Bonds

Chapter 166

-Maya’s POV-

Six month’s later

Epilogue 1

+5

“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.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, but the excitement in her eyes didn’t dim. I glanced at the men. Ivy and Nate 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 and move forward much to my

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

I mouthed. He nodded, and

in college, but Sarah was taking it to a whole new

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

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

like Riley; she looked like she had been picked out from a painting

is so beautiful,” Sarah took the thought right out of my mind. But no amount of beauty could mask the fear and sorrow in her eyes. I pitied her. She had not stopped staring at Riley, and it

sigh. I couldn’t watch

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 to

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 guarded. There was an air of dread

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

1/2

on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of

Chapter 166

to marry–a man who looked

help but feel a growing sense 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 violence to break out

+5

came to an end. The officiant pronounced them husband and wife, and the room erupted in a smattering of

her in what looked like a promise that she was his to own then they turned to face the guests, their expressions a stark contrast–her face

to my feet, excusing myself. I needed air. It was suffocating me in here. Alex didn’t ask; he just followed me

sadly. “It is how

make it suck any less. I feel so sorry for her. She will never get to know what love is.” I turned my gaze. There wasn’t really anything I could do. “We

had been kept in a room that was turned into a 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 room where the twins