The Love From Vengeance

303: CUTTING THROUGH

LUKE’S POV

So while my great–aunt descended the stairs, her presence filled the room with an air of unwelcome authority. Dressed in a blue dress that accentuated her ample figure, she approached with deliberate steps, and I couldn’t muster a friendly look. “What do you want now?” I asked, my tone devoid of warmth as she drew near.

She glanced around, her eyes narrowing at the disorderly scene before us. “Your house is a mess, Luke. Those little children have caused chaos everywhere.”

“I know,” I interjected sharply, cutting her off before she could continue. “The children will clean it up.”

She offered a fake smile, and I couldn’t help but bristle. “Is there anything else?” I asked, my patience wearing thin.

She shook her head, still smiling. “I just came to remind you of your place in this

house.”

I sighed heavily. “You should stop talking nonsense,” I retorted, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “When will you ever change?”

Despite my irritation, she chuckled softly. “I’ll keep reminding you that I am the owner of this house.”

“And I’ll keep telling you that you’re talking nonsense,” I shot back, refusing to back down. “But I’m not kicking you out. You can do as you please, but I know your evil plans won’t succeed.”

Her smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. “We’ll see about that,” she said cryptically before turning to leave.

“Wait,” I said, sort of loudly, and she halted before turning around.”

ves, my dear child?” The fake smile was still etched on her round face.

“Don’t call me that. I don’t need you faking a smile or putting on an act.”

“Go to hell,” she spat before turning around.

303 CUTTING THROUGH

“I just have to ask,” I uttered, causing her to freeze. “Why do you hate me so much?

“You want an answer to that?” She turned to me.

I asked the question,

my question, her laughter filled the room with a mocking tone. “Oh, Luke, you really don’t understand, do you?” she said, her voice dripping with condescension. “I have better things to do than

do I,” I retorted, my tone sharp. “But I need to know why you insist on being so rude to me every

care about your feelings,” she said dismissively. “All I care about is getting this mansion and taking what’s rightfully mine.”

you think of anything else besides money?” I

into a knowing grin. “Money is everything, Luke,” she replied confidently. “Money is

expression. “That’s a lie,” I

grating on my nerves. “You know it yourself, Luke,” she told me with

head, feeling a surge of frustration and disappointment. “I used to have respect for you,” I admitted, and my voice was filled with regret.

to be in the same

mockingly. You’ll come to realize that

end.”

used to be

she brought out immediately, snapping her fingers.

I said

You love

Scratch it out. There’s

“Oh, shut up.”

I spat back.

up,” my great–aunt retorted sharply, her voice

like a knife.

steely resolve. “Put an end to your

her lips curling into a contemptuous sneer. “You’re just

some respect for yourself and for your late brother,” I countered. My voice stirred with a hint of

flickered in their depths. “Don’t start talking nonsense,”

I challenged her, meeting her glare head–on. “Have you ever loved my grandfather?” I queried, and my voice

kind of question is that?” she demanded, her tone bordering on outrage.

replied calmly, refusing to back down. “Especially since you

manners!” she snapped, and her voice rose with frustration.

my head, a fake smile playing on my lips as I raised an eyebrow. “Right after

man you are.