The Love From Vengeance

308: RECONCILIATION LUKE'S POV her As she looked fromto our mother, tears welled in Catherine's eyes, emotions warring within her. Slowly, she nodded, a silent acknowledgment of the difficult path ahead.

My mother’s eyes brimmed with tears as she approached us, her movements tentative yet filled with hope. She sank to her knees before Catherine, her voice trembling with emotion.

“I am so sorry, Catherine,” she whispered, her words a prayer for absolution. “I cannot undo the pain | have caused, but | promise to spend the rest of my days trying to make amends. Please find it in your heart to forgive me.” Catherine's tearful gaze met mine, and | felt a surge of empathy wash over me. Despite the hurt and betrayal she had endured, | could still see the hope in her eyes -a flicker of willingness to let go of the past.

“Catherine,” | said softly, squeezing her hand gently. “I know it's not easy, but forgiveness can be the first step towards healing. We don’t have to forget what happened, but we can choose to move forward.” She gazed atwithout saying anything, and | gave her a knowing look, raising my brows at her and smiling at her cute face.

“So, what's your decision? You've changed your mind?” | asked, and i still raised as | demanded an answer politely and softly I'd say.

my brows were Catherine didn’t say anything but didn’t take her eyes offeither. We kept on staring at each other like we were carrying out a staring contest. But she lost, taking her eyes offand setting them on her mother-my mother, er, as well; | knew that. Let's just go on with the narration.

Turning to my mother, | could see the desperation etched on her face and the raw vulnerability in her eyes.

Despite the pain she had caused, | couldn’t ignore the love still lingering in her gaze.

| couldn’t have that bitterness for her anymore. | didn’t know why, but it had 308 RECONCILIATION vanished, and it was all thanks to Ariel for talking ssenses intoand changing that mindset. You could call that one of her achievements in our relationship so far. And yes, she stole my heart. The greatest of all, which was exceedingly remarkable.

2/4 “Mom,” | said softly, not taking my eyes off my mother while she did the same. Just that she had her lips shut. “I want to believe that you've changed and are not the sperson who hurt us. But actions speak louder than words.” She nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I understand, Luke. I'll do whatever it takes to earn back your trust.” “Not my trust. | can’t even care less anymore. Let's talk about her.” | gestured toward Catherine. “She’s just a little kid. Now she sees you as nothing but a villain. Are you seriously okay with that?” “No, Luke. That's why | cto apologize.” “Pretty clear, huh? But this is going to be a tough one, and | hope you know that. Once you've broken someone's trust, it becomes very hard for them to trust you again.” “But Ariel trusts you, doesn’t she?” | raised my brows at her immediately. “What do you mean by that?” “You've caused her so much pain in the past, but she decided to forgive you.” “My case with Ariel is different. We were never the loving type in the first place.” “Oh really?” “Yes. The simple truth, quite clear as that,” | answered, but | was curious about something. “And by the way, how did you know about my relationship issues?” “You're a notable billionaire in New Haven. Who wouldn't know about the things you do?! | let out a sigh. “You know what? Let's forget about that. Right now, you and your daughter need to reconcile.

And I'm not leaving this room until that happens.” | turned to Catherine. “Your mother did hurt you; she treated you like trash and tried to kill you. Trust me, | understand that this woman right here can be so 308 RECONCIATION unpredictable.” “Hey,” my mother said, and | took a look at her. She clearly understood the expression. “Okay, do what you have to do.” “Thank you,” | told her before turning back to Catherine. “You see, that’s just how she is.” “Really?” My mother chimed in again.

“Can you please letfinish?” “Yeah, cool. It's fine; go ahead with your speech,” she said, turning her face away.

| sighed, shaking my head, before turning back to Catherine. “Now, as | was saying before, the witch interrupted.” My mother wanted to speak out, but | countered, widening my eyes and giving her a fake smile.

“Okay, I'm going to shut up,” she uttered under her breath.

“Better.” My fake smile lingered on my face. | set my eyes on Catherine promptly. ” | used to love this woman right here with the whole of my heart, playing all day and doing all sorts of crazy stuff. Every moment was fun, and taking my mind back to those old days, a smile always pops up on my face.” Catherine didn’t take her eyes off me; she was interested in my talk, and | wanted to share more. Pain and happiness are flooding throughbecause of the deceit and all that.

“I took her to be the best. The greatest gift is a light shining upon my life. Our moments were filled with laughter-so gleeful, really remarkable. And it was just what e would wish for. | never wanted it to end. | even wanted to be a little kid for the rest of my life.” | chuckled after that last part.

Catherine laughed a little. That brought a smile to my lips. It was nice seeing that.

| continued, “But that's clearly impossible. And even if it might be possible, things. went the way | didn't expect them to. She was gone from my life.and I was shattered. But she came back. And even though she toldit was all a lie, there was still a lie in her words. Because the way she played with me, laughed with me. and had fun withwas just so awesome. There couldn't be any fake moments. there.”

| placed my hand on Catherine's shoulder. “You're just a little kid. And your shouldn't let bitterness flood your heart. Enjoy the moment while you're still young. Childhood days are the best; you shouldn't create tto be upset or mad at someone. Don't create room for malice or let darkness overshadow you. Stay strong always, and please forgive your mother.” Catherine slowly took a look at our mother. | could see the softened expression right there, and the anger seemed to have disappeared. “It’s going to be hard, you know,” she told me, and | exhaled deeply forthwith.

“It's going to be hard. But she’s still your mother, after all. And she’s changed; she made a promise not to treat you badly anymo . You just have to believe that she’s going to keep that promise, Because | believe and | know for a fact that she loves you so much and won't do anything to harm you anymore.”