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

have already seen

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

they were watching us,” I exclaimed,

and drew closer

my mind racing to the worst possible scenarios, realising the potential

comforting hug

have to

help

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

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

stay focused and present in that serene

and I lifted my

was incredible, and I’m grateful we shared it together,” he confessed, and I couldn’t

was a day filled with

smile, I found myself lost in Liam’s

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

whisper, but my voice caught in my

kiss, an unfortunate knock on his door interrupted our moment, and I couldn’t help but curse

I heard Liam mutter a curse word under his

looked at me, and I nodded, signalling

of sleep, I announced, “I’m going to bed,”

didn’t seem happy with that

who had a smile that faded when

rightfully so, as he

asked, his tone carrying a

head, trying to appear nonchalant even though my demeanour probably

“No, you’re good, Oliver.

him quickly to make my way to

and I couldn’t help but curse the interruptions that kept

room, I let out a

moment and

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

was determined not to let anything else get in the way of embracing what I was feeling for

went to bed hoping for a good night’s sleep,

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

that night, and it evaded

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

eight, I was aware that breakfast

ready by eight-thirty and made my way to the dining

found everyone

at

promptly got up from his seat beside Liam, offering it to

feel a bit shy to be the centre of

Jo, those dark circles,” Charlotte exclaimed, drawing attention to my tired

everyone would be aware that

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

“Slept late,” and I

was helping me serve my food, a sweet gesture

question brought me back to the topic of

took a moment for me to connect the dots, given my

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

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

about finding his girlfriend made

bothered me,

for

I quickly placed

potentially reuniting with Sophia weighed heavily on

her fated Li? Will you be

because of her?” Marvin teased,

me threatened to surface, but I knew

seated, not wanting to draw attention

chest, the kind that usually preceded tears, but I

my emotions overwhelm me, especially not in front

all my strength to remain composed and steady, even though it

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

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

that Liam had practically

was common in Mountain, and

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

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

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

room, I allowed myself to release

trying to regain composure, but tears streamed down my cheeks

Sophia and Liam had hit a sensitive nerve, and I needed a moment to collect myself and process these

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

crystal clear that he cared deeply for Sophia, which was precisely why we were in Grizlo in the

down my cheeks, I allowed

let out the emotions that had been building up inside