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.

thought it was acceptable to manipulate me into marriage for your

leaving me with a searing sense of betrayal.

to be a pawn in your social climbing game,” I declared my voice

I turned away, weighed down by disappointment and hurt.

process this,” I murmured, my voice barely audible over the

me like a leaden cloak, suffocating me with its heaviness. Without another word, I fled from

me and locked it with a shaky

370 BROKEN BONDS

streamed down my cheeks unchecked, each droplet a testament to the pain and betrayal i felt deep in

hands, the sobs wracking my body uncontrollably. It felt as though my heart had been torn from my chest, leaving behind a raw, gaping

agony.

realization of my parents‘ betrayal cut me to the core. How could they have orchestrated something so cruel and manipulative? Did they truly see me as nothing more than a pawn in their

status?

like a tempest, each emotion crashing against the fragile walls of my composure.

support

their expectations, their ambitions, and their decelt pressed

oppressive weight. I struggled to catch my breath

threatened to consume

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

my insides. It was as though I were mourning the loss

once envisioned, now shattered into a million irreparable

as I lay there, cocooned in the

the ache in my chest remained, a constant

world

slumber, there was

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

and pulled open the door, my mother’s worried expression

please let us in,” she

shut out the world was almost overwhelming. But eventually, I

my chest in a defensive gesture. I refused to meet

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