The Love From Vengeance

341: HOLDING ON

ARIEL’S POV

Janice furrowed her brows, concern etched across her features. “Mom, you shouldn’t be pushing yourself like this. You’re hurt.”

“I know, sweetheart,” I sighed, wincing as I adjusted myself on the bed. “But I had to make sure your dad

was okay.”

“But the doctors are taking care of him, right?”

“Yes, they are.” I nodded, reaching out to gently stroke her hair. “But I just needed to see him for myself, you know?”

Janice nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. “I get it, Mom. But please, promise me you’ll take it easy. You need to focus on getting better too.”

“I promise,” I replied, offering her a weak smile. “Now, how about we both try to get some rest? We could

use it.”

Janice nodded, leaning against my shoulder. “Yeah, that sounds good.”

As we settled into the quiet room, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude wash over me. Together, we would confront numerous challenges, yet our unwavering unity would be the only thing that mattered.

L

Storms could come and chaos might unfold, but with my blood by my side, those terrors would be so

bootless,

the things ahead and how everything was going to work out. Luke being there to hold me tight, and Janice supporting the both of us. With smiles all around

savor each moment.

ONE MONTH LATER

endless, each step echoing the cacophony of emotions raging within

constant reminder of the stark reality that awaited me behind those white doors. My beloved lay there, fragile

that whispered tales of his suffering

felt within. I reached out to hold his hand, the touch so familiar yet foreign, as if he were slipping away with each passing moment. The beeping of the machines was a cruel symphony, and the rhythm of his heartbeat was

days had transitioned into nights, which in turn led to endless hours of waiting and hopelessness The doctors came and went, their faces a mask of professionalism that did little to assuage my growing terror. Words like “critical–condition” and “uncertain prognosis hung in the air like a curse, a constant reminder of the fragility of life and

despite the ravages of pain and illness. His resilience was a beacon in the darkness a flicker of light that guided me through the long and torturous nights:

is like no other. It seeps into your bones, twists your insides, and leaves you gasping for breath in a world that suddenly seems devoid of color and joy. The quiet hum of machines replaced the laughter that once filled our home, and whispered

soul to a life raft, holding onto the hope that They would be

and lonely stretches of darkness

his bedside, holding his hand and watching the rise

longer. The tears that fell were a silent testament to the pain that gnawed at

times I felt it

future we might never share 1 would tell him of the dreams we had woven together and the plans we had made, hoping that somewhere

was long and arduous, filled with setbacks and small victories that seemed like miracles in the making I knew for a fact that we would go through it all, clinging to each other–two souls bound by a love that had weathered the storm and emerged stronger on the other side. The pain of these days

not just his battle to fight, but also ours.

that would carry

brightest of days

had the feeling, being optimistic, that any day soon we would walk hand in hand into the

I knew that our love was a force to be reckoned with, a beacon of hope in a world filled with

uncertainty and pain