The Love From Vengeance

266: FIRM ON IT

LUKE’S POV

Mommy had to go out for a little while, but she’ll be back soon,” I said, gently wiping the sleep

from Janice’s eyes.

Janice pouted, “I miss her already.”

“I know, but she’ll be back before you know it,” I reassured her, kissing her forehead.

Janice yawned again and rubbed her eyes. “Did I sleep well, Daddy?” she asked, looking up at me

with her big, innocent eyes.

“I’m sure you did, sweetheart,” I replied, brushing her hair out of her face.

“I had a dream,” Janice said.

“Oh really? What was it about?” I asked, curious to hear her dream.

“Mermaids flying in the air,” she said, her face beaming with joy. “They were all so pretty, and they made the sky really bright.”

“That sounds like a beautiful dream.”

Ethan chimed in, “But mermaids can’t fly in the air, Janice. It’s impossible.”

“It was just a dream, Ethan,” Randy told him, rolling his eyes at his brother.

I wrapped my arm around Janice’s neck, pulling her closer to me. “Well, in your dreams, anything is possible.” I winked at her forthwith.

“Really, Daddy?” Janice asked, and her eyes widened with excitement.

“Absolutely,” I replied, smiling down at her. “Now, do you want to come and play with us?”

Janice hesitated. “But I’m not good at video games, daddy.”

“That’s okay, Janice. We’ll teach you.” I stood up and offered her my hand.

my hand, and we walked over to the

Randy said, scooting over to make room for Janice.

the controller and showed her how to use it. She

continued their game.

run,” I said, guiding her fingers to

the controller

but she was

try to score a goal,” Randy said, encouraging her.

few buttons, and to our surprise, she scored a

Ethan exclaimed, high–fiving her.

“Can I play again?”

you can,” Randy replied, smiling proudly at her.

Randy or Ethan, she was having a great time. And that’s all

we played, Janice told us more about her dream. She described how the mermaids had colorful wings and how they sang beautiful songs as they

sky,” Janice vocalized, with her eyes sparkling with wonder.

her imagination. “Wow, that

It’s not real,” Ethan uttered, shaking

may be true, Ethan, but sometimes dreams can feel very real.” I grinned

playing the game

with wild imaginations.

ARIEL’S POV

and I were still staring at each other, the silence filling the hospital room, the question still ringing in my ear. Of course, he knew the answer

shit, and he deserved those shit back. He needed

misery, and

was indeed a powerful emotion that consumed me entirely, blinding

me towards actions that might sound wild and crazy,

regret, but hell no.

-and yes, this feeling was rooted in the desire for justice and retribution because it

the hurt he caused

it had dominated my thoughts and

with inner turmoil and conflict. Yes, this desire.could be somehow intoxicating, but fuck that. Mason was going to pay for

give me an answer to my question, What are you going to do to Mason? Because my mind keeps telling

There’s no way I’m letting him get

to do then? You’re