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

have already

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

were watching us,” I exclaimed, grasping

nodded solemnly and drew closer

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

me close, enveloping me in a comforting hug while gently stroking my hair to ease

just have to be

I couldn’t help but embrace him tightly, cherishing the safety

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

of the night enveloped us, and if there had been music

stay focused and present in that

he softly called my name, and I lifted my

grateful we shared it together,”

a day filled with cherished memories etched

wanting to smile, I found myself

leaving

whisper, but my voice

his door interrupted our moment,

his breath too, which was quite endearing, causing me to chuckle

looked at me, and I nodded, signalling

need of sleep, I announced, “I’m going to bed,” making my way toward the

didn’t seem happy with that decision, and his expression

the door, revealing Oliver, who had a smile that faded when he

appeared visibly awkward, and rightfully so, as he had

I interrupt something?” Oliver asked, his

even though my demeanour probably gave away the

“No, you’re good, Oliver.

passing him quickly to make my way

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

my room, I

perfect moment and just seize it,”

interrupted, and it wasn’t the best

anything else get in the

a good

been there, I thought, I might have snuggled into his

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

the time I finally dozed off, it was already five in the morning, setting the tone for what I knew would

eight, I was aware that breakfast had likely been

going through my morning routine, I managed to get ready by

found

only available chair was at the far end

up from his

made me feel a bit shy to be the

drawing attention to my tired appearance, as I had completely forgotten

everyone would be aware that I

a smile in response to her comment and greeted everyone before

late,” and I nodded,

me serve my food, a sweet gesture that warmed

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

for me to connect the dots,

“We believe the perpetrators were sent to do something at Grandma Stephanie’s house, and the person who sent them blew up the van to cover

your girlfriend will be fun with all the

Liam about finding his girlfriend made

word “girlfriend” suddenly bothered me, even though it

perhaps my feelings for Liam were deeper than I

I quickly placed it back on the plate,

about Liam potentially reuniting with Sophia weighed

her fated Li? Will you be able to move on? You’ve already moved heaven and earth, for

here because of her?” Marvin teased, and

me threatened to surface, but I

wanting to draw attention to my

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

overwhelm me, especially not

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

just friends,” Liam replied, attempting to downplay any romantic connection

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

another playful comment, asserting that Liam had practically confessed

banter was common in Mountain, and it

time, it struck a nerve, and I felt a surge

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

away from the dining room, but the moment I was out of sight, I hastened up the stairs, desperate to reach my room and let my tears flow

to

to regain composure, but tears streamed down

and Liam had hit a sensitive nerve, and I needed

I couldn’t help but berate myself for foolishly entertaining the thought that there

cared deeply for Sophia, which was precisely why we were in Grizlo

my cheeks, I allowed myself to

needed this release, to let out the emotions that