(Luke pov)
After all the unpleasant memories, I slumped back in my office chair.
I stared down at Sarah, who was sound asleep beneath her blanket.
That warmhearted woman has suffered my torment. I'm notorious!
What will occur to you after Isabella and I come together? I had lost a piece of myself in the past, I gained a new soul in the present.
God! I can't take any more agony.
The following morning, I prepared to leave for the office.
We strolled to the dining room where my entire family was seated.
"Good morning, son", said Silas.
"Morning", I said.
"Are you feeling good today?" he asked.
"I'm great," I said.
"Excellent! We need you for a board meeting," said Silas.
"I'll be there"
"We'll go together."
"I'm going by myself."
"Do you not wish to accompany your father?"
"I'm not fond of driving with your siblings."
"You really like to pick fights with us. What's wrong with you, exactly?", said Seth.
"It's an honest statement, not a debate."
I remarked, "I forgot that your siblings dislike honesty."
"Luke, why won't you show us some respect? We are your uncles", said Scott.
"How can I respect you if you behave like criminals," I said.
"Enough! The more we tolerate you, the higher you soar!", exclaimed Seth.
"Thankfully, you are my brother's son; otherwise", said Seth.
"What? Are you going to finish me off?"
"You won't see this world again!", said Seth.
"Seth! Luke is your nephew!" exclaimed Silas.
"Your son went too far! He should be mannerly toward us", said Seth.
"Pipe down, Seth. That's how he is", said Silas.
"I won't let your son walk on me again!", said Seth.
"I'm not walking on you, I'm telling the truth. Isn't that what you did in the past?", I said.
"Luke stop! I don't want to hit you!", said Seth.
"Don't touch my son! or I'll whack your left cheek", said Silas.
"Keep defending your son!" said Seth.
"Seth, don't get worked up over the little thing, just chill and enjoy the day", said Shane.
"I'm not you Shane, a cold-blooded man!" said Seth.
"We are both the same, lil brother.", said Shane.
"Get yourself into therapy. It's not nice for an old man to be irritable constantly", I said.
"Exactly, why don't you give it a shot?", said Shane.
"I'm going to kick your ass, Shane!" said Seth.
With food in hand, Delores entered the dining area with her aide.
A bright smile plastered on her face."This is for you, son", she handed me the food.
I pushed the plate aside.
"Why? You don't like the dishes?" asked Delores.
"I'd rather eat my favorite food," I said.
"Isn't this one of your favorites?" said Delores.
"Did I ever say that?" I asked.
"Never," said Dee.
"But you always consume the food I make. I believe you enjoy all of it," said Delores.
"If I say I don't like it, would you let it be?" I asked.
"You'll find a way to get me to eat that food! Isn't that what you've been doing ever since I existed" I said.
"Son, we gave everything you asked for," said Delores.
"You gave everything you desired! I must kneel for anything you all wish for. Did you ever let me live my life?"
"We do everything for your benefit", said Silas.
"You always act in your best interests!", I said.
"Stop right there, what do you want to have?", said Delores.
Sarah ambled into the dining room,
"Your fav!", she sets the platter down.
"Tempting!", I poked my fork into the food, popping it in my mouth.
"How does it taste? Am I a good cook?", asked Sarah.
"You amaze me day by day", said Luke.
I drew up a chair for her. "Come here, you deserve a reward." I kissed her forehead.
"Are we watching a movie or what? I can't stand them!", Whispered Beth
"Their bond grows stronger over time with an unknown cause,", said Indy.
"We'll discover that soon", Sadie added.
"Soon? like next year?", Reggie rolled her eyes.
"Wait! Didn't you make breakfast for yourself?", Delores raised her eyebrows.
"I made it for Luke" said Sarah.
"She serves me my favorite food", I said.
"Did he tell you?", Delores turned to Sarah.
"No" she said.
"How did you know?", she asked.
"I frequently watch him eat. You should see how delighted his body is to savor every mouthful of his food and how brilliant his eyes are." I added.
"I don't need to explain everything to her, she knows what I want. In fact, she lets me live my life", I said.
"Doesn't it sound too much to praise your wife a lot?", said Sadie.
"Doesn't it sound excessive of you to interfere with everything I do?", I said.
"Oops! What a huge mistake. He's gonna grind you with his answer", whispered Beth.
"You should've warned me! Before I embarrassed myself", said Sadie
"You sound like I know you wanted to ask him", said Beth.
"I'll be frank to you Luke, what she did to you? You used to detest her so much", said Reggie.
"Not again, now she does it on purpose", whispered Beth.
"I never despised her," I said.
"Because of the people around me, I turned her into my avenging slave," I said.
"I regret it," I threw my arms around her. "I apologize to you, Sarah".
"Oh, come on, I've forgiven you", said Sarah with a warm smile.
"It can't be helped, my life must be surrounded by people like them", I said.
Beth giggled. "Luke 2, us 0"
"Some ladies never learn from their mistakes," said Beth.
Reggie glared at her.
"Keep that gaze to yourself", said Beth.
"Indy, wanna try it?", said Beth
"Thanks! Why not you?", said Indy.
"I've learned my lesson", said Beth.
"Son, please show us more respect", said Silas.
"I tried, somehow the past got in the way and changed me into a harsh individual", said Luke.
"The past?", asked Sarah.
"Oh, it's just some bad memories, no need to call on that", said Silas.
Luke has miserable memories! Sarah.
"Yeah, bad as hell!" I said.
"It's late, son. Why don't we simply go to the office?"
Getting up from their chair, Abrams filed out.
"You don't like dragging about the past, do you?" said Shane.
"The past must be left behind" said Silas.
