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.

“So you thought it was acceptable to manipulate me into marriage for your own

leaving me with a

a pawn in your social climbing game,” I declared my voice

away,

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

parents, feeling 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 the sanctuary of

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

370 BROKEN BONDS

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

uncontrollably. It felt as though my heart had been torn from my chest, leaving behind a raw, gaping wound that throbbed

agony.

my parents‘ betrayal cut me to the core. How could they have orchestrated something so cruel

status?

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

support

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

weight. I struggled to

wave of emotions that threatened to consume me whole.

allowed myself to surrender to the torrent of

of the pain and anguish that gnawed at my insides. It was as though I

now shattered into

all meaning as I lay there,

still, the ache in my chest remained,

my world

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 lips.

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 from my bed, every fiber

and pulled open the

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

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

and I retreated to the safety of my bed, my arms crossed tightly over my chest in a defensive gesture. I refused

darling, I’m so sorry,” she whispered, reaching