The Love From Vengeance

307: TALK THE TALK

LUKE’S POV

My frustration simmered beneath the surface as Catherine remained silent, her refusal to speak only fueling my growing desperation. I looked to my mother, and the weight of the situation was heavy in the air.

“What happened between you two?” I demanded, and now I was frustrated as hell. ” You have to tell me, Mom. We can’t fix this if we don’t know what’s going on.

My mother’s eyes flickered with sadness as she hesitated; the pain of whatever they had gone through was evident in her expression. “Luke, it’s not that simple,” she began, and her voice was filled with regret.

But I wasn’t willing to accept excuses anymore. “No, Mom, it *is* that simple,” I insisted, my tone firm. “Whatever happened between you and Catherine, it’s tearing her apart. And if we’re going to put an end to this, you need to tell me the truth.”

Catherine’s gaze flickered between us, her expression a mixture of fear and

uncertainty. I could see the turmoil raging within her and the weight of her silence bearing down on us all.

My mother sighed, her shoulders slumping with resignation. “Fine,” she whispered. “I’ll tell you.”

I held my breath, waiting for her to speak, to finally shed light on the darkness that had engulfed us.

“It hadn’t been too long,” my mother began, her voice quivering. Catherine was going through a difficult time, and I wasn’t there for her like I should have been.”

My heart clenched at her words, the guilt and regret evident in her voice. “What do you mean you weren’t there for her?” I pressed, my voice urgent.

My mother’s gaze dropped to the floor, unable to meet my eyes. “My own problems so consumed me and struggles that I neglected her. I let her down, Luke. And I’ve regretted it every day since.”

The weight of her confession hung heavy in the air, and silence stretched between

the truth sank in. Catherine’s eyes brimmed with tears, and her walls crumbled around her.

and now she has to fix this whole sh*t up. I didn’t want to

as she looked at my mother, her expression was filled with pain. “That

confused face. “That isn’t all?”

that isn’t all”

she did

tried to kill me.”

as the

a chill running down my spine gravity of her revelation sank in. “What

fear as she recounted the horrifying ordeal. “It was one night… she came into my room, and she had this look in her eyes… like she wasn’t herself. She tried to suffocate me with a pillow, Luke. I thought I was

denial or explanation. But all I found was a haunted expression, her eyes filled

this true?” I asked, my

I swear, I would never intentionally hurt Catherine. I love her like my own daughter. I did tell you I was into drugs, right? Yes, that was it. It was what I took that was controlling me. I would

it! You tried

TALK THE TALK

I mean, I couldn’t actually verify that. After what this woman did to me, I couldn’t even trust her words anymore. I didn’t know, but the feeling was just

to believe,” I admitted, my voice heavy

eyes pleaded with me, begging for forgiveness and understanding.” Luke, please. You know I would never intentionally hurt anyone. I was in a dark place, and I made a terrible mistake. But I’m not that person anymore. I’ve changed, I

I quizzed her, raising an eyebrow. “You know, you still take

you that

I told you all these things. I changed after what happened to night–the night you were shot. I was broken, and

it take full control of

mother nodded. ‘But Luke. I love Catherine so much. I can’t hurt

shook her head, her resolve unyielding. “Don’t listen to her, Luke. She’s lying to you. She almost killed me, and she needs to be