The Dark Side Of Fate

The Beating Of His Heart ~Josphine~ Justin vented his frustration towards Liam, who remained silent and took the blame even though I was the one who convinced him to go to the place in the first place.

The guilt weighed heavily on me and I imagined what Justin must have endured when the King called, desperately trying to speak with Liam, and Justin having no idea how to reach him.

The King’s worry was entirely understandable.

The circumstances had led to everyone being evacuated from Grizlo for a valid reason.

It was only natural for him to be on high alert when something happened, especially since the incident took place at his mother’s house.

I recognised the legitimacy of his fear, and I felt awful for causing so much concern and putting Liam in a negative light with Justin.

I couldn’t shake off the feeling of blame, fearing that it might lead to problems between Liam and me.

As I made my way to my room, I sternly reminded myself not to act impulsively in the future.

Justin’s concerns were entirely justified.

What if we had been attacked in that place? Despite being fighters capable of defending ourselves, we would have been overpowered if they came in large numbers.

The possibility that they might have used weapons as well weighed heavily on my mind.

I may be immune to Silver, but Liam wasn’t.

The seriousness of the situation dawned on me, and I felt an overwhelming sense of remorse for my actions.

While I was in the shower, I heard a knock on the door, and my immediate instinct told me it was Liam.

He was the only person who would come knocking at my door this late at night.

Covered in soap, I decided that once I finished freshening up, I would head to his room.

The idea of going to his room gave me a rush of excitement, causing goosebumps to prickle my skin.

The memories of our time together at the lake and in his room replayed in my mind.

The way he spoke and the things he did made my heart flutter.

The almost-kiss we had shared at the lake was real; it couldn’t have been a product of my imagination.

I was certain of it.

After I finished freshening up and slipped into my pyjamas, I decided to check on Liam to ensure he was okay, especially since Justin’s demeanour had been serious.

Gently knocking on his door, I was surprised when Liam opened it and motioned for me to come in.

As I stood in his room, I felt a bit uncertain about what to say or do.

Liam looked attractive in his shorts, and not wearing anything on top allowed my mind to wander for a brief moment.

“Sorry about…” I began, but he interrupted me, preventing me from finishing the sentence.

He quickly put on a T- shirt and then guided me towards the balcony.

“I had a great time today, and I don’t regret going with you to that place.

I’m just relieved that we made it back home safely,” he expressed, stepping out onto the balcony.

I watched him closely, unsure of how he felt about the situation.

“So you’re not upset with me?” I inquired, and he shook his head, offering his hand to invite me to join him on the balcony.

“Not at all,” he reassured me, pulling me closer so that we stood side by side, gazing up at the stars in the night sky.

In that serene moment, I knew we shared a special connection, and the day’s adventure had only strengthened our bond.

As he gazed at the night sky, I found myself studying him closely.

It was surprising to see that he didn’t appear affected by the incident with Justin.

It seemed as though he had brushed it off, which I knew was to my advantage.

I gently reached out and touched his arm, prompting him to look at me.

“You know you shouldn’t have lied for my sake,” I remarked, feeling grateful for his gesture but also concerned about him getting in trouble.

Liam chuckled and replied, “Who said I was lying? I actually wanted to check it out myself; you just helped me make up my mind faster,” he admitted with a mischievous grin, causing me to laugh along with him.

It was a relief to know that we were on the same page, and our adventurous spirits only brought us closer together.

Not ready to leave just yet, I decided to initiate a conversation with him.

“What do you think the housekeeper might have done?” I asked, seeking his thoughts on the matter.

He gazed at me, pondering the question.

“Beats me, Jo, but one thing’s for sure: we need to be extremely cautious from now on,” he responded, his smile fading as he emphasised the seriousness of the situation.

He continued, “We were under surveillance by those perpetrators.

even sent

have already seen

showed us getting into a cab,” he revealed, causing me to

us,” I

nodded solemnly and

trailed off, my mind racing to the worst possible scenarios, realising the potential danger we

hug while

have to be more

won’t let anyone hurt you,” he reassured, and I couldn’t help

in each other’s arms, and we chose to savour the moment, relishing each

tranquillity of the night enveloped us, and if there had been music playing, I would

to stay focused and present in that

my name, and I

grateful we shared it together,” he confessed,

filled with cherished memories

wanting to smile, I found

stirred emotions I didn’t know I craved, leaving me to wonder if I was

whisper, but my

unfortunate knock on his door

curse word under his

nodded, signalling that

need of sleep, I announced, “I’m going to bed,” making

with that decision, and his expression conveyed

revealing Oliver, who had a smile that faded

appeared visibly awkward, and rightfully

something?” Oliver asked, his tone carrying a

shook my head, trying to appear nonchalant even though my demeanour probably gave away

“No, you’re good, Oliver.

replied, passing him quickly to make

moment with Liam, and I couldn’t help but curse

my room, I let out a

the perfect moment and just seize it,” my

a row, our moment had been interrupted, and it wasn’t

not to let anything else get in the way of embracing

went to bed hoping for a good night’s sleep,

been there, I thought, I might have snuggled into

seemed to be my enemy that night, and it evaded me for most of

was already five in the morning, setting the tone

up at eight, I was aware that breakfast had likely

to get ready by eight-thirty and made my

arriving, I found everyone

available chair was at the far end of

Oliver saw me, he promptly got up from his seat beside Liam, offering

but it made me feel a bit shy

by a truck? Jo, those dark circles,” Charlotte exclaimed, drawing attention to my tired appearance, as I had completely forgotten to

be aware that I

comment and greeted everyone

late,” and I nodded, grateful for

that he was helping me serve my food,

could fully collect my thoughts, Noah’s question brought me back to the topic of our

to connect the dots, given my sluggish

who sent them blew up the van to cover

guess finding your girlfriend will be fun with all the danger

to Liam about finding his girlfriend made

bothered me, even though it

realisation hit me that perhaps my feelings for Liam were deeper than I

but I quickly placed it back on

potentially reuniting with

you be able to move on?

all here because of her?” Marvin teased, and I

inside me threatened to surface,

stayed seated, not wanting to draw attention to my inner

chest, the kind that usually preceded tears, but I forced myself to take

emotions overwhelm me,

mustered all my strength to remain composed and steady, even though it

attempting to downplay any romantic connection between him

about the night she

chimed in with another playful comment, asserting that Liam had practically confessed his feelings for Sophia in

was common in Mountain, and it had

and I

plate away and stood up

moment I was out of sight, I hastened up the stairs, desperate to reach my room and let my tears

myself to release the emotions that

breathed deeply, trying to regain composure, but tears streamed down my

and Liam had hit a sensitive nerve, and I needed

but berate myself for foolishly entertaining the thought that

Sophia, which was precisely why we were in Grizlo in the first

down my cheeks, I allowed

release, to let out the emotions that had