The Love From Vengeance

368: THE MORNING AFTER

LUKE’S POV

I awoke to the melody of birdsong and the gentle caress of sunlight filtering through the window. As consciousness dawned upon me, I found myself sharing the bed with a woman, both of us scantily clad, sending shockwaves of confusion and disbelief through my mind.

Frantically trying to piece together the previous night’s events, I struggled to recall anything beyond a night out with friends. The haze of intoxication clouded my memory, leaving me grasping for answers as to how I found myself entangled with this stranger.

A gasp escaped my lips as I jolted upright, disturbing the woman beside me, who stirred but remained asleep. Questions swirled in my mind, a tempest of uncertainty and frustration.

“What’s happening here?” I exclaimed, my voice tinged with anger and disbelief.

v own

Startled awake, the woman’s eyes widened as she surveyed her surroundings, mirroring my bewilderment.

“Where am I? And who are you?” she inquired, her tone filled with worry.

The gravity of the situation began to sink in as we both grappled with the inexplicable circumstances that had brought us together. Tensions mounted as accusations flew, neither of us able to shed light on the enigma of our shared predicament.

Before we could make sense of our situation, the door burst open, flooding the room with a barrage of flashing cameras and probing questions from journalists. Caught in a whirlwind of media frenzy, we found ourselves thrust into the spotlight, our privacy violated, and our lives laid bare for public consumption.

Amidst the chaos, I felt a surge of protectiveness towards the woman beside me, a stranger yet an unwitting companion in this surreal ordeal. As reporters clamored for salacious details, I refused to indulge their insatiable curiosity, demanding privacy and space in the midst of the media storm.

But the relentless onslaught persisted, driving me to the brink of frustration and despair. Fueled by anger and confusion, I lashed out in a moment of recklessness, pushing the woman away with callous disregard

for her well–being.

Regret mingled with resentment as I grappled with the consequences of my actions, unable to reconcile the violence within me with the bewildering circumstances that had Jed us here.

In the aftermath of the chaos, as silence descended upon the room once more, I was left to confront the harsh reality of our shared ordeal and the lingering question that hung in the air: who was this woman, and how had our lives become so irreversibly entwined?

[Later that day]

I walked to my grandfather’s study; he was just sitting there with his glasses on. He was going through

some files, but I was mad as hell.

myself this morning was named Ariel Walker; she was

MORNING AFTER –

My grandfather was responsible

24

believe it. No, no, I couldn’t buy it. This wasn’t the grandfather I knew. But now it was time to set

closer, smashing my fists against

I was talking to, not paying

me was so intense, but I didn’t want to lose it on this man. We had been through a lot together. Why ruin everything

I spoke again, “Grandpa, please. We

not

what I’m talking about.”

he stopped going through his files and finally took

longer. I’m talking about Ariel

lowly. “I thought you didn’t want to marry her.”

me and put her on my bed.

that not

you

“I’m not dumb.”

why I like you. You are not like your father.

did you do it? You know I don’t love Ariel. I don’t even know

know a lot of things about

that. I continued with

“Yes, you are.”

I have someone else in mind. Someone who is worthy

do you feel that Ariel isn’t worthy

answered without hesitation. And I don’t want to be with her. She doesn’t even love me; I’m so sure of

it. It’s all over the news. Ariel will be your wife in no time. She will be welcomed into this house as

my dead body, Grandpa!” I spat out the words, my frustration boiling over.

to do it!”

by my defiance. “You’re

MORNING AFTER

marriage is going to be great for you. Ariel is