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

parents have

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

watching us,” I

solemnly and drew

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

me close, enveloping me in a comforting hug while gently stroking

have to be

anyone hurt you,” he reassured, and I couldn’t help but embrace him tightly, cherishing the safety

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

of the night enveloped us, and if there had been music playing, I would have swayed to

I wanted to stay focused

name, and I lifted my head to

grateful we shared it together,” he confessed,

incident, it was a day filled with cherished memories etched

I found myself

promise that stirred emotions I didn’t know I craved, leaving me to wonder if I was merely imagining

whisper, but my voice

his door interrupted our moment, and I couldn’t help

heard Liam mutter a curse word under his breath too, which was quite endearing, causing

at me, and I nodded, signalling that he

announced, “I’m going to bed,” making my way

happy with that decision, and his expression

the door, revealing Oliver, who had

and rightfully so, as he had interrupted

Oliver asked, his tone carrying a hint

nonchalant even though my demeanour probably gave away

“No, you’re good, Oliver.

him quickly to make my

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

in my room, I let out

moment and

in a row, our moment had been interrupted, and it wasn’t the best sign, but

anything else get in the way of

for a good night’s sleep,

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

night, and

the time I finally dozed off, it was already five in the morning,

I was aware that breakfast

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

arriving, I found everyone

was at the far

got up from his seat beside Liam, offering it

was a kind gesture, but it made me feel a bit shy to be the centre

dark circles,” Charlotte exclaimed, drawing attention to my tired appearance, as I had completely forgotten to use concealer to hide the evidence

aware

response to her comment and greeted everyone before taking a seat beside

“Slept late,” and I nodded, grateful for

me serve my food, a

question brought me back

moment for me to connect the dots, given my sluggish morning

at Grandma Stephanie’s house, and the person who

your girlfriend will be fun with all

finding his girlfriend made me

me, even

me that perhaps my feelings for Liam were

hands trembled slightly as I lifted the fork, but I quickly

reuniting with Sophia weighed heavily

Li? Will you be able

here because of her?” Marvin teased,

inside me threatened to surface, but I knew I couldn’t show

seated, not wanting to draw attention to my

tight knot formed in my chest, the kind that usually preceded tears, but I forced myself to take deep

my emotions overwhelm me, especially

steady, even though it felt

replied, attempting to downplay any romantic connection between him and

it slide and teased him about the night she

chimed in with another playful comment, asserting that Liam had practically confessed

banter was common in Mountain, and it had

struck a nerve, and I felt a surge of emotions

to bear it any longer, I pushed my plate away and stood up to excuse myself, pretending that I

was out of sight, I hastened up the stairs, desperate to reach

myself to release the

regain composure, but

had hit a sensitive nerve, and I needed a

for

Sophia, which was precisely

my cheeks, I

needed this release, to let out the