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.

you thought it was acceptable to

spoke volumes, leaving me with a searing sense

to be a pawn in your social climbing

spill as I turned away, weighed down by

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

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

the door behind me and locked it with a shaky hand. The dam of emotions I had been

370 BROKEN BONDS

finally burst. Tears streamed down my cheeks unchecked, each droplet a testament to

my body uncontrollably. It felt as though my heart had been torn from my chest, leaving behind a

agony.

cruel and manipulative? Did they truly see me as nothing more

status?

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

support me.

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

oppressive weight. I struggled to catch my

of emotions that threatened to

room, I allowed myself to surrender to the

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

had once envisioned, now shattered into

to lose all meaning as I lay there, cocooned in the darkness of

into hours, but still, the ache in my chest remained,

my world asunder.

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 reality of my shattered dreams and the bitter taste of betrayal

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

open the door, my mother’s worried expression

please let us in,” she implored, her

the

crossed tightly over my chest in a defensive gesture. I refused to meet their gaze, my anger

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