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.

look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Daniel spoke, and his features

“It’s my grandfather. “He’s trying to force me into a marriage with Ariel, all for the sake

I thought you were in love

surprised or what?

look. “You haven’t heard the news?”

hear something like that.“I didn’t take it seriously.

373: STORM BREWING

the time, but come

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

expression tumed grave, his eyes searching mine. “Luke, I know you’re angry, but you can’t disobey your grandfather. He’s the

with him forever.”

by and let him control my life. I

I

Luke?” Daniel pressed. “Is it worth sacrificing your relationship

apart the family like this. But I couldn’t ignore the fire burning within me–the desire to carve out my own path,

my insides. However, I cannot simply allow others to dictate my life. I have to

about what your father

my father would want this?”

Luke. But I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t want

you are saying. You

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 you

of my hands on my waist, “Yeah, that might

we have to make sacrifices for the sake of our

of conflicting thoughts and emotions. The force of the situation bore down on me, pressing against my

blanket

city’s noise. Finding a bench tucked