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.

was acceptable to manipulate

leaving me with a searing

social climbing game,” I declared my voice resonating

I turned away, weighed down by disappointment and hurt.

need time to process this,” I murmured, my voice barely audible over the tumult of

like a leaden cloak, suffocating me with its heaviness. Without another word, I fled from the living room, seeking solace in the sanctuary of my

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

370 BROKEN BONDS

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

onto my bed, I burled my face in my hands, the sobs wracking my body uncontrollably. It felt as though my heart had been torn from my chest, leaving behind

agony.

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?

the fragile walls of my composure. I felt utterly alone, abandoned by the very people who were

support me.

their decelt pressed down on me like a

me beneath its oppressive weight. I

of emotions that threatened to

to surrender

of the pain and anguish that gnawed at my insides. It was as though I were mourning

now shattered

there, cocooned in the

ache in my chest remained, a constant reminder

world asunder.

betrayal and broken promises. But even in slumber, there

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

turned the lock and pulled open the door, my mother’s worried

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

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

safety of my bed, my arms crossed tightly over my chest in a defensive gesture. I refused to meet their gaze, my anger simmering just beneath the surface.

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