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

me with a searing

in your social climbing game,” I declared my voice resonating through the room.

spill as I turned away, weighed down by

to process this,” I murmured, my voice barely

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 of

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

370 BROKEN BONDS

my cheeks unchecked, each droplet a testament to the pain and

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

agony.

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 quest for

status?

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

support

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

beneath its oppressive weight. I struggled

emotions that threatened to consume me

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

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

now shattered into a

there, cocooned

in my chest remained, a constant reminder of the betrayal that had

my world asunder.

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 that lingered on my

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, every fiber of my being resisting the inevitable

pulled open the door,

sweetheart, please let us in,” she implored, her voice filled, with remorse.

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

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

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