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.

disbelief turned to indignation. “So you thought it was acceptable to

leaving me with a searing sense of

in your social climbing game,”

turned away, weighed down by disappointment and hurt.

process this,” I murmured, my voice barely audible over the tumult of emotions.

parents, feeling like my world was crumbling around me. The weight of their betrayal bore down on me like a leaden cloak, suffocating me with its heaviness. Without another word, I fled from the living room, seeking solace in the sanctuary

it with a shaky hand. The dam of emotions I had been

370 BROKEN BONDS

streamed down my cheeks unchecked, each droplet a testament

as though my heart had been torn from my

agony.

they have orchestrated something so cruel and manipulative? Did they truly see me as nothing more than

status?

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

and support me.

their expectations, their ambitions, and their decelt pressed down on me like

to crush me beneath its oppressive weight. I struggled

that threatened to

myself to surrender

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

now shattered into a

lay there,

hours, but still, the ache in my chest remained, a constant reminder of the

world asunder.

of betrayal and broken promises. But even in slumber, there was no escape from the harsh reality of my shattered dreams and the bitter taste of betrayal that lingered

wrapped around myself. I froze, my heart pounding with apprehension, as I heard my mother’s voice urging me to open the door. With

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

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

and shut out the world was almost overwhelming. But eventually, I stepped aside, allowing my parents to

my chest in a defensive gesture. I refused to meet

tears. “Ariel, darling,