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 for your

volumes, leaving me with a searing

your social climbing game,” I declared my voice resonating through

to spill as I turned away, weighed

I murmured, my voice barely

their betrayal bore down on me like a leaden cloak, suffocating me with its heaviness.

behind me and locked it with a shaky hand. The

370 BROKEN BONDS

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

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

agony.

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 social

status?

me like a tempest, each emotion crashing against the fragile walls

and support me.

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

weight. I

emotions that threatened to

to surrender to

insides. It was as though I were

once envisioned, now shattered

lose all meaning as I lay there, cocooned in the darkness of my despair.

ache in my chest remained, a constant reminder of

my world

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

urging me to open the door. With a reluctant sigh, I rose

the

please let us in,” she implored,

hesitated for a moment; the urge to slam the door shut and shut out the world was almost overwhelming. But eventually,

of my bed, my arms crossed tightly over my chest in a defensive gesture. I refused

“Ariel, darling, I’m so sorry,” she whispered, reaching out