The Love From Vengeance

376: BURDENED HEARTS

ARIEL’S POV

“Enough!” I interjected firmly, stepping between Luke and Tessa. “We’re not getting anywhere by arguing like this.“We need to find a way to settle everything calmly and rationally.”

Tessa nodded in agreement; her expression was still heated with anger. “She’s right. This isn’t helping

anyone.”

But Luke just scoffed, his eyes blazing with frustration. “I’m not interested in playing nice around here. This whole situation is a mess, and it’s up to you to put an end to it.”

I shook my head. “I’m trying, Luke. But we need to work together on this. Fighting amongst ourselves won’t solve anything.”

He crossed his arms over his chest, his jaw clenched in frustration. “Well, you better figure something out fast. I’m not sticking around to watch this circus any longer.”

Before I could respond, he turned on his heel and stormed away, leaving Tessa and me standing in

stunned silence.

Tessa sighed heavily, running a hand through her hair. “Well, that went well.”

I let out a frustrated groan. “I don’t know what to do, Tessa. Everything’s falling apart, and I can’t seem to

fix it.”

Tessa placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, offering me a reassuring smile. “We’ll figure it out, Ariel. Together.”

I nodded, drawing strength from her words. “You’re right, Tessa. We’ll find a way to get through this. Together.”

“So, what are you going to do? Are you going to get married to Luke?”

“What do you think I should do?”

the one who makes the

friend wouldn’t actually be a

shaking her head. I’let out a deep breath, still thinking about how I was going to handle this situation. It was really messy,

home to find my parents sitting in the living room, their faces drawn with worry. As I approached, the atmosphere seemed heavy with strain, and I knew that whatever I was about to say would

minutes of silence, I gathered my courage

RDENED HEART

2/3

is it, Arlel? What’s wrong?” My mom asked, her voice filled

took a deep breath, bracing myself for their reaction. “I’ve made a decision,” I began, my voice trembling. slightly. “I’m going to

widened in shock, and for a moment, there was nothing but stunned silence in the room. “Ariel, are you sure about

just wonder how these people think things through. Everything right now is just so annoying. But anyway, I

what you wanted, right? To save the

for any sign of doubt.

was still surprised by their questions. What if I said no? What were they going to do? Were they going to put an end to

person around here. So if marrying Luke would make these people happy and bring their business back to stability, then

forced a smile. “It’s fine, Mom, I’ll do whatever it takes to

a worried glance, clearly still processing my sudden declaration.

this?” My dad looked at me

sure. That’s what you want, right?”

silently, closing both of his

to Luke

that, I turned and walked away, leaving my parents behind in a state

the doubts swirling in my mind, I knew that

the consequences.

LUKE’S POV

bed at the hotel, and Ariel’s image dominated my thoughts. Even though there was turmoil surrounding her, her resolution was evident in her

feeling that there was more to her than met the eye. Her sincerity in wanting to help her family hinted at a deeper motivation, one that left me questioning the assumptions I had made.

wasn’t going to change my goddamn feelings about her. She wanted money, and I

376 BURDENED HEARTS