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

parents have already

getting into a cab,”

I exclaimed, grasping the gravity of the

and drew closer to

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

in a comforting hug while gently stroking my hair to ease

to

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

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

night enveloped us, and if there had

wanted to stay focused and present in that

my name, and I lifted my

was incredible, and I’m grateful we shared it together,” he confessed, and I

filled with cherished memories etched in my

smile, I found myself lost in Liam’s

eyes held a promise that stirred emotions I didn’t know I craved, leaving me to wonder if I

managed to whisper, but

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

word under his breath too, which was quite endearing, causing

nodded, signalling that he

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

seem happy with that

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

awkward, and rightfully so, as he

asked, his tone carrying a hint

even

“No, you’re good, Oliver.

passing him quickly to make

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

I let

moment and just seize it,” my

had been interrupted, and it wasn’t the best sign, but

get in the way

hoping for a good night’s

Liam had been there, I thought, I might have snuggled into his arms and drifted

night, and it

in the morning, setting the tone

I woke up at eight, I was aware that breakfast

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

arriving, I found everyone already

was at the

promptly got up from his seat

made me feel a bit shy to be the centre

tired appearance, as I had completely forgotten to use concealer

would be aware that I didn’t

mustered a smile in response to her comment and greeted everyone before taking a seat

I nodded, grateful

was helping me serve my food, a sweet

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

to connect the dots, given my sluggish morning

Justin responded, “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 their tracks,” I was impressed by Justin’s theory and agreed

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

finding his

“girlfriend” suddenly bothered me, even though it

me that perhaps my feelings for Liam were deeper

lifted the fork, but I quickly placed it back on

potentially reuniting with Sophia weighed heavily

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

we all here because of her?” Marvin teased, and I found it hard to

inside me threatened to surface,

wanting to

kind that usually preceded tears,

let my emotions overwhelm me, especially not in

composed and steady, even though it felt like a struggle to keep my emotions

Liam replied, attempting to downplay any romantic connection between

Charlotte didn’t let it slide and teased him about the night she went missing, implying that

asserting that Liam had

Mountain, and it had

and I felt

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

moment I was out of sight, I hastened

my room, I allowed myself to release the emotions

trying to regain composure, but tears streamed down my

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

help but berate myself for foolishly entertaining the thought that there might be something between

for Sophia, which was precisely why

cheeks, I allowed myself

let out the