The Love From Vengeance

372: TANGLED

ARIEL’S POV

“Ariel, please try to understand. We never wanted to hurt you. We just thought we were doing what was best for the family.” My mother continued to plead with me.

I pulled away from her touch. “Well, you were wrong, Mom. Dead wrong. “And now I have to suffer the consequences of your mistake.”

“Ariel, just understand that this is all worth it. We can’t go down and let the business fall. This is the only option we have, and it’s the one that’s going to make our lives better than

ever.”

“You keep saying that, Mom, but it doesn’t change anything. You and Dad made a decision about my

life without even consulting me. How can you expect me to just accept that?”

She mirrored my anguish. “Ariel, please, I know we made a mistake. But we were just trying to do what we thought was best for the family. Can’t you see that?”

I shook my head, the pain cutting deep. “I don’t care about the family right now, Mom. All I care about is my own happiness and my own future.”

Before she could respond, a maid entered the room carrying a tray of food. I glared at her, my anger boiling over. “I said I’m not hungry!”

But the maid hesitated, her eyes filled with concern. “Miss Ariel, please; you need to eat something. It’s not good for you to starve yourself like this.”

I felt a surge of irrational anger, and before I could stop myself, I lashed out, swatting the tray away. The food was scattered across the floor, with the plate clattering loudly against.

the tiles.

“Leave me alone!” I shouted loudly in so much rage.

The maid recoiled, her eyes wide with shock. “I’m sorry, Miss Ariel. I didn’t mean to upset

you.”

I desired solitude to

room, and I sank back onto the edge of my bed, the

gone so wrong? And most importantly, how was I going to fix it?

what, Ariel.“I’m going to leave you for now.” My

yourself,” she added.

she turned to leave, something inside

she paused, turning back to face me, a little hope in her eyes. But I knew I had

a part of this family anymore,” I said, each word heavy with finality. My mother’s expression crumbled, a mixture of shock and sadness washing over her

she pleaded, reaching out to me. But I held up my

I mean it,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside me. “I can’t stay here and pretend like everything is okay when it’s not. I need to

up in my mother’s eyes, but I hardened my heart against the pain of

hurt.

barely audible. “But I have

to bear the weight of her disappointment any longer.

of liberation revolve within me, going on with sadness for what could have been. But deep

LUKE’S POV

each one carrying a different version of the truth. I ignored them because it would be a waste

reach my office. His expression was tense, betraying the gravity of the

someone waiting for you in your office,” he said, his voice

sense of foreboding settling in the pit

hesitated before answering, “It’s

him. I knew this wasn’t going to be a pleasant visit, not after everything that had been happening for the past two days.

things weren’t how they used to

towards my office, steeling myself for whatever confrontation lay

opened the door, and the sight that greeted me only fueled my growing anger. My

behind my desk, his stern gaze fixed on