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.

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

been a rollercoaster. Alex had fully reclaimed his company, had found his 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. Even though she’d reconciled with her

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

wild in college, but Sarah was taking

and I knew that I had never understood the underground world. All I knew 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 for the couple. But everyone here was on guard, eyes flickering around like they

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

eyes settle on Camilla. She looked nothing like Riley; she looked

could mask the fear and sorrow in her eyes. I pitied her. She had not stopped staring at Riley, and it felt like they were having a silent exchange with their eyes. Riley was saying, “I am so sorry,” and Camila was saying, “I am going

sigh. I couldn’t watch

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

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 guarded. There was an air

man with 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 she

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Chapter 166

man who looked as dangerous as he

to share my sentiments, their eyes darting around

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wife, and the room erupted in a smattering

wait, he pulled her to him kissing her in what looked like a promise that she was his to own then they turned to face the

was suffocating me in here. Alex didn’t ask; he just followed

sadly. “It is how things work

suck any less. I feel so sorry for her. She will never get to know what love

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 were. Alex and I stared at each other for a second before we both broke into a