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.

widened in realization. “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 relief. There were still a lot of bridges to cross but we would get

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

you for a moment?” I mouthed. He nodded, and without another word, we both stood going towards the inner cabin. Just as

wild in college, but Sarah

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

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

looked nothing like Riley; she looked like she had been picked

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

out a sigh. I

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 to mask the unease I felt in this room filled with tension. He seemed to understand and turned back to Christian, but his hand found mine under

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

responses were barely audible, her voice trembling as she repeated the vows. Her hands shook as she took the ring, sliding it

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Chapter 166

marry–a man who

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 at any moment. The tension was palpable, and I

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husband and wife, and

him kissing her in what looked like a promise that she was his to own then they

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

is how

for her. She will never get to know what love

suddenly heard a crash. It came from the direction of the room where