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.

disbelief turned to indignation. “So you thought it was acceptable to manipulate

spoke volumes, leaving me with a searing sense

social climbing game,” I declared my

as I turned away, weighed down by disappointment and

I murmured, my voice barely audible

of their betrayal bore down on me like a leaden cloak, suffocating me with its heaviness. Without another

a shaky hand. The dam of emotions I had been

370 BROKEN BONDS

Tears streamed down my cheeks unchecked, each droplet a testament

sobs wracking my body uncontrollably. It felt as though my heart had been torn from my chest, leaving behind a raw,

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

status?

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

and support me.

their decelt pressed

crush me beneath its oppressive weight. I struggled to catch my breath

that threatened

I allowed myself to surrender to the torrent of tears,

at my insides. It was as though I were mourning

had once envisioned, now shattered

to lose all meaning as I lay there, cocooned in

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

world asunder.

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

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

lock and pulled open the door,

let us in,” she

to slam the door shut and shut out the

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

darling, I’m so sorry,”