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.

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

PA bringing her back in. We’d been through it all together. When it came time for Riley’s sister’s wedding, I’d suggested we use his jet to be there for her. She was going through a lot, and I wanted her to know she wasn’t alone.

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, we both stood going towards

amused. Natalia had been wild in college, but Sarah was taking it to a whole new

world I knew but there was something extra unnerving about this whole scene. Weddings were

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

let my eyes settle on Camilla. She looked nothing like Riley; she looked like she had been picked out from

could mask the fear and sorrow in her eyes. I pitied her. She had not stopped staring at Riley, and it felt like

a sigh. I couldn’t

was having with Christian. His eyes held a question, a silent inquiry if I was okay. I gave him a small nod, trying to mask 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 that hung over the event, making it feel more like a funeral than a

a deep voice, began the ceremony. His words were cold and formal, lacking any warmth or joy. Camila’s responses were barely audible, her voice trembling as

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Chapter 166

to marry–a man who

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 at any moment. The tension was palpable, and I found

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wife, and the room erupted in a smattering of applause, more out of obligation than genuine

she was his to own then they turned to face the guests, their expressions a stark contrast–her face filled with sorrow and

my feet, excusing myself. I needed air. It was suffocating me in here. Alex didn’t ask; he just followed me outside. I finally let out a breath and

“It is how things

know what love is.”

children 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