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.

sent a

have

instructions and showed us getting into a

watching us,” I exclaimed, grasping the gravity of

and drew

possible scenarios, realising the potential danger we had placed ourselves in due

me close, enveloping me in a comforting hug while

just have to be more careful,

couldn’t help but embrace him

arms, and we chose to savour the

us, and if there had been

wanted to stay focused and present in

softly called my name, and I lifted my

it together,” he

it was a day filled with cherished

found myself

eyes held a promise that stirred emotions I didn’t know I craved, leaving me to wonder if I was merely imagining things or overanalysing the

managed to whisper, but my voice caught in my

to lean in for a kiss, an unfortunate knock on his door interrupted our moment, and I couldn’t help but curse

mutter a curse word under his breath too, which

me, and I nodded, signalling that he could

announced, “I’m going

happy with that decision, and his expression

revealing Oliver, who had

awkward, and rightfully so, as

asked, his

trying to appear nonchalant even though my demeanour probably

“No, you’re good, Oliver.

to make my way

the near-kiss moment with Liam, and I couldn’t help but curse the interruptions that

in my room, I let out a frustrated

and

moment had been interrupted, and it wasn’t the

was determined not to let anything else get in

bed hoping for a good night’s sleep,

there, I thought, I might have snuggled into his arms and drifted off

night, and it evaded me for most of the

it was already five in the morning, setting the tone for what I knew

up at eight, I was aware

my morning routine, I managed to get ready by eight-thirty and made my way to the

arriving, I found everyone

chair was at the far end

from his seat beside Liam, offering it to

me feel a

by a truck? Jo, those dark circles,” Charlotte exclaimed, drawing attention to my tired appearance, as I had completely forgotten to use concealer to hide the evidence of

be aware that I didn’t

response to her comment and greeted everyone before taking a

“Slept late,” and I nodded, grateful for his

that he was helping me serve my food, a sweet gesture that

question brought me back to

me to connect the dots, given my sluggish

who sent them blew up the van to cover their tracks,” I was impressed by Justin’s

guess finding your girlfriend will be fun with all the danger looming,” Sebastien

about finding

me, even though it hadn’t

for Liam were deeper than

slightly as I lifted the fork, but I quickly placed it back on the plate, hoping no one

about Liam potentially reuniting with Sophia weighed

do if she returns and finds her fated Li? Will you be able to move on? You’ve

we all here because of her?” Marvin teased,

me threatened to surface, but I

wanting to draw attention

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

me, especially not

strength to remain composed and steady, even though it felt like a struggle to

and I are just friends,” Liam replied, attempting to downplay any

let it slide and teased him about the night she went missing, implying that he had planned to ask

with another playful comment, asserting that Liam had practically confessed his feelings

banter was common in Mountain, and it had

it struck a nerve, and I felt a

my plate away and stood up to excuse myself, pretending that I needed to use

sight, I

room, I allowed myself to release the

regain composure, but

this teasing about Sophia and Liam had hit a sensitive nerve, and I needed a moment to

my bed in my room, I couldn’t help but berate myself for foolishly

cared deeply for Sophia, which was precisely why

tears streaming down my cheeks,

let out the emotions that had been building up