The Love From Vengeance

353: NEW PATH FORWARD

ARIEL’S POW

“Larry, wait!” His mother’s voice cut through the tense atmosphere, her tone pleading as she stepped forward, reaching out to her husband. “Harold, please, you can’t do this. He’s

Our Son.”

Mr. Kingston’s expression remained stoic, unmoved by his wife’s plea. “He’s made his choice, Martha. “He’s chosen to defy me and undermine everything we’ve worked for.”

“But disowning him? Is that really necessary?” Mrs. Kingston implored. “He’s just young and idealistic. He doesn’t understand the consequences of his actions.”

“He needs to learn, Martha,” Mr. Kingston replied sternly. “He needs to understand that there are repercussions for going against the family.”

“But he’s your son,” she insisted, desperation creeping into her voice. “You can’t just cast him aside like this.“We’ll lose him forever.”

Mr. Kingston sighed heavily, his features softening ever so slightly at the sight of his wife’s distress. “Martha, you know how important it is for us to maintain control. We can’t afford to shc weakness, especially not now.”

“But at what cost, Harold?” Mrs. Kingston pleaded, her eyes searching for any sign of empathy. “Is our pride worth more than our own flesh and blood?”

Larry stood silently, his eyes darting between his parents, his face a mask of conflicted emotions. I could see the turmoil raging within him, torn between loyalty to his family and standing up for what he believed was right.

“Please, Harold,” Mrs. Kingston continued. “Think about what you’re doing. Is this really the legacy you want to leave behind?”

For a moment, there was silence as father and son locked eyes, a silent battle of wills playing out between them. Then, with a heavy sigh, Mr. Kingston relented, his shoulders slumping

in defeat.

“Fine,” he muttered grudgingly. “But he’s on his own. He can’t expect any support from this family if he chooses to walk this path.”

Mrs. Kingston let out a breath she seemed to have been holding, relief washing over her features as she stepped forward to embrace her son. “Thank you, Harold.”

Larry returned his mother’s embrace. “Thank you, Mom. But I cannot follow through with

16 NEW PATH FORWARD

this.”

2/4

let go of him at that very moment, giving him a surprised face. “What? What do you mean by

don’t decide to change things back to the way they were, I’m not stepping

He’s an idiot,” Simon mocked him.

Simon.” Larry silenced him. “You have no right to be talking here since you’re the

shut up,” Simon spat

Larry with a hard glare. “Larry, is

what I want,

fooling yourself. Because here is no way I’m changing things; the deed has already been

Father,” Larry said inaudibly, moving

this how you hate me? Defying me

not defying you out of spite but out of a sense

of this nonsense.

one of disdain. “And who the hell gave you the right to talk,

“And I may not be part of your family, but I care deeply for Larry.“I won’t stand by while you belittle him for having

thinking you can change

great man, ten times better than your useless son. He deserves better than to be ridiculed by his own father.”

PATH

3/4

Kingston’s face contorted with rage, but Larry spoke up with a calm yet resolute voice before he could unleash

If you

my hand and angrily walked away, leaving his family brimming

car, and the two of us settled there in silence, no one saying anything. Then I let out a deep

to happen,” I said, breaking the silence

me. “What

all of

a sigh. “Ariel, none of this is your fault. You didn’t you for cause any of

I never

Larry reassured me. “If anything, you’ve shown me what true courage and integrity look like. And I’ll stand by you, no matter what.”

a warm smile.

to worry, Ariel. We’ll get through

your

stable as it used