Bonds

Chapter 166

-Maya’s POV-

Six month’s later

Epilogue 1

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“I can’t believe I’m actually going to Italy!”

Sarah’s squeal pierced through the cabin, a high–pitched contrast to the general mood. Natalia and I exchanged a tired look. We’d both tried to temper Sarah’s excitement for Riley’s sake. For Sarah, Italy was a dream vacation. For Riley, it was a nightmare. She was about to watch her sister, Camilla, take her place in a forced marriage to a man Riley described as the devil incarnate.

Riley was staring out the window, lost in thought. Sarah’s voice cut through again. “I’ve always wanted to see–”

“Sarah!” Natalia interrupted sharply.

were engrossed in a chess lesson, while Alex, Christian, and Nathan argued over the rules. A smile crept onto my face. Alex had changed significantly in the past six months. He was more relaxed, more open. He laughed more, talked more, and had even started attending family dinners with my parents. His relationship with my father was a testament to the power of time and forgiveness and they had both decided to finally put the past behind them

sister’s wedding, I’d suggested we use his jet to be there for her. She

of sympathy for Riley and her sister altogether. Alex’s gaze met mine, and I smiled. He had a way of making me feel instantly better. “Can I borrow you for a moment?” I mouthed. He nodded, and without another word,

been wild in college, but

was that it was filled with blood, maybe even more blood than the world I knew but there was something extra unnerving about this whole scene. Weddings were supposed to be peaceful affairs where everyone wore a smile because they were happy to be there, happy

and other extended family. My eyes finally went to the groom, the one who Riley said could be the devil himself. He did not look like the devil. This man was beautiful, but one didn’t need to look twice to know that he was dangerous. Beautiful and brutal, the two words played in my head. There was something about him that screamed, “I will kill you if you ever take a single wrong breath in my direction.” I felt actual shivers run down my spine. It was like Alex’s aura when I first met him, dangerously quadrupled. I looked away from him just before his eyes flickered in my direction. I felt the intensity of his stare

looked like she had been picked out

had not stopped staring at Riley, and it felt like they were having

out a sigh. I couldn’t watch

that point, like we had always been attuned to each other, stopping the conversation he was having with Christian. His eyes held a question, a silent inquiry if I was okay. I gave him a small nod, trying

itself was nothing like a traditional wedding. There were no flowers, no joyful music, and no laughter. The room was dimly lit, with dark drapes hanging from the walls and chandeliers casting eerie shadows. The guests were all dressed in black, their expressions serious and

formal, lacking any warmth or joy. Camila’s responses were barely audible, her voice trembling as she repeated

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Chapter 166

man who

of unease. This was a union built on fear and power, not love. The guests seemed to share my sentiments, their eyes darting around the room, as if expecting

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them husband and wife, and the room erupted in a

that she was his to own then they turned to face the guests, their expressions

me in here. Alex didn’t ask;

sighed sadly. “It is how things work

to know what love is.” I turned my gaze. There wasn’t really anything I could do. “We should probably check

playroom. Alex stretched out his hands and opened his mouth to reply when we suddenly heard a crash. It came from the direction of the