Chapter 48

48: BITTERNESS ENKINDLED ARIEL’S POV “Like I’ve said before, I don’t really care about your past. I can only talk about the present. With the things I’m seeing at the moment,” the baldheaded man told Luke. I was still standing, surveying him.

If he was talking about a love story that’s going to unfold within Luke and me–mutual feelings–he was clearly mistaking. There is absolutely no way I could develop the devotedness I once had for Luke. I just don’t see that happening anymore.

“Look, sir, thanks for protecting us from those guys. I really appreciate that. But please, don’t start saying things that’s never going to happen.”

“I said nothing,” the man said, raising his shoulders to a certain degree. “And by the way, the name is Foster. Foster Dickson.”

Luke nodded. “Yeah, I think it’s time we leave now.”

He turned around and examined me, not giving me a friendly expression. “A correction right here: I’ll be the only one leaving. She can stay here with you if she wants.”

Luke began to walk away, but Foster stopped him.

“Are you seriously leaving her here? All by herself?” Foster asked Luke.

“She’s not a little kid. And since she thinks so highly of herself, I think she can leave all by herself.”

Luke directed his gaze towards me, completely brimming with rage.

My eyes were just fixed on him, and I couldn’t cease the glare. The hatred was getting bigger and bigger, compounding with each passing moment. And now, my thirst for vengeance has gotten to a 46: BITTERNESS ENKINDLED whole new level. I just wanted to ruin him without Mason giving me multiple reminders.

He deserved anything terrible that was going to come his way. Believe me when I say this: I’m going to make sure he pays for the insults, the pains, the heartbreaking moments, and the embarrassments.

Luke Reynold was going to get it from me. I swear on the graves of my deceased family, all of them.

The bitterness he brought to my heart would be delivered back to him. I was going to wreak havoc on him and let him get a taste of the exhilarating pain that he caused me. The movie was only getting started, and I couldn’t wait till we were married.

“Come on now, you can’t be so heartless,” Foster tried convincing Luke.

“I’m only being what she sees me to be. A heartless monster who’s willing to bring pain to anyone,”

Luke said, glancing at me.

Foster wanted to continue pleading with him, or whatever. But I interrupted him, saying, “Don’t worry.

He can go. I’ll handle things on my own.” After these words, I tardily closed both of my eyes.

The pain was still moving all around my body. I knew I needed to be strong in this situation. If I were going to spend days with him, I should be ready, fully prepared, and extremely vigorous. Mental heart, a mind like a rock, and let the ice flow in my veins.

The good side of me should be crushed, burned down, and thrown away. Let me ignite the heartless flame dwelling in my body. It was defunct, but it was time I brought it back to life.

An exchange of intense glare, and Luke finally left us. I couldn’t even say anything. No need for comebacks; that idiot can go to hell, because there was absolutely no way I was going to waste my time with such a scumbag. Well, I was going to live with him for days.

But at this moment, his face was the last thing I wanted to see. And his voice was the last thing I wanted to hear. I didn’t want to hear him speak at all. Luke Reynold was the greatest scumbag I had ever seen. He was so aggravating.

48: BITTERNESS ENKINDLED The fool was an extreme pain in the ass. And just by spending time with him, he would take your breath away. Yes, because his irking words were enough to murder you flat. Simply flawless.

“Wow, that guy’s unbelievable,” Foster said underneath his breath. He glanced at me. “I guess you will just have to stay with me till all of this terror is over.”

“No, no. Don’t worry about me,” I told him.

“You’ll be leaving as well?” he asked slowly.

“Yes. I can’t spend the whole day in this forest. I have some business stuff to take care of,” I gave my reason.

him “Who said you’d be staying in a forest? I have a house right here. And trust me, you’re going to feel so comfortable inside,” he vocalized, and it was like he wanted me to stay, a little longer, I guess.

It’s so nice of him. But as I have said, I’ve got business stuff to take care of. If it wasn’t for that funeral I attended, I would have been in a business meeting, getting involved in important discussions that could bring more money to my company.

But don’t get me wrong here; I didn’t regret going to that funeral. I respected Sir Reynold a lot. He was the only one in the Reynold family who genuinely cared about me. The others were all pieces of trash.

He gave me so much love–the type that anyone could ask for. He treated me like I was his own, like I was his blood. He was such a wonderful man. So sad that he was no more.

I gave Foster a smiling face. “Thanks, but I’m good. I really appreciate the help you gave us. I’m sorry, me. Is there anyway I can repay you?”

Foster shook his head. “Nope. It’s just that I’m the only one who lives around here.” His eyes narrowed down to his feet. “And sometimes I feel really lonely.”

48: BITTERNESS ENKINDLED His tone was kind of sad, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

“Don’t you have a family?” I asked. He chuckled in response, and I could tell the answer was no.

“Don’t people usually pay you a visit around here? Like friends, you know what I mean.”

“If you’re talking about friends, I have none. It’s a big zero. And people do come into this place, just like you and Luke did.”

“Please don’t mention his name,” I said quickly.

“Why?” Foster gave me a puzzled face, but he had to understand what was going through my head at the moment.

“You saw what happened between the both of us; do you think I want to be friends with that man?”

“Aren’t the both of you friends?”

I laughed in answer to that question. “Oh, we’re nowhere near friends. I don’t think we’ll ever be.

“Are you really serious about that?” Foster quizzed. “Cause I’ve seen in movies where…”

“Okay, okay, let’s not go on with this conversation.” I cut him off. “What were you saying before that idiot’s name got into your mouth?”

“Well, I was trying to tell you how brave you guys were. Of all the people I’ve met, I chased all of them with my gun. But you and Luke didn’t fear me, which is unbelievable.”

Well, Luke was the one who wasn’t terrified. But I’m not going to start giving him all the praise. As for 48: BITTERNESS ENKINDLED me? I was scared to death, but I had to put myself together. So technically, I wasn’t actually frightened.

“Guess we’ve found you,” someone said from behind. I quickly turned around. I was quite startled to see Blake.