The Love From Vengeance

373: STORM BREWING

LUKE’S POV

“I know what this is really about, Grandfather,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging within me. “You and Gray are just trying to save his precious business from falling apart. “You two don’t care about Ariel or me. All you care about is maintaining the wealth.”

My grandfather’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing with anger. “How dare you speak to me like that, Luke? You need to learn your place.”

“My place? I scoffed. “I’ll tell you what my place is. You and Gray haven’t arranged my marriage. “It’s standing up for what I believe in, even if it means going against you.”

“We’re trying to do what’s best for the family,” my grandfather insisted. His voice was growing colder with

each word.

We had never had a heated argument like this before, but I couldn’t help it. This was my life; we were talking about it here. My life!

a

“Well, what about what’s best for me?” I shot back. “No one can force me into a marriage I don’t want.” Not by you, not by Gray, not by anyone.”

“You will do as I say, Luke,” my grandfather declared, his tone final. “This marriage will take place whether you like it or not.”

I felt a surge of anger and frustration coursing through me like a fire burning in my chest. “No, not sure if I have anything to say about it.”

it won’t.” ‘m

With that, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the office, leaving my grandfather’s words echoing in the empty corridors behind me.

I knew that this was just the beginning of this crazy situation. But Harriet was the one I loved, and trust me, no matter the obstacles that stood in my way, I would fight to ensure that my future remained in my own hands.

Storming out of the building, my mind was a vortex of emotions. I wasn’t so focused on my walk that I almost collided with Daniel, who was waiting outside the building.

seen a ghost.” Daniel spoke, and his features were filled

my grandfather. “He’s trying to force me into

you were in

surprised or

him a skeptical look. “You haven’t heard the

that.“I didn’t take it seriously. I hate

373: STORM BREWING

they’re filled with fake shit most of the time, but come on,

my grandfather doesn’t care about that.“All he cares about is his helping that man’s

can’t disobey your grandfather. He’s

with him forever.”

and let him control my life. I have to fight for what I believe in, for

woman I love.”

Luke?” Daniel pressed. “Is it worth sacrificing your relationship with your grandfather and with your family

of Daniel’s words sinking in. He was right–my father wouldn’t want to see me tear apart the family like this. But I couldn’t ignore the fire burning within me–the desire

I cannot simply allow others to dictate my life. I have to take a stand, for

what your father would want

father would

But I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t want you to destroy your

saying. You didn’t meet me before

I know, I didn’t meet him. Cool. But I have the feeling–the feeling that he wouldn’t want this chaos going around in the family. He wouldn’t want

exhaled deeply, fixing both of my hands on my waist, “Yeah,

continued, “Luke, I know this is difficult, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the sake of our relationships with our family. You don’t

of conflicting thoughts and emotions. The force of the situation bore down on

blanket

Finding a bench tucked away in a quiet corner of the park, I sank down onto it,