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.

going on? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Daniel spoke, and his features were filled

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

But I thought you were in

he surprised or what?

skeptical look. “You haven’t heard

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

373: STORM BREWING

of the time, but come on, I

care about that.“All he cares about is his helping that man’s worthless business.”

you can’t disobey your grandfather. He’s the head of the family, and going against him could ruin

with him forever.”

head. “I can’t just stand by and let him control

woman I

“Is it worth sacrificing your relationship with your grandfather and with your family

want to see me tear apart the family like this. But I couldn’t ignore the fire burning within me–the desire to

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

Think about what your father would want and what’s truly best for you

my father would want this?”

he wouldn’t want you to destroy your relationship with your grandfather.”

you are saying. You didn’t

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

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

have to make sacrifices for the sake of our relationships with our family.

words, but my mind was still a typhoon of conflicting thoughts and emotions. The force of the situation bore down on me,

blanket

I walked a few steps, distancing myself from the bustling street and the city’s noise. Finding a bench tucked away in a quiet corner of the park, I sank