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

gave instructions and showed us getting into a cab,”

were watching us,” I exclaimed, grasping

solemnly and

racing to the worst possible scenarios, realising the

me in a comforting hug while gently stroking my

just have to be more careful,

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

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

enveloped us, and if there

focused and

name, and I lifted

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

it was a day filled with cherished memories etched in my

smile, I found

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

to whisper, but my voice caught

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

curse word under his

looked at me, and I nodded, signalling that he could answer

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

happy with that

had a

appeared visibly awkward, and rightfully so,

Oliver asked, his tone carrying

appear nonchalant even though my demeanour probably

“No, you’re good, Oliver.

him quickly to make my way to

the near-kiss moment with Liam, and

my room, I let

and just seize

been interrupted, and it wasn’t the

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

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

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

enemy that night, and it evaded me for most of

morning, setting the tone for what I

at eight, I was aware that breakfast had likely been

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

arriving, I found everyone already

available chair was at the far end of

me, he promptly got up from his

feel a bit shy to be the centre

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

would be aware that I didn’t sleep

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

I nodded,

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

Noah’s question brought me back to the

connect the dots, given

house, and the person who sent them blew up the van to cover their tracks,”

will be fun with all the

comment to Liam about finding his girlfriend

me, even though

that perhaps my feelings for

I lifted the fork, but I quickly placed it back on the plate, hoping no one noticed my

conversation about Liam potentially reuniting with Sophia weighed heavily on

finds her fated Li? Will you be able to move on? You’ve already moved

all here because of her?” Marvin teased, and I

inside me threatened to surface, but I

seated, not wanting to draw

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

overwhelm me, especially not in front

strength to remain composed and steady, even though it

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

about the night she went missing, implying that he

comment, asserting that Liam had practically

teasing banter was common in Mountain, and

nerve, and I felt a

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

the dining room, but the moment I was out of sight, I hastened up the

my room, I allowed myself to release the

deeply, trying to regain composure, but tears streamed

nerve, and I needed a moment to collect myself and process these

room, I couldn’t help but berate myself for foolishly entertaining the

which was precisely why we

cheeks, I

let out the emotions