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 manipulate me into

silence spoke volumes, leaving me with a searing sense

social climbing game,”

away,

this,” I murmured, my voice barely audible over the

crumbling around me. The weight of their betrayal bore down on me like a leaden

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

370 BROKEN BONDS

unchecked, each droplet a testament to

my hands, the sobs wracking my body uncontrollably. It felt as though my heart had been torn from my

agony.

How could they have orchestrated something so cruel and manipulative? Did they truly see me as

status?

tempest, each emotion crashing against the fragile walls of my

and support me.

weight of their expectations, their ambitions, and their decelt

beneath its oppressive weight. I struggled to catch my breath amidst the

emotions that threatened

to surrender to

at my insides. It was as though I were mourning

now shattered into a million

lose all meaning as I lay there,

the ache in my chest remained, a constant reminder of the betrayal

world asunder.

exhaustion overtook 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

knock on my door shattered the fragile cocoon of thoughts I had wrapped around myself. I froze, my heart pounding with apprehension, as I heard my mother’s voice urging me

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

let us in,” she implored, her voice filled,

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

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

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