The Dark Side Of Fate

The Dark Side Of Fate 01 Too Late For Goodbyes (Book 3)

~Liam~

Sixteen years Later

Liam: 18

Sophia: almost 16

The music blared loudly, forcing my friends and me to shout in order to communicate. It made me wonder whose brilliant idea it was to turn the graduation celebration into a club-like event. Furthermore, I couldn’t understand why no one bothered to seek our consent for this setup.

Amidst the chaotic atmosphere, I spotted Harper dancing with Lily and Eleanor, who shouldn’t have been there. We were two years ahead of Eleanor. Their presence made me question the whereabouts of the triplets.

“Have you seen the sisters?” I asked Miles, but he shook his head.

Oliver gestured in a direction, and there I found Charlotte, Gemma, and Jewels—the notorious triplets of our class and, coincidentally, my beloved cousins.

I pondered what their plans were after graduation. Being immensely popular in school, I was certain they would find something worthwhile to occupy their time.

Turning to Marvin, I inquired about Sophia’s presence. Once again, the answer was negative. “Isn’t she supposed to be here? I thought you two were close,” Oliver chimed in, taking a sip of his dubious drink. I refrained from guessing its contents, but I was certain it contained alcohol.

“Not really. She’s two years younger than us. I think she’ll turn sixteen in a few months,” Marvin replied, and Miles playfully punched me while chuckling.

“But she should be here to give you moral support,” he said, winking and emphasising the words ‘moral support,’ which elicited laughter from me.

“I haven’t mustered the courage to ask her out yet,” I confessed, surprising them both.

“What are you waiting for? She’s gorgeous, and now that we’re done with school, guys will be lining up for her. The only reason they’ve held back is because they’re afraid of you, and you won’t be here to stop them,” Oliver asserted.

“You’ve been friends with Sophia since you were ten and she was eight, which feels like an eternity. By now, you should have figured out your feelings for each other. I’m aware that she’s the reason you convinced our parents to send us to Grizlo’s Academy. So, Liam, I don’t understand why you haven’t made a move,” Marvin questioned, leaving me at a loss for words.

“You shouldn’t waste any more time. You know every moment counts,” Miles added with conviction, and I knew deep down they were right.

I hadn’t wanted to divert my attention during my studies, as my parents expected nothing but the best from me, and I didn’t want to disappoint them. Romance hadn’t been a priority, but now that I had graduated, I felt ready to explore that realm.

However, I also acknowledged the importance of waiting and seeing if we were destined for each other. Sophia had yet to turn eighteen, so I couldn’t be certain. The last thing I wanted was to break her heart.

I had heard stories about Uncle Leo and my mother, and I vowed never to inflict that kind of pain on anyone. Not everyone is as fortunate as they were. Nonetheless, I couldn’t deny the growing intensity of my feelings for Sophia. The difficult part was that she remained oblivious to them. To her, we were simply friends. I was unsure if confessing my intentions would complicate our friendship or create an opportunity for both of us, but I was willing to take that risk now and confront the possibility of being mates, if it were to ever occur. My affection for Sophia ran deep, and I cared for her immensely.

I rose from the couch in the VIP section and made my way outside to give Sophia a call. I had genuinely believed she would be present at the event.

“Where are you headed?” Harper’s voice echoed in my mind.

“Just going out to get some fresh air,” I replied, continuing on my way.

“We’re breathing just fine in here,” she playfully teased. “You mean you’re going to call Sophia, right?” she inquired, knowing well enough not to expect a response from me.

I could envision her laughter.

My sister understood my feelings for Sophia, and she had been incredibly supportive by keeping it a secret from our friends and cousins. It remained between us; even our younger brothers, Joseph and Keith, were unaware of my crush. Harper and I had a strong bond in that regard, and as far as I was concerned, she was the greatest twin sister one could ask for.

I stepped away from the bustling entrance of the club, seeking solace in the quietness outside. Wanting privacy, I dialled Sophia’s number, anticipation building within me. After a few rings, she answered, and her sweet and gentle voice greeted me with a warm hello.

“Hey,” I responded, feeling a surge of happiness. The sound of a television playing in the background assured me that she was home.

“What are you up to?” I asked, my tone playful. She chuckled in response.

home, watching television,” she replied, and

to the party and keep me company,” I teased, to which

girls fawning over you, I’d rather spare myself the envious glares. Some of them actually think I’m your girlfriend,” she revealed, and I pinched the bridge

wrong with that?” I questioned, and

Tonight, I had planned to ask her out, but doing it over the phone

for you to be here,” I finally

couldn’t get permission to leave the house, and my mother wouldn’t let me go without my father’s approval,” she explained,

I wanted to be there, Li. I wanted to see

graduated, when are you leaving Grizlo?” she inquired,

if that’s what you want,” I assured her, and

someday. Grizlo is too small to contain

you already missing me?”

I knew it was a lie. She didn’t want

by your place after the party,”

she suggested,

intimidating, especially when it comes to his daughter being visited at night. The rooftop will suffice. I’ll let you know

my room?” she playfully teased, and

hope I can handle it,” I teased back, and she

said in her soothing, seductive voice, and we ended the call, a sweet anticipation filling

while talking to Sophia until I hung up. As I turned around, I was taken aback to see Charlotte, Gemma, and Jewels looking at me mischievously. They had overheard everything. Frustration

I asked Charlotte who was their

teasing kissing sound, prompting laughter

my head. They were always teasing me,

I muttered,

causing me to cringe. It would be a disaster if our grandmother found out. She would surely invite Sophia, and I didn’t want

I

wink, making

thanked them

they were done with the party and leaving. I was ready to call it a night too, but I knew my classmates had prepared a

the couch, Maya approached me before I could update them on

couldn’t stand her. She had no business being there, being two years younger than us. Unless she was accompanied by someone, she shouldn’t have attended. However, I guessed her parents were okay with it, as she was

Rivers?” Marvin snapped, clearly irritated. She

here to have fun,” she

had ulterior motives. She was too young for this, and I

smile to fade. But she didn’t give

to ask everyone, and eventually, Miles agreed to save her from further embarrassment. I was relieved because her eyes had begun to well up,

by, I received a meaningful present from my classmates—a plaque adorned with their signatures and heartfelt messages, pledging their loyalty when

honoured with plaques, as they were destined to become future lords of the north. The ceremony was a sight to behold, filled with

I entrusted the plaque to Marvin and

the hour, I disregarded

she would accept

the fated mate connection ever came into play, we would confront it

Alex, was

raced, contemplating how I would express my feelings, and strategising how I would handle any potential positive or

resolved to do tonight was to share a kiss with her,