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.

there’s no need for you to worry about us. “Oh, I

were done picking up our books,

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

smiled. “Thank

I left the

me, how’s your relationship with

I exhaled deeply, but I didn’t give her

still angry

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

“Luke loves

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 be

at him. I just don’t feel like..”

together with him?” She cut

yeah. Those are the words.

are still married.”

that,” I uttered in hushed tones.

planning to

talk about

a divorce?”

right now. I brought a paper kit from my purse and wrote my number on it. I handed the paper to my Here you go. That’s my number. You can call me

time.

mother.

away after that.

LUKE’S POV

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.

some respect, or has your money taken

Did I say anything wrong?”

that as well?” She gave me a death stare.

brows 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 in touch, we

didn’t get in touch, it’s all

“How exactly?”

guys forgot about me. All of you abandoned me.”

one who

talking. Don’t you

sorry about that, but…”