: UNBEARABLE LUKE’S POV I sat In my car, the words from Ariel echoing in my mind. “You killed him.” The pain in her voice was almost unbearable. But I couldn’t blame her. I knew she was hurting and looking for someone to blame for our son’s death. And unfortunately, that blame fell on me. I didn’t even know why she had to put it on me. She wasn’t even there when the whole thing happened. I started the car and drove away from the cemetery. There were some flowers on the passenger seat beside me, and all I could do was just look at them. I had no idea about the things Lukel relished. I didn’t know his favorite color, his favorite song, his favorite food, or so many other things. I didn’t get the chance to walk in the park with him. I didn’t know him, but it still brought pain, and I couldn’t believe he was gone. But what hurt the most was the fact that Ariel believed I was responsible for his death. I couldn’t understand how she could think that I would harm such a little child. Like, who the hell even gave her such information? Did it just pop up in her head, or what? I loved little children, heart and soul, and I would never do anything to harm anyone. Little kids? Hell no. Driving through the quiet streets, my mind was filled with memories of Ariel and our time together. From our first marriage, when I was treating her miserably, until now, when she is giving me payback. Everything fell apart. I remembered the day I had slept with her and told her to take abortion pills, but she refused. That was also the day we divorced. It was quite remarkable; the date might still be stuck in my head. I drove further and stopped my car, looking at some little children as they were having fun together. Watching the children play, I couldn’t help but smile. Their faces were so innocent, and their tiny voices were simply wonderful. I wondered what Lukel would have been like at this age. Would he be as carefree and innocent as these children, or would he have been more crazy like his mother? Just kidding, but honestly, Ariel could be really crazy sometimes. I sighed and shook my head, trying to push away the painful thoughts. I knew I couldn’t change the past, but I couldn’t help but feel guilty for not being able to protect the little one. Yes, I did try my best to get him out of the fire, but if I had just aggrandized the passion, maybe he would still be alive. “Hey, mister, come and play with us!” one of the children called out, snapping me out of my thoughts. I smiled at them and shook my head. “Sorry, I have some things to take care of.” The children didn’t give up that easily and continued to pester me until I finally gave in. I took them in my car and drove to the nearest ice cream shop. As we sat outside, enjoying our ice cream, the children chattered away about their favorite toys and what they wanted to be when they grew up. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace and happiness wash over me as I watched these children. They reminded me of the simple joys in life and how precious every moment is. I came to the realization that I had lost sight of the present because I had been so preoccupied with my own suffering and guilt. 258 ACARABLE These children finished their ice cream and said their goodbyes. I thanked them for bringing drive. light into my day. I got back into my car with a smile on my face and continued my some I knew that Ariel’s pain and anger towards me were justified, but I also knew that I couldn’t continue to blame myself for something that was out of my control. Something I didn’t execute. No doubt, I had really lamaged Ariel. I couldn’t change the past, but I could make a conscious effort to be present in the present and appreciate the small moments in life, doing the best I could to make things could see how my mistakes were affecting me currently. I’m not really happy about that. better. I I drove to Sidney’s apartment to tell her what had happened. I had seen her daughter paying a visit to her son’s and our son’s grave. I knocked on the door softly, but she didn’t come out. Perhaps she didn’t hear me. I even rang the doorbell and waited for some time, but she didn’t come out. I had to put my ear closer to the door, and I was hearing the moans of a woman, almost like her voice. I could see she was having a good time. So what was I going to do? I turned around, and as I was about to reach my car, I heard my name. I turned around to see her standing at the door, adjusting her dress. “You came to see me?” She asked loudly since we were kind of far from each other. But that was a silly question, wasn’t it? I didn’t say a word, but I walked back to her. “I’m sorry, I was busy,” she apologized. “Yeah, I know that.” I nodded. “Anyways, I came to tell you that I saw your daughter today. She’s alive; thank God for that.” “Wow, really?” I “Yes. You can go back to what you were doing because it’s clear that you’re not done. Goodbye.” 1 walked away after those words, got into my car, and drove off. I wasn’t going to start sticking my nose in her business. The moment I arrived at my mansion, I saw this woman standing there. She was beautiful, no doubt. But I could tell she was older than me. It should be about forty or something. She had makeup all over her face and a nice figure, too, looking quite desirable. But I wasn’t going to get myself interested. That would be really messed up if I decided to go on with such a thought. “Afternoon,” she said the moment I approached her. But there was no smile on her face. I couldn’t care less anyway. “Afternoon, miss,” 1 greeted back. “The name’s Laura, actually.” “I see. So, can I please know why you’ve come here? Have you shown up to discuss business?” She chuckled. “I haven’t come to talk about that.” Her cold tone had me kind of speechless. UNBEARABLE “Okay, then why are you here?” “I just have two words for you, Luke Reynold. Be prepared.” I gave her a confused face. “Be prepared?” She raised her brows in response, and 1 shook my head, still dumbfounded. “I don’t get it. Be prepared for what?” “Ariel,” she answered. My eyes widened at that very moment. “Ariel? You know Ariel?” “Why not? I’m the one who took care of her after she got damaged, broken, and wrecked by you.” “And when did that happen?” “When you killed her son, I found her in the water, almost dead. I saved her and took her as family. “Wait, you saw her almost dead in a river. Did she tell you that I’m the one responsible for that?” “Nope, but she did tell me that you killed her son. So be prepared for what’s coming for you. Have a nice day.” She walked away from me after that. A car drove in her direction, and she entered. I stood still, watching the car move away, and this woman’s words were revolving around in my head.
