The Love From Vengeance

370: BROKEN BONDS

ARIEL’S POV

I stormed into my parents‘ elegant living room, a cloud of anger and betrayal churning within me. My hands trembled with disbelief as I brandished my phone, the glaring headlines announcing my supposed engagement to Luke burning into my consciousness.

“Mom, Dad, we need to talk,” I demanded.

They looked up, surprised, etching their features at the urgency in my tone.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” my mother asked, concern furrowing her brow.

I thrust my phone forward, the damning evidence of my supposed betrothal displayed on the screen.

“Explain this,” I demanded, my voice rising with each word,

Their guilty exchange confirmed my worst fears.

“We’re sorry, Ariel. We never meant for things to spiral out of control like this,” my father began, his voice

tinged with remorse,

But apologies were not what I sought. I needed answers.

“Sorry isn’t enough, Dad. Why have you destroyed my future?” I queried, my anger boiling over.

My mother reached out, but I recoiled, the sting of their betrayal too raw.

“I trusted you both. I thought you had my best interests at heart,” I accused the both of them. I was feeling

broken.

They hung their heads, unable to meet my accusing gaze.

“We only wanted what was best for you, Ariel. We thought…” my mother faltered, unable to finish her

justification.

“So you thought it was acceptable to

with a searing

a pawn in your social climbing

I turned away, weighed down by disappointment

I murmured, my voice barely audible over the tumult

The weight of their betrayal bore down on me like a leaden

door behind me and locked it with a shaky hand. The

370 BROKEN BONDS

down my cheeks unchecked, each droplet a testament to the

onto my bed, I burled my face in my hands, the sobs wracking my body uncontrollably. It felt as

agony.

something so cruel and manipulative? Did they truly see me as nothing more than a pawn in their quest

status?

like a tempest, each emotion crashing against the fragile walls of my composure. I felt utterly alone, abandoned by the

support me.

and their

beneath its oppressive weight. I struggled to

emotions that threatened to consume

solitude of my room, I allowed myself to surrender to the torrent

pain and anguish that gnawed at my insides.

future I had once envisioned, now shattered

meaning as I lay there, cocooned in the darkness of my despair. Minutes

the ache in my chest remained, a constant reminder

world

and I drifted into an uneasy sleep, my dreams haunted by visions of betrayal and broken promises. But even in slumber, there was no escape from the harsh

with apprehension, as I heard my mother’s voice urging me to open the door. With a reluctant sigh, I rose from my

turned the lock and pulled open the door, my mother’s worried expression greeting me.

sweetheart, please let us in,” she implored, her voice

hesitated for a moment; the urge to slam the door shut and shut out the world was almost overwhelming. But eventually, I stepped aside, allowing my

and I retreated to the safety of my bed, my arms crossed tightly over my chest in a defensive gesture. I

eyes brimming with tears. “Ariel, darling, I’m so sorry,” she whispered, reaching out a trembling