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

leaving me with a

climbing game,” I declared

I turned away, weighed down by disappointment and hurt.

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

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

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

370 BROKEN BONDS

a testament to the pain and betrayal i felt

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 a raw, gaping wound that throbbed with

agony.

have orchestrated something so cruel and manipulative? Did they

status?

emotion crashing against the fragile walls of my

and support

expectations, their ambitions, and their decelt pressed down

its oppressive weight. I

threatened to consume me

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

and anguish that gnawed at my insides. It was as though I were

I had once envisioned, now shattered into a million irreparable

as I lay there, cocooned

chest remained, a

world

me, and I 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

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 confrontation awaiting me on the other

turned the lock and pulled open the

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

the world was almost overwhelming. But eventually, I stepped aside,

crossed the threshold, and I retreated to the 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

mother approached tentatively, her eyes brimming with tears. “Ariel, darling, I’m