried to kill you?”

“Yes, that was how Janice was kidnapped.”

“But who would be so cruel? Who did that?”

“The same person who set Luke’s company on fire. The same person who killed my son. Well, he is responsible for everything.”

“And who’s that?”

“I’ll tell you that some other time. But now, let’s focus on why we’ve come here. You came to get yourself some books, right?”

“Yes, and I’m guessing you came for the same reason. I shouldn’t even be saying that. There’s obviously one reason why someone would be in a bookstore.”

“Well, not really,” I spoke, and in my head was how those two women were fighting moments ago. Oh, that was so sick.

“Okay, I guess the both of you would like to get yourselves your books, right?”

The cashier vocalized.

no need for

we were done picking

It’s nice having customers like you around. Just in case you want to

smiled. “Thank you.”

left

me, how’s

little while, I exhaled deeply, but I didn’t give her a

tell me you’re still

not angry, Mom. I just don’t…Ughhh, never

“Luke loves

when I saw how worried he was about you. When you were missing, he searched everywhere. He barely went to work, he barely ate. He barely did a thing, all because of you. You shouldn’t

not mad at him. I

together with him?” She cut me off.

Those are

are

I know that,” I uttered in hushed tones.

planning to get a divorce.”

talk about

want to get a divorce?”

my purse and wrote my number on it. I handed the paper to my Here you go. That’s my number. You can call

time. Take

mother.

away

LUKE’S POV

you doing here? And where have you been all these years? “I asked my great–aunt. Honestly, I thought she was long gone from this world. Like, she barely talked with my grandfather. She didn’t even come to his funeral she’s nor send messages. She ghosted the family for years. But all of a sudden, back, straight to me, I’m fact. Something

you have some respect,

I say anything wrong?”

asking me that as well?” She gave me

of

apologize for any misunderstanding. But I’m just surprised anyone would be. I mean, it’s been years since we last saw you, and we never got

touch, it’s all you and your grandfather’s fault.”

“How exactly?”

me. All of you

think you’re the one who abandoned us.”

done talking. Don’t you dare interrupt

about that, but…”