(Sarah Pov)
"Did you put a spell on him? Why did those who despise you become so in love with you?", questioned Delores.
"You heard yourself what my spouse said, he hates those around him." I smiled.
"Perhaps The Past is what made him dislike those people", I broached the subject while putting on an innocent expression.
"Did he reveal the past?", asked Delores.
"You know how closed off he is", I said.
"Maybe you can tell me", I said.
"None of your business! You've no right to know about my family matters", she said.
She remarked, "The past ought to remain in the past."
"Dearest mother-in-law, I'm now Mrs. Luke Abrams. I must know the truth", I said.
"Some things are unnecessary for you to know. You can either stay put or leave this house," said Delores.
"You kicking me out? Was it tragic?", I asked.
She turned her head aside as a look of rage rose on her face.
"Mother-in-law, you pique my curiosity," I remarked.
"Sarah! If you still want to be with Luke, don't cross your boundaries—otherwise, you'll become the next past!" said Delores.
I answered. "Do you know what my best traits are? I love to step over the boundary to sate my curiosity."
I sighed. "My dad has learned everything about The Abrams, not The Past. Soon he will", I said
"Shut the f••• up! Go back to your cage", said Sadie.
"Sadie, I was overjoyed by the scene. Look at your face earlier, you were prettier than ever", I said.
"Now that you've learned your lesson," I said.
"Be more cautious of who you are talking to next time", I warned her.
"I'm not your mother-in-law, I'll drag you out of the house!", said Sadie.
I giggled. "Who the f*** are you? I'm the oldest daughter-in-law. I've more power than you."
"I emphasized that you were merely a visitor and that I had the right to eject you at any time.", I said.
"What kind of woman prioritizes meddling in people's lives over returning home to take care of her family", I said
"SARAH!" said Sadie in rage.
She swung her open palm and struck across my face.
"What have you done?! You never know what this lunatic will do", yelled Beth.
"You're too frail! That mouth deserves a punch", said Reggie.
"You don't encourage her! Have you forgotten your past incident, Gie? She dared to disclose everything to the family!" said Beth.
"That won't stop me!" said Reggie.
"Why do I've such a rock-headed little sister!", said Beth.
"I appreciate your awareness, Beth. And Reggie, I'll take care of you later." I said.
"Sadie, do you know what will happen if Luke sees this scar on my face? You're a dead woman", I said.
"I'm super excited for Luke to come back. I'm gonna relish a new fantastic moment!", I said.
"Be ready!", I said.
I walked out of the dining room.
"I can't put up with her anymore", said Reggie.
"You're not going to advise us to be patient again! Not today!", said Reggie.
"Don't be careless, you'll suffer the consequences!", said Beth.
"I agree with Reggie. I'm not going to allow that scum to walk on me again! She must feel bad for confronting us. She should kiss my foot and apologize to us!", said Sadie.
"You two have lost your minds! Sis do something!", said Beth
"Not a good time for revenge", said Delores.
"I WON'T WAIT FOR THAT GOOD TIME! I'LL DO IT RIGHT AWAY!" shouted Reggie.
"Come on, Sadie!", said Reggie
"Are you aware we're still dealing with the police?" said Delores.
They made a brief halt.
"Go ahead, do it if you want to," said Delores.
"Sooner or later, the dog will detect your carrion", said Delores.
They turned around when the realization hit them.
"Why did you guys stop? Go", said Delores.
"The police are here to solve Sarah's case, not to delve into the past!" Delores said.
"We...
"Don't make your brother disown you, Gie", said Delores.
"I... I lose sight of it", said Reggie..
"Think before you act!", said Delores.
"You nearly sent us to hell!", said Beth.
"I'm sorry" said Reggie.
"You and Seth need to go to therapy!", said Beth.
"And you, Sadie! What's gotten into your intelligent mind?! Did a cockroach get inside your brain?", said Beth
"Beth, sorry, I was too furious to remember that." said Sadie.
"That woman is getting on my nerves," Sadie exclaimed.
"No excuses! Don't behave rashly, even if the devil tempts you!", Beth replied.
The past has more to offer! More than Luke is aware of.
Not returning to the room, I overheard their conversation.
What did they do to them? I must do something to get them to reveal Isabella's whereabouts.
The darkness that lurks underneath this family's warmth makes me unsettled.
(Luke Pov)
My father and I separated into our respective rooms. Not long until knocking on my door.
"Sir, may I enter?"
"Get in"
Jack walked in with a piece of file in his hand.
"Do you need to address me as Sir?" I said.
"We're in the office, dude", said Jack as he pulled the chair.
"What file is that?", I asked.
He tossed the empty file on my desk and said, "Blank."
"I came to speak to you", said Jack.
He scanned the area outside the room.
"Safe here", I said.
"No, when the brothers are here", he said.
"So... Has Sarah told you?", he asked.
"She has. I don't know how we will find Isabella," I said.
"We'll figure something out", he said.
"Luke?"
"Yes?"
"Were you both expecting a baby?", he asked.
I sighed and nodded.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up.", he said.
"It's fine"
He said, "I couldn't picture myself in your position."
"I want to play with my baby, Jack", I said.
"Don't lose hope, we'll find them." he said,
"That is my never-forgotten prayer", I said.
"And Sarah? She handled it nicely. I wasn't expecting it," he said.
"I'm evil. I ruined her life", I admitted.
"I was more shocked to witness Sarah's reaction than to the news of Isabella's pregnancy. She's eager to help her husband to reunite with his girlfriend", he said.
"I'm really delighted to see Isabella again. On the other hand, there's a sorrow knowing that we'll be apart forever", I said.
"Even though you have a vicious family, you are fortunate to get women who care about you more than they do", he said.
"That's what hurts me the most", I said.