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 a

have already

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

were watching us,” I exclaimed, grasping the gravity of the

nodded solemnly and drew closer to

could have…” I trailed off, my mind racing to the worst possible scenarios, realising the potential

comforting hug while gently stroking my hair to ease my

have to be more careful,

help but embrace him tightly, cherishing the safety

each other’s arms, and we chose to

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

focused and present in

he softly called my name, and I lifted my head

and I’m grateful we shared it

a day filled with cherished memories etched in

to smile, I found myself lost in Liam’s

craved, leaving me to wonder if

whisper, but my

was about to lean in for a kiss, an unfortunate knock on his door interrupted our

a curse word under his breath too, which

nodded, signalling that he could answer the

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

that decision, and his expression conveyed his

who had a smile that faded when

appeared visibly awkward, and rightfully so, as he

I interrupt something?” Oliver asked, his tone

my head, trying to appear nonchalant even

“No, you’re good, Oliver.

replied, passing him quickly to make my

from the near-kiss moment with Liam, and

I let

the perfect moment and just seize

interrupted, and it wasn’t the best sign,

to let anything else get in the way of embracing what I was feeling

to bed hoping for a good night’s sleep, but it

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

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

off, it was already five in the morning, setting the tone for

woke up at eight, I was aware that breakfast had likely

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

I found everyone

available chair was at the far end of

promptly got up from his seat beside

kind gesture, but it made me feel a bit

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

aware

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

I nodded, grateful

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

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

to connect the dots,

responded, “We believe the perpetrators were sent to do something at Grandma Stephanie’s house, and the person who

be fun with all

finding his girlfriend made

me, even

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

quickly placed it back on the plate, hoping no one

with Sophia

fated Li? Will you be able to move on?

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

inside me threatened to surface, but I knew I

wanting to draw

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

me, especially not in front

though it

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

about the night she went missing, implying that he had planned to ask

Liam had practically confessed his feelings for Sophia in

banter was common in Mountain, and it had never bothered

I felt a surge

plate away and stood up to excuse

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

allowed myself to release the emotions that had been building

trying to regain composure, but

sensitive nerve, and I needed a moment to collect

room, I couldn’t help but berate myself for foolishly entertaining the thought that there might be something

that he cared deeply for Sophia, which

streaming down my cheeks,

this release, to let out the emotions that had been building